The MHS Step Team — A Step Ahead

The newest team sport at MHS is always a step ahead.

Classmates Keren ’21 and Alessandra ’21 founded the Step Club at MHS as ninth-graders in 2017. The following year, they launched the Step Team as a Winter Athletics offering. This dynamic group of 10 to 15 students performs regularly at MHS and at events in the Berkshires and beyond.

On campus, they have performed during halftime at varsity basketball games, Community Meeting, the MHS Talent Show, and at the International Student Alliance’s Holiday Banquet. Off campus, they have performed at Barrington Stage Co., the Berkshire Museum, and before a Harlem Globetrotters game at the Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y.

“I really enjoy building those connections with the outside community,” says Alessandra. “We’re also very supportive of each other, and always helping each other with parts.”

All abilities are welcome, too, whether new to the sport or a long-time stepper. Keren has been stepping since third grade and Alessandra since sixth.

“We encourage mistakes, because everyone’s learning something new,” adds Keren. “Seeing people grow in their step careers is one of the benefits. There are many people who started with the club freshman year and are now on the team.”

The team practices at least four times a week, leaving Wednesdays and Saturdays — “Game Days” at MHS — open for performances.

“What I love about the team is seeing us get a part down and all having fun and having a good time,” says Keren. ”It’s the best feeling. You spend days practicing and going over parts, finally getting it together as a whole team and getting to perform it is a great feeling.”