The fraternities and sororities of the National Pan-Hellenic Greek Council (NPHC) made the Memorial Union jump Saturday night as they stepped, strolled and made traditional “calls” during their annual Greek Fest celebration and competition.

Members of Iowa State’s greek and non-greek communities filled the Great Hall of the MU to support the historically African-American organizations of the NPHC, widely known as the “Divine Nine,” as they competed against one another in a step-and-stroll competition as part of greek Fest.  

“It’s a good way to show some greek unity amongst the NPHC organizations,” said Jasmine Scott, sophomore in industrial technology and member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. “Everyone comes out to show the crowd what they have and what they’ve been working on.”

Six of the Divine Nine organizations bear representation at Iowa State: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Alpha Phi Alpha members stormed the stage wearing their symbolic black and and gold colors. They performed to a remixed rendition of “Straight Outta Compton” by N.W.A. They also used their performance to express their disdain for bigotry.

Omega Psi Phi started its performance with a choreographed routine to “Motivation” by Kelly Rowland. Wearing camouflaged printed pants, gold boots and purple shirts bearing the fraternity’s name on the front in gold letters, Omega Psi Phi capped its performance with a stroll to “Atomic Dog” by George Clinton.

“I was really proud of all the organizations that came out. They practiced hard and it showed when they performed today,” said Chandler Wilkins, president of the NPHC and member of Alpha Phi Alpha. “I’m really pleased with the event.”

Wilkins and Scott said that preparation for the event could take weeks, or months.

Delta Sigma Theta performed in red T-shirts with white writing that read “Stay Woke.” Zeta Phi Beta and Sigma Gamma Rho followed their performance.

David Ortiz, senior in environmental science and member of Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity, Inc., a fraternity in the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC), said that the MGC attends Greek Fest every year to show love and respect for the NPHC.

“We always try to come out and support,” Ortiz said. “The NPHC has been on campus for a while and we always love showing respect for the council.”

Delta Sigma Theta took first place at the event. Wilkins said the NPHC will meet to evaluate the event.

“We did a lot this school year,” Wilkins said. “It’s time to start planning for next year.”