Monsignor Scanlan High School’s step team, the Queen Crusaders, will compete in the first round of the 2023 National High School Performing Arts (NHSPA) “Steptime at the Apollo” Step Championship on March 13. The competition’s first round matches will occur virtually, with the final four teams scheduled to compete at Harlem’s world-famous Apollo Theater in April.
Being entirely composed of young women, the Queen Crusaders operates like a sisterhood, empowering members to feel like queens and accept themselves for who they are. Competing in this competition is a big step for the team, which has been recognized as one of the region’s best high school step teams. The Queen Crusaders have already placed first in the World of Step regional competition and Molloy College Talent Competition in 2022, demonstrating their ability to compete.
The 2023 NHSPA Step Championship begins with eight seeded teams paired off in head-to-head virtual matches, with online fan voting battles being held to determine the top four teams. In their first match, the top-seeded Queen Crusaders will face off against the eighth-seeded Exquisite Force of Gorton High School from Yonkers.
The winner of this round will advance to the NHSPA final four at the “StepTime at the Apollo” event on April 22, where the remaining teams will compete for $3,000 in cash prizes, a National Championship, NHSPA Step All-American recognition and school pride.
“These talented young steppers have an unbelievable opportunity to compete for a National Championship at the Nation’s most storied historically black theater in the most world renowned black cultural Mecca, Harlem,” said World of Step Founder and CEO Jessica Remo. “This is the Superbowl of Step, being played out in the Madison Square Garden of Performing Arts Venues.”
Victoria Duruh, chief talent officer of UpStaged Entertainment Group, says that The NHSPA Step Championship is a significant event for young performers wishing to showcase their talents on a national stage.
“Fostering this new talent is significant to UpStaged, as we are dedicated to supporting the growth of the next generation of performing artists – this championship in particular is an incredible platform for celebrating student performers who deserve the same recognition and celebration as athletes,” she said.
Bracket voting will begin here on March 13 and will end on March 17.
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