With no 2020 drum corps season, Cadets Arts & Entertainment focused its attention on establishing clear policies, strict safeguards and strategic committees that meet regularly to help guide The Cadets forward. In his federal lawsuit seeking severance pay and other monies, Hopkins asserts that he resigned from the organization by letter on April 5, and that his departure was "mutually agreed"-upon. Copyright 2023 by The Associated Press. Bergstrom argued that the states shield laws do not apply in this case as the Inquirer is not protecting a confidential source or communication. In the suit, Hopkins denied he was fired by YEA, claiming he left the organization through a mutually agreeable cessation of employment.. Im angry. The Cadets Drum Corps -The Three Peat | by George Hopkins | Medium won with field programs that were, and still are, viewed as ground-breaking. Most of the time, the individual is NOT an assistant but someone who would like to assist. has taken furt, Two former Youth Education in the Arts employees accused George Hopkins of sexual assault. After a great experience his first year, Calhoun said he was looking forward to coming back in 2017, even as some changes in his personal life took a toll on his mental health. In both cases, the women say after meeting with Hopkins on business, they were drugged and sexually assaulted. and USBands, but I can no longer be treated as dispensable. "We are now opening a new chapter in the storied history of The Cadets by creating a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity guided by the following founding principles: To educate youth from around the globe on the value of teamwork, inclusiveness, kindness, self-expression, and open communication; To create a safe and inclusive environment for all participants; and To enrich lives by teaching critical development skills required for the pursuit of personal excellence.". This has directed more than enough negative attention to the Cadets when in reality, it should be pointed at George Hopkins himself. He began as Director in 1983 Advertisement Allentown News In 1971, the Cadets marched a show they called, "No More War"; at VFW Nationals in Dallas. 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. But no one is irreplaceable. Hopkins earned about $177,000 in 2017, according to the nonprofit's financial statements. George Hopkins 247 Followers Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 1968-2019). Error! The 36-year-old woman addressed Anthony and spoke about years of fear, shame and depression as a result of the crime, which she did not immediately report. Free Access to this video! 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. In the suit, Hopkins denied he was fired by YEA, claiming he left the organization through a mutually agreeable cessation of employment.. After roughly a month of trying to leave, Calhoun said he finally did it in July, cutting his touring season short. Hopkins is facing two sexual assault charges after nearly a dozen women came forward with allegations in 2018. The corps traveled to Chicago for Legion Nationals at the members' own expense. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. [6] The only junior drum and bugle corps older than The Cadets is the Racine Scouts, which was founded in 1927. In a fast-paced competitive environment like the Troopers, Calhoun said his mental illness problems soon led to physical injuries. Chief Deputy District Attorney Matthew Falk said the woman in the 2008 allegation decided that not pursuing these charges are in her best interest, and we support her in that.. This is art. [10] On September 22, 2020, Hopkins pleaded no contest to indecent assault and was sentenced to two years probation[14] and fined $5,000. Her husband, based on everything hes heard about drum corps from Connell, says he wouldnt let any of their children march. 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The woman addressed Anthony in court, telling him of years of fear, shame, and depression as a result of the crime, which she did not immediately report. They became the 507 Hornets -- I marched there from 1971-1974. agreed to take over the assets and liabilities of the Crossmen in 1997. At the first DCI World Championships in Whitewater, Wisconsin, the Cadets just missed making Finals and finished in thirteenth place in a competition that featured thirty-nine corps from the East, the South, the West Coast, the Midwest and Great Plains, and Canada. that title. money, and members. He resigned his position in April 2018, but the YEA board rejected his resignation and fired him, citing the sexual misconduct allegations lodged against him. 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. In July, he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. Rescue operations underway as Wyoming blizzard continues to wreak havoc, Applications open for nonprofit 1-cent funding, Global race is on to improve EV range in the cold, Gordon discusses importance of focusing on Wyoming solutions, Moscow reportedly threatened new parents in Ukraine: Register your newborns as Russian or else, The impact of climate change will be felt worse in these three U.S. cities. The judge set a Dec. 17 hearing on the defenses motion to dismiss the charges. ), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Names and emails redacted to protect the innocent. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Falk declined to comment afterward on whether the two sides were discussing a plea deal. George Hopkins, the former director of the Allentown Cadets and CEO of Youth Education in the Arts who separated from the organization after being accused of sexually harassing nine women, is suing YEA for more than $580,000 in severance pay. Exercise was often used as punishment for messing up. Ex-director of Allentown drum corps enters plea in - lehighvalleylive After the hearing, Hopkins' lawyer, Thomas Bergstrom, called the probationary sentence a fair result and said there were many inconsistencies in the accusers' stories. Allentown Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps separated from YEA and became the nonprofit Cadets Arts and Entertainment Inc. in May, stating they lost $1.5 million in sponsorships, donations and ticket sales after the allegations against Hopkins were made public. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors withdrew two charges of felony sexual assault and added the indecent assault count, a misdemeanor, to which Hopkins pleaded no contest. The Cadets of Bergen County won DCI Championships in 1990, '93, '98, and 2000. This time, people considered dramatic steps to change the face of the Cadets and for all time, to shift the trajectory of the most honored drum and bugle corps in history. She said Hopkins' denials on social media after the allegations became public in 2018 he complained he had been smeared were a constant source of anxiety. The DCI.org interview: George Hopkins YEA rejects ex-director's resignation, fires him amid allegations, New twists appear in relation to former Cadets Director George Hopkins, Investigation underway into YEA! 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. The. On November 13, Hopkins was indicted in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania for sexual assault, based on accusations of two women who are former employees of YEA. Allentown's Cadets drum and bugle corps forming non-profit, separating from YEA! He followed that with eight additional DCI World Championships, most Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. A tuba player lost feeling in their right hand, he said, and wasnt treated until the next day. "I just kept saying no, don't do this, I don't want to do this," said Marie, who said she went by her middle name at work. The DCI.org interview: George Hopkins They reportedly tried to convince the VFW officials that the peace symbol in their drill was actually the Mercedes-Benz logo. Former Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins has settled a civil claim with the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts, regarding compensation. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. They wanted to shed a light on his behavior and for him to have a criminal record, he said. Cadets official statement. George Hopkins has resigned. As presented, the Cadets did turn to Black renditions of the Cadets uniforms at the end of 2015. Abusers like Hopkins benefit from a culture of exclusivity and competition thats common in drum corps.
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