RACINE, Wis. — A few nights a week after school, LaMarquez Luckett teaches fifth through eighth graders the art of stepping. 

But what exactly is it? 

“It’s a style of dance where you make sounds with your body,” Luckett said, describing the craft. “It’s very disciplined, it’s very structured.”

He got the idea from the school he taught at in Mississippi before moving to Racine. When he got to Racine Unified School District, he realized they didn’t have a step team. 

So Luckett started the Mitchell Steppers in September. At first, things started slow. 

“It grew from like six or seven kids to like, 18 or 19 now,” Luckett said. 

Capone Manning is one of those students. He’s in seventh grade.

Before joining the Mitchell Steppers, Manning didn’t dance; moves didn’t come easy to him. 

“I was unsure about joining at first. But when I got in here, I saw people that I know, people that I like, and they just help me out,” Manning said. “Some of them help me with the dance moves, and yeah, it’s like a family. They help you out.”

Manning said Luckett helps him and his teammates master the moves.

He even had a little individualized attention during a recent practice to make sure he had the routine down. 

But Manning said being a part of this team is more than just about dance. He said Luckett and his teammates helped him with his life. 

“I just feel like it was going to keep me out of trouble,” Manning said. “Before I was in this, I was getting suspended a lot, getting out of trouble. But now that I’m in it, I’m actually doing really good, doing my work, and being on time to classes.”

He said his teammates have learned how to hold each other accountable, whether they’re dancing or not. 

That is one reason Luckett said he wanted to start the program in the first place. 

“They’re performing. They’re doing something productive,” Luckett said. “They’re not hanging out in the streets, they’re not doing things like that. I’d rather have them here than anything.”

He said students ask him every day if they can join.

While the team is full right now, he said he’s very optimistic for the future, not just for the Mitchell Steppers, but for the students of Mitchell. 

“I’m super proud,” Luckett said. “If I wasn’t proud, I wouldn’t keep coming every day the way I do.”

Luckett’s students said he’s a role model, and that he’s teaching them important life lessons — all while having fun with the art of stepping.