On April 7, 2007 the Greater Hartford, CT community embraced the Second Hartford Step Off Classic with the robustness, gregarious enthusiasm and momentum previously unseen in bucolic New England. More than 2800 patrons sold out the Bushnell Performing Arts Center to witness the 2nd Annual Step into Wellness – Hartford Step-Off Classic and Health Expo. The day combined rhythms and syncopated movement with a multitude of health and wellness providers, insurers, educators and community outreach services. College sorority and fraternity teams among the Divine Nine came from Pennsylvania up to Massachusetts to compete for prize money and 1st place trophies. The audience was also treated to exhibition performances by middle school, high school and collegiate step teams from Connecticut. Local dignitaries such as Mayor Eddie Perez were wowed by the enormity of the event as well as the diversity of the audience. More than 1,000 patrons were under age 18.
This year, along with returning corporate sponsors Aetna Inc and Hobson associates, the sponsorship list included CIGNA, The Michael Janet Suisman CAF, Vision Partners LLC, My People Clinical Services and the local CBS Broadcasting Station Hot 93.7 FM Radio. New York teams “stepped” away with the grand prizes. The Sorority Team winner was Delta Sigma Theta from Long Island. The Alpha Team from Hofstra bested the Philadelphia All-Stars of Kappa Alpha Psi in the Fraternity Team category. Each team received a trophy and $1500. Also participating: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc (Connecticut Alumnae Chapter) and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. (Boston, MA) The community teams featured The Gifted Ones and Talented Teens (Fox Middle School, Hartford), Star Steppers (Washington Media School, Hartford), Southern Connecticut State Step Team and East Hartford High School. Each received a plaque and a complimentary passes to the event for their families. The Bushnell and Beta Sigma Lambda are already working on the date for the Third Annual Event. Since there was a wait list for participating teams and a demand for more tickets we are sure the 2008 Hartford Step-Off Classic and Health Expo will be back & better than ever before.
