SHADES, the school step team, is starting this semester with new plans and a new leadership team.

“It’s a whole new game plan with fresh new leaders. Our spirit for dancing and stepping for the Lord is stronger than ever and you know it’s always going to be ‘hit hard or go home.'” said Angie Nsumbu, sophomore accounting major from Fort Worth.

Last year’s leaders, senior advisor, Demarco Howard, men’s captain, Brandon Bolden and women’s captain, Destiny Hagood, were unable to return this year so new leadership was elected. Victoria Jones, Eric Ambrose and Diamond Cobb were voted captains for this semester. However, Eric Ambrose resigned from his position, according to Byron Martin, assistant director of student multicultural enrichment, but auditions will proceed as scheduled.

During  the first captain and officer meeting, members of SHADES revealed new plans that they have in store for the semester. There will be fundraisers selling SHADES’ t-shirts, sunglasses, tank tops and hats. For the first time, SHADES members will perform in a fall preview show in addition to the homecoming parade and the Ethnos culture show.

Auditions for SHADES will be held on September 10-14. No experience is necessary. The first show of the semester is scheduled for the third week of November.

SHADES also revealed that they plan on being involved with the 0ffice of multicultural enrichment (OME).

Stephen Estrada, sophomore from San Antonio and student worker at OME said that, “The Office of Multicultural Enrichment serves as an outlet and hub for groups on campus that consider themselves multicultural or ethnic. It’s our job to make sure the students know these groups exists.”

Today, OME is putting on a block party from 6-8 p.m. at the basketball courts next to the Rec Center, and SHADES will be performing.

Catrina Bailey, senior electronic major and SHADES member said, “We are working really hard with OME to work with other multicultural groups so that we can all be stronger groups individually and together”.