The High Steppers Drill Team

The drill team program serves approximately 55 young people ages 3-17 per year over fall, spring, and summer semesters, utilizing military drill technique, step, and dance routines as an access point for creative youth development. Specifically, the program nurtures youths through skill-building, inquiry, and expression, helping them cultivate healthy relationships with their peers and build social and emotional resiliencies. Youths are supported as they work together towards performing in competitions and public performances throughout the year. Competitions include the Sharp Knott's Berry Farm Cheer, Dance, and Drill State Championship, and the National Football, Cheer, and Step competition in Orlando, FL. The drill team also contributes to the arts and culture of the community by performing in local festivals and parades, including the MLK, Jr. Parade, Veterans Day Parade, Mother Goose Parade, Holiday Bowl, North Park Toyland Parade, Chula Vista Parade, and the Kuumba Festival, which events garner audiences of 500 - 3,000 people. The organization regularly assesses the success of its program by collecting testimonials from program participants. Through anecdotal testimonials, program participants have shown increased engagement in school and their ability to strive for excellence. The organization also utilizes the Holistic Student Assessment - a data driven, self-report tool created by Harvard University and McLean Hospital - to aid the organization in evaluating social-emotional development in youths in order to better support them through direct programming. The tool measures: resiliencies (emotional control, trust, empathy), learning and school engagement (learning interest, critical thinking), and relationships (with peers and adults).