In Step With The Community: The Palmetto Stompers
At West Carolina and Upcountry Fiber, community involvement doesn’t stop at the end of the workday. For Kerri Hall, customer service manager, and Amanda Clark, account service representative team lead, that commitment carries over to the dance floor as members of the Palmetto Stompers clogging team.
The Palmetto Stompers have been around for more than 20 years. The group started as the Abbeville Clogging Connection before taking on its current name to reflect their growing membership, which now includes dancers from Due West, Abbeville and Greenwood.
Members range in age but share a common love of dance. The team gets together once a week for practice and performs at festivals, nursing homes and other local events throughout the area. “Clogging is great exercise and a great way to meet others,” Kerri said.
The Roots of Clogging
Clogging is a percussive dance form with a history that stretches back several centuries. Its origins trace to a mix of cultural traditions, including English, Irish, German, Scottish and Welsh influences. Over time, the dance evolved further, incorporating elements of Native American and African American dance traditions as it took shape in the Appalachian region of the United States. Today, clogging is practiced and celebrated by dancers and audiences around the world.
“Music is a universal language, so we can feel that connection when we’re clogging to different songs,” Kerri said. “Plus, we both love to dance and we love music,” Amanda added.
Each fall, the Palmetto Stompers travel to the Sautee Stomp clogging workshop in the Northeast Georgia mountains. It was there, several years ago, that the team had the chance to clog alongside a visiting group from Australia, a reminder of just how far the dance’s reach extends.
Statewide Recognition
In 2024, the Palmetto Stompers had the honor of clogging at the South Carolina Statehouse as part of a ceremony recognizing the National Day of Clogging. Observed each year on August 8th, this day carries deep meaning in South Carolina’s clogging community. The date honors Bill Nichols, known as the grandfather of clogging, who held clogging workshops and dances across the Upstate and developed much of the teaching method and terminology still used in the dance today. August 8th marks the anniversary of his passing, and the day was designated in his honor to celebrate his lasting impact on the dance.
A Deeper Connection
For Amanda and Kerri, there’s more to it than the steps. “It’s a way of connecting with those that we live with and work with and the communities that we serve,” Kerri said.
The Palmetto Stompers are just one example of how West Carolina employees stay involved in the communities they call home. “At West Carolina we feel it’s important to give back to the community,” Amanda said. Showing up for their neighbors isn’t just something they do, it’s something they value, on and off the clock.
Keep an eye out for the Palmetto Stompers at festivals and local events across Abbeville, Due West and Greenwood. You may just spot two familiar faces from West Carolina clogging along with the rest of the team.
