Behind the Scenes of the South Shore Drill Team

Lee Edwards | As of Wednesday, May 21, 2014


For 34 years, young energetic members of the South Shore Drill Team (SSDT) have electrified audiences worldwide with thrilling performances, while behind the scenes, SSDT officials are just as charged up, as they inspire the SSDT team to excel in the classroom and in life.

For 34 years, young energetic members of the South Shore Drill Team (SSDT) have electrified audiences worldwide with thrilling performances, while behind the scenes, SSDT officials are just as charged up, as they inspire the SSDT team to excel in the classroom and in life.

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Two members of the South Shore Drill Team perform a spirted dance during a recent competition.

Founded in 1980 by Arthur Robertson, the SSDT is a non-profit organization that provides youth ages eight to 24 years old, with a positive and fun performance based social outlet. Today, the SSDT performs 125 times annually boasting appearances in Africa in 2005, at U.S. President Barack Obama’s Inauguration in 2012, and in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City in 2013.

“I'm proud of where we are, especially having done the Inauguration and Macy's Parade in New York,” said Robertson, who is the SSDT director. “For the Southside community, it gives kids an opportunity to do something positive and keeps them off the street. At the same time, it instills values in them and keeps them focused on completing their education.”

“They learn a lot from performance that helps them in terms of job readiness skills like punctuality, appearance, demeanor, self-confidence and also life skills like teamwork [and] leadership,” said Sara Vlajcic, administrative director for the SSDT. “Our job is to keep them engaged. The longer they stay with us the better performers they become. Also, the longer they stay with us, the better chance they have at getting the support they need to finish high school and going to college.”

The SSDT is funded by individual donors, federal grants, performance fees, and corporate sponsors.

All SSDT members must be enrolled grade school or high school students, must be drug-free and must not be involved in street gang activity. Participants learn several dance disciplines including classical, contemporary, gospel and hip-hop. No prior drill team or marching band experience is necessary

“We start all kids out at the same level, we have no try-outs, we accept all kids, and they are divided into small rehearsal groups based on age and gender and they begin preparing right away for major competitions,” said Vlajcic.

The SSDT is divided into groups according to gender, age and ability: Big Guard, The Ladies of South Shore, Cadets, American Flag Section, and Pee Wees.

According to Vlajcic, SSDT members hail from 28 different zip codes and attend 81 different schools within the Chicagoland area.

The SSDT provide tutoring and year-round classes on reproductive health, decision making, and substance abuse, and job training to members. Over the past three, the high school graduation for rate for the SSDT members has been at 100%.

For more information visit http://www.southshoredrillteam.org/.

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