Comments for Ballou Movie Blog http://www.balloumovie.com/blog Ballou, a documentary film blog Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:13:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 Comment on Send us your thoughts about the Ballou Documentary! by ramel segears http://www.balloumovie.com/blog/?p=3#comment-528 ramel segears Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:05:58 +0000 http://www.balloumovie.com/blog/?p=3#comment-528 raven go ballou i am a fan and my aunt is in the band i go to every show raven go ballou i am a fan and my aunt is in the band i go to every show

]]> Comment on Send us your thoughts about the Ballou Documentary! by Tamesha http://www.balloumovie.com/blog/?p=3#comment-382 Tamesha Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:13:46 +0000 http://www.balloumovie.com/blog/?p=3#comment-382 I just want to say congrats to the ballou marching band and that you all have come so far. This band is making my school year a wonderful school year. Mr. Watson You have made a big impact on my life and I just want to say thank you.... New and improved Clarinet I just want to say congrats to the ballou marching band and that you all have come so far. This band is making my school year a wonderful school year. Mr. Watson You have made a big impact on my life and I just want to say thank you….

New and improved Clarinet

]]> Comment on Send us your thoughts about the Ballou Documentary! by Stacy Nelson http://www.balloumovie.com/blog/?p=3#comment-203 Stacy Nelson Thu, 06 Dec 2007 01:20:10 +0000 http://www.balloumovie.com/blog/?p=3#comment-203 <p>Congrads Dunnie From Stacey ,Gracies brother and former UDC Strider (Uba Phi Tuba) and H.D.Woodson class of 1985 but more important member of the 1983-1984 Cotton Bowl Band I'm proud to have you and yours apart of this special Bowl Oganization its simply and was for a long time just two members The Cardoza Marching Band aslo went to the Rose Bowl ,H.D.Woodson Marching Band Cotton Bowl , and now you F.W.Ballou Marching Band Rose Bowl 2009 once again much love and good fortune even if i'm not a Knight but a Warrior I've got your back if you need anything feel free to call on me</p> Congrads Dunnie From Stacey ,Gracies brother and former UDC Strider (Uba Phi Tuba) and H.D.Woodson class of 1985 but more important member of the 1983-1984 Cotton Bowl Band I’m proud to have you and yours apart of this special Bowl Oganization its simply and was for a long time just two members The Cardoza Marching Band aslo went to the Rose Bowl ,H.D.Woodson Marching Band Cotton Bowl , and now you F.W.Ballou Marching Band Rose Bowl 2009 once again much love and good fortune even if i’m not a Knight but a Warrior I’ve got your back if you need anything feel free to call on me

]]> Comment on Send us your thoughts about the Ballou Documentary! by Ms B Holmes http://www.balloumovie.com/blog/?p=3#comment-202 Ms B Holmes Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:49:02 +0000 http://www.balloumovie.com/blog/?p=3#comment-202 <p>To: The Ballou Marching Band.</p> <p>I. Ms Holmes am a resident of Washington, DC and all of my relatives still lives there. One sister not too far from your school. </p> <p>I am so very proud of all of you. Iam a senior citizen and I am just overjoyed just hearing about your progress and how God is blessing you through others taking interest. </p> <p>Keep the faith and stay encouraged. God has great things in store for all of you.</p> <p>May God bless you and keep you is my prayer.<br /> Ms B Holmes<br /> Denver, Colorado</p> To: The Ballou Marching Band.

I. Ms Holmes am a resident of Washington, DC and all of my relatives still lives there. One sister not too far from your school.

I am so very proud of all of you. Iam a senior citizen and I am just overjoyed just hearing about your progress and how God is blessing you through others taking interest.

Keep the faith and stay encouraged. God has great things in store for all of you.

May God bless you and keep you is my prayer.
Ms B Holmes
Denver, Colorado

]]> Comment on Send us your thoughts about the Ballou Documentary! by John Bennett http://www.balloumovie.com/blog/?p=3#comment-50 John Bennett Wed, 24 Oct 2007 23:52:09 +0000 http://www.balloumovie.com/blog/?p=3#comment-50 <p>I am a Ballou Alumni and I would like so "Bravo" to you and your team on the documentary. Unfortunately, bad news makes money in the national media. If it wasn't for your efforts, many across the country would not know how big and great things happen amongst the turmoils of an inner city. As I've traveled across the world and back a few times in the last 16 years of my military service, I am usually updated on the bad things that have happened to my city and thus my school. It feels great to get some good news for once. I would like to wish you good luck on having the documentary viewed across the world and I would surely like to when when and where it will be available for purchase. Keep up the great work!!!</p> <p>Sincerely,</p> <p>JOHN J. BENNETT<br /> 1LT, MILITARY POLICE<br /> United States Army</p> I am a Ballou Alumni and I would like so “Bravo” to you and your team on the documentary. Unfortunately, bad news makes money in the national media. If it wasn’t for your efforts, many across the country would not know how big and great things happen amongst the turmoils of an inner city. As I’ve traveled across the world and back a few times in the last 16 years of my military service, I am usually updated on the bad things that have happened to my city and thus my school. It feels great to get some good news for once. I would like to wish you good luck on having the documentary viewed across the world and I would surely like to when when and where it will be available for purchase. Keep up the great work!!!

Sincerely,

JOHN J. BENNETT
1LT, MILITARY POLICE
United States Army

]]> Comment on Send us your thoughts about the Ballou Documentary! by Theresa Fletcher http://www.balloumovie.com/blog/?p=3#comment-43 Theresa Fletcher Sun, 14 Oct 2007 12:17:52 +0000 http://www.balloumovie.com/blog/?p=3#comment-43 <p>I am so happy to see that Ballou is receiving the recognition it deserves. The band director Mr. Watson has truly made a difference with this group of kid’s. When I was a flag girl with the band some fourteen years ago I knew him as “Doonie”, a guy who loved this high school marching band so much that even though he was no longer a student he still found the time to help the then band director, Mr. Chisholm. I can honestly say that because of him the flag girls, who never received any recognition, started to get the attention that they deserved. The three years that I participated with the marching band was truly the best time of my life. Thank you so much for this documentary, it has truly touched not only the “strangers” to Ballou, but those of us who were once walking in the same shoes as the current band and auxiliary members.</p> <p>Sincerely,</p> <p>Theresa Fletcher</p> I am so happy to see that Ballou is receiving the recognition it deserves. The band director Mr. Watson has truly made a difference with this group of kid’s. When I was a flag girl with the band some fourteen years ago I knew him as “Doonie”, a guy who loved this high school marching band so much that even though he was no longer a student he still found the time to help the then band director, Mr. Chisholm. I can honestly say that because of him the flag girls, who never received any recognition, started to get the attention that they deserved. The three years that I participated with the marching band was truly the best time of my life. Thank you so much for this documentary, it has truly touched not only the “strangers” to Ballou, but those of us who were once walking in the same shoes as the current band and auxiliary members.

Sincerely,

Theresa Fletcher

]]> Comment on Send us your thoughts about the Ballou Documentary! by Michele Percy http://www.balloumovie.com/blog/?p=3#comment-36 Michele Percy Mon, 08 Oct 2007 23:52:41 +0000 http://www.balloumovie.com/blog/?p=3#comment-36 Having had opportunity to see the Majestic Marching Knights at the Memorial Day parade in Annville, PA in 2005 & 2006 I was blown away by the band members and their director and the volunteers. Knowing their story, the fact that kids come with NO experience and are encouraged to give their all to something brings hope for a bright future. Changing our world one kid at a time is a such an admirable life's work. We should all strive to be like Darrell! The movie is a wonderful way to put in the lime light the positive news of Darrell and his love for the students despite what could be perceived as insurmountable odds! Bless you! Having had opportunity to see the Majestic Marching Knights at the Memorial Day parade in Annville, PA in 2005 & 2006 I was blown away by the band members and their director and the volunteers. Knowing their story, the fact that kids come with NO experience and are encouraged to give their all to something brings hope for a bright future. Changing our world one kid at a time is a such an admirable life’s work. We should all strive to be like Darrell! The movie is a wonderful way to put in the lime light the positive news of Darrell and his love for the students despite what could be perceived as insurmountable odds! Bless you!

]]> Comment on Send us your thoughts about the Ballou Documentary! by Sandy http://www.balloumovie.com/blog/?p=3#comment-31 Sandy Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:46:13 +0000 http://www.balloumovie.com/blog/?p=3#comment-31 I saw the band director on the "Ellen" show. I am so glad to hear that the movie will be screened at the White House because now maybe our government will remember how vital music is to our children. It angers me that school budgets have cut nearly all music programs and art programs. It's music and art that define a civilized society and gives outlet to the natural creativity of young expanding minds. With no outlet, they have no choice sometimes to take that energy to the streets. I agree with Mark Segraves (above) who says every teacher (though I think in the country) and EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL should see this movie. Thank you for making this documentary. The band and it's director are making history and it should be acknowledged and duplicated!! I saw the band director on the “Ellen” show. I am so glad to hear that the movie will be screened at the White House because now maybe our government will remember how vital music is to our children. It angers me that school budgets have cut nearly all music programs and art programs. It’s music and art that define a civilized society and gives outlet to the natural creativity of young expanding minds. With no outlet, they have no choice sometimes to take that energy to the streets. I agree with Mark Segraves (above) who says every teacher (though I think in the country) and EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL should see this movie. Thank you for making this documentary. The band and it’s director are making history and it should be acknowledged and duplicated!!

]]> Comment on Send us your thoughts about the Ballou Documentary! by Joan Pierotti http://www.balloumovie.com/blog/?p=3#comment-29 Joan Pierotti Fri, 05 Oct 2007 04:41:00 +0000 http://www.balloumovie.com/blog/?p=3#comment-29 I taught English at Ballou for 20 years. You cannot know how happy I am to finally see some positive attention and support being given to these wonderful kids. And there are many others like them struggling against almost impossible odds. Located in one of the poorest sections of D.C., we who worked there have watched our school get the leftovers--Never enough books (one year I had 200 students and ONE class set of English books!) ; band instruments that had to be borrowed or donated when others were through with them; asphalt falling from our ceilings; a flat roof that leaked year in and year out. Ballou was often the dumping ground for teachers and principals who fell"out of favor" with the administration or "made trouble." While I taught there, we had 20 different principals (and at least six others after I left. The advent of crack cocaine into the community really made it hard on the students. Eventually so many students were shot in the streets that they didn't even bother announcing the latest victim over the P.A. And bringing in counselors to work with the survivors? That's a joke! Never happened. But it was the terrific kids that kept us teachers working there. Ask any teacher---as tough as it could be-- teaching there with no support --most would say that it wasn't the students that gave them the problems. And so my heart bursts with pride for Ballou, and joy that they are finally getting recognized for who they have been all along. And congratulations to Mr. Watson and the band for finally getting some support and much deserved attention. Joan Pierotti, teacher (retired--but still teaching!!) I taught English at Ballou for 20 years. You cannot know how happy I am to finally see some positive attention and support being given to these wonderful kids. And there are many others like them struggling against almost impossible odds. Located in one of the poorest sections of D.C., we who worked there have watched our school get the leftovers–Never enough books (one year I had 200 students and ONE class set of English books!) ; band instruments that had to be borrowed or donated when others were through with them; asphalt falling from our ceilings; a flat roof that leaked year in and year out. Ballou was often the dumping ground for teachers and principals who fell”out of favor” with the administration or “made trouble.” While I taught there, we had 20 different principals (and at least six others after I left. The advent of crack cocaine into the community really made it hard on the students. Eventually so many students were shot in the streets that they didn’t even bother announcing the latest victim over the P.A. And bringing in counselors to work with the survivors? That’s a joke! Never happened. But it was the terrific kids that kept us teachers working there. Ask any teacher—as tough as it could be– teaching there with no support –most would say that it wasn’t the students that gave them the problems. And so my heart bursts with pride for Ballou, and joy that they are finally getting recognized for who they have been all along. And congratulations to Mr. Watson and the band for finally getting some support and much deserved attention. Joan Pierotti, teacher (retired–but still teaching!!)

]]> Comment on Send us your thoughts about the Ballou Documentary! by Nancy Nalley http://www.balloumovie.com/blog/?p=3#comment-26 Nancy Nalley Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:04:35 +0000 http://www.balloumovie.com/blog/?p=3#comment-26 I was so moved by this band and the struggles they have encountered. It really shows that positive thinking can make it happen. I have two sons that are in marching band as well. We are with a small high school, but the energy at the football games is overwelming. I wish the Ballou band and their director much success. I was so moved by this band and the struggles they have encountered. It really shows that positive thinking can make it happen.
I have two sons that are in marching band as well. We are with a small high school, but the energy at the football games is overwelming. I wish the Ballou band and their director much success.

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