A packed auditorium of parents, community members and friends cheered on the 12 public school teams from across the city competing in the high-energy step competition at PS/MS 147 in Cambria Heights, Queens, on Jan. 24. Teams of teachers, easily recognized in their orange T-shirts, kept things moving as they encouraged performers, showed guests to their seats and provided refreshments at the Saturday afternoon event. Kris Sieminski, the chapter leader at the host school, said the purpose of the step teams is to strengthen confidence and character among students of all ages and to teach them that hard work is the way to excellence. The teams represented all school levels. The winners were the Middle School United Steppers from the UFT Charter School in Brooklyn and Regime, the team from Brooklyn Collegiate HS. All the teams compete as part of the Youth Step USA League.