Submitted by The Paradigm Press
After two years, the Sunshine State Step Show returns in-person with a live audience, stage lights, and stage presence of the National Panhellenic Council (NPHC), also known as the Divine Nine, a composite of historically Black sororities and fraternities: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Iota Phi Theta, Fraternity Incorporated, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated,
This year’s Sunshine State Step Show was much anticipated by the members of the National Panhellenic Council, as their theme of this year’s step show was titled Level Up with the inspiration of video games as members of their respected organization were able to come up with their own theme and step.
Some members who have or have not participated in the Sunshie State Step Show before had a shared amount of mixed feelings of what it was like to be able to make a comeback after more than a year-long hiatus with a lot of mixed feelings of excitement or even anxiety.
As the inspiration for the use of video games continued, members of Omicron Gamma Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated were influenced by the video game series, MLB The Show and were able to call it MLB: The Nupe Show with red customized baseball uniforms.
Members of the Alpha Beta Iota Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated were able to showcase their talent in stepping with the influence of the video game, Street Fighter, while also wearing Martial Art Gi to embody the video game really well.
Quiara Green, who is a senior, and Fall 2020 initiate of the Pi Eta Chapter of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, says that she wants people to understand the preparation and time it took for not only herself but also, her sorority sister, Annicyea to do in order to make sure everything is perfect. “Annicyea and I have been preparing for three consecutive semesters now for a show and are glad that the time is finally near to show people all the tears and sweat that it took to get here. No matter what happens, my sister and I will be putting our best foot forward and leaving it all on stage. I can’t wait to see what everyone else has prepared as well!” Green said.
Members of the Pi Eta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated were inspired by the Nintendo video game series, Wii Sports while expressing their steps in the sports of tennis, bowling, and boxing.
Marlon Poteat, a Junior and Spring 2021 Initiate of the Sigma Delta Delta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated, expressed that he wants people to know that the members of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated are well rounded men, as well as being creative. “We love to be creative and have a great time and make the people around campus happy. The Ques are our friends,” Poteat said.
The Sigma Delta Delta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated members embodied the role of the Nintendo video game series, Mario Kart, with the members on stage dressing up as a few of the characters.
Including the members of the Pi Eta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated, they were able to represent the video game series Guitar Hero with having a rock star inspired look, and fake guitars while performing.
Meanwhile, the members of The Sigma Iota Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, were inspired by the NBA 2K basketball game series. Using the concept of competing in the NPHC basketball championship, with green basketball jerseys to enhance the look.
With just after a two year hiatus, it has been proven that the Sunshine State Step show was a success amongst all the organizations within the Divine 9, as they were able to level it up to the expectation that the Sunshine State Step Show has returned.