Step to the beat
The stage shook, the music blared and the audience danced in the aisles at Utah State University’s fifth annual step show on Wednesday night.
The step show, entitled “Back to the Basics,” was put on by USU’s multicultural fraternity Psi Sigma Phi and sorority Theta Nu Xi.
Back to the Basics consisted of performances from on-campus groups including the Polynesian Student Union, Kappa Delta, Theta Nu Xi and Psi Sigma Phi.
Other groups from around Utah also participated in the event. The Ladies of Today, also know as LOT, came from Ogden and there was a performance by the BYU Black Student Union.
“This is a fun forum where people from different schools and organizations on campus can celebrate their differences,” said Caress Bergado, former president of Theta Nu Xi and co-host of the show. “It’s amazing how much hard work these organizations put into their performances.”
To prepare for the show, Theta Nu Xi and Psi Sigma Phi started planning in the fall. They sent letters of invitation to all the schools in the area in December, and then began their months of practice for their own step routines, according to Susan Thorpe, adviser of Theta Nu Xi.
Other organizations like LOT practice year round. They also have other requirements to be a part of the team.
“We have to have a 3.0 GPA or higher,” Tootie Hill, a member of LOT, said.
LOT consists of girls ages 14-17, and its goal is to mentor girls seeking to further their education beyond high school. LOT’s self-choreographed routine featured rap, step and hip-hop.
USU’s Polynesian Student Union performed a step and hip-hop routine to songs by Destiny’s Child and Ciara.
“Everyone knows us for our Polynesian dancing, we wanted to do something different,” Sione Kinikini said.
This is the first official year of BYU’s Black Student Union. To be a part of this group, the girls had to try out and were judged on coordination and rhythm.
“There aren’t a lot of shows like this around, so it’s a great opportunity,” said Tanya Bennin, president of BYU’s Black student Union. “We’d like to thank Utah State for inviting us.”
Stephanie Young, a junior from Indian Mills, New Jersey, is a veteran spectator of step shows.
“This is my third year coming to USU’s step show, and I went to a lot back home,” Young said. “It’s not as big here as it is in New Jersey, but they’ve got the same heart.”
“It totally makes me want to learn how to step,” Sara Taggart, a freshman, said. “I wish more people would come to this. It was so cool.”
All proceeds from the step show went to help charities in the community.
Psi Sigma Phi donated to the Boys and Girls Club after school program at Edith Bowen Elementary school.
Theta Nu Xi gave to The National Conference of Community Justice, an organization that’s fights against bigotry in the education system. A portion of the money will also go to a scholarship fund.
-bshepherd@cc.usu.edu
Multicultural fraternity Psi Sigma Phi stomp to the beat of their feet and hands while making formations on stage (Photo by Jessica Alexander)
The Ladies of Today busted their groove on stage of the step show Wednesday night. The show was put on by Theta Nu Xi the multicultural sorority on campus. (Photo by Jessica Alexander)