Staff BIOs
Full Name: Sharon Butts-Boyd
Drum Corps: VIP Drum and Bugle Corps
Year: VIP drum and Bugle Corps 1965-1969
What instrument or equipment did you play or carry: I carried a flag
Schools: BA Degree from Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans, LA.
Masters Degree from Catholic University. In WDC
Occupation: Worked for the Congressional Research Service of the Library Congress as an Information Research Specialist
and Manager. Recently retired.
Statement: Started with VIP's in 1965 after hearing about the start of the Drum Corp at a CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) meeting at Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) church. Carried a flag and marched with the VIP's Drum and Bugle
Corps from 1965 through 1969. Was a member of the VIP Winter Guard
Full Name: Judy Jones Carter
Drum Corps: VIP Drum & Bugle Corps
Years: 1966 to 1971
What instrument or equipment did you play or carry: Rifle
Schools: Attended DC Public Schools, graduating from Eastern High School.
Earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Federal City College.
Occupation: After a rewarding career in the Federal government, she retired from the position of Director, Office of Budget
and Management in a component of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Statement: Was a member of the VIP Winter Color Guard
Full Name: Edward A. Dalton
Drum Corps: 2 Boys Club of Washington DC
VIP’s of Washington DC
Young Americans of Newport News, VA
Yankee Rebels Senior Corps in Baltimore, MD
Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights of New Jersey all age Drum and Bugle Corps
Year: # 2 Boys Club of Washington DC 1966 – 67
VIP’s of Washington DC VIP’s of Washington DC 1968 – 70, 72
Young Americans of Newport News, VA 1971
Yankee Rebels Senior Corps in Baltimore, MD in the 80’s
Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights of New Jersey all age Drum and Bugle Corps 2008-2014
DOB: 06-02-1952
What instrument or equipment did you play or carry: Bass Baritone and Contra Bass
Schools: Terrell Jr. High School NW Washington DC
Anacostia High School SE Washington DC
Occupation: Network and Computer Support Information Systems
Service Desk Manager / Building Automation Systems administrator for Facility Maintenance and Operations
Division J. F. Kennedy Center
Statement: I was playing baritone and tuba for the Terrell Jr. High School band, when the band instructor thought highly of my abilities. This gave me the confidence to join the Boys Club Drum Corp they would always have events in front of the school that was eye catching and impressive. They were located near where I lived and went to Jr. High School at the time, and all my friends were attending the club for other activities. I eventually left the boys club for the VIP’s because my family relocating near Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in SE music and field on the grounds where we held rehearsals Washington DC. It was the best adventure of my young life; the lessons lasted a life time.
Full Name: Norman Dowtin
Drum Corps: Royal Sabres and VIP's Drum and Bugle Corps
What instrument or equipment did you play or carry: Drums
Full Name: Shirley Curtis Lathern
Drum Corps: Royal Eagles Drum and Bugle Corps
VIP Drum and Bugle Corps
Year: Royal Eagles 1964
VIP drum and Bugle Corps 1965-1971
What instrument or equipment did you play or carry: I was in the Color Guard for both corps and carried flag in Royal Eagles and the VIP Drum and Bugle Corps.
Schools: Graduate of Eastern High School of WDC
BSN degree from DePaul University in Chicago, IL
BSCIS degree from Strayer University in WDC
Occupation: Psychiatric Nurse Technician/Counselor at St Elizabeth Hospital in WDC
Executive Assistant to Executive Director of the Council of Great City Schools in WDC
Technical Support Specialist for CGCS
Presently retired
Statement: And in1966 The VIP Winter Guard was establish where I started off carrying a flag however in 1969 I was promoted to Commander, carried a saber and gave verbal rhythmic commands to the Winter Guard during competition
Full Name: Harold Alan Whitt
Drum Corps: VFW Lancers Drum & Bugle Corp Washington DC
VIPs drum and bugle Corps Washington DC
St. Mary’s Lancers Baltimore Maryland
Blessed Sacrament golden Nights Newark New Jersey
DOB: November 3, 1947
What instrument or equipment did play or carry: Drums
Schools: Browne Junior high l School NW Washington DC
Eastern High School SE Washington DC
Howard University Washington DC
George Washington University Washington DC
Occupation: Mainframe Systems Engineer/Systems Programmer IBM
Advanced Network Engineer Software Developer EDS Information Systems
Computer Counterintelligence Specialist Naval Air Warfare Center General Dynamics
Director of Network Services Department Of Commerce National Weather Service
President and Chief Executive Officer of Sysnet America Inc.
Statement: Introduced to music in junior high school and started to play the clarinet. As my music knowledge advanced I started to play percussion instruments in the orchestra and in the school band. I was introduced to drum and bugle Corps my freshman year in high school and concentrated on the snare drum from that point forward in my musical advancement.
One Saturday morning I heard what was sounding like thunder but turned out to be drums coming from Spingarn high school so I quickly ran to see the source one Saturday morning. I became a member of the VFW Lancers located in Northeast Washington. My experience in drum Corps taught me very valuable information regarding the value of a broader and working together in the development of leadership skills.
Most importantly, I had never been outside Washington DC until joining the drum and bugle Corps and it helped widen my horizons regarding other areas of the state and the country and gave me the confidence to travel.