Stompin' performers rock Tilson

Chants of Greek pride filled Tilson Auditorium Tuesday night to celebrate Stompin', a traditional competition in which sororities and fraternities express excitement for both the Greek system and ISU during Homecoming Week.

"Stompin' is an event to bring ISU students together for Homecoming," said Freda Luers, associate director of Student Activities and Organizations and advisor of the Homecoming committee. "The groups of performers have been practicing for about three months."

"Red, White, Go Blue" is this year's Homecoming theme, and to illustrate this, the groups of performers wore red, white and blue clothing, painted their faces and displayed themes of American history and culture.

The performers used everyday items such as trash cans, brooms, boxes, wood and even car mufflers to create music by beating on them with spoons, drumsticks, bare hands and baseball bats.

Although there were few well-known songs performed, many beats were accompanied with chants about Greek sororities and fraternities and even cultural songs of the U.S., such as "Yankee Doodle Dandy."

A panel of judges including Carmen Tillery, dean of students and ISU president Daniel J. Bradley and wife Cheri observed the performances.

Although many audience members were sorority and fraternity members, non-Greek students also attended the event.

"The first one [Delta Gamma and Pi Kappa Alpha] was my favorite," said Traci Rosenbaum, a junior operations management and analysis major. "I think it's cool the way they come together to make music. I think the student body really likes it."

After several minutes of beating on trash cans, sweeping the floor and chanting about American culture, an intermission gave the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the ISU Sparkettes time to impress the audience with dance performances.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council danced to "Lollipop" by Lil' Wayne, and the Sparkettes danced to a mix of many different hip hop songs.

The last group to perform was Gamma Phi Beta and Sigma Phi Epsilon.

"We dressed up as farmers to show Indiana pride," said Gamma Phi Beta member Chelsey Bell, a sophomore elementary education major. "We actually only had five practices. I had a lot of fun, but I'm glad it's over."

At the end of the event, the crowd roared with more chants as sororities and fraternities greeted and complimented each other on their performances.

Winners will be announced at a later date.

( Cinnamon Kilburn is a freshman political science major. She can be reached at sascamed@isugw.indstate.edu.)