Stomping, clapping and chanting are heard as a new group of students take the floor at pep rallies and sports games. The Wando Step Team was recently brought back to the school by SyMira Richardson, a Wando staff member and alumna.

“The step team was created back in 2017 when … two of my friends and me wanted to see just a different look to Wando and [see] a team that could come together and just have a rhythm of step, dance and cheer to show school spirit and pride,” Richardson said. “So I came back to my alma mater last year, and that was one of my main goals, trying to recreate and rebrand the Step Team to bring back that feel to Wando High School. So we’ve been back since December of last year and just ready and geared up to continue.”

The Step Team has already grown since their debut earlier this school year. Sophomore Malaysia Moultrie has been a prominent member of the team since its return and does not plan on leaving anytime soon.

“I enjoy being on a step team because it’s like your own little community, because … Wando’s just so big, and some people don’t know where to find their place … in Wando. So the Step Team also helped provide that place for everyone,” Moultrie said.

Another core member, Sariah Manigault, was a dancer in her childhood, and now revisits the passion with step. Since she has joined, she has found some differences in step at Wando compared to other forms of dance.

“I would say we’re more inclusive-oriented, and I feel like it’s a place where you’ll actually feel like you’re at home … 
Not to disrespect, but it’s kind of different among a lot of other sports, like cheerleading. Cheerleading is a very competitive field, and I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily [skewed] towards a certain race, but it definitely is prominent with a certain race. That can make it feel like, you know, certain girls may not want to try out, or they may not feel like it’s a space for them, but I would say that’s where the step team is kind of different … Anyone can do step. Anyone can move their legs. 
Anyone can clap their knees … So I would say that’s what kind of sets us apart from other teams,” Manigault said.

The Step Team strives to help bring a more positive, welcoming air to Wando, and their work is not done.

“I think it positively impacts students by just being a safe place to create different moods … different routines, [and] for them to bridge the gap of saying they may have known that person or seen that person in the hall, but actually come together as a team … 
So I think as a whole, it has brought some of these young ladies out of their shell and making friends and doing something that they’ve never done before. And also just kind of like touching into a gift that they didn’t know that they had,” Richardson said.