Category: Spotlight

Our Trooper Spotlight for November is Tom Kness. Fun Fact: Tom is Starkiller Garrison’s longest standing 501st Legion member to date. You can learn more below. 

When did you join the 501st and why?

“Jan 2004, to have fun costuming and do events with worthwhile charities.”

What was your first costume you got approved in?

“TIE Pilot”

How many costumes have you been approved in or do you own now?

“5 approved. ANH-TK, ESB-TK, TIE, ANH TIE and 181st TIE.”

Do you have any stats off hand that you’d like to brag about? Number of troops done, number of different states/garrisons trooped with, etc.

“No nothing comes to mind worth bragging about.”

If you have multiple costumes, what is your favorite costume to wear and why?

“181st Tie, it’s the elite of the TIEs and one of the easiest to wear.”

Do you have a favorite event you’ve done or special memory you’d like to share?

“Make-A-Wish for Joshua, it was an event in Reading at an adult prom where items from LFL were presented to a young kid named Joshua. The energy we put into that performance and the level of emotion from doing it was just amazing.”

Do you have any advice for potential new members or our newest members?

“Take it all in and enjoy the ride.”

What do you do for a living?

“Corrections Officer.”

What are some other things you like to do outside of the 501st?

“Model building and video games”

Who is your favorite Star Wars character?

“Original EU Wedge Antilles, a man that always did the right thing.”

Other than Star Wars, what other fandoms do you like?

“Aliens/Predator”

This month our Trooper Spotlight is on Greg Geibel. Let’s learn all about Greg…

When did you join the 501st and why?

“January 2016”

What was your first costume you got approved in?

“2…I also have an Imperial Death Trooper”

Do you have any stats off hand that you’d like to brag about? Number of troops done, number of different states/garrisons trooped with, etc.

“Not really…but I do know I’ve stolen a lot of hearts:)”

If you have multiple costumes, what is your favorite costume to wear and why?

“The Stormtrooper is very iconic…most people recognize that one. The Death Trooper has quite the formidable presence….but everybody thinks I’m Darth Vader.”

Do you have a favorite event you’ve done or special memory you’d like to share?

“Not a troop or event, but a story that speaks to the kid in all of us. When I was seven, my friend Brett and I would play with our figures all the time. We unfortunately lost most, if not all, the blasters through the cracks in my back deck. One day, with the help of his mom, we wrote a letter to Kenner asking for “replacements weapons.” A few weeks later, a mailing envelope the size of a football arrived at his house. When we opened it and dumped the contents onto his kitchen table, we saw a mountain of Star Wars weaponry. Taking turns, we each took what our figures needed. It was possibly the greatest day of my 7 year old life and the beginning of a life-long appreciation for the power of the Force.”

Do you have any advice for potential new members or our newest members?

“It’s about the kids and the parents who feel compelled to say ‘thank you.’”

What do you do for a living?

“10th grade English/Yearbook teacher”

What are some other things you like to do outside of the 501st?

“Portrait/Action photography, build guitars, work on old cars…”

Who is your favorite Star Wars character?

“Stormtrooper”

Is there anything else you would like to add that we might not have asked?

“You may not be able to tell by looking at me, but I can run pretty fast.”

Congratulations to Shawn on being our trooper spotlight for September! Let’s get to know him.

When did you join the 501st and why?
“2013, general fan of Star Wars and costuming”

What was your first costume you got approved in?
“Stormtrooper Stunt”

How many costumes have you been approved in or do you own now?
“3”

If you have multiple costumes, what is your favorite costume to wear and why?                                                                                                                  “New Hope TIE Pilot. Ease of movement, and I can kneel down to the kids for better photos.”

Do you have any stats off hand that you’d like to brag about? Number of troops done, number of different states/garrisons trooped with, etc.?
“No, I’m not one to brag, it’s not a contest for me.”

Do you have a favorite event you’ve done or special memory you’d like to share?
“Favorite troop is the Erie SeaWolves Baseball games or Erie ZooBoo”

What are some other things you like to do outside of the 501st?
“Anything Halloween related..I’m a haunt prop maker and mask maker..I’m also a collector of Horror and pop culture collectables. I attention many horror film conventions throughout the year and try to keep myself busy when I’m not dealing with the everyday stress of my job.”

What do you do for a living?
“Venango County Department of Public Safety/ 911 Dispatch Supervisor”

Who is your favorite Star Wars character?
“Vader”

Other than Star Wars, what other fandoms do you like?
“Other than Star Wars, I suppose it would be GI Joe because those are the things l grew up on in the late 70s and early 80s so those two would be the main ones I’m fans of but I’m far from being obsessed with either.”

Do you have any advice for potential new members or our newest members?
“Just do what feels natural to you, it’s not a competition..Try to keep it fun without the politics and make it your own.”

Our “Trooper Spotlight” for August 2018 is Austin Hammett.

Lets get to know Austin.

When did you join the 501st and why?
“March 2016. I joined after seeing the Legion at Steel City Con. I was a volunteer fireman for almost 10 years. I gave that up after my wife and I moved out of the area I was in for so long. I wanted to find something that would allow me to again give back to the community. With my love of Star Wars, the 501st just made sense to me.”

What was your first costume you got approved in?
“Imperial Bridge Crewman”

How many costumes have you been approved in or do you own now?
“1”

Do you have a favorite event you’ve done or special memory you’d like to share?
“I love doing ReplayFX every year! I only get to troop 1-2 times a year but this one is ALWAYS on my schedule! “

What do you do for a living?
“Sales for Comcast”

What are some other things you like to do outside of the 501st?
“I love collecting Star Wars autographs! “

Who is your favorite Star Wars character?
“Obi-Wan Kenobi”

Other than Star Wars, what other fandoms do you like?
“Star Trek”

Do you have any advice for potential new members or our newest members?
“Enjoy every second of being a trooper. We have the opportunity to do something amazing with the blessing of Lucasfilm. Star Wars has the best fanbase in the world and we get to bring those movies to life for so many. Being a part of this organization, whether you troop once a year or every week, its all amazing!”