The Highstepper organization was formed in 1976 at McCullough High School by
founder and director Kathy Harlan. Mrs. Harlan was also the founder of all junior
high drill team programs in the Conroe Independent School District. Mrs. Harlan
came to McCullough High School in 1976 from Washington Jr. High when the 2nd
high school in the district opened and the first splitting of schools occurred. She is
the pioneer of the unique Highstepper style that is 33 years strong. Her
background is in gymnastics and synchronized swimming which explains the
unique precision and technique demonstrated by the team both then and now.
The Highstepper organization has had only two directors over the past 33 years:
Kathy Harlan from 1976 to 1998 and Deanna Smith from 1998 to the present.
Director Smith was a Highstepper under Mrs. Harlan's tutelage from 1979 to 1982.
The original team consisted of 35 young women. Then, as now, the team
members were chosen by a panel of judges, usually former Highsteppers
themselves. They are judged in the area of kick height, technique and overall
dance technique.
founder and director Kathy Harlan. Mrs. Harlan was also the founder of all junior
high drill team programs in the Conroe Independent School District. Mrs. Harlan
came to McCullough High School in 1976 from Washington Jr. High when the 2nd
high school in the district opened and the first splitting of schools occurred. She is
the pioneer of the unique Highstepper style that is 33 years strong. Her
background is in gymnastics and synchronized swimming which explains the
unique precision and technique demonstrated by the team both then and now.
The Highstepper organization has had only two directors over the past 33 years:
Kathy Harlan from 1976 to 1998 and Deanna Smith from 1998 to the present.
Director Smith was a Highstepper under Mrs. Harlan's tutelage from 1979 to 1982.
The original team consisted of 35 young women. Then, as now, the team
members were chosen by a panel of judges, usually former Highsteppers
themselves. They are judged in the area of kick height, technique and overall
dance technique.
The Highsteppers are the one constant from the original
McCullough High School campus located in The Woodlands.
The uniform, designed by Kathy Harlan, has remained the
same since its beginning. The Highstepper "shoe" was an
original green and white saddle oxford that was discontinued in
the early '90's. Mrs. Harlan figured out a way to keep the shoe
by having white leather Keds made to resemble the oxford
using green leather and a visit to The Woodlands Shoe
Hospital.
One of the first experiences every Freshman Highstepper has
is learning who will be her "big sister". Seniors are paired off
1-to-1 with Freshmen to help them with the transition into the
Highsteppers as well as high school. Each "big sister provides
her "little sister" with small gifts throughout the year...some for
fun...others more practical (the towels each dancer uses to
warm the cold bleacher seats are "big sister" gifts). They offer
advice, helpful pointers on a difficult dance routine, and most
importantly, an example of what it means to be a Highstepper.
This tradition has produced friendships that last long after high
school.
A testament to the longevity and consistency of The
Highsteppers is the fact that there are Mothers and daughters
who, despite the difference in years, have shared the same
experiences as Highsteppers. There are many Mom's in the
stands today who have the unique pleasure of watching their
daughters perform as Highsteppers, the same as them. The
uniform, the practice, the teamwork, and of course, the shoes,
are as much a part of The Highsteppers today as they were
years ago.
McCullough High School campus located in The Woodlands.
The uniform, designed by Kathy Harlan, has remained the
same since its beginning. The Highstepper "shoe" was an
original green and white saddle oxford that was discontinued in
the early '90's. Mrs. Harlan figured out a way to keep the shoe
by having white leather Keds made to resemble the oxford
using green leather and a visit to The Woodlands Shoe
Hospital.
One of the first experiences every Freshman Highstepper has
is learning who will be her "big sister". Seniors are paired off
1-to-1 with Freshmen to help them with the transition into the
Highsteppers as well as high school. Each "big sister provides
her "little sister" with small gifts throughout the year...some for
fun...others more practical (the towels each dancer uses to
warm the cold bleacher seats are "big sister" gifts). They offer
advice, helpful pointers on a difficult dance routine, and most
importantly, an example of what it means to be a Highstepper.
This tradition has produced friendships that last long after high
school.
A testament to the longevity and consistency of The
Highsteppers is the fact that there are Mothers and daughters
who, despite the difference in years, have shared the same
experiences as Highsteppers. There are many Mom's in the
stands today who have the unique pleasure of watching their
daughters perform as Highsteppers, the same as them. The
uniform, the practice, the teamwork, and of course, the shoes,
are as much a part of The Highsteppers today as they were
years ago.
Perhaps the most famous Highstepper tradition concerns
"the shoes". Over the course of a year, each Highstepper
will purchase and wear multiple pairs of the "Highstepper
Keds" shoes. Between practice, performances and
competition, it is considered normal for each dancer to go
through 5 - 7 pair in one school year. It is a matter of pride
and tradition for the dancers to wear their Keds until they
literally fall apart. Check the shoes at any practice and
you'll find team members wearing grungy shoes with holes
in them and the soles falling off. These shoes have been
glued, re-glued, duct-taped, tied-on and even stapled back
together so many times they are hardly recognizable. At
the end of every year the graduating seniors pass their
shoes down to younger drill team members as keepsakes.
The more worn, grungy and taped together the shoes
become, the more prized they are. When seen by others,
these beat-up shoes would seem to have little to no value
whatsoever. However, to these young ladies, they
represent the hard work, sacrifice, success, camaraderie
and commitment each one of them experienced together
as Highsteppers. They symbolize membership in a very
special family.
"the shoes". Over the course of a year, each Highstepper
will purchase and wear multiple pairs of the "Highstepper
Keds" shoes. Between practice, performances and
competition, it is considered normal for each dancer to go
through 5 - 7 pair in one school year. It is a matter of pride
and tradition for the dancers to wear their Keds until they
literally fall apart. Check the shoes at any practice and
you'll find team members wearing grungy shoes with holes
in them and the soles falling off. These shoes have been
glued, re-glued, duct-taped, tied-on and even stapled back
together so many times they are hardly recognizable. At
the end of every year the graduating seniors pass their
shoes down to younger drill team members as keepsakes.
The more worn, grungy and taped together the shoes
become, the more prized they are. When seen by others,
these beat-up shoes would seem to have little to no value
whatsoever. However, to these young ladies, they
represent the hard work, sacrifice, success, camaraderie
and commitment each one of them experienced together
as Highsteppers. They symbolize membership in a very
special family.
About Us
Looking Back - Highstepper History
Highstepper Traditions
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Practice stinks...but we love The "SHOES"
