The sound of laughter and footsteps echoed through the Tiger Center on Sunday, Sep. 7, 2025 as the Texas Highsteppers held their annual Future Highsteppers Clinic. The event gave young girls an opportunity to dance alongside their biggest role models, and a chance to learn skills they will need when they try out for the drill team in the future.

“The clinic is a good opportunity for us to reach out to the community and give the younger girls a chance to experience what it’s like to be a Highstepper,” senior social president Kathryn Snow said. “This year we had around 150 girls participate, which is the biggest the clinic has ever been.”

Due to the large number of young girls participating in the clinic, each current member of the team takes on a different role in order to ensure that the clinic runs efficiently and smoothly.

“I helped with the [youngest] group today, which is the Kindergartners through 2nd graders,” senior Peyton Shaw said. “It was really fun, [the kids] kept us really busy.”

Many activities took place at the Future Highsteppers Clinic. These activities not only gave the younger girls an opportunity to build their dance skills, but also served as a way for the next generation of Highsteppers to bond with the girls that currently dance on the team.

“We want [the younger girls] to see how it is to be a Highstepper,” sophomore Naila Sandoval said. “They love to dance, and perform in front of their parents. I just think it’s a good experience for the kids to do.”

Although the event ultimately serves to give the younger girls an opportunity to grow, the current team members get just as much out of the event as the participants.

“My favorite part of leading is being an example for not only the [younger] girls, but [also] the people on my team,” junior lieutenant Laney Russ said. 

The Future Highstepper Clinic, although only a one day event, sticks with participants and dancers alike. Team members look forward to the event each year, and find joy in mentoring the next generation of dancers. 

“[My biggest piece of advice for all of the Future Highsteppers] is to lean in, and not get distracted,” senior lieutenant Nyreah Chatman said. “Walk into tryouts being confident, and make sure the product you give out is one you are proud of.”