The Sophisticated Steppers, a drill team composed of girls aged 9-18, will compete in Morristown ONSTAGE, a spectacular amateur talent show on Feb. 24, 2016, at the Mayo Performing Arts Center. The show is a major fundraiser for the Morris Educational Foundation.
By Peggy Carroll
It is a drill team, but with a difference.
The members wear costumes of pink, silver and white. And they execute their routines with precision and grace.
They are called the Sophisticated Steppers, and they are all girls – girls from age 7 to age 18.
And to say they are dedicated to their performances, says Sandra Mintor, program coordinator, is something of an understatement.
Parents of members have found a very effective way to make sure their girls do their chores, keep up with the homework, and take care of their school and home responsibilities.
No need to threaten loss of television or phone privileges. “All they have to tell their daughters is they can’t go to drill,” Mintor said. “That is enough. These girls absolutely love this. They eat, sleep and drink this.”
Mintor should know; her granddaughter is on the team.
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016, at 7 pm
Fifteen Greater Morristown amateur acts compete for prizes and bragging rights
Tickets: $25-$75 at the Mayo Performing Arts Center, 973-539-8008
Proceeds benefit Morris School District programs
The team is under the umbrella of People Helping People, a nonprofit assisting those in need. The Steppers were formed 15 years ago by directors and founders Qadriyyah Sakhu and Rasheeda Ziyad to provide a fun and healthful activity plus positive mentoring for girls.
Today, Mintor said, about 40 girls meet at the Morristown Neighborhood House for two-hour practice sessions twice a week under the direction of coaches Aaquliah Johnson and Tatyanna Johnson, both former team members.
The group is divided by skill level into three squads: Advanced (they are the eight girls who will appear on stage), the varsity and the junior.
The entire team has entertained before – at Neighorhood House events, programs for senior citizens, community block parties and in parades. But this is the first time they have tried out for the talent show.
“We heard about the auditions and we thought, let’s try it,” Mintor said.
Making it to the Feb. 24 finals was beyond exciting. “They are really looking forward to this,” she said, “to performing before so many people.”
The girls in the competing squad range in age from 9 to 18. They are led by captain Shakira Jackson, a senior at Morristown High School, who is not only a choreographer and commander, but “big sister” to the younger members of her squad: Vanna Da’Shanti Gwyn, Azariah-Faith Martin, Aaliyha Murphy, Michaela Lattimore, Karissa Mincey, Ivy Simmons and Kayla Lindsay.
Should they win, the prize money will go back o the team.
For the teams exists not only to give the girls a fun activity, but guidance, Mintor said – guidance with everything from school work to behavior.
“They have to stay up with their homework, to do well in other activities, “ Mintor said.
“We want them to become young ladies and great citizens not only of the community, but hopefully, of the world.”
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