You can cancel at any time. also sponsored the recently inactive 2016 DCA Champion Cadets2 Drum Corps, 2014 WGI Independent Open Champion Cadets Winter Percussion, and Cadets Winter Guard; USBands (formerly United States Scholastic Band Association); the Urban Arts Center of the Lehigh Valley, which included the Xcape Dance Studio.[18]. It took a summer without performances, said Connell, for people to step back and realize that what they thought was tough love was actually systemic negligence. Steven Chirichella still not the same MarieI feel your thoughts and sure Aunt Nell would be our side. Wyoming teachers are leaving. Im still standing and using my voice to say what you did was wrong, she said. In a no contest plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but concedes that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. The Allentown Cadets drum and bugle corps lost sponsors, donors and engagements because of sexual misconduct allegations against its then-director George Hopkins. Some people may be able to give 12 hours a day to the cause, and that is great for them and you, but my life is outside of YEA! It wasnt rape and it wasnt sexual assault, Bergstrom said. Hopkins was hired by The Cadets in 1979 and became director in 1982, coaching the team to 10 world titles. George Hopkins has been charged in Lehigh County with two counts of sexual assault. Read more Kyle Monroe by Tricia L. Nadolny Allentown's Cadets drum and bugle corps forming non-profit, separating from YEA! moved its base of operations to Allentown, Pennsylvania and The Cadets relocated along with it. After the hearing, Hopkins lawyer, Thomas Bergstrom, called the probationary sentence a fair result and said there were many inconsistencies in the accusers stories. Morning Call reporter Laurie Mason Schroeder can be reached at 610-820-6506 or lmason@mcall.com. View George Hopkins' profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. Lehigh County Judge James T. Anthony also fined Hopkins $5,000, the most allowed by law, and called him flatly disgusting.. Hopkins is out on $50,000 bail. 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Senate vote, Reading Area Water Authority looking for leak on North Heidelberg Township line, Former Penn State Berks soccer player among dead in violent Monroe County crash, Biden expected to tighten rules on US investment in China, Paid express lanes grow more popular in once-reluctant South, Ukraine ally Kallas fights for reelection in Estonia vote, In Chicago, adapting electric buses to winters challenges, Pot vote has Oklahoma hungry to rake in green from Texas, Global race to boost electric vehicle range in cold weather, In Britain, warm hubs emerge to beat soaring energy costs, 6 Nigerian states drop suit to void presidential vote result, The implications of Walgreens' decision on abortion pills, What the Tech? This amount of the lawsuit included recovery for lost sponsorships and pledged donations to The Cadets and YEA!, a major loss of participants in the US Bands program, as well as legal fees incurred due to the scandal. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. organization was immediately put on a probationary status by DCI with the statement that, "The terms of the probation include multiple steps for YEA! established a hotline for calls to report concerns or complaints.[11]. In 1937, the corps song, "O Holy Name", was written for the corps. Marie J DiDomenico Dont listen to them Steven, its the guard. has taken furt, Two former Youth Education in the Arts employees accused George Hopkins of sexual assault. I know this sub loves a good Hop story, so here you go. After the hearing, Hopkins' lawyer, Thomas Bergstrom, called the probationary sentence a fair result and said there were many inconsistencies in the accusers' stories. Former Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins has settled a civil claim with the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts, regarding compensation. The Cadets has long been one of the top programs, attracting teens and young adults from around the world. Hopkins also served as CEO of the Cadets' parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts. The Cadets began operating independently of YEA! A statement issued late Thursday night by the YEA board of directors, the organization that operates The Cadets, an elite drum and bugle corps, said CEO George Hopkins denies the allegations but . Error! She said he showed up at her apartment one morning, begged her for sex, then pushed her on the bed and raped her. The. Hopkins was also charged with sexually assaulting another woman in Allentown; that charge was dropped as part of an agreement that led to Thursdays plea. But no one is irreplaceable. This is the resignation letter from the director of USBands (a YEA program that helps fund The Cadets) and reveals some interesting information. The judge did question how the defense would know if the witness impeached her own testimony on the stand, if it didnt know ahead of time what she may have said in an earlier interview. Twelve women have told the Inquirer they were sexually harassed or abused by Hopkins over the nearly four decades he served as director of Allentown's famed Cadets, years during which he achieved rock-star-like status in the activity. In an online post last year, Hopkins called the allegations an orchestrated smear by those who disagreed with his management. Hopkins attended Wednesdays proceeding but did not address the court. (A similar group of Midwestern corps, the Midwest Combine, was formed by the Blue Stars, Cavaliers, Madison Scouts, Santa Clara Vanguard, and the Troopers.) I dont know a single person who marched drum corps and didnt have complaints.. George Hopkins, the former CEO of the Allentown-based Youth Education in the Arts, faces three felony counts of sexual assault for allegedly assaulting two former employees. [10] On September 22, 2020, Hopkins pleaded no contest to indecent assault and was sentenced to two years probation[14] and fined $5,000. His credentials, his experience, his talents, his imagination, and his intellect are formidable. Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. But, as Connell says, the problem is much deeper than a couple of creeps. [10] The organization also hired a Chicago labor and employment law firm, Franczek Radelet, to investigate the accusations against Hopkins as well as YEA!s policies and procedures for providing a safe environment for youth members, employees, and volunteers. In the criminal case, prosecutors allege Hopkins, of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, sexually assaulted a former employee at his Allentown apartment after they met at a bar to discuss drum corps rules. In the suit, Hopkins denied he was fired by YEA, claiming he left the organization through a mutually agreeable cessation of employment.. George Hopkins pleaded no contest in Lehigh. There is an interview with Beyer that is readily available to the public that will allow the Bergstrom to build his defense, Berry argued. Based in Erie, Pennsylvania, The Cadets was one of the thirteen founding corps of Drum Corps International (DCI), is a ten-time DCI World Champion, and is the oldest continuously active junior drum and bugle corps in North America.[1]. Als u uw keuzes wilt aanpassen, klik dan op 'Privacyinstellingen beheren'. Free Access to this video! Former Cadets described him as a charismatic leader, while former office. George Hopkins, longtime director of the Cadets drum corps, resigns after sexual misconduct allegations April 6, 2018, 7:20 AM The decorated director of The Cadets drum and bugle corps. Caren Blundetto-Frech This would be more appropriately titled as a BLACK SATURDAY sale . Two more women say they were raped by George Hopkins, bringing to 11 the number who have accused the former drum and bugle corps director of sexual misconduct. The charges are second-degree felonies. The Alliance members felt that the corps should be making their own rules, operating their own competitions and championships, and keeping the bulk of the monies those shows earned. Fine time to ask me now. George Hopkins, who led The Cadets to renown and a slew of national and world championships, stepped down from the Allentown-based group after Philly.com reported Thursday that nine women had accused him of sexual harassment or abuse. gant \er--gnt, a-r-\ : having or showing the insulting attitude of people who believe that they are better, smarter, or more important than other people : having or showing arrogance.thats GH. A Chicago law firm has exonerated suspended Youth Education in the Arts employee Sean King. [16] Hopkins and YEA! Please subscribe to keep reading. I expect my final paycheck on October 18 which should include the agreed upon amount for moving expenses that has not been paid since starting in February 2017. Hopkins, 63, was accused of sexual assault and harassment by nine women in a 2018 Inquirer article. George Hopkins 247 Followers Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 1968-2019). The group keeps up a grueling practice and travel schedule, performing throughout the United States. Youth Education in. On April 5, 2018, allegations were made in published reports that the longstanding corps director, George Hopkins, sexually harassed or abused multiple members of the corps and staff over a period of years. In my opinion, its impossible to march drum corps and not be broken in some way when you come out, because its a very rigorous physical and mental activity, said Calhoun, a former baritone. Drum Corps International, the sanctioning body for competition youth drum corps events, said in a statement that it was "deeply concerned" by the allegations against Hopkins. Falk said the victims were in agreement with the plea negotiation. In 198385, the Garfield Cadets became the first DCI corps to earn a three-peatthree consecutive DCI titles. He followed that with eight additional DCI World Championships, most Bergstrom said the Inquirer interviewed Jessica Beyer in April 2018 and publicly aired the four to five-minute video. won with field programs that were, and still are, viewed as ground-breaking. The only ones that thought it was the kiss ass GH puppets/groupies/cult members. Anthony warned Hopkins that if he violated any conditions of probation, he could be sent to a state prison. On Wednesday, he told Lehigh County Judge James Anthony that the Inquirer has refused to provide the full video. What is clear ---I need an assistant. The Cadets won additional DCI championships in 2005 and 2011, the corps' ninth and tenth in forty seasons.[3].