CO - DIRECTORS

Cathy Barnes-Miller

Hi, I am Cathy Barnes and I am the founder and co-director of the Miami Valley Adaptive Color Guard. I taught for Miamisburg City Schools for 38.5 years. I was the director of the Miamisburg High School World Guard for 26 years. During that time the World Guard achieved Gold medals 3 times and silver and bronze medals many times. I then went on to start the junior high program as well as the elementary program. I was a feature twirler at my school, Sycamore High School in Cincinnati and was Captain of the Miller Blackhawks Twirling Corp.  I was a United States Twirling Association Judge for 15 years and have been judging colorguards in band competitions and winterguard competitions for the past 30 years.

Emily Karwisch

Hi! My name is Emily Karwisch. I am one of the co-directors for the MVACG. I am a first grade teacher in Miamisburg and I live in Lebanon with my husband, Dan. I've been a part of the colorguard activity for 17 years. I began with Cathy Barnes-Miller teaching me the "basics" of guard in my mom's classroom before school when I was in third grade (they were co-workers). I continued on through the elementary guard, junior guard, A guard, and the world guard. Before my sophomore year of college at the University of Dayton, Cathy called me and asked if I'd like to be a part of starting this program. Without hesitation, I said yes! It truly has come full circle for me. I am so lucky to be a part of such a magnificent organization. These performers and their families are outstanding people and I am blessed to work with them. I hope you are able to come out and see them!

MVACG BOARD
President: Gretchen Jansen
Vice President: Charla Clapp
Treasurer: Tonia Vasquez
Secretary: Kathy Vickers
Guard Representative: Cathy Barnes