STEPPING ONTO THE COURT WITH THE WASHINGTONVILLE STEP TEAM

By MIMI BADU

During last week’s episode of BGTV, segment producer Alicia Acevedo gave the audience insight into a new club that has become a part of our high school, the step team. Last year, the step team came together to give Washingtonville’s staff and students a performance at the end of the 2015-2016 school year.  This year the group has an even bigger event planned for January 10th.

MIMI BADU FOR WIZARD WEEKLY

This is the first year that the step team has been a part of our high school. As many may know, the Washingtonville Middle School step program has been going on for quite some time. Students that moved up from the middle school to the high school have tried to build upon the original program only to face problems such as a lack of students willing to participate and not having an advisor to support them. 

This is going to be quite a year for the step team; they have discovered fifteen students who are dedicated to creating complicated rhythms through a series of footsteps and claps. As for finding an advisor, Mrs. Alemany has generously taken on the role.  She is dedicated to helping the team display a new type of school spirit. In the middle school, the step team usually gives a performance in their auditorium at the end of the year.  This year, however, the high schoolers  have decided to  take it up a notch by performing at basketball  games. 

When asked how the idea came about to perform at halftime during the basketball games, Captain Alani Bannerman said,  “We have been practicing since October and we were practicing for a performance in December. We wanted to participate in the Lip Sync Battle, but realized we needed a bit more preparation before we debuted any content. I, as the captain, saw the team needed an outlet for their dedicated practice. When the Step Team as a whole was ready to perform, my co-captain, Jared Davidson, and a club member, Diasia Burroughs, spoke  to a few adults about performing at basketball games. This is something that hasn't been done before and we are very enthusiastic to be a part of an environment that promotes school spirit. We are, quite literally, ready to rock the house!”  

A performance during half time at the varsity game is something that has never been done before, even by the cheerleading team. It’s great to see new faces giving us a different type of performance. When students heard the news about the performance, they were excited to see another club being showcased at a sporting event.

All the best to Washingtonville High School’s new addition. January 10th is right around the corner, and Wizard Nation will be there to show support and cheer you on. Go rock the house!