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Killeen Step Team Show Rooted in KISD Talent

A stage-stomping, body-smacking, hand-clapping cacophony echoed through the packed ballroom Sunday during the 23rd annual MLK Step Up Fest at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center.
The two-hour event culminated with a competition between three high school step teams that illustrated the diverse styles of the rhythmic, story-telling art form.
In the end, the panel of judges awarded first place to Houston-based D Phi D. Second place went to Temple High School’s resurgent Sophisticated Ladies of T-Phi-T, the team that won the initial Killeen show 23 years ago.
The brand-new Chaparral High School Steppers took the third-place trophy in their first-ever competition.
The event also featured step teams from Cedar Valley Elementary School and Palo Alto Middle School, as well as the Shoemaker High School Silver Stars and Shining Stars dance teams.
In addition, Early College High School freshman Angelica Johnson wowed the appreciative crowd with a dazzling solo during intermission.
This year’s step show challenged participants to incorporate the theme of “Generational Wealth” into their movements and statements.
For event coordinator Jasmine Purnell the Killeen show is about continuing a sacred legacy.
The Killeen native performed in the show when it started during an earlier phase of stepping when she attended Liberty Hill Middle School and Harker Heights High School. Her late mother, Joy Purnell, a longtime KISD educator, started the local event in 2001.
Speaking backstage Sunday as the announcer introduced the participants, Purnell expressed hopeful excitement that Central Texas stepping is coming back.
“The reason it started back when I was in middle school is because my mom wanted to start something in Killeen that kids could do that was positive that wasn’t necessarily sports or clubs,” she said.
“Step was very popular back then. It grew into an actual competition. People looked forward to it for months and months. Now, we want to continue her legacy. Now we’re getting more teams from Central Texas.”
Temple High returned to the Killeen show this year following a long absence and KISD’s three-year-old Chaparral High School unveiled its new step team, suggesting a revived era of step teams.
“Of course, MLK’s legacy and black history is an important part,” Purnell said. “It’s very important for the kids.”
Standing backstage with her step coach, Chaparral senior Dajah Contreras tried to maintain her excitement as her school team’s legacy was about to begin.
“We already had dance and cheer and I thought we could be different from the other schools and have Chaparral be a thought in everyone’s mind,” she said, explaining how she began recruiting for the inaugural team two years ago.
“I thought it would be a perfect fit for Chaparral,” she said. Contreras found an adult sponsor, Simone Coward, and acquired permission and support from the school’s administration to get going.
“It’s been fun non-stop,” Contreras said. “Everyone is so creative. We use that creativity to form our routines. We just go out there and have fun and give it our all.”
A large, appreciative audience cheered on and encouraged every team.
Palo Alto Middle School eighth-grader Aaliyah Jackson was among those drawn to step team and excited to be part of its future.
“The girls are enjoyable. We share a lot of moments. I like the hip-hop and stepping on stage. I’m more of a dancer. This is my first time in step,” she said.
Speaking after the performance, Jackson said, “I was so scared, but it was actually very easy.”
Jackson was also impressed with the high school groups. “They were very good. I want to be able to step like that.”
KISD video and photo gallery: https://www.flickr.com/photos/killeenisd/albums/72177720323290180/