Franchesca Perez
Staff Writer
Troy’s chapters of Tau Beta Sigma sorority and Kappa Kappa Psi fraternity are setting up their annual philanthropic event for a cause close to their hearts.
Each year the two host a Step for Life event to raise money and donate the proceeds to the Alabama chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in memory of Steven Dobarzynski.
Dobarzynski, a former trombonist for the Sound of the South and brother of Kappa Kappa Psi, died in 2002 after battling leukemia for seven months.
Upon his death, the organizations created the event to honor his life.
Sharnay Sharp, a junior political science major from Montgomery and co-chair of the Step for Life Committee, said that the event commemorates Dobarzynski’s legacy.
“Though I didn’t get a chance to meet him, I know several brothers and sisters who knew him when he was here,” Sharp said. “He was a great man who was always willing to serve and truly encompassed the character traits of an ideal brother.”
This year will be the 14th annual Step for Life. However, the schedule of events will be different than it has been in past years.
Typically, Step for Life is an all-day event, with the race in the morning, a meal and time to fellowship in-between and the step show at night.
But due to a lack of participation, the step show has been canceled and the focus shifted to the 5K, which is in its third year.
Emily Kingry, a junior general business major from Dothan and member of Tau Beta Sigma, has performed in the step show in the past.
“I have been stepping for two years,” Kingry said. “It’s a tradition and it’s a fun way to spend time with sisters outside of our service activities.
“I am disappointed that we had to cancel because it is a really awesome event that gives us a chance to come together as chapters and raise money in memory of our brother at the same time.”
Darius Davis, a criminal justice graduate student from Panama City, Florida, and co-chair of the Step for Life committee, emphasized the importance of this event.
“This event not only honors our fallen brother, but helps to strengthen the bond between the current members of our two organizations as we are involved in the planning and execution of this event every year,” Davis said.
The 5K will take place on April 9 at 9 a.m. The race will begin outside Smith Hall and takes the runners around the campus, passing landmarks such as Sorrell Chapel, Lake Lagoon, Janice Hawkins Park and the Arboretum before circling back to the finish line at the Claudia Crosby Theater.
Registration for the race can be completed online at runsignup.com/Race/AL?Troy/StepforLifeDobars5k.
The cost to register is $25 per person, which covers the cost of participation, a meal upon completion of the race and a T-shirt to commemorate the event.
However, if you register with a group of six or more, the registration cost for each person is only $15.
Individuals can also register on the day of the event from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. in the Claudia Crosby Theater.
A table will be set up in the Trojan Center daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for students to register or request more information until April 8.
