Members Of the Tampa Bay Technical High School won the 2010 National Step Competition held in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Members of the performing  Tau Beta Tech Steppers shown with their coach, Andre Walker, kneeling, far right, and the judges of the competition are: Steven Williams, Captain; Patrick Lindsey, Co-Captain; Khamis Walker, Co-Captain; Ramondo McMillon, Joshua Hall, Kendal Duffy, Larry Hodge, Austin Figueroa and Gregory Bell.

A Hillsborough County high school step team captured the first place prize of $3,000. The prize was awarded at the end of a national step competition held in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, several months ago.

Members of the Tau Beta Tech Boys Step Team, of Tampa Bay Technical High School utilized clown costumes and make up to create a unique theme that added dimensions to their performance.

The team’s coach, André Walker attributed their success to hard work and many hours of practice. He is also proud of the hard work of the Girls Step Team, Gamma Phi Gamma.  His teams worked hard to raise the monies to pay for the chartered bus, hotel, costumes, food, etc.

Parent Volunteers were Otis Williams and Ms. Jennifer Comer. Members of the performing  Tau Beta Tech steppers are: Steven Williams, Captain; Patrick Lindsey, Co-Captain; Khamis Walker, Co-Captain; Ramondo [private]McMillon, Joshua Hall, Kendal Duffy, Larry Hodge, Austin Figueroa and Gregory Bell.

Gamma Phi Gamma girls are: Jasmine Chester Captain; Ciara Crespo Captain; Kayla McBride, Co-Captain; Cierra Ball, Co-Captain; Arius Welch, Co-Captain, Taylor Williams, Co-Captain; Jade Fate, Deonta Flowers, Ambria Givens, Chylsea Snells, Brianna Wigfall, and Erica Comer.

Other winners were Archbishop Molloy High School from Queens, New York, who won the 2nd place prize of $1,500 and Brooklyn Technical High School, of New York, was the 3rd place winner.

Brock Harris, CEO of Youth Step USA, selected Harrisburg as the location for the event. He had conducted workshops for several local high school step teams. The purpose of the event was to promote positive teen activities and curb teen violence. It is the dream of the Youth Step organization to have a step team in every high school in the country.

The event took place at Harrisburg’s Forum Auditorium.

In addition to participating in the step competition, the students toured Washington, D.C., and viewed the White House.

Walker and his team look forward to returning to Harrisburg in May 2011 to defend their national title.  [/private]