Five Questions with Jarvia Meggett: Homecoming Step Show and Stroll Off director
Posted on: October 8, 2014; Updated on: October 8, 2014
By Whitney Smith , stucomm@mailbox.sc.edu
University of South Carolina students, faculty and staff and community members are invited to the annual step show competition among the historically African-American fraternities and sororities that comprise the National Pan-Hellenic Council at Carolina . New to the Homecoming events this year, stroll off will be held in the Russell House where students can watch organizations compete. Meet Jarvia Meggett, the student behind-the-scenes who ensures that these events run smoothly for UofSC to enjoy.
What does your role as the homecoming step show and stroll off director entail?
I was assigned for the position in April. I’ve had to find participants, a venue and judges. I’ve had to pretty much plan every single detail there is for the show and the stroll off. Planning the step show has definitely been more time intensive because it’s become such a huge production. It’s being held at Colonial Life arena this year in order to accommodate all of the people who are coming to watch.
What is a stroll off?
It’s basically a more relaxed version of a step show. You don’t have props or costumes like you do in a step show. Strolling is a historical African-American Greek organization tradition that many other organizations have adopted. It involves the members of the organization lining up and dancing together in a forward movement. The forward progression of strolling exemplifies unity and pride. Not all organizations stroll but I think once they see this year’s stroll off they will be more likely to participate in future homecoming stroll offs.
How are judges chosen for the step show?
For the step show, each NPHC organization nominates an alumni to judge (nine judges for each of the nine organizations). Judges don’t have to be UofSC graduates, but they normally choose chapter alumni to represent them.
How many people do you expect at each event?
Since the stroll off is a new event, we hope to attract as many students as possible. We expect over 5,000 people to attend the step show. This year’s Homecoming is unique in that we are offering a bunch of events for a variety of students- there are events for off-campus students, non-Greek students and residence halls.
How much time do organizations put into prepping for the step show?
They started auditions in May. Because Homecoming is so early this year, they’ve had to start prepping early. They start six months prior to step show and hold auditions for their members. The winners of the step show have bragging rights but they also get a trophy. This year, there may or may not be an additional prize for this year’s winners.
Learn more
The step show will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 in the Colonial Life Arena. Tickets are free to students, faculty and staff with a CarolinaCard and are available at the Russell House information desk. Students will need their ticket and CarolinaCard for entry into the show. Tickets are $10 for the public and can be purchased either at the Colonial Life Arena box office or online.
The stroll off is free for students and will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 13 on the Russell House patio.
Share this Story! Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about