The aptly nicknamed “ladies’ choice” frat was indeed the first-place choice of the judges at UCA’s annual homecoming step show, where the Iota Gamma chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi took home the trophy for a second year in a row.
The chapter, nicknamed the Nupes, stole the show once more with a red-hot routine to “Tear It Up” by Yung Wun and “Hit ‘Em Up” by Tupac, with a team-wide worm move, a flower petal throw, and the frat’s signature cane and step dance.
Colby Wilson, a senior majoring in health science promotion and member of Kappa Alpha Psi, said the men have been practicing since June.
“I don’t even know how to put it into words. The guys came out and did everything they were supposed to do. Everything that we have practiced, we’ve been practicing since June, they just came out here and they executed it real well. I’m hella proud of them,” he said.
Wilson said the fraternity practiced almost daily and has participated in step shows at other universities as well.
“We were practicing about three days a week. But once it got to October, we went to SAU [Southern Arkansas University] and won first place there.
“Then we went to Arkansas State and we won first place. So literally from September all the way down, we practiced every day,” he said.
The Nupes’ two-year reign has felt great, Wilson said.
“It’s like we said at the beginning of the [performance]; it’s the crystallization of a dream,” he said. “Last year was our first time ever winning the step show.”
“So to be able to sit up here and do it again. And do it for the young guys and the neos [new members] in the chapter so they know the standard. That was everything.
“So really all credit to the neos because they came, they showed up and they showed out,” he said.
Wilson continued his winning streak the next day, becoming UCA’s homecoming king in the halftime ceremonies bookmarking the week of celebration.
The second-place winners, Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Theta Mu chapter, returned to the step show stage after a three-year break.
The sorors turned up the heat in neon pink firefighter costumes, beginning their performance with a tongue-in-cheek cover of “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys, where the group lip-synced, “UCA is on fire.”
The AKs came to the rescue with their performance of “Fireman” by Lil Wayne, “Heat” by Chris Brown and “Hot Boy” by Nardo Wick.
Junior Kiana Wright, a soror and criminology major, said the step team has been practicing for a few months.
“We’ve been practicing since September,” Wright said. “It takes a lot of work and a lot of dedication to put on a 12-minute show.”
The sorors were the first act of the night, and Wright said the performance was a success.
“Tonight went very good. Me and my line sisters, we came out there [as the] the first act, gave it all we had and we had a good little turnout.
“A lot of our sorors came and supported us. And it was good to just be back out there after three years,” Wright said.
A member of the Theta Psi chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity shouts during the step team's routine.
The third-place winner was the Theta Psi chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. The “mighty” Theta Psis performed a car-inspired routine, donning mechanic outfits as female dancers waved race car flags.
The high-energy performance featured songs like “Back and Forth” by Lil Baby and EST Gee, “Handsome and Wealthy” by Migos, and “Adios” by Boosie BadAzz and Webbie.
The step show draws NPHC alums from all over the state, who come to support their brothers and sisters.
One attendee, Horace Mosley, is a graduate of Arkansas Baptist College. He came to support his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, which did a karate-inspired routine.
Mosley said he came out to “represent and show support for my fellow Divine Nine Black sororities and fraternities.”
Mosley said step shows like this one are a great way to network and come together as a community.
