Energy filled Wheelwright Auditorium as students and alumni gathered to honor the legacy of Coastal Carolina University’s historically Black fraternities and sororities.
CCU’s National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) held its annual Homecoming Step Show, The Sound of the Yard, on Friday, Nov. 7, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The doors opened at 6:30 p.m. and welcomed an eager crowd into the auditorium.
The year’s theme, the Sound of Music, was announced two months before the event, giving groups allotted time to practice. Each competing organization used their creativity to design step routines inspired by songs, artists or musical eras.
The event was hosted by alums Diamond Edmonds and Shaun Wyatt, both Class of 2025 graduates. Edmonds represented the Sigma Xi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., while Wyatt represented the Nu Phi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
The five judges for the competition included Amanda Eisele, the senior director for student involvement and leadership, Ebony McCray, the assistant director of accessibility and disability services, Tyrone McKenney Jr., the graduate student success coordinator, Joshua Moore, the director of Lib Jackson Student Union and Tiffany Hollis, an associate professor.
The Sigma Xi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. took home the first-place trophy with their delta twist on the BET Awards, transforming it into their own “DST Awards.” After many restless nights of constant practice, their dedication finally paid off when they were crowned champions.
Their performance celebrated famous musical artists, highlighting the chapter’s unity and creativity through energy packed choreography. Sa’Mara McCutcheon, sister of the Sigma Xi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., shared what sisterhood means to her.
“Honestly, sisterhood is the best hood. You’ve got your people to depend on. It’s all about teamwork, community service, and just helping each other out,” McCutcheon said.
The Alpha Epsilon Eta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. placed second with their performance dedicated to Michael Jackson’s life and legacy. The performance followed Jackson’s career, with choreography inspired by signature moves, such as the anti-gravity lean and the moonwalk.
Zak Watson, brother of the Alpha Epsilon Eta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., reflected on the meaningful experience of representing his fraternity on stage.
“It’s everything that I work for,” Watson said. “It shows people manhood, scholarship and perseverance.”
The ladies of the Rho Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. took third with a performance blending Destiny’s Child and Fat Albert to tell a humorous story about friendship and finding a good man.
Rachel Jackson, sister of the Rho Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., explained that the performance encouraged deeper sisterhood bonds.
“It really allows me to understand everybody as an individual,” Jackson said. “With only six of us doing the show, it was very one on one with each other, and it allowed us to really, truly get to know each other for who we are.”
The Nu Phi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha kicked off the night with an intense performance themed around the movie Sinners. Members were dressed as characters from the film and performed scenes between step sequences.
Mixing acting, singing and choreography, performers kept the audience on their feet while stepping to songs from the film’s soundtrack.
The Pi Gamma Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. kept the energy rolling with a routine theme of a 2000s love story, titled “A Players Guide 2 Love.” Their performance mixed humor, crowd participation and precise stepping that kept the energy high.
Joshua Pressley, brother of the Pi Gamma Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., reflected on the intense dedication put into preparing for the show and described his group’s performance as “awesome, great and amazing.”
“We stayed up late until 12 and 1 a.m. every single day for three weeks straight,” Pressley said.
Along with late night practices, Pressley explained how everybody had different things to add to the step. He said in the end, it’s about coming together and getting it done.
The Beta Beta Iota Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. performed a creative spin on Black Mirror television show, calling their routine “Blu Mirror.” The group engaged with the audience and kept the crowd clapping throughout their step routine.
The Tau Psi Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.’s performance centered around a school classroom theme, incorporating lessons from past generations of sisters.
Finally, CCU’s Stomp N’ Shake team, the Teal Shakers, wrapped up the performances with an energetic routine that brought the crowd to their feet.
Before winners were announced, representatives from the CCU Black Alumni Chapter presented two annual awards. The Black Student Leader of the Year Award went to Somoya Lamkin, a public health major. The Ryan Wilson Distinguished Black Alumni of the Year Award went to Jessica Greene, Class of 2003.
After the annual awards, the hosts were brought back on stage to announce the winners. When the deltas were announced as first-place winners, alumnae from the Sigma Xi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. proudly stood and cheered.
Bridgett Lassiter, Class of 1998 and a charter member of the Sigma Xi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. explained how watching the performance was emotional for her and her sisters.
“We’re charter members, so it started with us. So, it’s great to see our legacy being carried on,” Lassiter said.
Diamond Edmonds, one of the evening’s hosts and CCU alumna of the Sigma Xi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. explained the event’s emotional importance.
“It’s like a full circle seeing how much I’ve grown,” Edmonds said. “I remember being in the seats of the auditorium, and now I’m on-stage hosting. It’s like, how did we get here?”
Edmonds added she was moved to tears watching her sisters win first place.
“I was literally crying, I was so proud of my sisters,” she said. “I love that Coastal does the step show, especially because I know there are schools that don’t.”
She also emphasized the unity the event brings to the campus community.
“I think it’s really good to showcase the D9,” Edmonds said. “A lot of people don’t know about the Divine Nine until they come to college, so it’s great to show that this is a tradition that happens everywhere.”
As the event ended, students and alumni gathered outside of Wheelwright Auditorium to congratulate performers, take photos and celebrate.
Junior elementary education major, Demarrious Vereen, a member of CCU’s “Call Me Mister” program, explained how the night captured the spirit of community and love.
“I love, love, and it’s just all around here, man. It’s magnetic and it’s just where you can’t even miss it at this point,” Vereen said.
For the members of NPHC and the CCU community, The Sound of the Yard was more than a step show. It was a celebration of history, artistry and unity that continues to carry across campus.
