The clouds were dark, but spirits were bright. Excitement filled the air in Paul Snow Stadium during the Homecoming pep rally held Thursday evening, Oct. 18, despite the threat of rain and the absence of the traditional bonfire.

For many, the most exciting part of the evening was the Homecoming Queen crowning ceremony.

Valencia Cantrell won the crown. Supporters stood and cheered feverishly when Cantrell's name was called.

"Honestly, when they called my name, I didn't even have time to be excited because everybody ran onto the field and tackled me. My immediate thought was, 'Oh my gosh, what's going on?" Cantrell said.

"Then after a second, after they rushed me and knocked me, tackled me, I was excited. I was so nervous and so excited. Then, it made me even happier that they were all excited. So, it was just like they had won something too. It was a big rush. It all happened so fast."   more »

The University of Denver stepped up to a challenge last weekend.

Setting a record for Hamilton Gymnasium by filling it with 2,600 spectators, DU hosted the third annual "Step it up in the Mile High City Step Show," providing a forum for a diverse crowd to enjoy the art form of step.

Fans from across the Front Range gathered in Hamilton on Saturday at 6 p.m. to cheer on a variety of African American sororities and fraternities as they competed in the step competition.

The competition featured sorority and fraternity members ranging in age from undergraduates to working professionals. Each of the eight groups in the competition performed a 10-15 minute step routine featuring the unique dancing style.

"In the purest form, step is a rhythmic dance movement that is pretty much led by your feet," said Tony Daniels, the director of Diversity and Community Relations for DU Athletics. "Your heart provides the soul and your feet play the drums. It is done in a synchronized fashion."

Judged by a panel of seven judges, each team was evaluated on their overall performance.

The College's first Breast Cancer Awareness Walk took place on Saturday as part of the campus' Community Fest. Over 60 walkers gathered outside of Brower Student Center to participate in the community effort. Organized by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Lambda Tau Omega Multicultural Sorority and Rider University students, the event raised over $500, all of which was donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

The walkers gathered at 10 a.m. to "follow the ribbon" to Rider University. At Rider, guest speaker Victoria Jones and Susan G. Komen Foundation spokeswoman    more »

The Alpha Pearl Foundation (501c3) of Xi Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. held its annual Celebrity Golf Tournament  July 28 at Indian Springs Country Club in Boynton Beach. Attending were more than 100 golfers, local celebrities including Dwight Stephenson, formerly of the Miami Dolphins and an inductee of the National Football Hall of Fame, and friends.  

The winning team for this year’s tournament was composed of Michael Lewis, William Richardson, Charles Levy, and Ian Gordon. The sorority has held this golf tournament for the past four years as the major fundraiser for its scholarship fund.

Academic scholarships and financial aid is given by The Alpha Pearl Foundation to students in the southern Palm Beach County area and available to all qualified public high school seniors regardless of race or religion.   more »

With October designated as "National Breast Cancer Awareness Month," Barbara A. McKinzie, international president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, urged the 200,000 members -- and all African-American women -- to be vigilant about their breast health this month.

"Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death of African-American women," declared McKinzie. "But, by being screened through mammograms, by monitoring any changes in your breasts, and by engaging in other breast-detection activities, you can prevent this disease or have it treated while it is in its early stages."

McKinzie indicated that in recognition of "National Breast Cancer Awareness Month," hospitals and other healthcare facilities often offer free or reduced-cost mammograms, and host informational forums around the disease. She urged all women to take advantage of these benefits as part of the overall effort to be attentive to their health.   more »

A group of young women at Fort Valley State University is encouraging their school to get out and vote. Today the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority teamed up with The Black Youth Vote Coalition to encourage voter registration.

The sorority provided registration forms, along with food and prizes as a bonus incentive to sign up. Their goal is to make it easier for their peers to get involved with the upcoming elections.

One Sorority representative, Ladonna Anthony, says it's important for young people to get involved with elections. "We are what make up the future and that's why it's very very important that they come out and vote," Anthony says about her fellow students.   more »