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By BVN Staff -- 

On Monday, May 4, 2009 Jo Ann Parker was selected “Citizen of the Month” for the City of San Bernardino by Mayor Pro-Tem Rikke Van Johnson for her long time volunteerism with the Pacesetters Drill Team and Drum Squad. Citizen is an acronym for Concerned Investor of Time/talent Involved Zealous Enthusiasm and Neighborly.

The Pacesetters Drill Team and Drum Squad was formed in the 1960’s by Retired Sergeant Marie Genest, a teacher at Franklin Jr.

High School, now known as Martin Luther King Middle School. They were known originally as the Franklin Jr. High School Rhythm Team. Under the direction of Ms. Genest and her assistant William Hulsey, also retired military, the team marched in many parades in the Inland Empire and the Los Angeles area, winning many trophies and awards.

When the school decided to drop the program and Ms. Genest could no longer be the director Mr. Hulsey decided to keep the team going. He changed the name to the San Bernardino Pacesetters Drill Team and Drum Squad.

In 1972 at the request of Ms LaVerne Atkins the team mother, Jo Ann Parker was asked to help Mr. Hulsey with the team. The Pacesetters became members of the All American Drill Team circuit and marched in as many as 32 parades a year all over Southern California, winning numerous trophies.  In 1980 Mr. Hulsey decided to retire and Ms Atkins, who was an employee of the Boys & Girls Club, brought the Pacesetters to the Club as an outreach program.  The Pacesetters competed in competitions in Northern and Southern California, Arizona, Las Vegas, NV and New Orleans, LA. During the 1984 Olympics the Pacesetters marched every day around the Rose Garden at the Coliseum.

After a 5 year hiatus, Jo Ann Parker has re-organized the Pacesetters with the help of her daughter Kelly Graham, who serves as Assistant Director. “Our goal is to make the Boys & Girls Club and the people of the Westside of San Bernardino once again proud of the Pacesetters. Our objectives are to teach the members to compete at a high level with respect for one another as well as stressing education, self-respect, and self-expression without being confrontational,” she said.

The Pacesetters are back in competition and winning. The Pacesetters most recent achievement was marching in the Los Angeles King Parade on Martin Luther King Day where they took 1^st place.