Howell finishes third at stepping competition

Manalapan High School rocked to the sounds of feet stomping and hands clapping as students from seven high schools competed in a stepping competition during the school's annual African-American Heritage Festival held last week.

Sayreville War Memorial High School of Middlesex County won first place, while Manalapan High School placed second and Howell High School came in third.

Stepping, an ancient African tribal dance ritual, combines the elements of military drills with contemporary jazz and hip-hop moves. Although the dance is based on the beat of a drum, the fundamental element of African music, there are no drums in stepping. Instead the body takes the place of the drum as dancers clap and slap their hands against various parts of the body, and stomp their feet to a complex synchronized rhythm.

In addition to the stepping competition, the festival featured dancing, music, storytelling and dramatizations honoring the African-American culture and heritage.