Top Flight rocks Sheppard Elementary Published Feb. 15, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Tonnette Thompson 82nd Training Wing, Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- At most rock concerts, when the artist onstage leans over his guitar toward the microphone and calls out to the audience to identify themselves, an earsplitting roar answers him. This could be the first time in recorded history where an artist screamed, "Where ya at?" and received a silent, polite showing of raised hands in response. Of course, the audience in question was a group of very well-behaved kindergarteners. Grades one through six offered up a more traditional, ear-ringing callback during Top Flight's concert for Sheppard Elementary School Feb. 12. The rock/R&B-playing faction of the Air Force Band of the West stopped at the school on their way back to San Antonio, to deliver a rocking anti-drug message. The band stayed close to the age range of their audience, spotlighting songs by Kelly Clarkson, Vanessa Carlton and Natasha Bedingfield - "girl songs," as one band member nicknamed them for the squealing girls and eye-rolling boys in the crowd - and even took the teachers back to their younger years with a Stevie Wonder classic. "How many of you think that drugs are crazy?" asked guitarist Tech. Sgt. Steve Wilson, using the positive yell from the students as a segue way into Simple Plan's "Crazy." The band often used anti-drug affirmations as a transition for songs handpicked to encourage awareness and individuality, such as The Fray's "How to Save a Life," and "Put Your Records On" by Corrine Bailey Rae. The highlight of the concert came when the students were asked to choose their two favorite teachers, who were invited onstage and made to participate in an impromptu dance contest. As their students howled with laughter, Kandyce Weaver and Judy Whalen got down and funky to the Jacksons' "Shake Your Body." Ms. Weaver, who cut loose with some disco moves, won. Though the students also danced in their seats, cheering at each song they recognized, they also remained in their seats, and listened attentively when they weren't singing along. "It was very exciting to have them here, and I was so pleased with how well the children behaved," said Kim Meyer, the school principal. "It was just a real special treat to have them here with us today." "We love doing stuff like this, especially for the younger kids," said Master Sgt. Sarah DeLuzio, keyboardist. "Sometimes, by the time you get to the older ones, it's a little too late, but when you send this message about drugs while they're this young, it can make more of a difference."