‘Warriorettes’ at Washington High perform traditionally Black style of dance

CEDAR RAPIDS — Washington High School alumna Natalie Turner is fostering a traditionally Black style of dance for young men and women of color in the school.

The new team — called the Warriorettes after Washington High’s mascot the Warrior — practices majorette dancing, which blends movements from jazz, West African and hip-hop dance styles. Majorette dancing became popular at historically Black colleges and universities in the 1960s.

The team is a “passion of my heart” said Turner, 18, who graduated from Washington High in May 2021 and is now working as a paraeducator at her alma mater.

Over a year after organizing, the Warriorettes are 22 members strong and being offered more opportunities to perform. Their final performance of the year will be during a basketball game halftime show at Washington High Dec. 20, at 7:30 p.m.

While other schools, including Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids, have “stepping” — a highly-energetic form of dance using footsteps, claps and spoken word — the Warriorettes are possibly the only majorette team in Eastern Iowa, Turner said.

“There’s nothing like this,” said Turner, who coaches the Warriorettes without pay.

Turner said when she was a student at Washington “there was nothing really for young men and women of color.” “ I want to show kids there is a place for them,” she said.

The team practices for three hours two days a week in a small classroom in the basement of Washington High.

Co-coaching the team is Maleaha Anderegg, a behavioral paraprofessional who also graduated from Washington High in 2018. Anderegg has more than a decade of experience as a dancer and works with the team to help them “hit each pose” by pointing their feet and hands, she said.

“Why wasn’t this a thing when I was in high school?” Anderegg said. “It truly is an amazing opportunity for all of our students who feel like they need a home.”

De’Aviance Hanover, 15, a sophomore at Washington High, said the Warriorettes are a place for students to feel included.

It’s important for people to know the team by their name — the Warriorettes, Hanover said. “We already have a Washington dance team,” she said. “The Warriorettes” — an “empowering” name — “is a place for people of color, for people who don’t feel like they fit in at school, a place to get away.”

One of Hanover’s favorite moves is “bucking,” a part of majorette dance that involves hip thrusts and sharp arm movements. She also enjoys a move where she is lifted into the air by her teammates by her torso, arms and legs, which takes a lot of trust, she said.

Blessing Bangwete, 15, a freshman at Washington High with 14 years of gymnastics experience, said performing with the Warriorettes “feels like you’re home.”

“Just getting this room for us to dance in was really hard. The coaches do this for free,” Bangwete said. “I hope the school begins to accept us more.”

Natalie Turner’s sister, Valerie Turner, 16, a sophomore at Washington High, said she is “really proud” of her sister, who has always wanted to help others.

Taniya Smith, 16, a sophomore at Washington High, joined the team because for her “dancing is a habit.”

“When I’m dancing, I feel happy, especially with this style of dance. It brings out me, my ideas.”

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