The sun was warm, the music loud and the limbs in sync as all six NPHC chapters gathered in the shadow of the Student Union on Brock Commons last Friday.
As Bandfest began on the other side of the building at 4 p.m., eight minutes later, the first fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. approached the crowd, initiating the annual step show. All of the fraternities and sororities created choreography to go along with a mix of contemporary music and their chapter origin story.
Shouting their rhythmic stories in unison, their voices melted together. The event was the largest of the spring that incorporated all of NPHC after each chapter revealed their new members over the course of the semester.
The new members, or “babies” as their Greek organizations called them, ranged from sophomores to seniors, each with their own motivation to join their respective groups.
For some “babies,” it was the family atmosphere that drew them.
“They treated me like I was family and they never changed, they always kept the same attitude. The values they have as a fraternity are just something I admire,” said Derek Robertson, a junior in Phi Beta Sigma, Inc.
Ashley Grooms, a junior in Zeta Phi Beta, Inc., added, “To be in this organization means that I always have a family when I’m not at home; I love that. There’s a big sense of loyalty, so I’m thankful for that.”
For others, adding to the community of both Greek life and Longwood as whole.
“You can feel the Greek unity. You can feel it on this campus because sometimes we throw shade and we’re petty, but we do it because we’re family and we love each other. You can definitely see that when we have events like this,” said Alton Coleman, a junior in Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc., who joined in the fall due to his schedule.
Aaron Sims, another junior in Phi Beta Sigma, Inc., felt his fraternity was the best way to not only join a community, but give back to it.
“It was just a long time coming,” he said. “I really want to give back to my Longwood campus community, my community. Phi Beta Sigma just felt like home to me. These guys are my brothers, my family, I love them to death.”
The step show provided another opportunity for the new members to bond with their own brothers and sisters, as well as those of the other ones. For seniors who joined in their final semester of college, it marked one of their final chances to do so.
“I’ve been wanting to join since I was a freshman. I guess things just didn’t work out the way I had planned. I think God does everything for a reason so bringing me in at this time to bond with these ladies is just magnificent, and I can take this for the rest of my life,” said Alexis Gregory, a senior in Phi Gamma Rho, Inc.
Another new senior, Quincy Goodine of Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. noted how all of Longwood NPHC has grown since he was a freshman.
“When I first came here, I wasn’t a part of it obviously, but what I saw it wasn’t very much. To see that it’s now 50 plus is crazy,” he said. “Even though some of us are leaving, I’m certain that these chapters will continue to thrive and continue to grow, and there’s some great people on this campus right now.”
