Sponsors: To contribute to one or more of the members below, please use the SPIRIT GRADE FUND Sponsor form. To obtain a form, please click on the Sponsor Form to the right, print the form and follow the instructions.

Members: if your member bio is not yet displayed, you should email your biography and if possible, a JPEG picture of yourself to Melanie Condran at If you cannot email your biography or picture, please mail and/or bring them to the next camp or practice.

LaShawn Adams Hello, my name is LaShawn Meri Adams. I am currently 15 years old and I have been a member of Spirit of Newark since I was 12 years old. This July 19th, I will be turning sixteen years old making that a total of four years in the Corp. I attend St. Vincent Academy in Newark on full Scholarship. I have very good grades and I am in the National Honor Society. I also participate in such activities as Drama Club and Campus Ministry. I was drawn to Spirit of Newark while at my old school Queen of Angels. During my first year in Spirit I served as a roady (helper). As the years progressed, I am now one of the leaders of the color guard. I have developed a lot of skills such as good flag handling, and trying new things such as working with sabers and rifles. Not only have I developed the skills that can take me very far but, I have a family away from my family. I arrived at Spirit with my twin sister and up til this day she is still my partner in crime and we still continue this journey together. I have met some life long friends and no matter how upset we get at each other we will remain family. I like to think that I bring a lot of life to this corp. At Spirit you never know what’s going to happen next and that’s what I like about this corp. We never give up and we are not afraid of a challenge. From my experience I walk away much wiser and loved by all the people I have been close to for so long.

LaTonya Adams Hello, my name is LaTonya Adams and I will be 16 years old on July 19, 2009. Along with my twin sister, this is our fourth year in the Spirit of Newark. I am in the color guard. The Spirit has given me the opportunity to travel the country, visiting places and meeting different people. This program has helped me in many other sports such as cross-country, track, and the drill team. I've learned discipline and how to work with others. I’ll be entering the 11th grade in September 2009. I currently have a 2.9 GPA, but I'm working overtime to top that 3.0 and higher mile-stone. One of my goals is to attend college. While being in the Spirit takes up a lot of time and energy, the benefits have been helpful in all parts of my life.

Justin Charles My name is Justin Charles. I have been a member of Spirit since 2006. I play mellophone and trumpet. Whether it’s been playing an instrument or helping on the side. I have been there. Being a part of Spirit has been a rewarding experience. It’s taught me how to play an instrument, show discipline and it has been a maturing experience. It has brought me places that years ago I wouldn't have been able to dream of going to. I've even met a few people. I don’t think anyone has could come as far as I have thanks to the help of Spirit.

Sydonia Daniels Hello, my name is Sydonia Daniels. My birthday is July 2 1993. I am currently 15 years old. I have been marching with this Drum Corps for three years now going on four. I attend Arts High School in Newark, NJ and am a current freshman. I do many other things that have my interest such as Basketball Softball and Track. I have played mellophone and contra bass and currently I play lead soprano with Spirit. I am also the brass section leader and last season I played a duet in the song “White Satin.”

Monique Iluonokhalumhe Hello, my name is Monique Iluonokhalumhe. I am 12 years old in the 7th grade. My birthday is May 29,1996. I started drum corp when I was 11 years old. I currently attend St. Rose of Lima School. When I started drum corp I thought I was not going to make it to the end of the season. As I got towards the middle of the season I started to like it and finished my first year as a rookie. I like to do other things such as writing, cheerleading, and dancing. I have very good grades in all my classes. One of my goals are to finish college and become a medical doctor. Spirit has taught me a lot and I appreciate what they have done. Thank you for all the support.