2005: Gaia Blue

FIELD MARSHALS:
Drew HAMILTON
Meredith WOITECH
Alex HORTON
Paul FRANKLIN
Pat McQUILLAN
Nick BETTLES

ROPE BURN LEADER:
JB SNYDER

SING COORDINATOR:
Jillian SCHESCHUK

GENERALS:
Tara LEVINE
Jamie HANFLING
Brendt MENDELBLATT
Ali DOPPELT
Andrea TUFANO
Daniel GRUSKIN

LIEUTENANT GENERALS:
Jessica BIRZON
Allison HARTEL
Ben TOPIEL
Adam ROTHSTEIN

MAJORS:
Lara TARLE
Suzanne LEVY
Josh NEWFIELD
Greg LAFAYETTE

CAPTAINS:
Dot WELDON
Lindsay LEVINE
Jordan GLAUBINGER
Jeremy MARTIN

THE STANDARD

THE PLAQUE

THE POEM

Before the sun warmed our shoulders
Before the waves crashed upon the shore,
Before the mountains towered above all else,
Only Gaia, Mother Goddess
Creator of all we know and see,
Life originated from her,
The atom was her tool,
The universe her playground.
She is the source of all life:
Pure energy flows through her veins.
The most powerful of gods bow down at her feet; Gaia, the thread tying together all of eternity.
Four elements emerged from one:
Fire the energy, wind for transition,
Earth for devotion, water for flexibility.
Four traits perpetuated through time.
Her strength comes from her family,
We are brothers and sisters under her.
Blue and Gold, boy and girl;
Gaia is mother to all

THE ESSAY

Gaia Blue is centered on the Mother Goddess of Ancient Greece. Before her there was only darkness, void and confusion; after she came into being, order and peace were established. She is the creator of the universe, the mother all of humanity turns to, and the rock from which Blue Team draws its spirit and perseverance. Motherhood is the most important priority to Gaia, and she fiercely protects her offspring. Under Gaia we are all family, brothers and sisters united in one camp. No matter the team, blue or gold, following this four-day competition, we know that we will love each other again. Gaia was the creator of all living things, and is connected to all of her descendants through each ones’ life force. Every corner of the universe was forged by her hands, from the largest of galaxies to the smallest of atoms. Gaia Blue’s bravery and strength are derived from our confidence in her supremacy, and reinforced by her love.

Gaia created the four elements of nature: fire, earth, wind, and water. Each element symbolized a different trait that Gaia possessed which is reflected in the Blue team and specific Color Week events. Fire represents the energy and spirit of the Blue Team, especially at the time honored tradition of Boys’ Rope Burn. Twelve men,
with their team’s support, work together to build a fire and an unforgettable night. Our resolution and strong will originated from the element of Earth, as shown in the track meet. Both teams struggled in several games and races, utilizing the speed and strength they were given by Gaia. Swiftness and adaptability were crucial to
winning the swim meet, signified by the element of Water. Blue exploited teamwork and their strong sense of community at the swim meets to win both the boys and girls swim meets. The last element of Gaia is perhaps the most significant – the key element of Wind, eternal symbol of intelligence and cunning. At the color bowl, the
team put their minds together to answer trivia questions and solve riddles, eventually coming away with a victory. Only by combining all four elements and working together can the Blue Team succeed.

By drawing on the significance of cooperation, the power of their mascot, and the four crucial elements of nature, Gaia Blue stuck with it through the ups and downs of color week. They mustered all of their might, energy, and brains to compete with Atomic Gold. Gaia Blue is confident that no matter what the end of color week entails, the family that Gaia has produced here at Iroquois Springs will survive, stronger than ever.

THE MARCH

(Melody: Under the Sea)

Gaia Blue will defeat you,
In all of the games we play,
Atomic Gold watch your back,
For spirit is what you lack.
Just look at the points we’re gaining,
You fall while we still soar.
The blue team is sure to prevail,
Because we want it more.

CHORUS:
Blue team is here,
Ready to fight,
We’ve got more passion,
It’s in our fashion,
We’ll use all our might
Out on the field we see you play,
But in the end we’ll win the day.
Try as you might,
We’ll win the fight,
We’re here to stay.
At the pool and the track meets,
We dominate overall.
We’ve built up the strength we needed,
To make sure the Gold Team falls.
Tug of War and the Apache,
Floating Lineup and Marble Call,
We score every chance we’re given,
What more are you looking for.

CHORUS:
Blue team is here,
Ready to fight,
We’ve got more passion,
It’s in our fashion,
We’ll use all our might
Way ahead of gold we will run,
But watch out we’ve just begun,
We’ve got the spirit,
You’ve got to hear it, Blue team is here (1,2)
GO BLUE!

THE ALMA MATER

Melody: (Savage Garden, Two Beds and a Coffee Machine )

We all gather here tonight, (1) slowly I reach for your hand. (1,2)
Don’t want to think about tomorrow, for we all will have to part, (1)
But these rare moments keep us here. (1)
I’ve spent half the night dreaming
Of times shared by blue and gold (1)
Iroquois Springs my second home. (1,2)
Another friend to say goodbye,
Another time I start to cry. (1,2)

Chorus:
Another summer’s gone by,
It went too fast. (1)
But the memories we’ve made,
Will always last. (1)
As the end is drawing near, (1)
Wonder how I’ll live without your love.

(2,3,4,1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4,1,2,3)

Looking over my shoulder, (1) I see you smiling at me. (1)
Friends and memories as countless as the stars that fill the skies (1)
United tonight as one. (1)
Seasons changing make me realize that another year’s flown by, (1)
But I know that we’ll meet again. (1)
Want to stay here forever,
But I know I’ll have to go home (1,2)

Chorus:
Another summer’s gone by,
It went too fast. (1)
But the memories we’ve made,
Will always last. (1)
As the end is drawing near, (1)
Wonder how I’ll live without your love. (2,3,4,1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4,1,2,3)

BRIDGE (duet): As tears fill my eyes, and you stand right by my side,
You tell me that everything will be all right,
I feel the warmth of your heart, and I know we’re gonna make it (1,2)

Chorus:
Another summer’s gone by,
It went too fast. (1)
But the memories we’ve made,
Will always last. (1)
As the end is drawing near, (1)
Wonder how I’ll live without your love.