Leon Mobley Visits Chickering Elementary After 40 Years

World renowned musician Leon Mobley is visiting his alma mater, Chickering Elementary School, for the first time in over 40 years this week, preparing 3rd, 4th and 5th graders for a song, dance and drum-filled performance that will take place on Friday.

The Friday afternoon performance will also serve to honor Mobley who attended Chickering as one of the first students enrolled in the METCO Program, a state-funded grant program that allows inner-city kids the opportunity expand their educational horizons by attending some of the top public schools in the state.

“It’s, like, so crazy to come back to a place where I started. To hear about the acclamations and the things that I’ve done in my life it’s amazing. A lot of love in the house,” Mobley said. “I’m here to show the children that no matter what it is you want to do in the world it can be done.”

Mobley sat down with D-S Patch on Wednesday after rehearsal and talked about the impact that the METCO Program had on his life and the importance of seeing both sides of the tracks at such a young age.

“I was one of the first students of METCO back in the early '60’s. Wow! What an experience that was. See, I lived in the cathedral projects in Boston. Coming from the projects and coming to Dover, it was a huge culture shock,” he said. “To see the two worlds was a definite learning tool to be able to appreciate and see the differences.”

“I can say that the education that I got here in Dover has definitely helped me in what it is that I’m doing in the world today and I thank METCO for that,” Mobley said.

Leon has used his skills as a percussionist to play with some of the most famous musicians in the world including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Stevie Wonder and Mick Jagger.

“Through travelling and playing music I have been in the company of the greats, Duke Ellington to Michael Jackson and all in between,” he said.

Mobley was also one of the original cast members of the Boston-based children's television program "ZOOM."

Nearly 50 Chickering students rehearsed with Leon for the first time Wednesday. The kids were split into groups of dancers, singers and drummers led by Mobley.

Representative Denise Garlick will be in attendance Friday and will bring a citation in honor of Leon from the State House.

Also in attendance will be METCO founder, Jean McGuire, fellow former castmates from "ZOOM" and also former classmates and teachers from Chickering - including his Chickering School music teacher.

“I know that what I’ve done can inspire others and if that can come out of my visit, that they can see that someone who went to school here has been able to make it in society, in the world, have a name in the field that he has chosen and that means that they can choose whatever field they want to choose,” said Leon.

For a man who has performed in front of thousands of people, Leon was a little nervous about the performance with the students.

“Friday, I just hope we can pull it off,” he said with a wide smile and a laugh. “But I mean the children are great. They are excellent. They sing wonderful, they play wonderful, they dance wonderful, it’s just going to be a great celebration of culture here at Chickering.”

The show will take place Friday at 1:45 p.m. in the Chickering Gymnasium.