New drill team forming:

Lake County Family YMCA is stepping up to provide a new drill team experience in the Waukegan area. Troy Smith, director of the North Chicago-based National Champion Jazz Steppers, and members of his award-winning team will participate in a Dec. 3 program showcase at Northern Lake YMCA, 2000 Western Ave., Waukegan, to preview the new activity he’s starting there in January. Smith, a 1990-92 alumnus of the now-defunct Angel Drill Team and one of its few male members, formed the National Champion Jazz Steppers in 1999. Smith now wants to offer this opportunity to more boys and girls ages 7 through 13 by forming a Northern Lake YMCA team. More information about the new drill team opportunity will be available from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 3 at Northern Lake YMCA and also during the upcoming registration for winter programs there. “Someone gave me a chance to learn, travel and broaden my life,” Smith said of to Nathaniel Hamilton of Gurnee, the former Navy chief and drill instructor who retired earlier this year after leading the legendary Angel Drill Team for 44 years. For information, visit ymcalakecounty.org or call (847) 367-6797.