Feb. 28, 2016
Stepping Up to the Challenge
by THS Media Gregory Miranda
The hustle and bustle of a crowd turning their necks to see an exhilarating dance performance given to you by none other than Truman High School’s very own Starsteppers.
While they are often associated with the cheerleaders, what separates them from the others and what you don't see is the hard work and dedication that is put in every performance, every routine and every count.
Some of these girls have been dancing since they were young and all their preparation, routines and practice from then on lead them to the NDA High School Dance Competition.
“It's a dream just to be a Starstepper,” sophomore Megan Davis said. “To be at the position we are now, we just have to trust our practice.”
During a three day event, hosted in Orlando Fla. at the Hard Rock Live auditorium, the Starsteppers fall in under the Medium Varsity class and during Preliminary competition there are 4 types of categories to participate. Pom, which is a very upbeat routine that consist of very fast and tight movements, Hip-Hop which consist of tutting and puppeting, Jazz which is a slower, more fluid routine, and last Team performance, which is a mix of these categories. This year they participated in two categories Pom and Hip Hop.
Along with the practices back home, breaking the routines down count by count is one of the many ways the Starsteppers ensure that the whole team and routine is perfectly in sync and is clean as possible. Also endurance and strength are very important and with the help of small weights attached to the ankles and wrists of each dancer it increases both attributes.
“Were not just girls in flashy outfits dancing to music,” junior Rachel Edmunds said. “Our routines and the hard work we put into them shows how much we spirit and support we have for our school doing what we love.”
But the time to prepare and practice in Orlando is brief and short 15-20 scheduled practice sessions are given throughout the trip and before they go on, behind the stage the Starsteppers are given very brief six minute practice sessions before their actual performance.
With both performances in Pom and Hip Hop performed and judged based on fluidity and alignment, the Starsteppers danced their way into the upper 60 percent of teams to compete in the finals performance in the category of Pom.
In finals performance, support was unlike any in years past as throughout their final routine family and coaching staff cheered and shouted along with the Starsteppers earning them a twelfth place ranking in the country. While maintaining their placing from last year, some just appreciated the experience and the overwhelming support throughout the each performance.
“We gave it everything we had,” freshman Courtney Duchene said. “The competition this year was very tough and I'm just proud on what we have accomplished and thankful for the support from our families and coaches.”
While they are often associated with the cheerleaders, what separates them from the others and what you don't see is the hard work and dedication that is put in every performance, every routine and every count.
Some of these girls have been dancing since they were young and all their preparation, routines and practice from then on lead them to the NDA High School Dance Competition.
“It's a dream just to be a Starstepper,” sophomore Megan Davis said. “To be at the position we are now, we just have to trust our practice.”
During a three day event, hosted in Orlando Fla. at the Hard Rock Live auditorium, the Starsteppers fall in under the Medium Varsity class and during Preliminary competition there are 4 types of categories to participate. Pom, which is a very upbeat routine that consist of very fast and tight movements, Hip-Hop which consist of tutting and puppeting, Jazz which is a slower, more fluid routine, and last Team performance, which is a mix of these categories. This year they participated in two categories Pom and Hip Hop.
Along with the practices back home, breaking the routines down count by count is one of the many ways the Starsteppers ensure that the whole team and routine is perfectly in sync and is clean as possible. Also endurance and strength are very important and with the help of small weights attached to the ankles and wrists of each dancer it increases both attributes.
“Were not just girls in flashy outfits dancing to music,” junior Rachel Edmunds said. “Our routines and the hard work we put into them shows how much we spirit and support we have for our school doing what we love.”
But the time to prepare and practice in Orlando is brief and short 15-20 scheduled practice sessions are given throughout the trip and before they go on, behind the stage the Starsteppers are given very brief six minute practice sessions before their actual performance.
With both performances in Pom and Hip Hop performed and judged based on fluidity and alignment, the Starsteppers danced their way into the upper 60 percent of teams to compete in the finals performance in the category of Pom.
In finals performance, support was unlike any in years past as throughout their final routine family and coaching staff cheered and shouted along with the Starsteppers earning them a twelfth place ranking in the country. While maintaining their placing from last year, some just appreciated the experience and the overwhelming support throughout the each performance.
“We gave it everything we had,” freshman Courtney Duchene said. “The competition this year was very tough and I'm just proud on what we have accomplished and thankful for the support from our families and coaches.”