Upper Darby High School drumline ending
"It was like a family. I connected with people I never thought I ever would," said 17-year-old Zach Snyder. He plays bass drum in Upper Darby High School's Indoor Drumline. But after playing for three seasons, this one will be his last.
"It's been really debilitating. Drumline was basically the reason I came to this school," he said.
Zach and other students say a month ago their music director told them the program was ending, he says, with no real reason why. He started a Face Book post with a video he produced in hopes of saving the program. It has more than 30,000 views and hundreds of support for the group who travelled to Ohio where they won a national championship 3 years ago.
"It's awesome going out to Dayton and seeing thousands upon thousands of people who like doing what I like to do is something that's really cool," said Zach.
Tuesday night parents spoke during an Upper Darby Board of School Directors regular meeting. They're making a plea for help saving the drumline which operates solely through fundraising.
Leo Sides has been the driver for the group for the past three years. He says drumline has kept the kids inline.
"To keep the kids off the streets. It's something they love to do and the kids get a lot of glory and fun out of it. They get a lot of respect from other places," said Sides.
Kids are left wondering what's next.
"I'm very disheartened that the program's over. It was big part of my life," said snare drummer Wilner Guerrier.
No word on whether the decision will be reversed.