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| Apple for the Teacher 2009 |
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IOTA PROGRAMS
EDUCATIONAL PARTICIPATION
SCHOLARSHIP recipients from Alpha Chi have been numerous through the years. It has been rewarding to see so many of them continue their educational pursuits and/or become engaged in meaningful careers. Winners have sent letters of thanks to the chapter, telling the members how grateful they were to receive the scholarship offered by the chapter. To name a few recent recipients: |
| Ms. Alexis Rogers | Ms. Arriana Brockington |
| Ms. LaVonya Blowe | Ms. Phelecia R. Riddick |
| Ms. Keisha D. Robinson | Ms. Yeal Lewis |
| Ms. Aretha L. Gayle | Ms. Teena M. Felton |
| Ms. Quiniece M. Hurdle | Ms. Michelle D.Chesson |
| Ms. LeKisha S. Simmons | Ms. Dominique I. Joseph |
| Ms. Malerie J. Moss. | Ms. Angela White |
ESSAY CONTEST: It is sometimes difficult to get youngsters to write about anything; certainly not about an American Education Week theme. At the suggestion of a soror and to encourage young people to write more often, Alpha Chi embraced the idea of rewarding the winner with a U.S. Savings Bond. Since that time, the chapter has continually had a participant. Each year the winner receives the Mary Frances Smith Essay Contest Award--a savings bond. This bond is viewed as the initial monetary investment a young student receives on his/her educational journey. Most of the participants have set realistic goals for their future and they are looking forward to reaching those goals. Here are just a few comments about some of our Essay Contest Winners. Interestingly, the first winner of the Essay Contest Award, Ms. Whitnie Hardy, is now a highly successful lawyer, practicing in a major law firm in Chicago, Illinois. (No, the award was not large enough to pay her tuition; it did, however, encourage her to express herself in a positive yet aggressive manner.) Ms. Krystal Davis is enjoying a successful and lucrative career in Northern Virginia. Our most recent winner, Ms. Ashelley A. Franks, a ninth grade student at Granby High School, is excitedly preparing for a career in the field of medicine. |
(Gems, FIGs, FILs, Teen Queen)
| Alpha Chi sorors have given much time and used many resources in assisting the young people under their care. In addition to including their own family members, they have gone into the schools, churches and recreation centers to enlist children who fit the mold as FIGs, FIL AND Gems. The purpose was to give them the opportunity to get help with any issues they may have. Seminars and workshops have been planned to assist youngsters with developing life skills, enhancing their educational outlook and preparing models for influencing their educational outcomes. ......Tutorial programs have been established and conducted in local churches where sorors volunteered their time and resources. Sorors who volunteer at First Baptist Church, Bute Street, attend workshops in preparation of working with students in Grades K-12. Several of Alpha Chi’s retired sorors tutor weekly throughout the academic year at several Middle schools. Workshops on developing good management skills were held in recreation centers and at churches. Special field trips and cultural enrichments programs have given children an opportunity to learn needed “social graces” such as proper etiquette, respect, courtesy, self-control, etc. ......There have been many Teen Queens over the years in the Alpha Chi family. These girls participated royally on the local and regional levels. We are proud of the contributions these dedicated girls have given to the work of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority. Their talents are certainly noteworthy—they will surely be successful in their endeavors. Ms. Alexis Rogers, Ms. Gayla Hendricks, Ms. Courtney Cason and Ms. Shevette Howard were simply outstanding as some of our candidates. ......Soror Evelyn Sears Peevy was instrumental in getting our Youth invited to a televised forum on issues and problems facing today’s youth sponsored by the Urban League Guild of Hampton Roads and Cox Cable TV. Following the telecast, a panel was available and the Youth were given the opportunity to address issues and problems confronting them such as: teen pregnancy, teen unemployment, the Black Family, education, and the plight of the Black Male. Adults were challenged to give our Youth the support and encouragement they so desperately need, and deserve. By working cooperatively, we can bring about the changes necessary to make our Youth the kinds of citizens of which we can be proud. ......The Youth were invited to a Public Forum held at the First Baptist Church at which time a discussion was held on “Developing Strategies and Solutions for African American Youth and their Families.” This session was hosted by WVEC-TV, Channel 13 and was sponsored by the Tidewater Youth & Advisors’ Fellowship |
Many of our sorors are active in the overall programs in their own and many other communities. Their involvement covers a broad spectrum-- from home issues to political involvement. Their journeys have taken them from local to state to national levels in pursuit of what is good and right for everyone. These are some areas of involvement: voter registration, working on and with the Electoral Board, church and community soup kitchens and clothes closets, care giving, planning and carrying out career exploration clinics. |