Step Tease brings students, dance to Janice Hawkins Park
Troy University’s Janice Hawkins Park amphitheater was filled with energy last Wednesday as students and members of the Troy community gathered for this year’s annual Step Tease.
Held in collaboration between the University Activities Council (UAC) and the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), the event featured performances from the Divine Nine organizations, along with a special performance from Troy’s Department of Theatre and Dance.
Beyond the entertainment, Step Tease provided an opportunity for students to learn more about NPHC organizations and experience the culture and traditions connected to stepping.
“What inspired me to put the Step Tease together was just to have the Troy community come out and be able to see what the NPHC has to offer,” said Troy University’s NPHC President Kelsey Stone, a junior nursing major from Montgomery, Alabama. “They can step, they can stroll, they can do all the things.”
Stone said she also hopes this year’s Step Tease encourages students and members of the local community to become more involved with UAC and NPHC events.
“I hope this event adds more activity to the community,” Stone said. “There were so many people out here tonight, and everyone seems to be having such a good time.”
For the performers, however, the night represented more than simply taking the stage.
Amani Hicks, a Zeta Phi Beta sister and senior marketing major from Chatham, Alabama, marked the event as her second year participating in Step Tease. Hicks said she decided to participate again after her chapter welcomed a new group of members who would be experiencing the event for the first time.
“I didn't want them to do it by themselves because I knew they would be nervous, so I decided to do it again,” Hicks said.
Preparing for the performance required many of hours, commitment and patience. Hicks said the process also strengthened the bond between members of her chapter.
“It took a lot of long nights,” Hicks said. “It’s definitely not easy.
“It takes a lot of time, commitment, definitely a lot of sweat, sometimes frustration and tears.”
Despite the challenges, Hicks said the preparation created a stronger sense of sisterhood and helped the group feel proud of what they were able to accomplish.
She also emphasized the cultural importance of stepping and the opportunity it provides for organizations to showcase their traditions.
“Regardless of what letters we wear on our chest, we’re all Greek,” Hicks said.
Hicks said watching other organizations prepare and perform also gave her an opportunity to learn from them and see areas where her own chapter could improve.
For John Ramos, a junior psychology major from Prattville, Alabama, Step Tease marked his first time participating in the event. Ramos crossed in Spring 2026 and said performing in front of the crowd was a new experience.
“It was amazing,” Ramos said. “I liked the energy from the crowd and my line brothers did an amazing job with me.”
Ramos said seeing the audience watching and supporting the performers added another level of motivation.
He also said preparing and performing alongside his line brothers gave them an opportunity to create something meaningful together.
“It was really fun making this with them, and learning it, practicing and getting to perform,” Ramos said.
For Stone, the goal was for students to leave Step Tease remembering the experience and becoming more interested in future campus events.
“I want them to remember how much fun they had at Step Tease,” Stone said.
As the performances came to an end, students trailed out and left with what the organizations hope is a new understanding of NPHC traditions. To stay in the loop of upcoming UAC and NPHC events, check their Instagrams @troyuac and @troynphc.
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