On December 10th, the WGI community was shocked by the news out of Avon High School: the five-time WGI Scholastic World Guard Champion, and defending 2024 gold medalist, was moving to be inactive for the 2025 WGI season. 

In a lengthy post that went out via the Avon High School Band social channels, here's what was said:

Following a magical run of success, acvhievement, and memorable performances starting with the 2023 Band of America Grand National Championship, to our historic 2024 World Class WGI season, onto the 2024 Bands of America Grand National Championship, and finishing with our unforgettable performance in the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Avon Band program is in the midst of reimagining the 2025 winter season and exploring new performance and collaboration opportunities. Following their record-breaking performance of their 2024 production, "Voilá," the 5-time WGI champion Avon World Guard is moving to be inactive for the 2025 winter season and will return in 2026.

The announcement goes on to say that Avon is looking forward to new collaboration opportunities by "integrating our Colorguard students into our World Drumline and Indoor Winds programs, as well as creating a new level of training and performance for our A guard." So while the Scholastic World Guard may not be active as its own entity this winter, students still wishing to march in 2025 will have a home within other Avon High School programs. 

The shock of this announcement has been felt throughout the entire community, with many feeling deep sadness over a Scholastic World mainstay withdrawing itself from the season before WGI 2025 has started in earnest. With many unanswered questions, all fans can do is hope for more information to be released as the start of the WGI season gets closer. 

Sending much love to the Avon World Guard program.

The Avon High School Winter Guard program is a five-time WGI Scholastic World gold medalist, most recently placing first in 2024 with its program titled, "Voilá." With a score of 99.350, Avon HS scored the highest Scholastic World guard score in WGI history.