For the first time, the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) hosted a step show, titled "United We Step," in Schwab Auditorium Saturday as part of Greek Week festivities.

The step show was a competition to see which was the best stepping fraternity and best stepping sorority. A panel of judges rated each act on several criteria, including the act's introduction and creativity.

Stepping is a traditional form of dancing that stemmed from Africa in which a group of people stomp and use their hands to make a beat.

Former Undergraduate Student Government President Ian Rosenberger was one of the judges.

"We're rating them on each criteria, but we're really looking at their creativity and energy. They have to sell [their act]," Rosenberger said.

Before the show began at 6:30 p.m., DJ Flow from Power 99 FM, a Philadelphia radio station, played hip-hop songs. Even though there were no acts on stage, the energy in the room was high, and the audience danced and cheered as the songs were played.

After an introduction from step show organizer Tinnesha Devaughn (senior-sociology), members from each group performed a short step routine.

"The crowd was great. We were going for a unity theme, and having the crowd appreciate the [greek councils'] show was important," Devaughn said.

The crowd cheered and danced in their seats. Some got up and danced.

"On a scale from one to 10, the crowd was an 11. The turnout was better than in previous years," she said. "The DJ from Power 99 kept the crowds hyped. He was there during the intermissions, and every time the DJ came on, it was great. The crowd had fun; they danced, and the frats 'party-walked.' "

Sigma Gamma Rho sorority's step team took the stage first with their act, "Pimpette Ball." Each of the five steppers was escorted onto the stage by two men and began a routine that included stepping and dancing. At one point, the stage lights turned off, and black lights illuminated their cane-dancing routine.

Laura Castillo (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) said she enjoyed Sigma Gamma Rho's routine.

"It looks like it took a lot of hard work, and it was worth it. It was very original," she said. "It combined dancing, a hot beat and pride for their sorority."

Zeta Phi Beta sorority's routine told a story about a woman organizing a step team. She "takes it back old school" and calls six girls. As they come on stage, clips from songs such as MC Hammer's "Can't Touch This" played.

After a short intermission, Phi Beta Sigma fraternity took the stage. The three-man team did a pop lock dance and blindfolded themselves during a step routine. They had a dance off with other fraternities and older members.

Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity talked to the crowd during its routine. The steppers' cane dance was so intense that five canes broke and had to be replaced.

A step team from Sigma Lambda Gamma sorority did an intermission routine before winners were announced.

Sigma Gamma Rho won first place for the sororities, and Kappa Alpha Psi won first place for the fraternities.

"They were fantastic. Oh my gosh, I had such a good time," Rosenberger said.

Don Harrison, father of Don Harrison Jr., a member Kappa Alpha Psi, said the routines were good, but they were not traditional.

"To tell you the truth, they stepped away from tradition. I'm old school, and we didn't do things like this, but they did show a lot of talent," Harrison said.