Editor in Chief
Black Student Association hosted The Bulls Stampede Step Emporium event on Thursday, Feb. 17 in the CAC core.
This event, which was one of BSA’s newest editions to their Black History month calendar, sought to bring the campus and community together.
“[Bulls Stampede Step Emporium] was one of our signature events for black history month,” said Bernard Washington, BSA president. “We [wanted to give] people in the community [an opportunity] to showcase some of their talents.”
Showcasing their talents was exactly the outcome of each performer, especially from USF St. Petersburg student Mandie Fernandez.
“I’m happy that BSA [decided] to [host] this event tonight,” Fernandez said. “I hope that [this event] shows students that life is supposed to be fun.”
Fernandez, a former color guard member and dance student, started dancing 16 years ago. “I’ve done every type of dance,” Fernandez said. “I’ve done [some] jazz and ballet.”
For her dance routine, Fernandez said she had to work on some of her basic dance moves with some of favorite hip-hop music. “I listen and dance to all the good music,” she said.
In her performance, Fernandez showcased some of her talented dance moves and color guard skills.
Although the performances demonstrated creative and original dance moves, BSA initially created Bulls Stampede Step Emporium for local step teams. “[We] couldn’t get enough steppers, so we decided to turn it into a dance showcase for the campus and community,” Washington said.
After BSA turned Bulls Stampede Step Emporium into a dance showcase instead of a step team showcase, they received more interest from local dance teams in the community. “We have SGC dance crew, Dancing Dynasty, and Dunedin Flight Central dance teams [participating tonight],” Washington said.
Alliah Leshore, a dancer from the Dancing Dynasty group, which had about either or nine dancers in the group, brought her originality to her dance routine.
“I had fun in tonight’s performance,” Leshore said. “I will participate in this event if they [offer] it next year.”
Leshore’s performance had a combination of twists, slits and turns. “It took me two or three weeks to learn my routine,” she said. “I like trying different things.
Washington said that BSA plans on having Bulls Stampede Step Emporium event next spring; however, he said BSA hopes to have two separate showcases for the dance teams and step teams.
For more information about BSA Black History Month Events, please contact Arienne Milkles at amilkles@mail.usf.edu
