The Shouts That Echo Throughout Miami University

Sunday at American Legion Buckeye Boys State before the evening announcements, a loud roar could be heard right outside the Millet Stadium, a chant in unison from the city of Estepp. 

“EeeeeeeeSTEPP. EeeeeeeeSTEPP. EeeeeeeeSTEPP. Take a step for Estepp, take a step,” boomed as other cities watched and listened to them beat their chest and stomp on the floor. In the center of it all was Bauer K. Embrey, the city Mayor of Estepp. 

Just before arriving at Millet Hall, Embrey saw various other cities for the first time and wanted his city to shine. After conjuring ideas with his friend, Cooper Baase, Embrey decided to create a chant, one that would unite Estepp. Using inspiration from baseball chants, he found a clever way to play around with the word “Estepp,” stating how they were always a step ahead of other cities.

After discussing the idea with the rest of his city, most of whom approved of it, another suggestion from a member of the city arose: the Momoan Haka dance. Enjoying the beat from the dance that would supplement the beat of the song, Embrey decided to incorporate the chest pounding and stomp to the chant. 

Embrey states that the “pound on the chest and the scream…shows our power as a city and the power that we possess to do anything our city desires.” 

Chants have been an effective method for uniting teams or groups of people in different circumstances such as sport teams and fan clubs. Here at ALBBS, it is no different. Leaders of cities coordinate with their people, a skill that can be applicable in various scenarios later down the road in their future jobs.