The Shades Step Team conducted tryouts Thursday in the Money Student Recreation Center and added seven new members, totaling 14 in the club.

Precious Kwaramba, a junior biology major from Fort Worth, said she has been stepping for 14 years.

“Step is a form of dance where you make beats with every part of your body,” Kwaramba said. “Your voice, your hands, your legs, your head, you make your own rhythm and no music is required. We try to get a godly message across. We want it to be entertaining but also carry the message that God puts on our hearts.”

During tryouts, Kwaramba taught the group a routine to see how well they picked it up. She said perfection is valued, but she can usually see potential.

“I always try and go through the routine slowly to give everyone the best chance they can get,” Kwaramba said.

Nadia Hooper, junior biology major from Katy, said trying out for Shades was out of her comfort zone.

“I hadn’t gotten involved in many things on campus so I decided to just go for it,” Hooper said. “I was super nervous but Precious does a wonderful job at walking you through the routine during tryouts.”

Hooper said people considering trying out should do it and see what it’s like.

“No one is judging you,” Hooper said. “Performing in front of people gives me a huge boost of confidence in myself. It’s like a family.”

Shades is planning to perform in Ethnos, themed “Step 101,” this year, and teach the crowd how to step in addition to the customs and history of the dance.

The new members include: Zorah Green, freshman english major from Summerville, South Carolina; Nicole Liverpool, freshman digital entertainment technology major from Fort Worth; Joelle Opele, freshman undeclared major from Irving; Orlandria Howard, senior engineering major from Killeen; Princess Payan, freshman undeclared major from Dallas; Kaelyn Pate, sophomore psychology major from Fort Worth; and Tayah Neal, freshman biochemistry major from Little Rock, Arkansas.

Returning members are: Precious Kwaramba, sophomore biology major from Fort Worth; Caneara Smith, sophomore nursing major from Homewood, Illinois; Nadia Hooper, sophomore biology major from Katy; Ajahcia Powell, junior nursing major from Abilene; Jessica King, sophomore political science major from Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago; Amber Robinson, junior social work major from Fort Worth; and Brittany Venegas, sophomore social work major from Cleveland, Texas.