South Park Elementary Drill Team Wins Contest

It was a proud moment for the nine girls and one boy who make up the drill team at South Park Elementary School in South Los Angeles when they took home a first-place prize from Magic Mountain’s fifth annual Elementary School Drill Team Competition.

“I was so excited,� said Kiana Garvin, 10, one of two co-captains of the team. “It was the first time I had won anything like that.�

Drill team is one of the extracurricular programs in which youngsters can participate at the school through LA’s BEST, a city-funded after-school program held at about two dozen campuses.

The team, performing a sassy routine in eye-catching white and gold outfits, outperformed twodozen elementary school teams to win in the category of small military division. The day before,members also took first place in the LA’s BEST dance and drill team competition in the same category.

“This year we just had to walk away with something,� said team coordinator Myra Mayberry.

The win marked the first time the school’s drill team took home a trophy. In previous years, it had only received honorable mentions.

“I was so happy I was crying,� said Bianca Carruthers, 11.

The other members of the team are Shantel Gentle, 11; Danielle Beechum, 10; Patrick White, 9; Staci Williams, 10; Kishawnda Hall, 11; LeDella Wagner, 10; Sheanice Myers, 11, and Amber Watson, 10.