May 12, 2012 Issue“We are Legend”Newsletter Edition

USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

The Shuttle

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea – The sounds of stomping feet and hands clapping in rhythm echoed in the hangar bay of aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) the night of May 11. An audience of Sailors and Marines crowded the stage, some dancing and clapping along, others watching silently in awe. The sounds of Step Afrika thundered in the ears of spectators and when the presentation was over, the crowd erupted into cheers louder than the performance itself. Step Afrika, the world’s first professional dance company dedicated to the tradition of stepping, visited Enterprise during the carrier’s 22nd and final deployment to perform for the crew and promote an understanding of, and appreciation for, stepping, a type of dance during which the body is used as an instrument to create intricate rhythms and sounds through a combination of footsteps, claps and the spoken word. While aboard, members of Step Afrika toured the ship, ate meals with the crew, and met with Sailors during a step workshop and lecture…all before ending the evening with an inspiring hangar bay performance. “This is our first time aboard an aircraft carrier and we are extremely excited,” said Jakari Sherman, the artistic director of the Step Afrika dance company. “Upon arriving and stepping onto the flight deck, I got this sense of pride and community. Everyone was so unified under one goal.” The unity displayed by the Sailors and Marines aboard Enterprise in their day-to-day lives is a concept familiar to the members of Step Afrika. It was the search for a unified purpose that inspired the creation of the dancing tradition now referred to as stepping. According to Sherman, stepping was created by African American college students who were members of fraternities

Story by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Harry Andrew D. Gordonand sororities. “It was a way for college students to escape the prejudices that they may have been going through at that time. So they joined these organizations to give themselves a common goal and purpose…to support each other on campus,” said Sherman. Through their performance, Step Afrika was able to introduce the crew of Enterprise to the art form they love, one many Sailors and Marines were unfamiliar with. “A lot of the crew has never been exposed to this form of expression and type of dance before,” said Chief Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Courtney Kitrell. “Being in the Navy, we come from everywhere. So many categories of people, environments and religions…it’s a rainbow of people. Learning about other people’s culture makes you a more well-rounded Sailor.” While the performance was meant to entertain and energize the crew, it also served another purpose. “The Navy is diverse, (it’s made up of) people from different backgrounds, religions, nationalities and countries,” said Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Tabitha Gentry. “Events like this help Sailors broaden their horizons by experiencing different cultures.” Those in attendance to enjoy the show and learn about stepping were called upon by the members of Step Afrika to show their appreciation for the performance through participation and excitement. “The energy of the audience is so important during the show, it is the show,” said Sherman. “We give 110% every time we step on stage. The more energy the audience gives to us is more we can give back to them. Our show is very interactive. We encourage the audience to make noise, cheer and clap.” The performance concluded with clapping and cheering from the crew who attended. The dance company then thanked the crew and expressed their appreciation for being able to perform aboard one of the Navy’s most legendary ships. “It’s a great opportunity to be on this ship performing and doing the things we are doing,” said Sherman. “If we made someone’s day a little better, or if we gave someone a little flavor from home, then I feel like we have done our job. I hope that people not only enjoyed the show but that they have something they can take with them during the rest of deployment or even the next week or two. If they can ride the energy from our performance to help them do their job with a little bit more energy, then we did our job.” After departing Enterprise, Step Africa will visit guided-missile cruiser USS Vicksburg before returning home to the United States.

Big E Steps It Up with Step Afrika!

Saturday, May 12, 2012Page 2 The Shuttle

Step Afrika! Visits Enterprise

The Shuttle is published and printed daily underway and bi-weekly in port by the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Media Department, FPO AE 09543-2810. This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Please direct all story ideas, questions and comments to MC1 (SW) Steve Smith at smithsw@cvn65.navy.mil.

Public Affairs OfficerLt. Cmdr. Sarah T. Self-Kyler

Executive OfficerCapt. G. C. Huffman

Commanding OfficerCapt. William C. Hamilton, Jr.

EditorsMC2 (SW) Kristin L. Grover MCSN Brian G. Reynolds

The Shuttle

USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

Command Master ChiefABCM (AW/SW) Eric M. Young

Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman

Photo by MCSN Gregory White

Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman

Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman

Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman

Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman

Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman

Photo by MCSN Gregory White

Photo by MCSN Gregory White

Saturday, May 12, 2012 Page 3The Shuttle

Step Afrika! Visits Enterprise

Photo by MCSN Gregory White Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman

Photo by MCSN Gregory White

Photo by MCSN Gregory White

Photo by MCSN Gregory White

Photo by MC3 Scott Pittman

Photo by MCSN Gregory White

Saturday, May 12, 2012The ShuttlePage 4

Big E Entertainment

AO3 Daniel Moalem, from Louisville, Texas, joined the Navy six years and eight months ago to start a new life and see the world. He enjoys working on his truck and motorcycle in his spare time. In the future, Moalem hopes to find a mechanical-based job where he can apply the skills he has gained in the Navy.

Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd ClassDaniel Moalem

Sailors of the Day

YN2 Norman Yu, from Miami, joined the Navy almost seven years ago to live a different and better lifestyle. Yu enjoys going to the gym, listening to music and learning how to cook in his spare time. He hopes to stay in the Navy for 20 years, advance as much as possible and one day start a family.

Yeoman 2nd ClassNorman Yu