Bill Ballenger, the main headliner in Break the Grey and the concert, led over 500 students in a concert at PHS by sharing his faith and story with others. Photo by: Katie Sommers
By Katie Sommers
Walking into the gymnasium, students see black mats on the floor and hear loud music. The room is crowded with people. Students take their seats in the bleachers and wait in anticipation as this new experience begins.
Not many students knew about Break the Grey before it came to Plymouth High School, but for some students such as junior John Stillson, it left its mark with “amazing rock [music] that brings the message of the gospel to students.”
The Break the Grey convocation was quite different from most of the other convocations PHS has held. It was new to students and to the school. Senior Kaitlyn Lenne said, “I was pretty excited. It was very welcoming with the music playing. It made it unlike any other convocation we have ever had.” After the convocation, PHS students were ready and excited for the following concert that night. What Bill Ballenger said during the convocation drew people in and had them wanting to know more. “Bill talked to [a] couple of my friends and after the convocation he wanted us to come and he reserved the front rows for us,” junior Blake Milliser said.
While Bill Ballenger rocks out on stage, students felt the music by signing along, dancing, rising hands, doing the wave, screaming, head banging, jumping, and enjoying the positive energy flowing. Photo by: Katie Sommers
Some people in the bands and from Break the Grey were able to stay for a while in the cafeteria and after school in order to connect with students. Students had the chance to meet and personally talk with the people from Break the Grey. Junior Taylor Scott got the chance to meet all of them. He also added, “My favorite person was Joey ‘Bam Bam’ Bendele, the drummer for Ballenger.”
Having other schools at PHS was a little bit different. The other schools were John Glenn, Argos, Triton, Oregon Davis, and Lincoln Jr. High. They had their convocations earlier that week and were just as pumped as PHS was for the concert. Freshmen Austin Dixon said it was cool having other students from different schools here for the concert because it was fun to meet new people.
This was Plymouth High School’s first ever rock concert. This concert did not just bring super loud music and great bands, but also served to bring a message of hope. Freshman Haley Mills said the concert was, “In one word, awesome! Any rock concert is fantastic, but the inspirational message that these rockers brought to us was priceless. There’s nothing better than rock that has a reason.”
Break the Grey came with the music, bands, and skits and all, but this group was not just here for show. It also introduced a message of hope and second chances. Sophomore Amber Eckman said, “I liked his story and it showed that even in the darkest part of your life, a light is shining somewhere. You just have to look for it.”
The first band to start off the concert was The Crossover. This group set the stage for the following bands to come and they were able to rise the excitement level within the auditorium. Photo by: Katie Sommers
One thing that Break the Grey also did was create a follow up concert at Crossroads Church for December 15. Only a limited amount of people can attend, but it will be made available for students who wanted to learn more. Stillson said, “I liked the other concert and want to hear more of Ballenger and his band.”
Break the Grey brought many things to this school such as fun, excitement, inspiration, second chances, and hope. Break the Grey could have changed an individual’s life along with many others.