Greek

For the first time in 3 years, the entire Divine 9 was represented at the A&T Homecoming step show on Friday. Members of all nine organizations, including the national step show champions of the Epsilon Beta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi from Fayetteville State University, took the stage to display their “stomping skills”.

The event was hosted by Miguel Nunez, a Wilson, NC native and the star of “Juwanna Mann”, and judged by representatives from each organization and Counseling Services. Each organization was given 15 minutes to play their introduction video and perform their routine.

First up was the Beta Epsilon chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., whose routine began with a “Family Matters”-themed video. The performers began the routine dressed like the character Steve Urkel, complete with high-water overalls with suspenders and thick glasses.  They started doing the famous “Urkel” dance before drinking the “ICE COLD” juice and entering the transformation chamber onstage.

Upon their emergence from the chamber, they changed into “Stefan”, the smooth alter ego of Urkel, wearing black cardigans and khaki pants. After another section of the routine, they entered into a time machine and reemerged with gold headdresses symbolic of the Great Sphinx of Giza. Female dancers accompanied them onstage to reenact the moves from the Michael Jackson video, “Remember the Time.”

The ladies of the Gamma chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. were up next with a theme of “Jailhouse Confessions.” They entered with Michael Jackson’s “Dangerous” playing in the background. The first part of their routine was performed in the style of the movie “Chicago”, with yellow bars and guards in the background. Despite a few missteps and dropping of canes, the ladies finished their performance.

The Alpha Phi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. performed third in the show with a “BacK to the PHuture“ theme and video that included a woman entering a time-traveling car like in the movie. The ladies appeared dressed in silver pants, black wigs and black shirts with pink and green detail on the waist. The crowd was drawn in with their stunts, like jumping on each other’s shoulders and shout outs to the fraternities.

Next to the stage was the Zeta chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc., who had a military theme and called themselves the “Southeast Outlaws”. In their video, there was a takeover of four black-hooded creatures on campus and the Southeast Outlaws are called on to defeat them. The four hooded beings turn out to represent the four sororities of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. and they perform a dance for them to Ginuwine’s hit “Pony,” claiming “every girl wants a centaur.” They ended their performance by doing the infamous “centaur walk.”

The reigning champions from the Eta chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. performed fifth for the evening. Their theme was “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Golden Boot”, in reference to the winning trophy. The video had the same storyline as the movie, when the character Jack Sparrow tries to get back the Black Pearl, and in this case, the golden boot. The Sigmas’ Sparrow challenged the crew to a step-off for the trophy. Their performance was full of energetic moves and tricks with blue and white canes.

Host Miguel Nunez used some of his comedy roots to liven up the time between acts, but he mispronounced the two Greek letters Eta and Theta. Their sister organization, the Zeta Alpha chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., followed behind with a Chuckie-inspired “Child’s Play” theme. They came on the stage in doll boxes before busting out of them into their routine. Although there were technical difficulties with the music and sound, the Zetas performed with only three people on stage in blue and white-striped shirts with blue overalls.

The Mu Psi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., who had a “Martin” theme, performed next. Members were dressed up as well-known characters as “Bruh-Man”, Otis the Security Guard, Jerome, and Elroy Preston, who sings "Don't you know no good?" Their video had the title sequence from the show with members in place of the characters.

The last of the competing organizations was the Alpha Mu chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., whose theme was “AMergency 911.” The video began with a Law-and-Order-style 911 call, where a spectator at the step show explains that someone has been hurt while trying to step. Next the ladies were dressed as doctors going over the operation plan for the “injured” patient and the group emerged on stage with red and white nurses’ uniforms on.

While the judges tallied up the scores, the newly-reenacted Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. was represented by the national step show champions of the Epsilon Beta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi from Fayetteville State University. They showcased their signature “shimmy” and intricate work with canes. The performance was topped off with acrobatics and had one member who rolled on the ground and the others jumped over him.

After the Kappas’ official return back to the yard, the judges determined the winners and they were announced. For the fraternities, the third runner ups were the Zeta chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc., the second runner ups were the Mu Psi chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., and the first runner ups were the Beta Epsilon chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. The Eta chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. took the title home again.

Davia McCorkle, a senior marketing major from Newton, NC, said that she thought that the right people won. “They (AKAs’ and Sigmas’) did a really good job in their performances tonight. They deserved to win.”

In the competition for the sororities, the Zeta Alpha chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. came in fourth, behind the Gamma chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. in third place. The reigning champs of the Alpha Mu chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. came in second, and the the Alpha Phi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. took home first place.

Johnika Golden, who is a freshman, enjoyed her first college step show. “I thought that it was awesome and everyone did an amazing job. For me as a freshman, I enjoyed myself.”

On the other hand, Juanita Weaver, who is also a freshman, said that she was disappointed by the show from a southern university. “I didn’t think that it was that great. I’m from up North and they do it better. Maybe I am biased, but I left disappointed.”