[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n fall 1987, 18 girls became part of the first dance program offered at Dripping Springs High School.
Thirty years and many successes later, Dripping Springs’ Hi-Steppers are still kicking, now with a team of 38 girls.
Earlier this month, the Hi-Steppers celebrated their 30th anniversary with an alumni performance at the last home football game. The group will also put on a special recital on April 21 to close the season.
Tracy Neef, director of the Hi-Steppers, has been with the program for 24 years. Neef majored in dance at Texas State University and the position of director for the Hi-Steppers was her first job out of college.
“When I started we had just 15 on the team and we didn’t have dance classes at all at the high school,” Neef said. “I wanted to make a substantial difference in a school and I feel like we’ve done that and I hope to continue to do that.”
Neef has helped expand the program and, along with performing at football games and the occasional basketball games, the Hi-Steppers dance in competitions both in and out of state.
“In the spring we compete at dance competitions. This year we’re going to four competitions. That’s kind of the big time when we focus on us,” Neef said.
The Hi-Steppers try to do an out of state trip every three years; last year the girls went to New York and the next trip is planned for 2020.
The Hi-Steppers have received awards including State Champion awards, Best In Class awards, and Outstanding Choreography, Technique, and Showmanship awards.
Being a Hi-Stepper is a big commitment and is almost a year-round program, Neef said. Starting in July the girls participate in a team camp and the season continues until their final recital, usually ending in April or May.
Graduates from Dripping Springs High School and the Hi-Steppers have gone on to be Kilgore College Rangerettes, Texas State Strutters, part of the dance team at University of Texas at Dallas, and many of them major in dance in college.
