Convention 2009 - Kappa Delta

CoVER Story
Reality TV Star Urges Sisters
To Make Good Choices in Life
National President Bonnie Warren, left, pays tribute to
Melanie Schild’s 20th anniversary as KD’s executive
director and joins her in laughter as convention
attendees see a sometimes-hilarious video of her
career. Speaking seriously, Bonnie said, “Melanie is an
innovator, a fountain of ideas, and she knows what it
takes to get things done right. She also is a motivator
and advocate for women’s issues and philanthropies.
KD is fortunate to have benefited from her leadership
for the past two decades.”
Archives — KD history came alive in the archives
display of select items from National Headquarters.
Of special note was the Alpha Trunk, which still
contains many of the original documents from the
founders.
Ritual — A committee of former National Council
members and longtime national volunteers oversaw a
revision of The Ritual with particular emphasis on ini-
Viewers of ABC-TV’s “The Bachelor” will recognize
Stephanie Gwaltney Hogan as one of
the five finalists for bachelor Jason Mesnick’s
heart during the program’s 2009 season. What
they likely don’t know is that Stephanie is
an initiate of Alpha Upsilon-Birmingham–
Southern.
She’s also a single mom and a medical marketing
representative who faced tragedy and
found that her faith made it possible to find joy
and happiness.
Stephanie appeared at the KD convention’s session on “Are You a
KD Lady” which opened with a disturbingly graphic video of Facebook
entries showing KDs in compromising, unladylike and shocking
situations. The video was followed by a panel discussion about
Facebook and other social networking sites that can destroy a person’s
reputation.
Showing that she is truly a KD Lady, Stephanie recalled lonely
nights in high school when she stayed home because she refused to
party with some of her peers. “A lot of girls ridiculed me, but now that
they are grown women, several have apologized for being so mean,” she
said.
It was her husband’s death in a plane crash that rocked Stephanie’s
world. Daughter Sophia, 5, was only 10 weeks old and suddenly Stephanie
was thrust into single parenthood. But today is different. “I have
never been happier than I am today,” she said, explaining that her faith
helped her through the crisis. “God was and is the center of my life.”
Stephanie shared what she learned about living life well and staying
true to your values:
1. Make good choices. Believe in something larger than yourself.
Always look for the positive and show others your joy. Cherish human
connections.
2. Believe in yourself. Have a can-do attitude and heed the advice of
your elders.
3. Commit to family and friends.
4. Engage in the world. Don’t be afraid to try new things.
5. Adapt to change; it is often painful, but it will allow you to change
your goals to better yourself.
To conclude her presentation, Stephanie sang the inspirational song
“When You Walk Through a Storm.”
Mother-daughter national leaders are Joanne
Behrends, left, retired veteran national volunteer, and
her daughter, Jodi Behrends Wallace, who serves as an
alumnae chapter operations specialist.
THE ANGELOS OF KAPPA DELTA fall 2009 31