By Patara Williams
“AYYYYYYY. 1-9-6-9!”
Choreography.
Contagions.
Jumping.
Yelling.
Stepping.
Stompfest.
Each year, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. hosts a phenomenal showcase of Baylor students competitively stepping. This annual event contributes to not only Zeta Phi Beta’s philanthropy, sickle cell anemia, but to that of the winners’ organization as well, in my case…STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS.
…interested?
Preparation
It’s pretty intense. Within my particular organization, the majority of us have ZERO experience with stepping. Ergo, we are paired up with the best of the best steppers as coaches, who are members of a sorority or fraternity within the Divine Nine (these guys really know how to step).
Yep. So we spend hours on top of hours each day learning not only how to step but also how to:
- Maintain rhythm
- Recognize cues
- Perform with confidence
- Be aware of our bodies
Alone, none of these tasks seem too monumental, but whooooa! When they are amalgamated…it becomes much more difficult.
Performing
Waco Hall, the place where you’ll more than likely experience chapel, Sing, Freshman Mass Meeting and so much more, is the setting of this event. This venue holds more than 2000 people, so any timidity cannot be tolerated. Once the lights hit the stage, all fear must be stifled. All muscles must have memory. All precision must be insurmountable. Excellence is key. Stepping is about confidence.
The Show
Each year there’s a theme; this year, it’s JukeBox, and our genre is Motown. So, in addition to stepping, students are required to concoct a plot/storyline that parallels the theme. Students pour their hearts and souls into their performances and pray that they yield success.
This is my second performance, and I must say that performing has not only increased my confidence but also given me a stronger sense of accomplishment and persistence.
I hope that you have an opportunity to experience the greatness that is Stompfest, whether watching or stepping.
Sic ‘Em Steppers!
2013-2014 StuFu Steppers | Theme: Michael Jackson | Song: Bad
