In the grand finale, lights and smoke attracted the audience's attention to the entrance of the auditorium as Manhattan High School's step team started its performance.
A celebration of dance and step brought members of the community together through MHS and Black Student Union's "Unity in the Community" event Friday night at the MHS West Campus.

The Fort Riley dance group Girls With a Future opened with a tribute to U.S. soldiers.
The women of Delta Sigma Theta and Alpha Kappa Alpha followed, incorporating stepping into skits that put emphasis on the historical background of the sororities.
"Having the greeks from K-State participate gives the show more "umph," said Jasmine Cook, president of MHSÕs BSU and captain of the step team at MHS. Alpha Phi Alpha members showed their support with a step-routine performance and an imitation of a scene from "You Got Served" to hype up the audience. Rap group High Poynt Studios changed the event's vibe. They came from Junction City to support the show's "Unity in the Community" theme.

After a 10-minute intermission, the show continued as host Randy Myles paid a tribute to all those who helped make the show possible, including many of K-StateÕs greeks.
"Without the greeks, there would be no step show," Myles said.
Manhattan High School's BSU finished with a performance in their red letter jackets as members introduced themselves in a step routine. The skit turned into a rival male versus female performance and finished as both collaborated to step and dance in unison.
The event ended with a comedic event promoting "BSU juice," the group's after-show social.

"The social is an activity to socialize and have fun," said Myles, MHS BSU sponsor and step master.
The high school's BSU show originally started in February 2005 because BSU did not have an annual event, Myles said. It is important for the community and young students to come together because the students will eventually take others' places in the community, Myles added.
Manhattan High's BSU has between 25 and 30 members, and anyone can be part of the organization, Cook said.
"BSU likes to be heard throughout the community," Cook said.
BSU has participated in recent events like the "Abolish the N-Word" campaign to bring attention to the severity of the word and its everyday use has on the community, Myles said.

Throughout the year, many Greek organizations come out and teach the BSU new steps and help with their routine.
"Being on BSU gives us a taste of the frat and sorority life," Cook said.
The BSU starts preparations for its annual event as early as September and practices throughout the year, Myles said.
"I think it's great that they are showcasing stepping, something that goes back generations of black history," said Brittany Foster, sophomore in apparel and textile design.

This article was provided by: Kansas State Collegian
Written by: Yvonne Ramirez