A video of a principal from a Florida high school dancing with her school’s step team has quickly become viral.
Dr Mickey Reynolds of Lake Mary High School joined the Unity Revolution STEP team a minute into their pep rally performance on Friday to get her step on.
Clad in a black shirt with red and grey army fatigue pants, the principal keeps up with the routine in the video that has been viewed more than a million times.
Dr Mickey Reynolds of Lake Mary High School joined the Unity Revolution STEP team a minute into their pep rally performance on Friday to get her step on
Clad in a black shirt with red and grey army fatigue pants, the principal keeps up with the routine in the video that has been viewed more than a million times
‘I didn’t think that it would be that big of a deal when we thought of putting this together and that’s the best part of it,’ coach Kelly Lupis said to News 6.
‘With so many negative things going on around us, people are seeing it and and all the comments have been so positive and inspiring.’
Reynolds added that she was prepared for the students to laugh and cheer at her performance, but ultimately she had no idea how they would react.
‘I didn’t think that it would be that big of a deal when we thought of putting this together and that’s the best part of it,’ coach Kelly Lupis said to News 6
‘When you’re a principal and you do something like that, we recognize and understand we’re going to be laughed at, and we’re OK with that,’ Reynolds added.
A few hours after the video was posted and people were already coming up to her, at the football game, to give her praise for the courageous feat.
Both the coach and the principal have even said that they’ve seen principals challenging each other under similar circumstances.
And for Reynolds, the increased popularity gives way for more educators to better engage with their students.
She only made it to three practices, according to Lupis, but spent extra time at home to pick up the dance moves that originated from African, Caribbean and African American culture
And for someone used to dance, the principal completely nails the almost two-minute-long performance.
She only made it to three practices, according to Lupis, but spent extra time at home to pick up the dance moves that originated from African, Caribbean and African American culture.
‘She was actually a really fast learner,’ Lupis added.
‘She used to be a dancer and so when she approached us and said she wanted to step with us, I was like, “Are you sure you want to step?”’
Lupis gave credit to Reynolds for the idea after she had seen the team’s first performance and determined that she wanted to be a part of the next one
Lupis gave credit to Reynolds for the idea after she had seen the team’s first performance and determined that she wanted to be a part of the next one.
The coach passed along the dates and Reynolds optimistically participated when she could.
‘I was joking with them, saying I hope I can make it through without them having to pick me up off the floor,’ Reynolds said.
Reynolds had just started at the beginning of the school year and had felt pressure to follow in the footsteps of the last principal who was loved by everyone
And for the team, who feel they are the ‘urban underdogs’ of the school’s athletics department, the time to shine with the principal gave them a boost of confidence.
“It’s amazing to see a principal stand beside the kids and say, “You can do whatever you put your mind to.” And now they feel like they’re supported,’ Lupis added.
Reynolds had just started at the beginning of the school year and had felt pressure to follow in the footsteps of the last principal who was loved by everyone.
She graduated from the school and even used to coach two step teams, making the performance ceremonial for her.
She graduated from the school and even used to coach two step teams, making the performance ceremonial for her
‘We have so many things in the world that tear us apart and it’s my job to bring us together. And to support a team that’s called and shows unity, and have people find value in their message, means so much,’ she added.
But the principal will always put her students first and thinks it is vital to support their creativity.
‘Students are, first of all, the hope for our future and they’re willing to come together from all walks of life and applaud each other and put aside their differences. And the adults need to get on board,’ Reynolds said.
‘The coach is a real inspiration for the kids and I wouldn’t have been able to connect in that way if she weren’t here. It takes people at different levels to have that.’