Monroe girls to show off their moves at school talent show

When five students at Monroe Middle School in Wheaton got together in February to start practicing step routines, their goal was simply to win a spot in the school's upcoming talent show. They made it.

Now the girls, whose team goes by the name Unity, are hoping to dazzle their classmates as one of the 24 acts that will appear in the show that has a three-night run May 20- 22 in the school's commons.

Krystal Upshaw, one of the steppers, is excited about performing.

"I enjoy it because I get to be on stage in front of a lot of people," she says. "And I like being on stage."

Kelley Jarvis, a guidance counselor intern, came up with the idea of a step group after consulting with administrators as a way to get girls more involved in school. She's hoping the steppers will become an official club at Monroe.

"I'm so happy they want to practice more," she says. "It's all them. They're coming up with the steps. They work on the routines themselves."

Another stepper, Jasmine Bryant says, "I like the rhythm of it. It just seems fun."

Tia Lindsey adds, "It's fun. It's something I can do with my friends."

Jarvis won't be at Monroe next year - her internship ends this spring - but she's hoping someone steps up to keep the group going.

"It's a place for them to go and do what they love," she says. "I'm excited for them. They are really into it.

"I love working with the girls. They work well together and are making strong friendships."