Divine Nine Dance for Annual Step Show

By Broadside Style Editor Sherell Williams
Photo by Broadside Asst. Photography Editor Laura Foltz

Last Saturday, The Divine Nine fraternities and sororities of the George Mason University National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. held their 2008 Step Show Competition in Harris Theatre. The sold-out show, hosted by Larry Smith of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. hosted the show for the second year in a row, featured presentations by Omega Psi Phi, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta, Inc., Iota Phi Theta, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., and Phi Beta Sigma, Inc.

The ladies Zeta Omicron chapter of Zeta Phi Beta, Inc. and the men of Rho Tau Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma, Inc. won first place. Sigma Gamma Rho, Inc. took second place for the sororities while the Eta Delta Delta chapter of Omega Psi Phi, Inc.

Zeta Phi Beta, Inc.’s JetBlue-themed performance featured bright blue glowsticks and strobe lights as they used a rhythmic array of step formations to win the audience’s favor. At one point during the performance, two members successfully traded places on stage while blindfolded.

Phi Beta Sigma, Inc. was the final fraternity to perform, but their reenactment of Michael Jackson’s classic “Thriller” song and video while dressed as zombies with their chapter colors was well-executed and appreciated by the audience.

Before the competition began, Student Body Vice President Ijeoma Nwatu and Student Senator Nicole Kukuruda presented “Resolution 18,” which recognizes 2007-2008 as the first school year in which all nine of the fraternities and sororities of the NPHC are represented on the Mason campus. Mason is one of 62 universities and colleges with all of The Divine Nine and one of few non-historically black colleges and universities. Nwatu and Kukuruda presented Tarek Hbeichi, the president of the NPHC with a plaque that was also given to each chapter along with a copy of the resolution.

Shortly after, Blair Rhodes of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, on behalf of all Greek Life, recognized Michelle Guobadia, the outgoing Assistant Director for Student Activities Fraternity and Sorority Life for all that she accomplished in her three years at Mason. A tearful Guobadia graciously accepted her gift and the audience’s applause before retreating backstage.

Omega Psi Phi, Inc. kicked off the show. Amidst a flurry of kicks and jumps, the fraternity’s impressive slow motion routine both impressed and amused the crowd the most during their performance. After a member intentionally fell down, the audience was encouraged to shout “rewind” and watch as the brothers backtracked and re-performed their previous steps.

Iota Phi Theta, Inc.’s routine was partly inspired by Geico’s caveman commercials and featured the slogan “stepping – so easy a caveman can do it” on the white projection screen behind the members as they performed. The highlight came when they used one of their members as a jump rope while another jumped over him with ease. Towards the end, they threw rose petals out into the crowd for the ladies and exited the stage to falling white and yellow balloons and confetti.

Sigma Gamma Rho, Inc.’s introduction step was difficult to see through the flickering of the strobe lights, but the sorority bounced back with their impressive and well-coordinated “Sigma ripple.” The Kappa Rho chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. from Albany, NY represented Mason’s Mu Mu chapter in the show with a “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood” themed performance with canes. Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.’s “Rocky” inspired theme had the stage resembling that of a boxing ring with the ladies dressed as boxers.