Ever since our very own Mark Keppel All Male (MKAM) was established in 2009, they have had a very successful career. From getting multiple national titles under their belt to debuting on competitive television shows, there’s been a common theme when looking at the members of the team. MKAM lives up to the name, and it comes as no surprise that every member of the team has been a male since 2009. However, this school year changed tradition when Activate Arroyo, the director of the dance department, gave three girls who were previously on the dance team the opportunity to switch to All Male. Their names are Alice Molina, Quiendra Basa, and Kat Coto. Not only did Arroyo allow these three girls to be the first non-males on All Male, but he also had the very first non-male leader on the team. We asked Kat Coto a few questions about her experience on the team.

What made you take interest in All Male rather than the regular dance team? 

 “It was a personal decision. As a competitive dancer, I just felt more comfortable being in a space where I only compete in hip hop…since the dance team competes with more styles other than hip hop, it was clear to me and my peers which team I should be with.” 

Did you have a difficult time adjusting to a new team? 

 “I didn’t have a difficult time. When I told my other team members of my decision, they were very supportive. I still am very grateful for the people who supported me and the other girls who made the switch.” 

Do you have any advice for future team members? 

 “My advice for future team members of All Male: male or not, just go for it. I didn’t know how my director or the people around me would react to the news, but now I am so happy I made the switch.”

 Captain and 4-year member of Mark Keppel’s All Male Team, Aidan Eshagian, decided to answer a few questions for us as well. Eshagian has been on MKAM all four years of his successful high school career and had a few things to share with his peers. 

What attributes about the Mark Keppel All Male team made you interested to join?

 “When I first saw All Male and how in sync everyone was, it really opened my eyes to how good of a team they were. After watching their appearance on world of dance, that just pushed me more to go to tryouts when they hosted it. The incredible way each person matched one another, and how the musicality complemented the movements everyone was doing really put me in awe. That’s what really pushed me to join All Male.”

What have you learned during your time in MKAM?

 “I have learned responsibility, discipline, and what it really feels like to get pushed past your breaking point. Not only has all male trained me to become a better dancer and a leader, it’s shown me what it really takes to lead a team and the challenges that come with it. All Male also taught me how to do backflips!”

What differences have you noticed amongst the entire team once females were incorporated into MKAM?

 “I noticed that everyone who was on the team before pushed more because they knew the females on the team could beat them at their own game. The females who joined were originally on the dance team, and they already had previous dance experience. I could just tell the boys wanted to surpass the girls on a dance level, and that’s why they’re improving more and more as time passes.”