As classes set into motion, student directors begin to prepare for the grand stage of Step Sing. Students gather in groups in hopes of being approved for the chance to hit the grid and win.
Originating in 1951 at Howard College, Step Sing is Samford’s most popular annual tradition where casts of 50 or more people led by two or three directors display a themed sing-along.
Many of the groups are Greek life organizations, but there are a few independent Step Sing groups. This year Samford welcomes three new groups to compete for the grand prize.
To be approved as an organization, a group must have at least 45 signatures by a date set by Samford Student activities, along with a blueprint for a setup of how the organization would look like. This year, that deadline was Tuesday, Sept. 17.
While some groups, like Ben Edwards’ ‘The Other Guys’, were able to make the deadline, some groups were not.
One of these groups is the Black Student Union. The Union was looking to represent minorities on campus with a show centered around Black culture.
The Union was short by a few signatures, but still hopes to participate. The last time a Black committee participated in Step Sing was 1990. At the Black Student Union meeting, students expressed wanting to feel more represented at a big campus event.
This year, Step Sing welcomes three new groups. One is Kappa Delta (KD), Samford’s newest Panhellenic sorority. KD will make their debut with directors Olivia Ellis, Laney Parks and Alie Williams.
The directors of KD are “thankful for the opportunity and so excited to be a part of Step Sing this year.” They can’t wait to share their experience as the season progresses.
The Other Guys is a group organized by Ben Edwards and Seth Hillis. The idea was formed when Edwards and Hillis were left unsatisfied with the lack of options for men to join Step Sing their freshman year.
Only one male group is not a fraternity: Dudes-A-Plenty (DAP). This year, The Other Guys directors hope to offer more opportunities, as their group is open for anyone to join.
“It’s open to anybody; anyone in a fraternity too small to compete as a chapter or independent,” said Edwards. “The idea is it’s literally any other guy.”
And after a one-year hiatus, Spectrum makes their return to the Step Sing grid.
These groups led by their respective directors made the deadline and will be in competition to win the Step Sing endowed scholarship that is given directly to the education of the students.
Staff Writer
