MacDill youths step it up

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Melanie Bulow-Kelly
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  "Grenades, attention," shouts the step dance instructor. "Yes ma'am," 30 steppers shouted back.

The room echoed with the rhythmic sound of hands, feet and voices as the children moved in unison performing a complex pattern of steps.

The Grenades are a step group and part of the Head, Heart, Hands, and Health program at the MacDill School Age program. Children, ages 5 to 12, practice twice a week at the youth center on base.

The 4-H program is traditionally known for its work in agriculture; however, MacDill adapted to its urban environment by expanding the program and incorporating the team.
The Grenades represented MacDill AFB at the 2011 Florida State Fair and won in numerous 4-H county and district competitions. Due to their exhibition at the fair, 13 members of the team were invited to perform at the beginning of the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents Conference at Disney World on Oct. 23.

"I'm so excited to perform at Disney," said Nicole, 9, Grenades captain caller. "Before I joined step I was shy and lonely, now I'm happy and have a lot friends."

The 4-H club offers a variety of award-winning clubs including gardening, food and nutrition, photography, sewing and theater arts.

"The most important thing is to teach life skills that will take a child from here through to their adulthood and career, even to other bases as they move," said Quinn Daniels, lead child and youth programs assistant.

The MacDill 4-H program was the first in Florida to include a step team. It was initiated in 2007 and is lead by Felicia David, a child and youth programs assistant.

"It's a lot of fun to watch the kids grow," David said. "I get to see how they progress over the years. It's all about the kids and teaching life lesson, they can achieve anything regardless of their differences."

Children from other school-age programs gathered Oct. 18 to watch the team at their last practice before the performance at Disney.

The crowd fell silent as the Grenades clapped and stomped their way into formation in the middle of the room.

As they danced in unison, they recited their creed, "I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country and my world."