The Woodlands Highsteppers welcome foreign exchange student

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- The Woodlands Highsteppers, National Champions for their unique synchronized style, have gone international. This year they’ve reached across the pond and included a German exchange student as one of their own. Patricia Meinking has been dancing since she was four years of age. Defying the odds, she tried out for the Highsteppers upon her arrival on campus and made the squad.

In addition to her twelve years in ballet, Patricia’s mother is a gymnastics coach in Germany. This combination of dance experience and athleticism has served her well.

“I love dancing,” said Patricia. “My host mother, Sondra McPoland, suggested [I try out]. She said it would be a great way to make friends at school.”

This is no easy feat. Many try out for the Highsteppers, but the standards are so high, they don’t all make it on the first try.

“Patricia made the team full out,” Highsteppers Director, Deanna Smith, said. “We’re pleasantly surprised and happy that we could take her on.”

A rare accomplishment according to Smith, who has been the director since 1998, and only the second director in the Highsteppers’ 30-year history. The original director, Kathy Harlan (1976 - 1998) was responsible for the organization’s signature style, stemming from her gymnastics and synchronized swimming experience.

“It was all on Patricia. She did it on her own,” Smith said.

Patricia practices with the team every day after school for a couple of hours. There are tryouts every week for the dances that will be on the field and for the alternate positions.

“I work very hard and try to improve my dance and details every time I practice,” Patricia said.

In just the short time she has been a Highstepper, Patricia has already advanced to performing on the field for the pregame performance.

“As a new member of the squad, being on the field for the pregame show is a huge accomplishment,” said Smith.

Making the squad was the most difficult aspect, but the uniform ensemble presented a challenge as well for a foreign exchange student. The Scottish-influenced uniform has remained unchanged throughout the history of the program which includes the celtic-style skirt, tasseled socks, blouse, vest, and signature saddle shoes. The Highsteppers kicked it into high gear and provided Patricia with everything she needed to be fully-outfitted, even to the presentation of the traditional towel that bears her name.

Every older student has a ‘little sister’ in the organization. When Patricia joined the Highsteppers everyone had already paired off, so the whole junior class adopted her as their ‘little sister.’

“The sister system is awesome. It’s great to be a part of this group and feel a part of the school,” said Patricia.

“We knew the kids would take her in,” said Smith. “It’s a very big sisterhood; a great group of girls who become friends for a lifetime.”

The girls who become Highsteppers have a sense of belonging to an organization with a well-respected reputation that’s known for it hard work and dedication. That kind of perseverance pays off. The Highsteppers National Champions, most recently in 2009, being named Grand Champions at the Champion National Dance/Drill Team Competition.

“There are high expectations and traditions; it’s pretty much self-run," said Smith. “It doesn’t matter who you are, but what you can do.”

“We don’t have anything like this in Germany,” said Patricia. “School and sports are separate. We don’t have school teams. What I like best is being part of a team.”

For her senior year, Patricia will return to Germany to complete her high school education, but would love to return to the United States to attend college. After that, we’ll see where her hard work, dedication, and team spirit take her.

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