In October of last year, Ellen interviewed the amazing director of the Ballou High School Marching Band, Darrell Watson. Thanks to Darrell's inspiration, students of this inner city school in Southeast Washington, DC have been given opportunities they might otherwise not have received. It's a rare story of triumph over adversity.

So many exciting things have happened for the Ballou Marching Band since they were last on our show -- we wanted to take a moment to catch you up on all of their amazing adventures!

They have appeared on numerous local radio and TV stations. A Hollywood film based on the life story of Darrell Watson is currently in development. In 2007, “ABC World News with Charlie Gibson” selected Mr. Watson and Majestic Marching Knights to be Persons of the Week. Then they were chosen as their Persons of the Year for 2007!

At the Asymmetrix National High Stepping Marching Band Championship in Greensboro, NC, the band won more awards than ever before, including:

2nd Place in Division II, but won Flags, Dance and Percussion
1st Place in the overall Flag Division 2 years in a row
1st Place in the overall Dance Division
1st Place in the overall Percussion Division

So many incredible things have been happening for them in the DC area, too! In December 2007, the DC City Council presented the band with a ceremonial resolution for their “dedication and sacrifice.” They participated in DC’s 2008 National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. The WNBA’s Washington Mystics chose Ballou as their official home game Pep Band! The Mayor of Washington, DC proclaimed June 13, 2008 as Ballou High School Majestic Marching Knights Day. And to top it all off, Ballou has been chosen to represent Washington, DC at the prestigious 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade and the 2009 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!

The students themselves have had some remarkable achievements as well! Of 27 seniors who were in the band, 24 of them graduated on June 8th -- including one student who graduated 7th in his class! The other three students are expected to graduate after summer school, and 17 graduating seniors will be attending college this fall! In addition, 9 band members received the Achievers Scholarship Award. The District of Columbia Achievers Program is a partnership of the District of Columbia College Success Foundation (DCCSF) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The program provides annual scholarships, mentoring support and high-intensity college access services to approximately 250 highly motivated, low income students from six public high schools in Washington, DC.