They've placed first in every competition they've been a part of in North Texas and now, a group of young ladies from Mansfield say they have what it takes to make it to the national competition.
They call themselves the Lake Ridge High School "Dynasty Step Team." These 43 young ladies without a doubt demand your attention when they're on stage during their powerful step routines. And for the past two years, at every local competition, they have come out on top.
The team says they are surprised by their success and now they want to go up against some of the best step teams in the country.
"We feel like we've conquered the DFW area, and you know, we want to compete against the other teams up north, we want to compete against teams in Atlanta, North Carolina, New York, St. Louis, everybody," said Dynasty Step Team coach, Kerry Wright.
"It's going to take a lot of hard practice outside of school, it's going to take determination. We have to be willing to try new things and be humble. Because it gets frustrating, but as long as we have each other and we stick together, then we can make it to nationals again," Dynasty member Oliva Thompson said.
So the team was invited to go to the national competition last year in Memphis, but could not raise enough money to go.
The competition is in Daytona Beach, Florida, in March. Some of the best in the country will compete for the national title, and a grand prize.
If you'd like to help send these young ladies to the national competition, checks may be made payable to:
Lake Ridge HS Dynasty Step Team
101 North Day Miar Road
Mansfield, TX 76063
During the MLK Holiday weekend, the Arlington ISD celebrated MLK's legacy with a host of events including a step show at James Bowie High School in Arlington. Six of our member teams participated in the competition and had outstanding performances. Congratulations to all of you!
The National Stepping Association (NSA) will sponsor the inaugural "National Stepping Day" (NSD) on Saturday, October 8th. Step teams and individuals from across the nation are encouraged to participate in the event.
"Our aim with National Stepping Day is to bring awareness to the stepping art form," stated Marquez Jones, a high school step team coach in Atlanta. "We want people to show us their best stepping renditions."
To participate in National Stepping Day visit the NSD website (www.nationalsteppingday.org) for more information and to view the NSD Challenge routine video. Teams or individuals should then integrate of the NSD step into their 30 second performance. The challenge video will be uploaded to the NSD website by September 9th, so be ready.
Your performance video should be uploaded on or before Tuesday, October 4th at midnight. The NSA will recognize the most creative step submission as well as the team and individual competitors that receive the most votes.
If you have questions about the day or the competition please contact us at
.
National Stepping Day will be celebrated each year the second Saturday in October.
I want to be the first to welcome you back to another exciting season of Dance and Step. As most of you know, we have incorporated Dance into our competition model; thus bringing a new dynamic to our competition events. We will have our annual opening meeting in September and our first TDSA event (HYPE 5k Challenge and Playday) September 24, 2016.
In an effort to align our requirements with our national and other state leagues, we have adapted the Point System for TDSA. The HYPE 5K Challenge and Playday will count as a total of 3 points. The point system will be explained at the September meeting and in the membership handbook addendum that will be distributed during the September meeting. A registration link for the 5K Challenge and Playday is included below.Register 5K Challenge and Playday
The GALXC Cheer and Dance Company held its 1st Annual Competition on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at the Saner Recreation Center in Dallas, TX. We would like to congratulate Saundria Jackson, Choreographer on a great show. TDSA would also like to congratulate the winners in each division of the competition.
We would like to congratulate our teams that participated in the NSA National Championship in Memphis, TN. Teams from Texas, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New York and South Carolina competed for the coveted title of National Champion. This was probably the most exciting competition of the year.
Of course what many are unaware of is that the Championship weekend is more than just a Step Show. Students are engulfed in a variety of teambuilding activities, cultural and educational experiences. This year the TSTA teams visited the National Civil Rights Museum which is the old Lorraine Motel, the hotel where Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated. Students also visited Slave Haven "The Underground Railroad Museum." There were also a lot of fun activities for the students as well. Students enjoyed an outdoor Laser Tag Camp, meeting other students from across the country at the NSA Social and of course some good old Memphis BBQ. Again congratulations to our members.
On Saturday, October 24, 2015, the TSTA held its first Minor League Step Camp at Desoto High School in Desoto, TX. The Steppers Camp was specificially designed for new teams and teams that do not have many resources. Teams from across the metroplex attended the 4 hour camp. Topics covered at the camp included: Precision and Synchronization, Complexity and Difficulty, Creativity, Transitions and Formations.
The TSTA Steppers Camp experience immersed Steppers in hands-on activities that provided step-masters, team captains and coaches with the building blocks to develop more complex routines. Steppers were given the opportunity to develop complex/difficult routines during the Complexity and Difficulty session and steppers also learned how to write themes that will enhance their competition performance.
On Saturday, July 11, 2015, the TSTA Board Members met to install new board members and appoint new directors to the organization. The Board also looked at the Organization's Strategic Plan and modified several components of the plan. The board tabled the discussion regarding expansion due to time restraints. Later a general meeting of all members was held to discuss the NSA Conference and proposed changes for the upcoming season.
The following represents the TSTA Board members and their positions.
Harold Cornwell, Board Chairman/President
Marvin Mitchell, Vice Chairman
Vernetta Burkhalter, Secretary
Lakendra Anderson, Treasurer
Demond Halsey, Member
Executive appointments by the Board of Directors
Lakendra Anderson, President/Executive Director
LaDacher Jackson, Director of Training & Development
Denise Rose, Asst Director of Training & Development
On Sunday, May 17, 2015 the Texas Step Team Association held its annual Awards Recognition Banquet where over 500 awards were given to students, coaches, schools, TSTA board members and executives who were recognized for high achievement during the 2014-15 stepping season.
Brooklyn Garrett, from Beckham Elementary (AISD), Brittany Given from Barbara Bush Middle School, (Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD) and Charlene Marvive, from LD Bell High School, (HEB ISD)won Academic Steppers of the Year U12, U14 and U19 respectively.
Sarai Gaucin from Thornton Elementary (AISD), Trinity Wells, from Oulsey Junior High and Kalen McFadden from LD Bell High School, (HEB ISD) won Stepper of the Year U12, U14 and U19 respectively.
The coaching staff of Goodman Elementary, Barbara Bush Middle School and Bowie High School were awarded Coach of the Year U12, U14, U19.
Demond Halsey, TSTA Director of Training and Development won the Executive of the Year Award.
The Most Improved Team Award went to Anderson Elementary, (AISD), John Horn High School, (Mesquite ISD) and Beckham Elementary (AISD).
Martin Weiss Elementary, (Dallas ISD), Barbara Bush Middle School, Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD) and Rowlett High School, (Garland ISD) won the Theme of the Year Award.
The Most Outstanding Team Awards were awarded to The HYPE Divas, (Addison, TX), Barbara Bush Middle School, (Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD), Goodman Elementary, (AISD), Martin Weiss Elementary, (Dallas ISD), LD Bell High School, (HEB ISD) and Bowie High School, (AISD).
The Member Service Award was awarded to over 200 steppers, coaches, board members and executives.
Chris Caldwell, Demond Halsey and Lisa Yanigida were recognized for their contributions to the Texas Step Team Association and the Art of Stepping.
Garland ISD was awarded School District of the Year.
The District, State and National Winners were also recognized with individual awards for each member for their outstanding achievement.
Each year the Texas Step Team Association hosts a judging workshop for anyone who wants to judge at competitions during the current season. On Saturday, November 8, 2014 the Texas Step Team Association hosted its annual judging workshop for TSTA judges at Lake Highlands High School. These individuals have agreed to judge the TSTA competitions throughout the 2014-15 stepping season. Demond Halsey, TSTA Director of Training and Development detailed the changes that have been made to the scoring process for the 2014-15 season. Brandon Johnson stated "I was thinking about not coming but I am glad I did. Not only will I be eligible for the certification but I know exactly what to look for this season because so much has changed." Once judges have had the training they can become certified by judging 4 competitions. Certified judges are then eligible to judge at national competitions.
"This workshop gets better ever year. I feel more prepared than I did in the past years." stated Monica Smith. Halsey, who is also the Asst Director of Training and Development for the National Stepping Association said that the Silo Scoring system was pioneered by TSTA several years ago, and it has now been adopted by the NSA and is being used by stepping leagues across the country. Halsey stated that he chaired a national committee that revamped the TSTA score card so that it would be applicable to different stepping styles and elements across the country. It is the most comprehensive score card in the country. During the workshop 36 individuals were trained as judges for the 2014-15 stepping season.
On Saturday, October 18, 2014 TSTA hosted a Coaches Certification Course and a Step Camp at Lamar High School in Arlington, TX. The Coaches Certification was attended by 58 coaches and sponsors and allowed all of the participants to receive CPR certification by Coach Grice, Athletic Trainer at Lamar High School. During the all day event students and coaches were given information about Asthma and Wellness.
A computer lab was also made available to coaches so that they could register for membership in TSTA and NSA. Demond Halsey, TSTA Director of Training and Development stated that he had no idea that the camp would be this successful and that he will have to consider two separate dates in the future. Coach Brenda Johnson stated that the camp alone was worth the steppers membership. She also said
"Mr. Caldwell, I had no idea that there was so much involved in competing. I can see why the TSTA teams are so good. My team captains have learned so much. Now I need a camp just for my team."
Alisha Smith, Team Sponsor stated "I can't believe that TSTA does all of this for just $15. My girls have learned so much. The Theme Writing segment was excellent."
The Camp served over 350 students and all attendees received a hot meal prepared by an Executive Chef. This is really going to be an exciting season. We will see how the teams put to work what they have learned. Good luck teams.
Each year the TSTA celebrates its members with an Awards Ceremony. TSTA is the only league to host such an event. The Awards Ceremony was held at Bowie High School on Saturday, May 31, 2014. O.J. Kemp, Arlington ISD Athlethic Director was the special guest. TSTA opted to use a voting system to determine the winners of various categories with the exception of Academic Stepper of the Year. Each TSTA team was allowed one vote per category.
In addition to the established awards TSTA also recognized the NSSA Texas National Winners. Congratulations to our winners!!
Theme of the Year Award Winners
Starrett Elementary U12
Barbara Bush-Top Notch U14
Ma’at of Desoto High U19
Stepper of the Year U19 Winner
Devin Gaut- Bowie High
Stepper of the Year U14 Winner
Essence Parker, AW Brown
Stepper of the Year U12 Winner
Mya Thomas, Weiss Elementary
Outstanding Team Winners
Ma’at of Desoto High-Undefeated Season and National Champions
Martin Weiss Elementary
Barbara Bush Middle School-State and National Champions
Martin High School
G Phi Smooth-LD Bell High-State Champions
Bowie Souljahs-National Champions
Most Improved Team Winners
GES Steppers U12
AW Brown Lovely Ladiz U14
Garland High School U19
The highest honor that TSTA presents to a student is Academic Stepper of the Year. The following students received the Academic Stepper of the Year.
Academic Stepper of the Year U12
Inez Wiltz- Beckham Elementary
Gabriel McDonald-HYPE Divas
Academic Stepper of the Year U14
Brittany Given-Barbara Bush Middle School
Academic Stepper of the Year U19
Kevin Wang, LD Bell High School
The coach of the year award is the highest honor that a coaching staff can receive. This year the Coaches Award went to the following teams.
Coaches” of the Year Award Winners
Audrian West-Martin Weiss Elementary U12
Winfred Dalcour-AW Brown Academy U14
Chris Caldwell, Darius Simmons, Brandon Johnson-Bowie High School U19
This past Saturday, April 12, 2014 TSTA teams competed in the Annual NSSA National Championship Competition. The competition was held in Wheeling, IL (Chicago) at Wheeling High School and featured teams from New York, Missouri, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Illinois, and Texas. TSTA is very excited to announce that our teams performed exceptitionally well in all divisions that we competed in.
This past Saturday, the Texas Step Team Association held is annual U14/12 League Championship. Only 14 teams qualified to compete in the Championship. It was a tough show for the judges. As there was fierce competition in both Major (5A) and Minor (4A) leagues.
In the 4A Division, the HYPE Divas dazzled the judges with complex stepping and received 1st Placee. Judge D. Simmons said "those girls had some very complex steps for such young girls." However, in the 5A division the Top Notch Steppers of Barbara Bush overwhelmed the judges with the top package. The Top Notch Steppers won in the Girls Division and they also received the highest score of any team. Below are the winners:
Minor League (4A)
U12
1st Place. HYPE DIVAS-Dallas
2nd Place. Anderson Gators-Arlington
Minor League (4A)
U14
1st Place-Ousely Junior High-Arlington
Major League (5A)
U12
1st Place-Starrett Steppers-Arlington
2nd Place-Martin Weiss-Dallas
Major League (5A)
U14
1st Place-Barbara Bush Middle-Irving
2nd Place-AW Brown -Dallas
JOHN HORN (YLPA) WINS AT ARLINGTON MEGA STOMP FEST
by posted 02/03/2014
On Saturday, February 1, 2014 Bowie, Lamar and Martin High Schools hosted the Arlington Mega Stomp Fest at Martin High School. There were 11 teams and 3 special performances by the Lamar and Martin Drill Teams and the Martin Chamber Singers sang the National Anthem. There were a total of 5 categories in both divisions.
The YLPA Steppers (John Horn High) dazzled the crowd with a great routine which propelled them to first place in the girls division (4A). Also, Lakendra Anderson, who was judging the show said that she was very impressed with the progress that Theta Nu, Garland High School had made. Given the dynamics of the current season it was a well attended competition. Congratulations to all the Winners!
Minor League (4A) Girls
1st Place---YLPA Steppers, John Horn High School
2nd Place---Kappa Psi, Stony Point High School
Coed
1st Place----Sasche Showstoppers, Sasche High School
2nd Place----Silver Steppers, Nimitz High School
Major League (5A) Girls
1st Place----Refined Lady Eagles, Rowlett High School
2nd Place----Mesmerizing Ladies, LD Bell High School
Boys
1st Place----G-Phi-Smooth, LD Bell High School
Coed
1st Place---Ma'at Steppers, Desoto High School
2nd Place---Theta Nu, Garland High School
3rd Place---Blu Psi, North Crowley High School
The Ma'at Step Show (U19) held at Desoto High School on December 14, 2013 opened with a powerful performance from G-Phi-Smooth. There were great performances throughout the night including peformances from minor league teams such as John Horn and Irving Nimitz. The TSTA would like to congratulate the winners.
Minor League (4A)
1st Place Girls----YLPA-John Horn High School 1st Place Coed-- Silver Steppers-Irving Nimitz High School
Major League (5A)
1st Place Girls--MLS-LD Bell High School 2nd Place Girls--Lady Lieutenants-Lamar High School 3rd Place Girls--Lady Souljahs-Bowie High School
1st Place Boys--Bowie Souljahs-Bowie High School 2nd Place Boys--G-Phi-Smooth-LD Bell High School
1st Place Coed--LeMieux Steppers 2nd Place Coed--Martin Unprecented Steppers-Martin High School
Hannah's Socks is a non-profit organization focused on providing clothing necessities to the less fortunate. Hannah's Socks collects donated materials in the form of men's, women's and children's socks and undergarments, then leverages partnerships with local shelters for distribution to both the homeless and to victims of domestic violence. In addition, they support programs serving under-privileged children. Hannah's Socks firmly believes that in a country as prosperous as the United States, no man, woman or child should want for something as basic as a warm pair of socks.
Today begins the official start of the TSTA's annual sock drive. Last year TSTA teams collected over 600 pairs of socks. The TSTA has held a organization wide sock drive for the past 4 years. This year the goal of TSTA is to collect over 1,000 pairs of socks that will be donated to local charities.
NSSA Championship Weekend 2014 - Heading to Chicago
by posted 11/05/2013
The 8th annual NSSA championship weekend will take place in the Chicago suburb of Wheeling, Illinois the weekend of April 11th, 2014. The event will be co-hosted by the Illinois Step League (ISL).
For the first time in 4 years, the U-14 and U-19 championship event will take place the same weekend in the same city. Earlier this year U-14s nationals were held in St. Louis, while Nashville hosted the U-19s nationals. Chicago will be the first city other than Nashville to host the high school division championship when held there in April.
“We are excited to host Nationals,” stated Victor Hicks, an ISL Board member and coach of a middle school team in Chicago. “Along with a great competition we have tours for student participants of Northwestern University. It should be an enjoyable weekend for the teams, coaches, and supporters. We have already heard from teams in Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, and New York City working hard to get to Chicago with step league-generated and at-large bids.”
More detailed information about the championship weekend will be available starting in early December. To request more information email
.
On Saturday, November 2, 2013, several TSTA Member teams including Starrett Elementary, John Horn High School and other teams from across the DFW area participated in the H.Y.P.E Obesity Walk-a-Thon at Haltom High School. This helped our member teams satisfy 3 of the 24 required community service hours.
The purpose of this walk was to educate and to raise awareness about childhood obesity, in the efforts to increase daily exercise and eating healthier. Aspire – Haltom High School has collaborated with Helping Youth Prepare for Excellence Incorporated (H.Y.P.E), Texas Step Team Association, and Whatever It Takes Catering and Event Planning to strengthen students’ awareness about Childhood Obesity. “H.Y.P.E Inc. is an official Advocate of the President’s Challenge Program, and Aspire- Haltom High School has joined them to promote healthy living through their Buff Fit Clubs.
On Saturday, October 19, 2013, Arlington Lamar High School hosted the Texas Step Team Association’s 1st Annual Fall Step Camp. This was the largest Step Camp ever held in the State of Texas. There were over 180 attendees and 15 teams from across the State that attended the camp. The campers ranged from ages 5 to 17. Demond Halsey, TSTA’s Director of Training & Judging Protocol, had been preparing for this camp for over 3 years. He has been to several NSSA camps over the past 3 years as well as national competitions. Halsey said “I felt like we would be able to host a successful camp because of all the things that I had learned while helping with the National Camps that I have attended over the last few years. Lakisha Lias, sponsor at Irving Nimitz High School said “this camp was great. I loved it.” Chris McCall, sponsor at Huntsville High School stated that he was very impressed by what he saw throughout the day.
During the camp, students learned the skills necessary to compete at the highest level. Students attended 5 sessions and a leadership summit during the camp. Monique Booker, Coach of MA ‘at Steppers of Desoto facilitated the session on Theme Writing. She said “OMG they all had questions and they were really good questions and I answered every one of them. We asked several students what they thought about the camp. Janae H. (Bowie) stated that she thought the camp was going to be boring but it was a lot of fun and she learned a lot. Frankie H. (Le Mieux) said “I had so much fun and I got to meet a lot of new people.”
After speaking with numerous steppers, parents and sponsors and getting their reaction about the camp, I asked Chris Caldwell, TSTA Board President what made the camp so successful.
“From the start we have been committed to making everything we do in the organization about the kids and their needs. In particular, we made sure that the camp’s values and mission were congruent with our goal and then we looked to see if its activities matched both our goals and the stepper’s interests. You're looking for something educational but not simply an expansion of school. A day camp should be unique, with a wide range of activities that a stepper wouldn't otherwise have access to, it should get them up and moving and building new skills” says Caldwell.
Overall, it was a great camp. Look for more exciting things to come from TSTA this season.
