Ellen Has 'Big Surprise' for Ballou Students

Map It:  Congress Heights 

WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE. Members of the Ballou Senior High School marching band are in for "a big surprise" when they appear on Ellen DeGeneres' talk show on Thursday. That's according to Casey Callister, the producer of "Ballou," a documentary about the high school in Congress Heights and the adversity the school and its marching band have faced in recent years.

The documentary, which is currently in post-production, according to Metro Networks, has been getting major plaudits from D.C. officials and should get some serious buzz from the "Ellen" appearance.

But we've got to wonder what this "big surprise" is. One can only hope it's not free cars for everyone a la Oprah. Disputes over unpaid taxes on such a giveaway would likely put a damper on the Ballou students' heartwarming story.

» "Ellen DeGeneres Show" [Official Site]
» "District is Buzzing About 'Ballou' Documentary" [Metro Networks via WTOP]
» "Ballou" [Official Site]

» EARLIER: "Recipients In Oprah's Car Giveaway Face Hefty Taxes" [WMAQ/NBC5]

File photo of the Ballou Senior High School marching band by Gerald Martineau/The Washington Post