Blu Diamondz Strut into Winner’s Circle

Kerrigan Clark

MSMS Blu Diamondz pose after winning first place in the Black History Step Show.

The Blue Diamondz beamed as they made their way to perform for the Black History Step Show at Rent Auditorium Saturday night, but their smiles would only grow after being announced first place winners.

Phi Beta Sigma Incorporated produced the show, which brought together step and dance teams from around the area, including The MSMS Blu Diamondz, Sigma Beta Club and Girls II Pearls in the step portion, and LCDC, Starkville Jaguars, Columbus Jaguars, LCDC mini girls and Passion Elite in dance.

The show began with the different groups stepping to “Back That Thang Up,” all of the team members circling the room while stepping and dancing, the crowd responding with clapping and cheering of their own.

Then two MUW students set the stage with a word about the origins of stepping, including its African roots. They then introduced the different teams and the four different judges.  

After the male Starkville Sigma Beta team and Girls II Pearls performed enthusiastic numbers, the MSMS Blu Diamondz entered, bringing the energy from the very beginning with a run onto the stage.  With an outfit change after an African dance, the Diamondz started their second step, entering the stage again holding hands as if they were shackled.

The theme of their performance was the timeline of Black History and how it progressed throughout the years.  They gave a subtle hint to slavery and segregation with a separate white and black dance, but then they joined together in unity in the end. 

“It felt exhilarating to have the chance to step alongside of my sisters and to show how hard we have worked in honoring our ancestors,” junior Ashley McPherson said. 

Fellow junior member Kiera Monroe commented on the entire show as a whole saying,

“

“I was a nervous wreck. Watching the Sigma Beta Club of Starkville made me feel anxious but also encouraged me to go harder. I played tennis for four years and have never felt as tired as I did on last night! As soon as we weren’t called for second or third place I thought it all was a dream and had never felt as overjoyed for anything. Hard work and lots of frustration really pays off.”

— Kiera Monroe

The judges and audience agreed that the hard work paid off in a winning performance. Audience member Ezra McWilliams remarked on the MSMS girls’ performance, saying, “It was amazing. The Blu Diamondz shined together and stepped cohesively as a robust unit. It was austere to match that level of intensity and concentration.”  

After all of the winners were announced, however, senior member of Blu Diamondz, Tija Johnson, said that the step show was “bittersweet.”

“I was proud of the team and their hard work.  I’m also glad juniors could end their year on a win. As for seniors and myself, I’m happy that we could share this final moment together,” Johnson added.

DANCE COMPETITION

The first competitors in the dance competition were LCDC.  They began with an individual male dancer, dancing to Kendrick Lamar’s “HUMBLE.”  The dancers then entered from the back of the auditorium, performing their first dancing to Beyoncé’s “Freedom.”   

Next to the stage was the Starkville Jaguars, who from the very start of their performance, they had parents and other members of the audience on their feet clapping and shouting.  They had the crowd excited and energetic all throughout their portion of the show.

There was a five-minute intermission after the Starkville Jaguars danced.  Next to the stage after the intermission was the Columbus Jaguars.  With a mixture of little girls and older girls, it gave the show and the team just what it needed to show out.  Next to the stage was the LCDC mini girls.  Bringing an extreme amount of energy of the stage, the LCDC mini girls held their weight and even more on the Rent Auditorium stage.

Last to the stage was Passion Elite Dance Team.  With even the coach dancing on the stage with the dancers, they had a dance portion and a step portion of their part of the show.  Between each dance portion, there was a history portion of their part of the show.  

Junior Khytavia Fleming said after she watched the performance of the Passion Elite Dance Team, “They were so eye catching. With every step, turn, dance, etc, my eyes were glued to each and everyone of them. I was in awe to see what a group of hard working students could do, which was pure greatness.”

There was then another five-minute intermission to wait for the judges to tally up the scores and choose the winners.  “I was on the edge of my seat waiting to hear the winner,”  junior Tyler Branch said.

Third place winner in the step portion was Girls II Pearls, second place in the step portion was Starkville Sigma Beta, and first place in the step portion was MSMS Blu Diamondz.  Third place in the dance portion was the Columbus Jaguars, second place in the dance portion was the Starkville Jaguars and, first place in the dance portion was LCDC.  

The room exploded with excitement as the winners were announced.  With all the winners coming to the stage, they took their victory picture at the end of the program, celebrating all of their hard work and dedication.