The Beta Epsilon chapter of Sigma Kappa Sorority from Louisiana Tech University attended Collegiate Officer Training School (COTS) on June 23-26, 2011 in Indianapolis, IN. Those in attendance were chapter President, Mollie Catherine Smith; Vice President of Membership, Mary Margaret Gregory; and Advisor, Leslie Echols. Other Beta Epsilon alumni at the event included Carol-Beth Land Ivory and Amanda Leone Knowles.
Over the period of four days, the chapter members attended leadership training seminars with hundreds of Sigma Kappa members, alumni, and national officers from across the nation. Some of the topics included recruitment, leadership, managing social media, and service. Sigma Kappa Sorority supports five main philanthropies: the Sigma Kappa Foundation, Inherit the Earth Campaign, Gerontology, the Maine Seacoast Mission, and Alzheimer’s Research. While at the convention, the sorority raised over $60,000 for the philanthropies. This total does not include the contributions made throughout the year by individual chapters. As a whole, Sigma Kappa raises over $200,000 for its philanthropies each year. Beta Epsilon was named to the Silver Circle of Giving for its contribution of $2400 last year.
Outstanding performance in the classroom is a goal of all Greek women. While at COTS, Beta Epsilon was recognized with the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award for performance over the past year. This is a distinct honor in which only a handful of chapters are recognized. Along with excellence in the classroom, chapter members are encouraged to become involved on the Louisiana Tech campus. In recognition of campus involvement, Beta Epsilon was named the honorable mention recipient of the Edna Brown Dreyfus Award, which is given to one chapter winner and one honorable mention chapter. This award recognizes the chapter with the largest participation in campus activities and community service outside Sigma Kappa Sorority. To honor the entire year’s activities, Beta Epsilon was given the esteemed Two Stars of Excellence Award for the year. This is a great honor for the chapter and encourages the members to continue striving for excellence.
Also during the week of June 20-25, three Sigma Kappa Beta Epsilon members competed in the Miss Louisiana Pageant at the Monroe Civic Center. Meagan Lee, Lauren Vizza, and Mallory Cox each spent the week with girls from all across the sate of Louisiana. Every girl competed in talent, evening gown, swim suit , and question portions of the pageant. Lauren Vizza and Mallory Cox both made the top five coming in fourth and third runner up. Along with third runner up Mallory also received the Miss Congeniality award. This award was voted on by all of the contestants who participated in the Miss Louisiana pageant for the girl who they felt was the most friendly, helpful, genuine and outgoing contestant. We are so proud of our girls continuously representing Sigma Kappa throughout the community.
As Sigma Kappa reaches the start of a new school year, the executive council and chapter members look forward to an exciting recruitment. Formal recruitment will take place September 8-11, 2011. For more information and to register for formal recruitment, visit http://www.latech.edu/students/panhellenic/.
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