Individuals gathered around the doors of Downing Student Union on Friday, April 25, in anticipation of the “Forget What You Heard Stroll Off” event. Presented by the Omega Delta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., the event consisted of performances from various fraternities and sororities.
With a single foldable table near the entrance, decorated in blue and white signifying the representation of the Omega Delta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, people flashed their ticket, followed by the tie of a blue band to be put on their wrist.
In the crowd of people lined up, Greek lettering and different patchworks were labeled across people’s shirts.
The clock turned to 6:10 p.m., and the doors opened as people scurried to get a close seat.
The time marked 6:55 p.m., and two members, Keryha Sakura and Yaniyah Taylor, of the Omega Delta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., introduced themselves as hosts and members of the organization that showcased the night’s event.
Freshman Jada Howell from Louisville and a member of the Omega Delta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., said that she feels empowered whenever she strolls. She said that strolling allows her to showcase her organization to others.
“Strolling is a way to express myself and showcase who my sorority is through movements,” Howell said. “So I have to make sure I hit it hard all the time.”
According to the University of Arizona Alumni, strolling is a step routine that you performin a line that involves rhythmic choreography of acts. Some include dancing through stomping, clapping, chanting and singing, all in one.
Howell said she grew up dancing, and having the rhythm is just part of who she is. She also said she gets to share strolling with her sister, Mya Howell. She said her sister is a member of the Iota Mu Zetas at the University of Kentucky.
“We grew up together dancing in the living room, and now we both get to dance for our organization,” Howell said. “We get to share that special bond as well.”
Howell said that her sister and she both worked hard to be in the organization today. Now she said they will continue to share that experience.
The event included some but not all of the organizations from the National Pan-Hellenic Council. The event consisted of three rounds. This was to allow each group to perform more than once, with the final result of two final winners.
Junior and member of Phi Beta Sigma from Nashville, Michael Diugu, said strolling is a symbol of brotherhood and sisterhood.
“It allows members to paint a brief picture of who we are as an organization and to express our unique identity,” Diugu said.
Diaugu said that strolling’s roots are in African traditions. He said that it is a reflection of unity, rhythm and the strong bond they share as brothers and sisters in Greek life.
“Strolling is how we express our pride, identity, and love for our organization,” Diugu said.
Sophomore Asia Lee from Nashville said that other sororities can use the same moves when performing, but in different strolls.
“The way my sisters and I stroll is what makes us different,” Lee said. “The hand signs, the chants, etc., are what make us different. I can put my own flare on the strolls and the performance to make it personalized.”
Lee said that because she is a new member of the Omega Delta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, strolling and performing is nerve-racking. She said she always focuses on not messing up.
“Whenever people hype me up, it catches me off guard because I’m not used to it,” Lee said.
Despite nerves, Lee said that she strolls because it’s fun. She said she shows her personality in the moves that she makes.
“I’m taught to do them a certain way, but it’s fun to put my own spin on each stroll. It’s what makes me stand out,” Lee said. “It puts my face out there and it shows that outside of the business aspect of being in a sorority, that we can have fun and look good while doing it.”
Audience member Kaydance Barnett, a sophomore from Evansville, said that she felt really excited to be at the event.
“It felt really exciting seeing all these people come together and participate in a shared tradition,” Barnett said.
Barnett says that everyone should watch when people stroll at least once. He said this is because of how amazing it feels and the sense of community being part of it.
With all performances at an end, three judges came together to showcase two overall winners. The Sigmas took the win for fraternities, and the Deltas won out of the sororities. Diugu said that excitement ran through him when Sigmas won the showcase out of the fraternities.
“I know that we earned the trophy because we worked hard for it,” Diugu said.