About R.I.O.T.

The Lafayette High School (LHS) R.I.O.T. (Revolution In Our Time) Step team is a group of young students, grades 9-12, with the mission of expressing themselves through step and dance, maintaining healthy bodies and minds, and building a bond amongst the students of the school. It is composed of individuals from various backgrounds and cultures. R.I.O.T. is a way for students to express what they feel and how they feel.

The LHS R.I.O.T. Step team was initially formed in 2012, under the direction of Special Education teacher Danielle Easley. Ms. Easley met six enthusiastic, creative students that wanted to see change in their school and leave a legacy for those behind them.

Prior to the formation of the LHS step team, there was the Harambee club. Harambee means, “all pull together" in Swahili. It is a Kenyan tradition of community self-help events and development activities. Harambee clubs typically have students well versed in many forms of self expression. The Harambee club at LHS already had an established choir of student performers. The Lafayette students of the Harambee club wanted to start an extension club that would embody their cultural diversity and [would] become an outlet for them to display their talents. This led to a step club that inspired many students at Lafayette. This step club was called, “RIOT” which stands for Revolution In Our Time.

Step is a form of self expression that incorporates the clapping of hands, slapping of arms, legs, and chest, in a fun, and enjoyable, rhythmic way. It is a form of dance that uses movement, words, and sounds to communicate. Traditional step has origins from West Africa, that date back to slavery in America. The slaves would use steps and songs to communicate, when slave owners refused to let them communicate by drums or with their native language. Step has evolved over the years and has become a common practice amongst sororities and fraternities at colleges and universities, especially within the black community.

The LHS RIOT Step Team has worked hard over the years and has participated in many local competitions and activities. Some of their performances include the 2015 Fayette County Step Meet, in which they placed 1st amongst the contestants, the yearly William Wells Brown Black History program, and Dance Blue. R.I.O.T. also performs at all basketball games at LHS and is also frequently requested to be special guest performers at other LHS programs and events.

Everyone is welcome to join and the step team aspires to encourage students to embrace their differences and reach goals that may be seen as unreachable.

Coach- Erica Mackey

Captain- Jamyah Kennedy

Co-Captain- Mari Mitchell

Co-Captain-Mia Wallace