William H. Kelly III
Editor-in-Chief
Showcasing ear bursting melodies and memorable step performances, the Homecoming 2016 “Pandemonium Greek Step Show & Battle of the Bands” was a fan favorite among Jackson State University students and alumni.
A coalition featuring the Jackson State University National Pan Hellenic Council (NPHC) and a musical battle between the Sonic Boom of the South and the Prairie View A&M University Marching Storm in the Lee E. Williams Athletic & Assembly Center (AAC) was the highlight of the event held on Oct. 28.
The step show included the Upsilon Epsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the Alpha Tau Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., the Gamma Rho Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Delta Phi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Lambda Beta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and the Alpha Beta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and the Delta Delta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Each organization used themes and skits, putting their own unique twist to appeal to the judges and audience. In the end, the Sigmas took 1st Place, the Alphas came in 2nd place, and the Zetas placed 3rd. Some of the themes included the awakening of the undead, court rooms and jail cells, and even parodies of The Hunger Games.
Demarcus Johnson, a member of Alpha Beta and junior computer engineering major from Jackson, Miss. said, “I feel overall, it was a good experience, but I believe it should be better organized next time. I would honestly prefer to see them (step show and BOTB) separated but I did like the Boom being there and we (Alpha Beta) won, so that’s a plus.”
Some students, like Evan Peters, a member of Delta Phi and a senior healthcare administration major from Little Rock, Ark., were not pleased with the price of the event.
“I feel like it was not a success because it cost too much. A student should not have to pay $25 to attend an on campus event. It was mostly alumni in there,” said Evans.
During intermissions, the bands would go head to head performing old school and urban selections that shook the entire building. Immediately hyping the crowd, the Fab Four high stepped onto the AAC floor and unleashed a frenzy of smooth choreography challenging the Marching Storm drum majors to an intense and entertaining battle.
Zachariah Bashir, a junior biology/pre-medicine major from Jackson, Miss., enjoyed the merge of bands and Greeks.
“I liked that they incorporated the band and the Greeks, it was kind of interesting. It is something that isn’t as common as usual but it was pretty cool,” said Bashir.
Photos by William H. Kelly III
