With 20 performances from sororities and fraternities and two special performances from the presenting sorority and fraternity, Stomp-A-Palooza was tumultuous from beginning to end. The motto for the night was bridging the racial gap between National Pan-hellenic Council, Interfraternity Council and National Panhellenic Council. The event was presented by Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. for the benefit of their philanthropies, CASA of Lexington and March of Dimes.

With March of Dimes, Alpha Phi Alpha does their “Project Alpha,” which has four main goals: sharing knowledge, changing attitudes, providing skills through empowerment and self-esteem training. In the past five years, Alpha Phi Alpha has raised over $1 million for March of Dimes. Also, just from last year’s Stomp-A-Palooza event alone, UK Greeks funded 287 CASA’s, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, which is the largest amount ever raised in one year.

Members of each chapter worked over the course of a month to pull together their stomp performances. 

For Emily Weidman, pre-pharmacy freshman and member of Phi Mu, this event was difficult to prepare for, but was worth the long hours she and her sisters put in.

“We practiced every day for the last week,” Weidman said. “And honestly, I wasn’t that close to the girls when we started, but now like all my best friends are girls in the chapter.”

There were seven categories to win in, first, second and third place for best fraternity and sorority, and then a spirit award for the most money raised and bodies present at fundraising events. Delta Upsilon and Alpha Phi received third place. Phi Gamma Delta and Phi Mu received second place. Beta Theta Pi won first place along with second-time winners Chi Omega. Phi Mu also received the Spirit Award.

Debonair Murray, a media arts and studies junior and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, was the coach for Alpha Omicron Pi and said he really enjoyed working with the women because it gave him an opportunity to share something that is typically NPHC culture.

“They had a lot of energy. They’re very unique. Every person brought something unique to the table, I was very lucky to coach them,” Murray said. “I think this event, Stomp-A-Palooza, is a catalyst for all counsels that are involved … a catalyst for any more events where we’re all coordinating, all cooperating for one event … I feel like that’s a big step.”

Murray said he thinks that events like Stomp-A-Palooza builds bridges between UK Greeks and sets a precedent for Greek life that should be glamorized, unlike negative stereotypes.

“This is positive, not only for March of Dimes and CASA and other philanthropic work, but also for our school as far as Greeks go, so more students can see the positive side of Greek life,” Murray said. “We can change people’s views of Greek life, cause it’s not about what you hear, it’s about what you see. And I think what people saw tonight was unity, fun, excitement; all these things for a cause.”