By JUDY RATTNER
A tie score of 50 points for each team in the competition left the event-s participants and those watching it in stunned silence when the results were first announced. As the first tie in 20 years, and the ninth in the 92-year history of the annual indoor meet that involves considerably over half of South Side High School's female student population, many were unaware that a total meet score resulting in a tie, would remain a tie.
Chosen in late January at the school's midterm break, the teams' captains, coordinators and members immediately got down to work developing and perfectiing skits, songs, dances, costumes, props, posters, emblems and a tumbling routine the major categories on which they're judged for the three-night event, held in the school gymnasium.
The teams pretty much divided the eight major categories in terms of the points awarded, said Michael Heller, district director of Physical Education, Athletics and Health. "If people are looking for a winner, the only way that you could have found a winner is to find an appropriate way to break a tie, and I don-t know if there-s a way to do so which would be fair to the girls who worked so long and hard for the last six weeks.
The meet got underway Thursday night as the girls, dressed in white, sang their march and friendship songs, and presented their team's posters and emblems to the judges and the capacity audience of family, friends and interested onlookers.
The gym was filled again Friday and Saturday nights as an overflow crowd watched the skit and dances from each team. For the first time, Saturday night's performance was broadcast live over the school channel that is available to village residents who subscribe to Cablevision.
"The Tale of Camp REDwin," under the direction of Red Team captains Jamie Carey and Meg Votke, engaged the audience with the story of Camp REDwin that is saved from being taken over, for back rent, by the owner of the property, Mr. Bluemingdale.
The Blue Team treated the audience to "BLUE York State of Mind," under the direction of captains Jackie Femminello and Kelly Reynolds, in which Kelly and her friend Jackie travel to New York so Kelly can fulfill her dream and audition (successfully) for a Broadway show, overcoming obstacles by her rival, Mildred.
Groups of girls in homemade costumes danced in aerobic, jazz, disco and tap arrangements that were part of the skits. They also competed in tumbling, floor hockey, volleyball, relay contests and a tug of war that contributed points to the overall score.
It wasn't until Saturday night, after the second show, that the winner of each category, and the overall tie, was announced. The Blue Team won poster, song, costume, prop and tumbling. The Red Team prevailed with its emblem, skit, dance, organization and meet decorum. The teams tied in attendance and split the athletic competitions each night.
Nicole Knorr and Jennifer Sedler were Red's advisors. Liz Marshall and Joanna Zweben were advisors for Blue. Meaghan Healey and Walter Denton served as meet directors. Red boys were Greg Demas, Matt Geyer, Wes Melillo and Mike Murphy. Blue boys were Mike Kladias, John Modica, Frank Monteforte and Pat Tighe.
