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Inside the Bok Technical High School gymnasium, about 10 boys ages 12 to 17 were pounding bass drums. In front of them, standing in rows at attention in purple, aqua and white uniforms, were dozens of girls ages 5 to 18.
As thunderous, steady rhythms filled the vast space, the females began their routine of military-style marching and dancing with precise hand and arm movements. Think Janet Jackson’s moves during her famous "Rhythm Nation" tour meets a military marching band.
These drummer boys and dancing girls, who rehearse inside the gym at Eighth and Mifflin streets, are the national champion South Philly Commandoes drill team. Only a year old, it beat out a dozen other groups from all over the country at the May 5 American Marching Association National Championship in Baltimore.
Broken down into 34 drillers and 12 drummers, South Philly Commandoes include peewee (ages 5 to 7), junior (ages 7 to 13) and intermediate (13- to 17-year-olds). The drummers make up one squad but consist of junior and intermediates.
While only the intermediate drillers and drummers placed first, and the peewee drillers did not compete (but still performed), the whole team shares in the glory.
"For them, to come in first place in a national championship is outstanding. I am just really proud of them," founder Tonya Rose-Davis told the Review.
Davis’ other team, Eastwick Commandoes, founded in August 1993 and based out of Southwest Philly where she used to live, came in second at nationals.
Davis attributes the South Philly win to her staff, all former Eastwick participants since they were teens, including 24-year-old daughter Alicia Rylander who oversees the drummers. Team director is Tracey Greene while sister Erica Greene heads the intermediate drillers, and Shannon Johnson keeps her peewees in line.
"It makes me feel good that all the hard work we put into it paid off, and it makes them happy because some of them have not been doing this that long," Erica said of her victors.
A combination of sassy, dramatic and precision styles in an eight-minute routine landed South Philly on top, Tracey said.
Intermediate Briana Finch, 14 and from West Philly, is used to winning, having been competing since she was 5 with Eastwick Commandoes. At this year’s competition, Finch was captain of the dramatic-style drillers. "I felt good because we did a lot of hard work and it was fun," she said.
Fellow intermediate Lakira White, 13, from Fifth and Emily streets, had never stepped it up until she joined South Philly Commandoes, so the victory was especially sweet. "I was proud," she said, adding the team "keeps me off the streets and you have fun. There’s a lot of challenges and stuff."
Davis launched her South Philly Commandoes after some of her former Eastwick students heard she had opened Discovery Daycare at Seventh Street and Snyder Avenue. She tapped Tracey, an Eastwick Commandoe alum and daycare employee, to head the team.
"I saw all these kids just walking around doing nothing. They have basketball leagues everywhere but nothing for the girls. So I decided to start this and the first day we had like 68 kids," Tracey said.
"When I see the kids here and not in the street, it lets me know we can make a difference," Davis said. "We need to make a difference. They need positive role models. They need a world outside of their existing world. Their world does not have to be all shootings and killings. You just have to expose them — and that’s what we do here."
Intermediate drummer Randy Magen, 15, from Eighth and Moore streets, has been with the program since the beginning. "It’s something that I always wanted to do," he said. "It keeps me off the street and it keeps me busy."
This activity is a positive pastime among urban kids that provides creative and social outlets, Davis said.
"The drill team teaches them to dance and provides them with military-type instruction and structure that teaches discipline and strong life skills focused on leadership, respect for themselves, others, proper attitude and respect for community," the founder said.
While enjoyable, drill teams can be demanding and regimented. The group recently performed at a murder vigil Saturday at 10 a.m. at Eighth Street and Snyder Avenue. In addition to frequent performances at city events, antiviolence rallies and competitions, South Philly Commandoes rehearse seven hours a week — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and 6 to 8 p.m. Fridays.
At competitions, a squad captain must ask the judges’ permission "to take the floor" before the drillers begin.
Before all public performances, directors inspect uniforms for cleanliness and fit. At rehearsal last Friday, Erica tugged at the back of one of her girl’s outfits, gently explaining it should be more form-fitting for a tailored back. Gaudy jewelry and nail polish are not allowed. "This isn’t about fashion. Everyone has to look the same. We are a team; Nobody is better than anyone else," Erica said.
The most rewarding part for these instructors is watching the transformation of kids into adults. "Their whole personality changed, their whole way of talking to each other. Their whole presence has changed. They are enthusiastic and have something to look forward to," Erica said.
Self-assuredness and -esteem were just two of the rewards peewee director Johnson reaped from her years of drilling. "It gave me confidence. I was very shy when I was younger. When I was captain of Eastwick, we had to speak to the judges, we had to show personality, so it gave me that, too. Did I mention it gave me confidence?" she said with a hearty laugh.
Davis encourages her boys and girls to stop at age 18, stressing the importance of focusing on college or trade school.
All of her assistant directors are currently in college and a former Eastwick Commandoe is a West Point graduate who went on to become an Army lieutenant.
"That is the thank you," the founder said of her alumni continuing their education. "You can’t give us money. We don’t want money. We want you to be productive. We want you to succeed in life."
For more information on South Philly Commandoes, call 215-755-7588.
