CORUNNA, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Corunna High School Marching Band is marching to the beat of a different drum these days, and senior Eli Bodag wouldn’t have it any other way.

“[Band is] pretty important,” Eli said. “I have always liked playing. I think it is fun.”

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Fun is something the 17-year-old percussionist has learned to appreciate. Eli entered the world with a serious health problem. At 10-days-old, he endured a successful surgery when doctors switched his arteries around so blood would flow in the right direction. Things remained stable until he turned 10-years-old. That’s when doctors said another heart surgery would be inevitable. That surgery took place in 2022 to repair a valve. Results of that surgery remained short-lived and Eli underwent another heart surgery in July, forcing him to skip marching band camp leading up to his senior year.

When heart failure landed him in the hospital again two weeks ago, getting back together with his marching band companions seemed impossible.

“His heart doesn’t work like it should,” said Eli’s mom Jana McCreadie. “[Doctors] don’t know why.”

McCreadie explained that doctors prescribed medications and physical restrictions for the next six months. If that combination doesn’t work, the next step is a transplant.

“He has restrictions, but wants to be as normal as possible,” McCreadie said. “He’s a senior so it’s hard to balance that. Band is his everything.”

But Corunna Cavaliers don’t give up, and band director Craig Luft didn’t give up either. Drummers exert a lot of energy carrying the pod of drums across the football field during their marching band performances and practices. Eli’s restrictions posed a challenge, but not an impossibility.

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“I started to think about it and being a percussionist myself, I knew those drums should be able to be flipped around and I just needed to find someone to carry them,” Luft said. He explained that with the right configuration, Eli could still play the drums without worrying about the extra physical strain.

That’s when 8th grade band member and Eli’s cousin Tye DeLorge stepped in.

“I went to all of the high school summer band camps and I was able to get to the second half of each week night band practice after my 8th grade football practices,” DeLorge said. “Eli and I are able to work together during the routines to get the steps right.”

They prepared for Corunna’s home opener on September 29. Fans not only saw the Cavs (now 6-0) destroy state-ranked powerhouse Goodrich, but they also saw the cousin team playing their hearts out.

“I thought it was pretty cool,” Eli said after the performance. “I have been fortunate enough to do it and have everyone there watching. I love my cousin, and I like marching.”

Marching is a tradition that will likely continue for this close-knit family. “Tye is a kind and an all-around great student, athlete, and person,” Luft said. “He is a fantastic musician in his own right and will most likely be carrying those same set of drums and playing them for real next marching season after Eli graduates.”

Tye added, “[Eli] and I are in this together. I’d love to continue to help him march in the band for his senior season.”

Eli plans to drum up as much marching band experience as he can during his senior year, while he and his cousin take it one day and one performance at a time. However, his goals don’t end there. His sights are set on the future after being accepted to Cedarville University in the civil engineering program, and said his mom keeps him moving forward.

“She always wants me to do my best, and I appreciate her being there for me,” Eli said.