The sounds of stomping, chanting and loud music echoed through the Student Activity Center as fraternities, sororities, students and supporters from the Auburn community celebrated the annual National Pan-Hellenic Homecoming Step Show, Friday.
The doors opened at 5:30 p.m., and tickets were sold for $5 in advance for students and $15 for anyone at the door.
Bia Pete, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, coordinated the event.
The seven fraternities and sororities that participated had been practicing and coordinating for weeks leading up to the step show.
"It is tradition," said Heather Horn, president of the National Pan-Hellenic Counsel. "Alumni came back and it is just a way for us to show our appreciation and highlight the activities that we are doing this semester."
Brandon Young, senior in electrical engineering and a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity, and his acquaintance from Atlanta, were the hosts of the event.
"It went well," Young said. "It was the best show I have seen since I've been here, especially as far as crowd participation."
People from the community came to join in celebrating and supporting the event.
The show opened with Total Knock Out, a local all-girl step team from Opelika.
"I think it was a great show, it was good to see seven out of nine NPHC organizations represented," said Brandon Wolfe, one of the eight judges of the event and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. "The hosts were entertaining, the music was good and I like the crowd participation."
The fraternities that participated in the show were Omega Psi Phi, Kappa Alpha Psi, Alpha Phi Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma from Auburn and Iota Phi Theta who traveled from Jacksonville, Ala.
The sororities included Alpha Kappa Alpha from Auburn and Sigma Gamma Rho from Jacksonville, Ala.
"I went to the yard shows, but this is my first official step show and I think it was good," said Kimmy Armour, freshman in biomedical sciences.
Other special guests that performed were a group named Monopoly and AU Rhythm Hip Hop Dance Troupe.
The winners of this year's step show for best sorority and best fraternity were awarded a trophy and $500.
Last year's winners were Omega Psi Phi fraternity and Delta Sigma Theta sorority, but this year Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority strolled away with the highest awards.
"All of us felt when it started, we had it," said John Henderson, senior in information systems management. "It feels great. We have been practicing this show all semester and have performed it three times, but this was the first and most important victory."
The competition was evaluated by a panel of eight judges who scored the steppers on a scale of one to 10 on factors ranging from costume to overall performance.
"I thought the show was very well put together, probably the best one the students had in a long time," said Paul Kittle, director of Greek Life. "I enjoyed it and I think the students represented well."
Some of the themes performed were Nightmare on Ivy Street by Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, a boxing theme by Iota Phi Theta fraternity, a band theme by Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and a Soul Train theme by Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.
"Our performance was well deserving of a win, all of our time and dedication paid off," said Morgan Driver, senior in apparel product design and marketing. "We were precise and we brought something fresh, something new and a new creative idea."
The proceeds from the step show will go toward a toy drive that the NPHC will be hosting Dec. 3, Horn said.
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