Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Stepping high and proud

Everyone's Youth United invites teens to express themselves. So musicians and dancers do, in a band that likes it lively.

By RITA FARLOW
Published June 29, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - Heat rose from the pavement as Gwenetta Martin, 18, led her fellow dancers through a series of steps. Behind her, Roy Blake and Brandon Marshall, both 17, called out songs to other band members who were marching in place.

Despite the heat, the Marching Bobcats and Dancers were practicing at their headquarters, 700 43rd St. S, for upcoming performances.

The next day, 22 members of the group marched into a crowded conference room at a youth summit at the St. Petersburg Hilton. Dressed in royal blue uniforms and white boots with silver accents, the dancers took the floor while the band electrified the crowd with a six-song medley.

The group is just one component of a program sponsored by Everyone's Youth United, a nonprofit organization that helps and educates at-risk kids in the community. The group came together about a year ago when RoyBlake approached EYU founder and CEO Eric Green.

Green thought the band would make a nice addition to the music and arts program already in place at EYU, so he told the teenager he would work on finding sponsors and funding if Blake would recruit members.

Soon, Green found a company that was willing to help. The band was able to buy nearly $10,000 worth of equipment. Meanwhile, Blake hooked up with Gwenetta Martin, the dance team captain. The blended group now performs at community events such as the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major for Justice Parade and the Juneteenth celebration in Campbell Park.

Band members practice three times a week, and dancers often practice daily, sometimes for three to four hours.

"This is our second home," Blake said.

Brandon Marshall, who plays the trumpet, French horn and tuba, likes the band's focus on traditional, high-step marching. Many historically black colleges and universities practice the high-energy marching style. Dancers accompany the band.

"Where I'm from, everybody did it," said Marshall, who grew up in Georgia. "It's like a show style of marching, where you dance and you're high stepping at a 90-degree angle."

While most local marching bands are walking bands formed for competition, high-step bands tend to get people on their feet during performances, he explained.

Funding for EYU programs comes fromfundraisers, corporate partnerships and other sources. The members perform at local Wal-Marts to raise money for travel costs. They make their own band and dance uniforms to save money.

EYU celebrated last year when a $375,000 Community Development Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development allowed it to buy its own building on 43rd Street. In May, Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed a $100,000 appropriation for EYU from the state budget.

"This was the second year that we were cut out completely," Green said. "We were also one of those that were banking on that funding for operating dollars. We're going month to month trying to look for the bigger dollars."

EYU program director John Palumbo said the group has received a lot of community support for its programs, which include a Political Youth Academy. The program encourages youth to become familiar with the democratic process and culminates in the spring with a trip to the state Capitol and the campuses of Florida State and Florida A&M universities in Tallahassee.

EYU also offers life skills classes with sessions on character building, nutrition and health awareness, and crime, drug and alcohol prevention. Another track focuses on creative arts such as video, photography, drama and recording production. Classes in marketing and computers help prepare the kids for the workforce. The idea is for all of the courses to come together for a holistic learning experience, Green said.

He emphasizes the importance of academics and life skills, telling the kids once they learn something, it can't be taken away from them.

Part of EYU's success comes simply from keeping the kids occupied and off the streets so they are not tempted to do things that will get them into trouble, Palumbo said.

"They want to know there are outlets for them to express themselves in a safe environment and that the people in their community care about them," he said. "EYU provides that safe haven and positive, caring adults to help guide them." Teamwork is a big part of EYU's mission, Green said, along with honesty, integrity and diversity.

All the hard work and dedication appear to be paying off. The Bobcats are fielding more requests for performances from churches and businesses. Green hopes to cement a partnership with Childs Park Recreation Center, where band members would teach younger students to play instruments and let them join the Bobcats.

Green said forming the band has been mutually beneficial. The Bobcats bring attention to the work EYU is trying to do, while the kids learn skills they can use in the future.

"They feel more prestigious, that they're worthwhile," Green said. "The self-esteem is incredible."

[Last modified June 29, 2005, 04:56:19]