Fraternities and Sororities “Stomp the Yard”

Story by Broadside Staff Writer Sonya Hudson. Photographs by Connect2Mason Director Grace Kendall.

Dewberry Hall was packed the night of Thursday, Aug. 28, with crowds of people sitting and standing wherever possible to have a good view of the hall’s stage. The National Pan-Hellenic Council’s “Step-Expo” event opened with Phi Beta Sigma’s Terrence Polite singing a beautiful rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the Black National Anthem.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity set the stage for an excellent step show. Following their lead, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity energized and entertained the audience.

Popular, yet deafeningly loud hip-hop filled Dewberry Hall throughout the show. All of the step teams were talented at stepping as well as exciting the over 150 member crowd. By the end of the night even audience members were breaking out their own moves — some better than others.

After a brief intermission, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, the 2008 Step Show Champions, took the stage to thunderous applause. It’s clear that they haven’t lost their moves since last spring.

Manny Freeman, a Phi Beta Sigma member, said that practice in the summer helps them get the rhythm and moves synchronized and ready for the fall expo, but the true show is in March at the spring step competition.

“Anyone in the fraternity or sorority can join the step team,” said Freeman. “We practice about three to four times a week.”

The groups’ practice has paid off, according to students who attended the performance. Speaking of the show, freshman Candace Taylor said, “It was good.”

Ashley Gonzalez, another freshman, agreed.

“They are really talented,” said Gonzalez, speaking of the night’s performers.

Marc Moore, president of NPHC and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, was in the first performance, one that really made the room burst with excitement.

“The spring step show is the competition and will be held in March at Harris Theatre,” said Moore.

Tickets will be sold closer to the time of the competition. Students should buy tickets soon after they go on sale as Harris Theatre has a limited capacity, and no one should miss these talented fraternity brothers and sorority sisters of the NPHC.

• See photos from the Step Expo and other Welcome Week events here.