By Caroline Averitt | Staff Writer

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) hosted the “Best Steppers” event Nov 3. in which fraternities and sororities from the Divine Nine competed in a step show. 

“Stepping is a ritual dance performed based on synchronized movements and it’s linked to our African cultural traditions originated by Black fraternities and sororities in the mid-1900s,” said Jadacee Glover, a junior exercise science major from McGehee, Arkansas and the 2nd Vice President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council at Arkansas State University. “Within our Black Greek lettered organizations it was developed as a way for us to express our unity, love and pride in a broader community aspect.” 

The National Pan-Hellenic Council, also called the Divine Nine, consists of nine historically Black fraternities and sororities. Out of the eight represented on campus, five participated in the competition. Alpha Phi Alpha, Omega Psi Phi and Kappa Alpha Psi were the three fraternities. Alpha Kappa Alpha and Sigma Gamma Rho were the two sororities.

The organizations could win three awards. The “Overall Best Stepper” title was determined by a panel of judges, as well as the second runner up award. The “People’s Choice” title was determined by a Kahoot vote in which the crowd could choose their favorite performance. 

The “Overall Best Stepper” award was given to Kappa Alpha Psi. Glover said that the NPHC was excited to see Kappa Alpha Psi compete because they did not perform last year. 

Christopher Crutchfield, a senior music education major from North Little Rock and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, said since they were not on campus last year, “so for us to compete in our first step show this year and win it overall, it felt really good.” 

The “People’s Choice” award and the second runner up title was given to Sigma Gamma Rho. 

“Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated, recently just came back to campus this past spring,” Glover said. Since this was their first time competing in a step show, “A lot of people are very excited to see them.” 

Reagan Boone, a senior computer science major from North Little Rock and a member of Sigma Gamma Rho, said, “It was actually super fun, I really enjoyed it.” 

Boone said her group worked really hard on their show. Her favorite award they received was the “People’s Choice Award” because it showed that people recognized their effort. 

Crutchfield said that those who did not come to see the step show, “Definitely missed a treat. I’m just very proud of everyone that came out and supported the event and I’m also proud of the people that competed. Everyone had great shows and it was just a really fun event.”

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