The Southeastern National Pan-Hellenic Council sponsored an AIDS Awareness Step Show, in which several praise teams, fraternities and sororities performed, on Monday, November 14, at 7:00 p.m. in the Student Union Theatre.
The show began with the Beacon Light Baptist Church of Hammond Praise Team firing up the crowd with a few soulful songs. The theatre was crowded and everyone was on their feet for the opening ceremony.
Willie Williams, a Southeastern alumnus, was the host of this event for the third year in a row.
In addition to several fraternities and sororities performing step routines, each also incorporated facts about HIV and AIDS.
“It was awesome to present to the student body a different way to promote the awareness of HIV and AIDS,” said Joshua Allen, a junior communication major and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity member. “The crowd was very receptive to not only our performance but also to the facts we gave.”
The Pan Hellenic Greek organizations that competed in the step competition were the Nu Delta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the Kappa Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the Omicron Nu Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and the Alpha Eta Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity.
During Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s step performance, the young women declared statements about AIDS.
“There’s no such thing as safe sex, so it’s best to practice abstinence,” said Kelli Carter (class/major on pic info) during the performance.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Step Team showed a video promoting the Miss Black and Gold pageant. During their step performance, one member earned laughs from the audience when he jokingly said, “This is serious. You can catch AIDS like you catch a cold.”
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Step Team began their performance with a skit where a member portrayed a man being told that he had contracted AIDS. Although the skit was serious, there were a few funny moments as well.
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity members dressed in military attire and explained how it went with their theme: there is not only a war in Iraq, but also a war against AIDS. They also gave a shout out to all veterans.
In addition, the Hammond High Magnet School Step Team also performed, drawing many cheers from the crowd.
Afterward, the Southeastern Gospel Choir Praise Team brought the crowd back to its feet, cheering and singing along with them.
“I think the overall event was a huge success,” said Allen. “The massive crowd of spectators blew my mind! The other acts were also very informative in their deliverance on AIDS awareness to the audience.”
At the end of the show, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity were awarded for their step performances, and Elder Dennis R. Hebert, Jr., of Beacon Light Baptist Church led everyone in a closing prayer.