The Fall Pep rally is one of the best days of the school year, despite all four grades being tightly packed into the stuffy gym on a warm day. Pep Rally introduces the varsity sport teams and their captains, as well as performances by cheer, kickline, and the crowd’s favorite; the Step Team. “We want Step!” “We want Step!” the crowd cheers from the stands.
The paper vail with the team members’ names goes up over the door and seconds later the team stomps their way through it. The screams coming from the crowd are louder than the beat that the team makes, but everyone watches on with excitement.
For each Pep rally that I have been to, being able to watch the Step team perform has been one of the most amazing experiences ever. As I sat on the bleachers in complete awe, the team did their routine. The students in the bleachers were all cheering and stomping their feet. It has always been a blast, but now, I am a part of the team! I will take you behind the scenes and show you how the Step Team becomes the wonderful and thrilling performance that you see during Pep rally.
The Step team is a club here at Saint Anthony’s high school that originally started in 1999. At the time, there were 24 minority girls who only performed during the multicultural day program. The moderator is the wonderful Mrs. Anne Hill. She first became the parent moderator for the Saint Anthony’s Step team in April of 2003. Before becoming a moderator, Mrs. Hill was a cheerleader for 10 years.
How do you feel the team will perform for the pep rally?
MH: “As long as we have great energy and we believe in ourselves, we will put on a good 1st performance”
Is there anything you would like to say to the students who would like to join the team?”
MH: “Step is an art. You must also know how to make a beat. You make the music with only your hands and feet. It takes a lot of energy and if you put in the work, you will be amazed and amaze others. The beat makes you want to move. You are the music. Just believe”
Just as a sports team, we too have captains. This year we have three; Junior Olivia Colquhoun, Senior Thai French, and Elizabeth Declama. There are a total of 10 Step team members for the 2021 season. Sophomores: Gianay Waithe and Kyra Colquhoun, and the following Juniors: Genesis Armand, Dacia Patrick, Emily Moreno, Gabrielle Embrack-Dalley and me 1st year stepper, Isabella Moseley. We meet twice a week on Monday and Thursday.
Here are some quotes from the 2021 season Step team on how they feel and see this team.
“It’s really rewarding to be performing out on the floor.” -Senior Captain Thai French
“It helps me feel like a leader and not a follower. Step also helps me be more confident.” -new member, Dacia Patrick
“We put hard work and dedication into our steps. We really try to incorporate our personalities into it.” -Genesis Armand, a club member for three years.
“Stay steppin’ and stay sturdy.” -Gianay Waithe, a club member of two years.
“It’s a nice environment to be in because the girls are so genuine, positive, and funny.” -Kyra Colquhoun, a club member of two years.
The Step Team performs at special events such as parent night, pajama night, Hawaiian night, Pep rally and the Variety show. The team also performs against other teams. These competitions are normally year round, but due to COVID-19, they could not happen for the past two years.
For a show, there are usually four steps and two travel steps. The routine is about three minutes long. Our attire consists of yoga pants, a jersey, and timberland boots. Why the boots? Not only are they fashionable, but they add weight to our feet so that our feet fall quicker to produce a louder sound.
Stepping was originally created by African American sororities and fraternities during the 20th century. Many roots link it back to slaves in West Africa trying to communicate by slapping arms, legs, and chest when they were not allowed to communicate with drums. Routines are made by the captains who know their audience well. Adding iconic lines that the crowd will know is also a big part of it. For one of the steps, our captains shout a well known phrase before the step that will allow the audience to catch onto the magic happening before them.
For the step, “college,” that the team at Saint Anthony’s performs, a college student came in and taught the team how to do it in January of 2005. Since then, the team has been performing it.
Come be a part of the team! Tryouts are Monday 10/18- Friday 10/22. All are welcome!
Isabella Moseley is a Junior at Saint Anthony’s High School, writing for her second year with Friar Scoreboard. She is also a member of Saint Anthony’s track and field team, Step Team, and a member of several clubs at SA. In the future, she plans on studying medicine abroad.
