The Blue and White Showcase took place on March 29 in Downing Student Union to celebrate the new members of the Omega Delta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. and the Epsilon Theta chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.
The event began at 6:20 p.m. with the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. showcasing five new members. At 8:14 p.m., the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. presented four new members.
Senior Zeta member Natalee Mackin said the starting times of the event have significance to each fraternity and sorority.
“We were founded in 1920, so every time we have an event, we always try to do whatever time following a 20,” Mackin said.
Mackin said she came to watch and support the new members of the presentation do their performances.
“I feel excited to watch my Neos,” Mackin said. “The new members go through a whole process before this. Once they come in and present themselves, they’re represented for life.”
Mackin said that alongside her studies, she has a lot of different reasons for joining the Zetas, mainly because of her connection to the sisterhood.
“All my sisters mean the world to me, so I’m excited to bring in new sisters,” Mackin said.
Mackin said that she hopes that everyone enjoys the show and has fun.
A parent of one of the new members, Kathy Kiphart from Louisville, said that she was there to see her daughter, Jada Howell, perform. Kiphart said that she came to watch the program alongside her other daughters and sisters.
Kiphart said that she was also a member of a sorority in college, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
“I was really disappointed that she didn’t follow her mother’s legacy, but she has her own path to follow,” Kiphart said. “I’m really excited for her, though – I can’t wait.”
Other attendees, Jamiere Weaver and Kendall Giles came to see the show from Louisville. Both attend the University of Louisville and are a part of the Tau Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.
Weaver, a sophomore from Huntington, West Virginia, said he came to Bowling Green with Giles and a few of their friends to watch the show. He said that this was his first time ever seeing a show besides being in one when he was a new member.
“I’m excited,” Weaver said. “This is so new to me, and I’ve never seen a show performed live before. I feel like it’ll be a great show. It feels like a good environment.”
Alongside being in the African Student Union and the Minority Future Educators Program, Weaver said that joining the fraternity has been an impactful experience for him.
“For me, the fraternity means brotherhood and a kind of connection,” Weaver said. “I’ve never really had brotherhood, so this is where I found it. It means a lot to me.”
Giles, a junior from Chicago, said that he also joined because of brotherhood and family.
“I love it,” Giles said. “I am a legacy, so I have family already in the fraternity. It’s just good to represent the culture.”
Sophomore Helen Yeitowon from Liberia, West Africa, said she and her friends found out about the event through a flier and were curious about what the show would look and feel like.
“I think it’s going to be fun, especially since it’s the first probate of the spring, so it’s really exciting,” Yeitowon said. “Just fun all around.”
Freshman Karine Uwajeneza from Ghana, Africa, said that she was excited to be a part of a larger group that supports the Black community.
Uwajeneza said that she is a part of other organizations such as the Elevated Faith Ministries and African Student Union. She said that she and a few friends from the same organizations came to the show to support the overall showcase.
“I think it’s really inspiring to see the Black community come all together to support our community,” Uwajaneza said. “Overall, I’m very happy and excited for the show.”