Homecoming Stepshow

by Cameren Calhoun Iota Zeta - ΚΚΨ North Carolina A&T State University Homecoming Stepshow Champions

This past October the Mighty Iota Zeta chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi made history on the stage of the Greensboro Coliseum. The North Carolina A&T Greek Homecoming Step Show is one of the largest step shows on the east coast, however, for years this show was a NPHC (National Pan Hellenic Council) step show and it wasn’t until recent years that Kappa Kappa Psi could even be considered as participants in this event. This Homecoming, not only did the Mighty Iota Zeta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi get to compete in the step show, but we won the competition!

The road to battle was not easiest, and we were not just given a shot on the stage. In fact, conversation about our brothers competing started years before we took the stage. In order to compete, it was agreed upon that Kappa Kappa Psi had to participate in the step show for two years and then be voted into the competition to be able to compete for the prize. Our chapter graced the stage in the 2016 and 2017 step shows with exhibition performances that took the crowd! There was no question that the Iota Zeta Chapter deserved a spot on the stage. Because of this, when we finally were set to compete in 2019 there were huge expectations on our shoulders. These expectations weighed heavily on the shoulders of our active brothers being that most of the members of the 2019 step team were newer members of the chapter. We spent long hours every night preparing a show that was worthy of competition. Even with school and band taking up majority of our day we still had to find time to practice if we wanted to live up to the standard that was set for us. Our previous brothers set the bar of what was expected, and it was up to us to not only meet that bar but take it to a new level. After months of practicing we finally reached the day of competition. As the competing Greek Organizations made their way backstage, we were given the order of competition. It was announced that Kappa Kappa Psi was performing last! The pressure was on and our adrenaline was raging. It was clear that we were expected to have a great show and we had no choice but to make it happen. The ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated had just won the crowd with an amazing performance and now

14 - Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma Brother Karrington Gardner; Spring 2018 (Back left) Brother Marquis Donald; Spring 2017 (Front left) Brother Cameren Calhoun; Spring 2019 (Right) Brother Garrick Bradley; Spring 2018 (Back Right)

(Pictured left to right) Brother Marquis Donald; Spring 2017, Brother Mark Alston; Spring 2019, Brother Aaron Evans; Spring 2017, Brother Eric Moore; Spring 2019, Brother Karrington Gardner; Spring 2018, Brother Shannon Brown; Spring 2014, Brother Jakari Covington; Spring 2019, Brother Garrick Bradley; Spring 2018.

The award winning step team on stage after their performance

(Pictured left to right) Back Row: Brother Eric Moore, Brother Aaron Evans, Brother Mark Alston, Zoie Fenty (Host, comedian, celebrity personality) Brother Garrick Bradley, Brother Marquis Donald,, Brother Shannon Brown, Front Row: Brother Karrington Gardner, Brother Jakari Covington, Brother Cameren Calhoun.

the it was on us! Our brothers stepped on the stage of Greensboro coliseum to thousands of filled seats, a roaring crowd, and spotlights pointing directly on us. The brothers of the Mighty Iota Zeta Chapter left it all on the stage and took the crowd with an amazing performance! The awardwinning step show was entitled “Mortal KKombat” and featured nine talented brothers of our organization stepping for the prize “karate style”. Shortly after the performance we were announced the winners of the 2019 Homecoming step show! This huge accomplishment spoke volumes because not only did we end the twelve-year winning streak of the brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated, but we were the 1st non NPHC Greek Organization to compete in and win the North Carolina A&T Homecoming Step Show! This journey is not only an important moment to Iota Zeta but to the entire Greek Life community at North Carolina A&T State University because not only did we earn our way into the competition, but we paved the way for any Non NPHC organization that wishes to compete in the future. The guidelines pioneered by Iota Zeta will now be used to bring any Greek Organization into the step show. This accomplishment shows that when put to the test, Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi has what it takes to achieve greatness! AEA

CONGRATULATIONS

Jacob Chavez Gamma Iota

Madeline Hoth Zeta Chi

Madison Russell Kappa Upsilon

Emilie Ricciardi Kappa Upsilon

Ryan Waselik Epsilon Nu