Friday, October 27, 2023, Florida A&M University National Pan-Hellenic Council hosted its annual homecoming step show, “Once upon a Rattler.” This year’s step show was sponsored by Fidelity Investments and held in the Al Lawson Center.
The show was hosted by “CDK on the Mic,” the first-ever number-one HBCU host, along with FAMU student Ronnie Burns. Students, family, friends and alumni packed out the Al Lawson Center. Members of the Divine Nine organizations supported by wearing their paraphernalia, strolling and cheering on their respected organizations.
There were nine judges, all a part of the divine nine. The judges included Asia Knowles, Carla Adams Lippett, Charlene K. Howard, Chazriq “Chazam” Clarke, Jelani R. James, Antwan “Tony” Barnes, Derrick L. Jones Sr., Lakena Figueroa, and celebrity judge LaRoyce Hawkins, star of Chicago P.D.
Clarke, a FAMU alumnus and a member of the “Hard” Alpha Eta chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., got to support his organization from a different standpoint.
“First off, I’ve been stepping for eight years. I stepped when I was in high school, and I stepped when I was in middle school,” Clarke said. “And then I came to FAMU and pledged Phi Beta Sigma. So, stepping has been a part of my life for a long time, so being back as a judge for the Greek step show at FAMU, I’m excited. I can’t wait to see what they bring.”
Before the step show began, organizers paid respect to the late Andre D. Green with a video presentation, prayer and a moment of silence.
The step show started with a performance from the 2023 housing step show winners with their theme of the film “They Cloned Tyrone” and continued with other step performances throughout the night from Greek letter organizations.
This year’s sorority winners were “The Real” Beta Alpha chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. For this year’s performance, the group took inspiration from the movie “The Wiz,” where they put on an energetic performance.
Desmone Lawson, a senior business administration student and a member of the “Real” Beta Alpha chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is proud of their performance.
“It took a lot of hard work and dedication,” Lawson said. “We really had to trust each other to ensure that we put on the best show that we possibly could.”
This year’s fraternity winners were the “Hard” Alpha Eta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., where they did “Snow White” and the blue dwarfs and entertained the crowd.
Andre McClain, a senior graphic design student and member of the “Hard” Alpha Eta chapter of Phi Beta Sigma, was excited to come out on top again.
“Winning the step show was like a breath of fresh air. Being able to leave it all on that stage and for the campus being able to see all our handwork being paid off is honestly one of the best feelings,” McClain said. “The “back-to-back” win was just reassurance to the campus that there was no mistake. We are true to this, never new to this! 3-peat loading!”
Overall, the step show was full of support and amazing energy.
