Marching to the beat of their own drum

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Vicksburg Warren School District has left the Warren Central High School’s Indoor Percussion team to march to the beat of their own drum after failing to provide transportation to the World Championship in Dayton, Ohio.

Each year the district has provided the minimum of transportation to the WCHS Percussion team in their hopes of competing in the World Championship located in Dayton.

Last year, the band members emerged as semifinalists in the competition, and the students were eager for another chance to show their beats.

On Monday, April 13, less than 20 hours before their departure, parents learned the district was not providing the needed transportation.

The trip had been approved by VWSD months in advance. The parents fundraised to pay for the hotel rooms, entry fees, and food. The only thing left for the district to provide was the bus transportation.

Yet, when Percussion Director Sean Collins approached the district early Monday morning, they learned the district had not secured the bus nor bus drivers.

Though the news was devastating, the parents didn’t give up. They went to social media to beg for drivers and funds.

Locals who didn’t have students in the drumline, stepped up to offer their vehicles to help transport the students to Dayton.

All the volunteers who attended the trip were also required to fund their own lodging, even though the lodging had been secured for students and chaperones who initially fundraised for the event.

There have been reports that the failure in securing the transportation is with WCHS Principal Drew Rainer who met with parents in an emergency meeting held Monday evening, only hours before the group was set to depart.

During the meeting Rainer reportedly stated, “Let’s not make a big deal about this.”

Dale Whittington, a member of the first Warren Central Indoor Percussion group, was a member of the community who stepped up to help. On social media he said the following:

“Yesterday, I found out there was a chance this year’s group, led by Sean Collins, might not be able to make the trip because of transportation issues. I called Sean immediately and told him, ‘I’m in. Whatever you need, these kids have to go.’ Today, on my birthday, I had the honor of driving some of these incredible students 11+ hours to make sure they didn’t miss their chance. Sean asked me why I would spend my birthday doing that and be away from my family. My answer was simple: just look at these kids and how happy they are. That’s why. That’s also why people like Chad and Sean do what they do—because opportunities like this matter, and these moments stay with you for life.”

Additionally, VWSD supported the trip for students for two years in a row only requiring one bus driver, but parents are claiming this year the district demanded two bus drivers were required for the trek.

VDN reached out to VWSD for comments and clarity. The district did not respond as of publish time.

To help the students and their parents or to donate, click here.