FONTANA, CA – The Fontana High School Marching Steelers brought their energy and precision to Palm Desert Civic Center Park on Oct. 5, performing for one of their own—Blink-182 drummer and Fontana High alumnus Travis Barker.

As the runners laced up for the “Run Travis Run” 5K charity event, the Marching Steelers performed pep tunes on Barker’s arrival and rallying the crowd at the start and finish lines. The event, part of Barker’s “Hit The Pavement” wellness tour, benefitted the nonprofit Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE), which supports disaster response and community resilience around the world.

“Travis was once one of these students in the same field and same uniform,” Fontana High Band Director Christopher McDuffey said. “Now he’s a global icon. Our students feel a real connection to that.”

This was the second time this year that the Marching Steelers performed for Barker. In June, they played at the annual Fontana Days Run where Barker received the key to the City of Fontana and a “Travis Barker Way” street sign was unveiled. During the ceremony, Barker joined the Steelers in an impromptu drumline performance, a moment that resonated with students.

Fontana High junior Lizette Ramirez, who plays bass clarinet and serves as drum major, said that the 5K charity event performance was the first time she led the band, and seeing Barker’s journey gave her a new perspective.

“It felt good to give my bandmates direction and help to create a great performance. It showed me that music opens doors, even outside of school,” said Ramirez, who also plays alto sax, tenor sax, and B-flat clarinet. “A lot of people think you have to stay in this small town forever, but seeing what Travis has done shows us that band can take you somewhere. It inspires me to keep going.”

Fellow junior and drum major Carlos Sierra Jr., who plays baritone, echoed that sentiment, and said what he enjoyed the most from the event was the new exposure and playful interaction with race participants.

“My family has always loved music, and that got me into it,” Sierra said. “Now, being a leader in this band and performing at big events, it’s something I never thought I could do. This showed me what discipline and passion can lead to.”

According to McDuffey, the visibility of these performances helps redefine how the community sees the band and how students see themselves.

“People see us at football games, but these moments show that we are doing more,” McDuffey said. “We are building leaders, showing students what’s possible, and representing Fontana in front of a much larger audience.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS

FUSD_RUNTRAVISRUN1: The Fontana High School Marching Steelers perform at the Palm Desert Civic Center Park for runners and their very own alumnus and Blink-182 drummer Travis Baker, during the “Run Travis Run” event on Oct. 5.

FUSD_RUNTRAVISRUN2: Fontana High School Marching Steelers play welcome music during alum Travis Barker’s arrival to the “Run Travis Run” event on Oct. 5.

FUSD_RUNTRAVISRUN3: The Marching Steelers perform pep tunes and rally the crowd at the start and finish lines during the “Run Travis Run” event on Oct. 5.