Gentlemen with Style

By: Elisia Daniels 

On Saturday February 23, 2013 the weather held up nicely as the Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated held their annual Party Walk competition in Alice R. Manicur Assembly Hall of Frostburg State University’s Lane University Center. This event was brought about as a friendly competition to bring together some of the fraternities of the National Pan-Hellenic Council that are active on campus. Fraternities such as Alpha Phi Alpha, Omega Psi Phi, and Phi Beta Sigma eagerly came ready to take on this live event with such enthusiasm as their support teams separately chanted them on with confidence.

The event started roughly around 5:30 p.m. as the guests and students of Frostburg State University approached their seats in a very expeditious manner, waiting for what the different Greek organizations had to bring. One of the Brothers of the Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Dave Branch, graciously opened the show with the introduction, rules, and competition procedures. Dave welcomed all the Greek organizations that were present and as he did, each organization stated their presence by chatting and gaining audience support. The competition had two rounds, based on each Fraternities creativity and overall delivery of their performance. The order of the performances was based on the year each Greek organization was founded.

Founded 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated was first and took their places once introduced. The attire of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity was simple and looked quite comfortable. They wore blue jeans and a black sweatshirt with their old gold Greek letters embroidered across their chest. The five gentlemen started with great confidence; however, their over exertion messed up the flow of their performance. This later showed in the judge’s critique of their performance. When it was time for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated to demand their spot on the floor, they showed no hesitation. Founded 1911, they were the next contestants up. They wore their traditional army attire with shiny gold boots. They had a very unique performance that incorporated skits and humor. There were only three men performing and they delivered as if they had a large crew behind them every movement they made possible. It was inevitable that the crowd truly enjoyed their performance. Founded 1914, Phi Beta Sigma were the last of the contestants to perform. What was interesting about this Fraternity out of all the others present was their attire. Brothers of Phi Beta Sigma were dressed in black slacks and a blue button up cardigans, in comparison to the colors of their Fraternity. There were a lot more men in this organization ready to perform. They eased their way out onto the performance floor with grace, relaxed presence, and with a gentlemen-like stare about them. What is most important in these competitions is that you are performing in unison. Everyone must be in sync at all times and keep the continuous power that they have in their movement with what they were saying. Not only were the organizations doing movements, they were reciting, poems, songs, and relevant material of their organization as well. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated definitely expressed that, which is why they became the winners of the competition.

 As the hosts of the show, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity did a performance to close out the show. Their performance was quite suggestive in terms of the way they moved and the songs that were chosen. Many people were disturbed, and others found it quite amusing. They closed the show out to emphasize that there after show party would also be held in Alice R. Manicur Assembly Hall at 11 that night. Students were notified in advance of the rules and regulation of this night out event on campus, which included: no alcohol or weapons should be present and attire should fully cloth personal body parts.