If you were at the football game last Friday or near E‑wing parking lot in the mornings, you have probably seen the new Maine West Flag Corps.

Flag Corps got started when captain Melissa Dunavant '79 moved to Des Plaines last January. Melissa had been involved in the Flag Corps at Spring Valley in South Carolina. She talked to Mr. Paul Magnusson, the band director, who had been interested in starting a Flag Corps, and who now had an experienced, determined leader willing to start a Flag Corps. But this was the time of the musical, and nothing got finalized until the end of last year. Tryouts were held and 16 members chosen. They are Sue Corsten '80; Melissa Dunavant '79, captain, Tracy Duncan '80, Nancy Gray '79; Linda Jung '79; Lisa Kirkpatrick ‑ '80; Eileen Kramer '79; Martha Lara '80; treasurer; Jeanne Meyer '79; lieutenant; Debbie Paska '79; Dawn Slifer '81; Sheila Temple '81; and Stephanie Ulbert '80.

Over the summer the girls rehearsed three and one‑half hours a week. Flags on seven and one‑half foot poles were ordered, and uniforms were decided upon. The uniforms were sewn by each girl. They are white silk skirts with royal blue sashes and light blue skirts. The girls also had to buy their own white boots, white gloves, and show pants.

To help cut the high cost of these accessories, Flag Corps held a bake sale almost every day of summer school.

Bake sales will continue during this school year to raise money to send the girls who will be in the Corps next year to flag camps so they might learn more intricate routines. "These camps are about a week of intensive drilling and over‑all hard work," commented Melissa.

Linda Jung expressed her feelings by saying, "If you've never marched on the field before, there is nothing like it." When asked what she thought of the Corps she commented, "I think we have a lot of spirit and hope we're a big success with the school in general."

Melissa hopes, "The Corps will continue on and make a traditional change of some sort each year." She has high hopes for the coming year and feels, "We've developed into a close‑knit, hardworking bunch. Through the laughter, sweat, frustration, and even tears there are never hard feelings toward anyone at the end of a practice."