AU’s Delta Zeta sorority steps up

By Amy Weaver

Published: March 6, 2008

The ladies of Delta Zeta sorority at Auburn University are proud to show that stepping has nothing to do with skin color.

For the last five or six years, DZ has been the only National Panhellenic Conference sorority to participate in TigerStomp, the annual stepshow presented by Auburn’s Black Student Union. And according to the BSU, they are just as entertaining as the National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternities and sororities.

“Those girls are good,” admitted Kiara Pesante, BSU public relations director.

Stepping is a rhythmic dance style, rooted in African traditions, which has gained popularity by recent Hollywood movies like “Stomp the Yard” and “Step Up.” However, stepping is synonymous with the rest of the Tiger Stomp competitors, all traditionally black sororities and fraternities. For them, it’s a part of who they are.

But the same can be said for DZ.

“I feel like it’s a DZ thing,” said chapter president Kate Peters. “It’s our trademark on campus. We’re known for it.”

Sophomore Caitlyn Shatlock said she was attracted to the sorority more during recruitment simply because they stepped and no other sorority did. After all sorts of grueling practices, she still contends stepping is fun, “even if you don’t have rhythm.”

Pesante warns attendees “to be prepared to be entertained,” and also to arrive early. The show starts at 7 p.m. in the Student Activities Center on campus, but she said it is always standing room only by showtime. Admission is $10 for students and $20 for non-students.

Delta Zeta will be participating against the likes of Delta Sigma Theta from the Alabama-Birmingham, Zeta Phi Beta from Alcorn State in Mississippi and Sigma Gamma Rho from South Alabama.

Fraternities vying for the top prize are Alpha Phi Alpha from Auburn, Montevallo and Alabama; Kappa Alpha Psi and Omega Psi Phi from Auburn; and Phi Beta Sigma from Auburn and Ole Miss.

Peters and the rest of the DZs know they have a tough task ahead, competing against people who knew what stepping was long before “Stomp the Yard” was released, but they are up for the challenge.

The grand prize for the best fraternity and sorority is $2,000.

“We’re in it for the prize this year,” Peters said.

Win or lose, junior Laura Hornsby believes their appearance on stage tonight will provide entertainment as well as “shock value.”

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