Non-Greek Stroll Off returns to campus

The National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations at Southeast Missouri State University held a Non-Greek Stroll Off during their NPHC Week at 6 p.m. on Feb. 22 in front of Kent Library.

The NPHC organizations at Southeast each take their own week each semester to hold events. This semester they decided to all work together to plan one week in addition to their individual weeks.

During the stroll off, six teams of five students performed for a chance to win a $50 gift card to Applebee's. There was one unnamed team and the other five were Black Sheep, Penthouse, Broke Phi Broke, The Core and the winners the BB Strollers.

A "stroll off" is a contest between teams of a varying number of people, which perform synchronized routines in single file in front of an audience and a panel of judges.

"It was nice seeing non-Greeks get a chance to stroll for the campus and with the Greeks," said co-host and Omega Psi Phi member Desmond Bryant. "It seemed like everyone had a great time and enjoyed themselves."

Strolling is a special ritual in NPHC organizations, so for a non-member to perform one is considered disrespectful. Participants in the stroll off had to attend an informational meeting and present their stroll in front of a member of NPHC before they performed it.

"It is inappropriate for non-affiliated students to stroll, so we have produced the Non-Greek Stroll Off as a way to display their talents and creativity," said Delta Sigma Theta member De'Vonne Patrick. "Most students stroll when no one is watching anyway. At least this way they can do so in front of people through friendly competition."

The last Non-Greek Stroll Off was in September of 2009, but the NPHC organizations hope to make it an annual event.

"All the teams did a really good job," said co-host and Alpha Phi Alpha member William Brown. "With this being our first NPHC Week, I'm glad we decided to bring the stroll off back. We had some really dedicated participants and a huge turnout. I definitely want this to become an annual event again because the campus truly seemed to enjoy it."

Senior Kiara Vance enjoyed attending this year's stroll off.

"I participated in the Non-Greek Stroll Off two years ago and it appears that the criteria has changed greatly since 2009," Vance said. "Honestly, I thought it was more entertaining. There were more teams involved and their routines were creative. They not only strolled but they also choreographed and included dance routines. It was more of a performance than stroll. They had two weeks to create and practice their stroll, but when I did it we had less than a week. It seemed a lot more organized."

The NPHC organizations hope to continue hosting events together each semester.

Phi Beta Sigma will have their spring probate, a performance to unveil the newest members of the fraternity, at 9 p.m. this Saturday. Omega Psi Phi will be having a week of events the last week of April.