Stepping up: PWHS students share rhythmic dance at Summer Academy

Members of the Plymouth Whitemarsh High School’s Black Cultural Awareness Club recently introduced “stepping” to the students in the Colonial School District’s Summer Academy at Colonial Middle school. 

Stepping is a dynamic dance form that blends stomping, clapping, and vocal sounds to create synchronized patterns and beats. The club showed videos of the team performing and competing, did a short live performance, and shared their favorite steps. 

PWHS senior Asia Wyatt is a member of the PWHS Step Team and enjoys the feeling she gets when everyone is performing a routine together. “I feel like it’s exciting for kids, and it makes them want to do it, too,” she said.

The audience wanted to learn more and asked questions like how often the Step Team practiced (once per week), where they performed (basketball games, competitions, and special events), and who could join (open to anyone). 

Recent PWHS graduate Kendall Mitchell was especially invested in sharing with the middle schoolers, because her sister is at the school. Kendall mentioned that being on the Step Team gave her valuable skills for her future. 

“It definitely got me out of my comfort zone,” she said. “Like I never thought I would‘ve stepped at pep rallies, basketball games, or even the Unity Walk, so it definitely helped me get over my shyness a little bit and showed me that I can do things I never thought I could.”

The Step Team is only one of the activities offered by the BCA Club. The club meets on Fridays during the school year to create an open and welcoming community.

“My favorite thing about the BCA Club is spreading awareness about Black culture and everybody coming together,” said PWHS senior Sanaa Purcell. “Even if you aren't African American, you can still come and learn about the Black culture.”

The energy continued after the presentation with middle schoolers trying their own steps in the hallway on their way back to the classrooms.

Approximately 250 students in grades 1-8 are spending four weeks working on their math and reading skills in the Colonial School District’s Summer Academy.