After a year of no performances, the High Steppers is on the rise as a group of steppers are making strides towards a comeback.
“[Not having High Steppers] was a downer because I liked being involved in it,” junior Trasean Stepney said.
In order to get the team back up and running, Stepney and fellow junior Jennifer Wade wanted to take a more proactive approach to getting people to join.
On Red and White Night, they set up a table to advertise and perform. They had four people committed to the group at that point and have gained eight more since.
The team made some other efforts as well.
“We also put flyers on the walls, and we were able to get a bunch of people to join,” Stepney said.
Team members have made some improvements as far as the size of the team goes, but they are not done yet.
“Twelve people is a good number, but we are going for 20,” Wade said.
Even though they do not have the size of team that they would like yet, the steppers still plan to improve as the year goes along, including having more practice time.
The team practices from 2:30 to 5:30 pm in the science wing.
“It’s an intense practice, but it’s a lot of fun,” Wade said.
Science teacher and step team sponsor Ms. Renell Gamble helps the students along in the process.
“The kids asked me to get involved with the step team here, and I did it because it’s fun for them,” Gamble said. “I wanted to make sure the kids had the opportunity to still do the activity.”
Gamble ensures the kids have a place to practice and helps organize their ideas for fundraising, as well as other activities they wish to do.
She also advocates for the team with different people in the building, along with making sure their routine looks good.
She is aiming to help the team with more than just spreading their popularity and creating routines.
“We are trying to build the team and make sure that the image we have in the building is better than the image we have had in the past,” Gamble said.
As the team remains in a growing phase, the steppers are focusing on possibilities for the team down the road rather than in the present.
“I am very excited because we have a bigger team now, and we will be able to compete in competitions in the future,” Stepney said. “We have more opportunities now.”