The Santa Clara Vanguard is honored to announce our 2017 Hall of Fame Inductees. They are: Lou Avilla, Elaine Kono, and Kathy Pearson. These three notable individuals join the 20 previously-inducted SCV Hall of Fame members, including Vanguard greats like Myron Rosander, Fred Sanford, and our Corps founder, Gail R. Royer.
View the complete list of SCV Hall of Fame members here!
We hope you will join us in congratulating these worthy inductees and their families at this year’s Birthday Brunch on Saturday, March 25, 9:30AM – 1:00PM at the Santa Clara Vanguard Hall.
You can get your tickets to the event here!
LOU AVILLA (SCV Volunteer: 1969-1980)
Known as the “Corps Dad” to may marching members in his time, Lou Avilla left a legacy of selfless service to the Santa Clara Vanguard. He was an incredibly innovative equipment designer and craftsman, responsible for outfitting the equipment truck, developing the first fiberglass tenor drum harness, and building rifles with better weight and balance. Lou devoted much of his time to this organization and was always around to get the job done, no matter how big or small.
ELAINE KONO (SCV Volunteer: 1982-2011)
Elaine Kono was first introduced to the Santa Clara Vanguard through her son Kevin who began marching in 1982 as a lead soprano. That first year she volunteered to sew corps uniforms, and even though her son aged out in 1985, Elaine continued to volunteer her time for many more years. She has a deep love for the members in this corps and did everything she could to ensure they enjoy their experience with SCV. Elaine continues her support to this day through scholarships for corps members.
KATHY PEARSON (SCV Member: 1979-1987; Staff: 1989-1992, 2006-2016)
Since joining the corps at the very young age of 12, Kathy has been a key part of the fabric of the Vanguard organization. After spending 9 years as a marching member of the Santa Clara Vanguard and Santa Clara Vanguard Winter Guard, she returned as a member of guard staff and dedicated herself to educating new members. Most recently, Kathy’s work with the SCV Winter Guard has led the group to great success and she continues to serve as a mentor and role model for color guard performers everywhere.