The Step team at Green River is stepping it up for its second year on campus. Captains, De Naja' Handy and Justin Malepe think this year's team will be better than ever!
Step is a very creative form of dance. Instead of dancing to songs comprised of musical instruments the music is made from stomping, clapping, and other rhythms the body can compose.
The team will stand out with their "fun but serious" atmosphere, and their unique style of dance.
Malepe says he is looking forward to the step team becoming more like family.
Co-Captain Handy agrees that the step team has a true family environment, "We usually eat together just because we love being around each other so much."
"Stepping is a different form of dancing and anyone can do it!" commented Handy.
Both Malepe and Handy have been captains since February of 2009. Having been with the team from the start, both captains seem very proud of the steppers and very excited to start their second year.
Handy started stepping in junior high but didn't continue with it through high school. She's taking full advantage of being able to express herself through dance now that she is in college.
Malepe says he felt drawn to stepping as a sophomore in high school and has had fun with it ever since.
Handy and Malepe expect there to be 26 steppers this year, down from the 32 that joined last year. However, the captains are just as excited and looking forward to teaching new techniques. Both are hoping the new steppers will come prepared to dance!
Including Co-Captain Malepe, only two men are on the team. Step, like cheerleading and ballet, was originally performed by men. "The girls are taking over," Malepe admits laughing.
Enthusiastically, Handy talks about the prospect of entering competitions this year. This is not something they were able to do last year, but something she is excited to get the school to agree to.
They have performed, however, at the YMCA in Auburn and at school functions. The step team will have their first performance at GRCC's Halloween party on October 30th.
This year Handy hopes the steppers will be able to unite their different cultures and incorporate that into the dancing to create a mosaic of styles.
"Having such a diverse team helps me have a better perspective of the world around me," expresses Handy.
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