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Dudley's male step team will compete on TV

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

(Updated 9:01 am)

By Donald W. Patterson
Staff Writer

GREENSBORO — UMOJA will be steppin’ out tonight. In New York City. On national television. Before millions of viewers. With $5,000 on the line. And a chance to make the Triad proud.

UMOJA, the award-winning male step team at Dudley High School, will compete tonight on BET’s 106 & Park in a segment called Wild Out Wednesday. The show airs at 6 p.m. on cable channel 22.

They’ve practiced hard. They’ve polished a new routine. They’re confident. They’re experienced. They’re ready to go.

“But we need the votes, man,” Antonio Sloan, the team’s coach, said Tuesday afternoon. “We need everybody to vote.”

UMOJA won a preliminary round in New York in January. Now, they’re going back for the all-star round, competing against teams from Florida and Alabama for the $5,000 prize.

Team members say they felt nervous the first time on the show, but they are more self-assured this trip.

“Having the (January) experience has given us a heads up,” said Khaleel Loyd, a 17-year-old senior and the team’s captain. “We have been in tight situations before so I don’t think national TV will be too much of a deal for us.”

UMOJA — it’s a Swahili word meaning “unity” — has been around since 1997. Stepping has been around even longer.

Today’s version combines an African American dance tradition with elements of hip-hop, jazz and plenty of military precision.

The team takes part in competitions and exhibitions, appearing at college homecomings, community gatherings and church events.

It gets no financial support from the school. Any prize money the team wins tonight will pay for future travel, uniforms, props and scholarships for senior members.

“We put that money back into the team,” said Diseree Best, the team’s adviser and an English teacher. “It will be gone very quickly.”

UMOJA members say they focus on discipline, working as a unit and studies. Members must maintain at least a B-average.

“It’s about growing young men,” said Sloan, who teaches U.S. history at Dudley. “It’s about making future leaders.”

Tevin Neal, a 17-year-old senior, has been on the team for three years. At first, he was shy and not very well-spoken. Today, he’s a co-captain.

“I’m just a better all-around person,” Neal said.

And he feels as if the other members are his brothers.

“With teams, it’s just teammates,” he said. “This is family.”

The UMOJA family packed up Tuesday afternoon for the drive to New York. They hope to return Thursday with another win.
Sloan won’t say what routine the team plans to perform.

“It’s a secret,” he said. “You’ve got to tune in — and vote.”

Contact Donald W. Patterson at 373-7027 or don.patterson@news-record.com

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J Peterman Reality Tour

August 26, 2009 - 6:38 am EDT

I wonder what else is on . . . click.

tobi

August 26, 2009 - 2:16 pm EDT

Seeing as you love making negative comments toward anything that involves African Americans, I'm not shocked to see that you were the first to read and comment. I guess you couldn't find anything else to read because it seems like your mouse "clicked" on this story.

onbe1kanoby

August 27, 2009 - 8:49 am EDT

dude,. be happy that there doing something other then the normal teenages stuff... Or have you forgot what it was like to be one? hmmm

newkid

August 28, 2009 - 9:41 am EDT

Yet another racist comment by "J Peterman Reality Tour"....and on a story that doesn't even raise a debatable issue. Really shows the personality at work here.

hop1@ncat

August 26, 2009 - 6:55 am EDT

First of all I like to send my congrat to the step team, I have heard alot about dudley high School. I had my first visit at the school during our OES Contest, and I think it is so cool that the team is doing something better for the the school. Remember pull you pant up make dudley proud and make Greensboro NC proud. I KNOW that you all will do your thing and you got my vote. GO DUDLEY STEP TEAM?

TerryT

August 26, 2009 - 7:24 am EDT

Thank goodness Americas got "real" Talent is on.

holland4

August 26, 2009 - 7:29 am EDT

At my high school back in the 80s, lots of folks were under the mistaken impression that we, too, had a step team. Truth be known, we were actually just trying to shake the cow manure off of our shoes. The pasture was a quick shortcut on days you were running late.

REDDHOTT

August 28, 2009 - 2:42 am EDT

U sound like someone who has just taken off there mask! Or maybe u live on the same farm u lived on in the 80's. Its so sad that u havent been able to see more of the world! Its even sadder that u live in a box and havent been exposed to more educational opportunities. U sound JEALOUS to me! I actually feel sorry for u. Stop drinking the hater- aide, u have o.d on it. O.d. is an abbreviation for "over dose" just in case you are to slow to understand!

johnking

August 26, 2009 - 8:20 am EDT

J peterman reality tour/Terry T, I just knew that you two would have to make a comment on this story. Young teenagers competing on a national TV show can't even get a thumbs up from you two, just because they happen to attend a majority black high school. When will all this nonsense end, but I have to remember, that I am talking to two sore losing, heaven bound republicans....hahaha

cr8er

August 26, 2009 - 8:24 am EDT

It is interesting to me how unsupportive people can be, but yet these very same people are the ones who want to put education, more specifically schools like Dudley and Smith, down. There are very good things that go on at these schools. I, for one, congratulate the step team for this accomplishment.

greensboro mom no more

August 26, 2009 - 8:52 am EDT

Great job kids! This is an awesome experience for our youth. They need more positive situations as this for after school programs around the state & country. Proud to be a graduate of Dudley!!

To the Haters - SHUT UP & GET A LIFE!

thirstytarheel

August 26, 2009 - 11:08 am EDT

Just wondering, how many people are on the team? And what did it cost to go to NYC? "The UMOJA family packed up Tuesday afternoon for the drive to New York" is the only reference to the actual trip. Is the group small enough to fit in one vehicle? Did their families go too? How much is the trip costing? If they win, will $5,000 cover their expenses? Is there only one prize or does 2nd & 3rd place win any money? Are the producers of the show paying their expenses? I hope so. And I hope they win too. I wish the N & R would include a little more background on their stories.

willijs8

August 26, 2009 - 11:47 am EDT

Hello How are you!!!
I love that step!!!! Congratulations and good luck tonight guys!!!!!

greensboro mom no more

August 26, 2009 - 9:32 pm EDT

Just saw that the Panthers Step Team WON! So glad!!

REDDHOTT

August 26, 2009 - 11:18 pm EDT

If you support DHS please do not concern yourself with comments from ignorant people.
It's obvious that some people do not have a life. We want the young men of UMOJA to know that we as a city/state are very proud of there accomplishments and the fact that they also excell in the classroom. Traveling to NYC was not easy for these young men. They have had wonderful support from family, friends and members of the community. The members of UMOJA did not get a free ride to NY paid by Guilford County Schools. They had car washes, sold hotdogs, sold Krispy Kreme cards and donuts. They have also won state competitions and the list goes on and on. NY was the icing on the cake and the largest financial win for the team. They should be patted on the back and praised for bringing home the grand prize! The road to NY was through hard work and great organization by Mr. Sloane (coach & advisor), Mrs.Best (advisor) and the booster club. Thank God for loving and supportive parents that have sacrificed time & money and to those who have volunteered endlessly to support these young men. NC is a proud state and we are also proud of DHS for producing dedicated and smart young men of all ethnicitys.

Thirstytarheel in response to ur questions: There are 12 members of Umoja Step Team. The expenses were paid by parents and results of fundraisers. Family members also traveled as chaperones. There was only one prize of $5000. The money will be used to help with future travel expenses, scholarships for seniors and uniforms. Any donations would be appreciated for future travel and expenses.
The

thirstytarheel

August 27, 2009 - 12:38 pm EDT

Congratulations to all the members of UMOJA, DHS, and their supporters! But once again I must ask how much did it cost for these young folks to travel to NYC? I just want the supporters and UMOJA to keep as much money as they can and not be taken advantage of by the media. I realize the prestige and publicity of winning have value, not to mention the increase in self esteem, but if it cost more than $5,000 to send these students to NYC, it doesn't make economic sense. I would hope the producers of the program would give some assistance to the performers, perhaps by providing lodging and meals, etc which would lessen the cash outlay of the local community. I'm sure the network and producers benefited monetarily from the talent of these young people. Many media outlets "trade out" hotel rooms and other expenses by providing free advertising to providers of services which will allow more money to go back into the local program.

REDDHOTT

August 28, 2009 - 2:47 am EDT

No it did not cost $5000.00 to go to NY .................. I have already stated how the expenses were paid! Since you do not work for UMOJA as an accountant I dont feel obligated to give out the financial information on a public board. Of course the networks look out for themselves first, but having the oppourtunity to go to NY (which many have not) was worth it! Wow u guys r a peice of work.........................