This is something I'm really into.
I started out in my high school band playing the trumpet. I would've kept at it if my college had a band, but they don't. I do love to go to drum corps shows and wish I was on the field marching with them.
I started in winterguard when I was in 10th grade. When I came to college, I joined Sapphire, a WGI open class guard that has now folded. This year I marched with Dark Horizons. We didn't march WGI in '97, but in '98 we were there in A class. I'm not doing winterguard in '99, but not by my own choice.
The following is a message about a very good friend of mine:
On June 19, 1998, Mario J. Schwartz (designer and board member of the Dark Horizons/Attitude Guard Association) was involved in a terrible accident near his home in Pittsburgh (Carrick area). He dove into a swimming pool and hit his head. At this time, Mario is in the intensive care unit of Mercy Hospital. He is paralyzed from the chest down, barely able to move his arms and not able to move his legs at all. He is also having problems with his lungs. Currently, his doctors cannot be sure that he will ever walk again. He'll be in intensive care for at least another 3 to 4 weeks with months of stay in the hospital..
Shortly after the accident, Mario underwent surgery to replace two bones in his spinal cord with plates that would help stabilize his neck. The operation went well, but he will still be immobilized with a halo for quite some time. He's very scared and depressed, as we all are because none of us can know the future... We can only take things one day at a time.
Mario has been a part of the marching band/colorguard community in Pittsburgh for most of his life. He was a long time performer of the Carrick HS marching band and indoor guard, a past member of the Golden Lancers Drum and Bugle Corps, a designer/instructor with the Avonworth HS Marching Band, and designer/instructor/performer and board member of the Dark Horizons/Attitude Guard Association. We have had the pleasure of
teaching and working with him for several years, as well as learning from him. He is a very special friend to us and anyone who knows Mario will know what I mean when I say that he is a VERY special person and a big part of all of our lives.
At the age of 23, Mario has been able touch the lives of an
extraordinary number people, both in the professional and performance arenas. He always has a kind word, and he is ALWAYS there for anyone who needs him. Now, it's time for us to be there for him.
In order to help Mario and his family with the growing medical expenses, the Dark Horizons/Attitude Guard Association has created the Mario J. Schwartz Foundation here in Pittsburgh. The fund will be used to collect donations to help Mario and his family pay for some of the medical expenses that they will incur after he leaves the hospital and enters a rehabilitation program. *All* monies collected will be forwarded to the family from the special account that we have opened. Also, the Dark Horizons/Attitude Guard Association will be donating monies from their many summer activities to this special fund.
If you know of someone who knows Mario, please pass along this
message. If you wish to send a personal message to him, you can send email to [email protected], or [email protected].
If you would care to send a card or Donation, please address the card to:
T.O.B.
Tournament of Bands homepage
Winterguard
Winter Guard International homepage
Drum Corps
Drum Corps International homepage
B.O.A.
Bands of America homepage
Band
The Marching Emporium
Dark Horizons
Dark Horizons homepage
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