Missouri High Steppers

By Photographs by Chris Dunn and Lesley Freeman, Edited by Mike Pittman

September 25, 2009 | 11:03 p.m. CDT

The third annual Roots 'N 'Blues 'N BBQ Festival opened on Friday with a parade and performance by the Mid-Missouri Highsteppers.

The Highsteppers, whose members range in age from 8 to their teens, are a drill squad led by drillmaster Tyrone Raybon.

"What we're trying to do is build self-esteem, pride, commitment, all those things," said assistant drillmaster Kirby Marks. "And we make sure we put in the structure of discipline and dedication, and then we try to implement that into the classroom as well. So these kids here, they're what we would call the select number that made it through the cut."

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