Star Steppers win platinum rating, receive invite to Macy’s parade

The Bandera High School Star Steppers received a platinum trophy last Saturday at the Crowdpleasers Hill Country Regional Dance Competition, securing the group an invite to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“I was so proud of the girls for earning the platinum rating and trophy!” said Star Steppers Director Regina Johnston. “Our team mantra for the competition season was #intheplatinumbusiness.”

A platinum rating is required to receive an invitation to participate in the Spirit of America Dancers who perform in New York’s annual parade, which was the team’s ultimate goal this year. Dancers began learning competition routines last November, including their novelty routine, Baseball: America’s Pastime, which features Louisville Slugger bat props and team benches.

The team’s second routine, a lyrical routine to “Make You Feel My Love” was learned in December. In January, the team learned their contemporary dance routine to the film “Enchanted.”

“At this point these girls then work on perfecting these routines and every aspect of the performance including walking on and off, facial expressions, spacing, and every single movement of the dances for 2 months,” said Johnston.

The team usually competes at a city-wide and regional level each year, but scheduling conflicts this year meant the team went straight into regional competition on Feb. 25 without the advantage of learning from the city level. Star Stepper Bootcamp is scheduled for March 3, during which the team will name the 23rd annual line of BHS Star Steppers as well as officers for the 2023-24 season.

“After that, we will begin our annual Raise Craze fundraiser, where girls perform Acts of Kindness in the community, such as performing at Cedar Creek Nursing Home and Silver Sage,” said Johnston.

For more information on how to support the Star Stepper team, email rjohnston@banderaisd2. net or call 830-460-3898.