Homecoming recap: The national panhellenic council annual step show
By: Vashti Smith
Homecoming week at Hampton University is always filled with several events for students and alumni alike, from the gospel concert to the tailgate. Amongst the excitement is one annual event that always has people entertained and on the edge of their seats: The National Pan-Hellenic Council’s Step Show
Going to the step show for some pirates is nonnegotiable. Whether they are students or alumni, they have to go see the exciting show every year they can.
“I do not like to miss the step show because I know it is going to be good every year,” Hampton University second-year political science student Delilah Pryor said.
Hosted by Hampton University students Jade AbuBakr, who is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and Kaila Roberts, who is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the show took place on Thursday, October 23rd. There were performances from each of the three sororities and fraternities. The judges were members of various fraternities and sororities within the National Pan-Hellenic Council.
During each performance, the crowd screamed and cheered with excitement. Many were in awe of how precise each performer was in every move. Some students were more excited than others because this was the first step show they had been to.
“I was not disappointed going to my first step show this year. They all did amazing, and I really liked the different themes,” said Hampton University second-year computer engineering student, Autumn Sanders.
The first act of the night was from the Gamma Theta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Gamma Theta put on a karate-inspired performance that incorporated a lesson about sisterhood. Their costumes included pink and green karate gis and boots.
The second act of the night came from the Beta Chi Chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. Beta Chi’s performance was inspired by the popular 1997 movie, Men in Black, starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. Their attire included all black suits, and some of them were dressed as aliens.
The third act was by the Zeta Xi Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated. They put on a boxing-inspired act and wore blue shorts with decorated white tank tops. The Beta Gamma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated did the 4th act. Their “Blu Burger” performance was inspired by the 1997 film Good Burger starring Kel Mitchell and Kenan Thompson. They wore blue and black waiter uniforms and included a cameo from 2025-2026 Miss Phi Beta Sigma, Reagan Carter.
The fifth act of the night came from the Rho Alpha Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, which was inspired by the 2006 movie Night at the Museum, starring Ben Stiller and the late Robin Williams. Their outfits were blue and white dresses.
The final act came from the Gamma Iota Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. Their “Crazy Edition” performance was inspired by the singing group New Edition. Their attire included gold waistcoats and ties, and they later included light-up gloves.
At the end of the show, the hosts announced that the Gamma Iota chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha won first place and the Beta Gamma chapter of Phi Beta Sigma won second place for the fraternities. They also announced that the Zeta Xi chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho won first place and the Gamma Theta chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha won second for the sororities.
