Page 247 - From the Outhouse 4 -21

247 | P A T R I C I A R A E M E R R I T T W H A T L E Y

Hip Hop or Pop music at the time was negative). I began to hold rehearsals at Midway Elementary, where I was
teaching. My school Principal allowed me to rehearse the boys and have my dress rehearsals there, too. My, oh

my, the boys gave me a lot of trouble. In fact, one of the custodians had to chase the boys into rehearsals because

they often tried to dodge them. Needless to say, I had many conferences with their parents before the boys finally
agreed to co-operate.

Things changed after their first big concert at a Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration held at the Sanford Civic
Center. That’s when it clicked for them. They were elegantly dressed in attire paid for by the City of Sanford:

black tuxedos, white pleated shirts, bow ties, cummerbunds, suspenders, and black shoes and socks. This put the

icing on the cake! Those young men walked on that stage with their heads held high and their shoulders reared
back. They did not make a sound as they entered and got into position. This was how they were taught at Tajiri,

and they had a perfect entrance and exit. They received a standing ovation!

I was shocked because the night before they were horrible. During rehearsal they slid across the well-waxed floor

with their feet and in chairs. They were talking loud and did not pay attention to anything of importance. I went
home so disgusted and thought I had made a mistake. I felt we would be the laughing stock of the community. I

got on my knees and prayed, “LORD, please help me!” Well, God did, and it was in a mighty way. From that time
on, the Seminole Boys Glee Club performed at the following popular venues:

• Disney World
• Universal Studios

• Lockheed Martin

• Orange County Civic Center