Arthur Robertson is the Founder and Executive Director of South Shore Drill Team. Arthur grew up marching with various groups, and earned a leadership position with the Hornets Drill Team on Chicago’s West Side while still in his teens.

He graduated from Chicago State University and taught elementary education for more than 20 years at several Chicago Public Schools. At Paul Revere Elementary in the Greater Grand Crossing Neighborhood, he taught fourth through eighth grades and served as Dean of Students before retiring from CPS in 2006.

  Arthur Robertson

As a teacher, Arthur saw young people struggling and believed that the performing arts would help keep them away from negative influences. He organized South Shore Drill Team in 1980, hoping they could perform once a month. Fast-forward forty years later, and the group is performing at more than 100 events a year.

While most of the events today are overseen by the team’s two Assistant Directors, Arthur remains committed to helping the team maintain a high level of performance and creativity. His extensive experience working with young people and their parents makes him an invaluable asset. In 2010, Arthur was featured in Fox News Chicago’s “Doing Good in the ‘Hood” and in 2011 he received the Community Impact Award from the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago.st-forward forty years later, and the group is performing at more than 100 events a year.

Kevin Ray  

One of the original four members of the group, Assistant Director Kevin Ray supervises instruction of new recruits, female members, and younger children.  Kevin has built a strong core of parent volunteers who travel with the group as chaperones and help with everything from makeup and costumes to feeding members and fundraising.  He is also a strong mentor and liaison to the members and flag alumni.  His creative talents are devoted to improving the music, choreography and stage production of all Drill Team performances.

Michael A. Borum 

Michael Borum, Assistant Director performed with South Shore Drill Team from the age of 8 to 25, serving as team captain from 1996-2004. In 2004, he received his bachelor’s degree in Business from Chicago State University, and he is now Assistant Director of the team, supervising the Employment Training Program and overseeing many of the events. In April, 2011, Michael led the team to the Winter Guard International World Championship.

Stella Natufe

Stella Natufe is the team’s Special Events and Media Relations Director. Stella has been a part of the team since 1994 starting out as a performer, and later moving up the ranks within the organization. She has earned a Bachelors of Arts in Journalism from Columbia College Chicago and a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from Roosevelt University. In addition to her media and events duties Stella also maintains the team’s After School Matters teen employment program. Stella has been able to book the team for high profile events year after year.

Sara Vlajcic

Creates quarterly appeal and oversees mailing and tracking of donor response. Researches funding opportunities and writes grant proposals. Assists Board in creating a resource development plan. Provides support on annual fundraising event and other special events. Meets with funders, sponsors, and donors, and maintains communication throughout the year. Provides training to Board on fundraising.

Steve Washington

Ensures compliance on government and other contracts. Supervises Employment Training Program. Works with instructors to monitor behavior and school progress of members. Meets with parents and oversees court-involved youth. Organizes logistics for events including transportation. Hires and supervises sound crew and drivers.

Dawn Gray

Provides administrative support for financial functions, including journal entries, preparing deposits, and check writing. Track accounts payable. Assists Development Director with donor stewardship including appeal mailings, acknowledgement letters, and tracking gifts. Orders office supplies and assists staff in ordering program materials or equipment.

Deanna Walcott-Kemp

Negotiates fees and prepares contracts. Performs general office functions of sorting mail, recording revenue, answering phones, and responding to email. Greets office visitors including guests, parents, and new recruits.

Other staff instructors who grew up with the team include Eric Thomas and Crystal Williamson. The team also has several assistant instructors and volunteer instructors who came up through the team and are giving back to this special organization.