Big-C steps to beat

As alumni returned to campus this weekend to celebrate homecoming, they attended not only the annual football game and club reunions, but also the BiCultural InterGreek Council's annual Freshman Homecoming Step Show. More than 400 enthusiastic fans gathered in Irvine Auditorium Friday night for an evening of stepping competition sponsored by the eight African American and Latino fraternities and sororities of the Big-C. Five organizations each performed about 10 minutes of rhythmic, musical steps. "Stepping is something that historically black organizations do," Big-C President and Wharton senior Trista Bridges said. "This show is a show for the freshmen, to introduce them to stepping." According to Bridges, groups usually have a stepmaster or stepmistress who coordinates the rhythmic clapping, stomping and precise dance steps -- although the entire team contributes ideas for moves and costumes. The performances also include cheers and chants. In addition, some organizations have specific steps that are traditional to their sorority or fraternity, Bridges added. The Big-C Latino organizations do not traditionally participate, although they do lend their support by helping organize the event and by emceeing, Bridges added. According to Alpha Phi Alpha graduate advisor and Temple alumnus Kevin Spratley, judges evaluated each group's performance based on five criteria -- originality, difficulty, precision, appearance and overall presentation, for a total of 100 possible points. Because each organization contributes one judge who is allowed to evaluate his own group's performance, the highest score for each team is discarded, he added. The victorious sorority and fraternity, Alpha Kappa Alpha and Kappa Alpha Psi, each won $250 for their efforts. The second place teams, Zeta Phi Beta sorority and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, each took home $100. It took the teams anywhere from one week to one month to prepare for the show, organizers said. "My girlfriend has been practicing for three hours every night," LaSalle University senior Romaine Haywood said. Although the show is intended to introduce freshmen to the art of stepping, this was not the first step experience for many audience members. "I always come to the show," Wharton sophomore Shirley Andoh explained. "I just like to watch it -- it's a release from all the stress of school." "It's just fun," added Nursing sophomore Emily Volz. "It's great entertainment."