Tomorrow marks the beginning of a long-standing tradition at UNA— Step Show.

Step Show is an annual competition between Registered Student Organizations that showcases each team’s stepping. The event will be in Norton Auditorium at 7 p.m. Oct. 21, but the doors open at 6 p.m.

Students and community members can purchase tickets online at una.edu/boxoffice for nine dollars or at the door for $10.

The event raises money for United Way of Northwest Alabama.

“All of the money that is raised for United Way of Northwest Alabama, including the money accumulated at Step Show, is used to help members right here in our own community,” said United Way of Northwest Alabama Community Impact & Communications Director Kerry Del Pizzo in an email. “We do this by investing in programs that focus on education, financial stability and health, the basic building blocks for a good life.

“We couldn’t do all of this without the support of those who give so generously to United Way of Northwest Alabama. We appreciate all of the hard work that the (Student Government Association) and the student organizations at UNA have put forth to create an exciting and fun event.”

This year, Step Show goers can provide monetary donations and canned food to the UNA Food Pantry, said Student Government Association President Sarah Green.

“I am most looking forward to our new Friend of the Pride Award,” said Service Committee Chair and sophomore Rebecca Bush, who helped organize the event, in an email. “This new award goes to the RSO who donates the most money to the food pantry. My committee and I are so excited that we get the opportunity to offer a donation that will benefit the students of UNA.”

Preparing for the Step Show takes many late nights and hard work, said Alpha Tau Omega President and junior Taylor Ausbon in an email.

“There will be many practices where we practice past midnight, but all the practice is worth it at the end,” Ausbon said. “We love participating in Step Show because we get to come together and bring out our competitive spirit all while benefit(ing) United Way.”

Seeing the other organizations’ routines also makes performing at Step Show fun, Ausbon said.

“Also, getting to finally show everyone what you’ve been practicing so hard for is an exciting feeling at Step Show,” he said.

Part of the crowd will include members from the National Pan-Hellenic Council in Al. who will judge the event, Green said.

“Participants will be judged on their Entertainment Value, Showmanship, Precision of Steps and Consistency,” Bush said. “The judges will score each of these categories based on a 10 point scale, and the overall winner will be the participant with the highest overall score.”