Stepping to the beat of their own drum, University Greek Life held its annual step show Wednesday at the Baton Rouge River Center.
Delta Delta Delta sorority beat the competition with a Britney Spears-inspired performance, said Aislinn Herrera, general studies senior and Tri Delta dance mentor.
“It was Britney Spears’ ‘Circus,’ but it was like a circus-freakshow,” Herrera said. “Anything I asked them to do, they were more than willing to do … just to make it a really good show.”
The step show incorporates various forms of dance and brings together different groups, said Jerry Whitmore, assistant director of Greek Life.
“The step show is a step dance performance that our fraternities and sororities do at LSU,” Whitmore said. “Only two of the three councils participate in it — NPHC and the PHC.”
The show was different from most University events, said Stacey Vignes, dairy science sophomore.
“I thought it was really good. You could tell the work they put into it,” Vignes said. “I really liked Phi Mu’s because of the blindfolds. It was different, and you could tell they put a lot of time into it.”
The step show conveyed a sense of unity, Vignes said.
“It really did convey how they worked together and how their motivation was similar,” Vignes said.
  Video: Step Up or Step Aside Show
 
This year, Greeks worked hard to prove their stepping abilities, said Katie Gernhauser, graphic design junior and Tri Delta member.
“It was probably one of the most fun things ever,” Gernhauser said. “Everybody just got so into it, and the people we had working with us … we couldn’t have asked for a better pairing.”
The practice schedule was demanding, but it never felt like a responsibility, said Elizabeth Casten, sociology freshman and Tri Delta member.
“We have been practicing since we got back from Christmas break,” Casten said. “It was something so different, and we won so it makes it even better.”
Herrera said she pushed the girls to perform at their peak and it paid off in the end.
“We had practice three or four times a week,” Herrera said. “From the beginning to the end, they improved every day … and impressed me every single day. It was just a wonderful experience.”
The win means a lot to both Tri-Delta and Sigma Gamma Rho, Herrera said.
“We competed last year … but this year, I had both Phi Mu and Tri-Delt place, and this just means everything to us,” Herrera said. “Both teams worked really hard, and I’m so glad it turned out this way.”
The National Pan-Hellenic Council represents many of the traditionally multicultural fraternities and sororities, while the Panhellenic Council represents the University sororities, Whitmore said.
“We put this event together to show the unity among the Greek system,” Whitmore said. “The show helps build community.”
Last year was the first time the University held the event, and student response was great, Whitmore said.
“Last year, students came out to support their friends,” Whitmore said. “This year will be interesting because people know what to expect and it will be more competitive. Last year was more of a practice run.”
Because of last year’s response, even more Greek associations are getting involved this time, Whitmore said.
“This year we have 10 teams competing,” Whitmore said.
Such step shows have been a staple of Southeastern Conference schools, and the University has been “kind of behind in the step show arena,” Whitmore said.
“We took the model from the University of Arkansas, Middle Tennessee State University, a lot of other SEC schools and big universities that involves everyone in the Greek community,” Whitmore said.
The show helps boost Greek organization reputations, Whitmore said.
“This is kind of a showcase event,” Whitmore said. “This is totally separate from the party image of the Greeks. It’s Greeks having fun in a positive and healthy way.”
 
—-
Contact Kittu Pannu at [email protected]