Beating The Odds ... And The Drums

CBS Evening News: One Small Band Makes The Cut To March In Barack Obama's Inauguration Parade

(CBS)  There are some very elite drum lines in America, and the Bonnie Brae Knights from Liberty Corner, N.J., are definitely not one of them.

CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman asked one of the bandmembers: "What was your drumming experience before you joined?"

"Zero," he said.

"Nope, never touched a drum before," another said.

Hartman asked another: "What do you know about drumming?"

"It's a verb," the kid replied, laughing.

This band isn't like any other. They'll take anyone - for any reason.

They're just a rag-tag group of bad-news-snares. But the Knights do have one huge fan.

His name is Bill Powers. He's the school director. And he believes in these kids so much, not long ago he tried to get them a spot in President-elect Barack Obama's inaugural parade.

"The reason I applied and I thought they might have a chance is Obama's campaign themes of 'hope' and 'change,' and that's really what we're about here," Powers said.

Bonnie Brae isn't a regular school. It's a residential treatment center for boys who've been abandoned or abused - angry kids that have usually been kicked out of multiple foster homes.

It's something of a home of last resort.

"Yeah, it really is," Powers said. "For some kids it really is their last chance for them to make something of themselves."

Which is why Powers so wanted to get his kids in the inaugural parade. In fact he wanted it so badly he even lied on the application - three times - in the first paragraph.

Powers wrote "The Knights are a marching drum line…" Well, they never march. "…composed of 12 drummers." They had just six at the time. He also wrote: "They wear colorful blue and yellow uniforms." Really, they were just t-shirts.

The drum line didn't even have decent drums, or even enough sticks to go around ... all minor details Powers figured he would fix if by some miracle if the group ever got accepted.

Which … it did.

"Uh oh. Now we have to produce, you know (laughter)," he said.

The drum line - now with eight new recruits - has been practicing every day, often twice a day.

They've made tremendous strides in their drumming and are now working on their strides - marching back and forth across the gym. People have donated drums and sticks. Real uniforms are on the way.

And new attitudes are all around.

"They're already feeling so much better about themselves because of this," Powers said.

"I have to work hard I can't mess up no more," one band member said.

Another told Hartman: "I'm really sticking with this one because I really want to do it."

Change - it may be coming to Washington next week - but, obviously, it's in New Jersey already.

[slydog62]

This is not a piece about the director not telling the truth. This is a piece about a man who believes in his students!! Can''''t you see that? Sure he had to fudge on the application, but only because he BELIEVED!! He and the boys worked hard for this opportunity and they deserve it. This piece moved me like no other - I was reminded of Peter Pan''s Lost Boys - these boys are no longer "lost" they have someone that believes in them and hopefully they understand what it means to have someone support them 100% no matter what has happened in the past. I am thankful to Steve Hartman for all of his pieces but I am especially glad he did this one. Sylvia Tucker

[southjersey9]

The residential treatment center is not just for abandoned or abused adolescents. It is also for adoloescents that are having difficulty with behavior or substance abuse issues to name just a few. It is disappointing to see the way this story was written not to mention the attention given to the fact that the application was not completed in an honest and upfront manner. One thing I do know is that this center depends on its donors and I would like to think that although a bit presumptious Bill Powers knew that his donors would come through. One thing I can say for sure is that the description of the center is not completely accurate so perhaps the spin on the application leaves a bit of information out as well. My disappointment lies with both parties, reporter and the applicant. Neither one of them give those kids the credit they deserve for trying to make something of thier lives.

[standupusa1]

What a sad message to send to our youth, that it is ok to lie to get what you want. The school director, Bill Powers, lied three times on the application to participate in Obama''s inauguration parade. The most troubling aspect of all of this is that Steve Hartman and Katie Couric, either didn''t recognize what was wrong or they didn''t care. Either way, they look bad.

[outraged6]

This sends the wrong message to all the students and band directors that follow the rules. I am glad that the boys have achieved something. But I feel that giving the director praise for lying 3 times in the application is wrong and would almost wish that the story was not broadcast.

[pussbump]

Steve I wouldn''t be to proud of this piece of work. It shows the bad side of our society.

[pussbump]

What about the school or organization that worked their butt off and didn''t get there because of this bunch of liars? Is that fair? This whole country is flipping upside down.

[pussbump]

This is a clear example of how low we as a society have slumped. First an organization lies to get something. Then the news media sensationalizes it on national TV. It is pitiful.