Drum Line’s Trip Turns into National Surprise

Drum Line’s Trip Turns into National Surprise

digitalsportsnews | December 3, 2014
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The Drum Line of Grant Union High School in Sacramento, California beats to the mantra, “Not following the paths of others.” Like any other drum line, their goal is to provide music at football games. It serves as an extra-curricular activity for most, as well as a way to make friends, play music, and have fun outside of the regular school day. But, Grant Union is a bit different from every other school drum line. According to the State of California, Grant is one of the worst performing schools in the Sacramento area, categorized by low graduation rates and some of the poorest families. Unfortunately, environments and neighborhoods plagued with poverty tend to make getting into trouble easy for the impressionable youth that live there. "A lot of gang members come out here, they sell drugs; but as the drum line, we protect ourselves, we look for each other," said senior Tevin Lee, a snare and quad player. He practiced for years just for a chance to be on the drum line, which became a second home; if not his first. "My mom and dad aren't home, I don't know where they are," Lee said. "I have no type of connection with them at all." Affectionately known as Mr. V, the drum line’s instructor, James Van Buren is like a father figure to the students, providing food, help with school work, and guidance. "The kids that I'm with 24/7, I love them all, none more than the other," said Van Buren. "I'm very protective of them." For many of the kids, the drum line is a safe place for them. "Realistically, they sleep on this floor," said Van Buren, "There are times that I'm doing some stuff, they'll say, 'I don't want to go home,’ and they'll fall asleep right here." Recently, the group was invited to play at the 2015 Independence Day Parade in Washington D.C. They also caught the attention of Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, who asked them to play a private party in Hollywood. Just like any other father would take their kid to an event, Van Buren shuttled his dozen plus drum line children on an all-day bus ride to Los Angeles for the biggest performance yet. What they didn’t know was that there would be no party. The group was brought to the Jimmy Kimmel live studio in Hollywood for a surprise performance in front of a live audience and all of its home viewers. ABC producers let the kids in on the secret; they were going to surprise Van Buren by bringing him on the set of the show for the taping of an ABC special called, “Thank You, America!” Mr. Van Buren was pulled from the audience to sit on the same couch graced by thousands of celebrities to talk about teachers, the love for his students, and how honored he is that his students think of him as a second father. To top it off, the curtain was pulled back to reveal Grant High School’s drum line for a surprise performance for Mr. V and the audience. Marriott International heard the drumline's inspiring story and wanted to inspire others. Not only will the hotel chain provide all the hotel rooms for the group's trip to Washington D.C. next year, they also gave them a $20,000 check to help with transportation costs. A video testimonial was put together by the students to show their gratitude to Mr. V. "Come on, you have a group of kids, they've never told you they love you, and then they're telling me through the lens of a camera, it made me feel so good, I almost felt like crying. But, come on, I'm not gonna cry on national TV," Van Buren laughed. "It's not gonna happen!"   See the video by ABC News and USA Today here: