They Stood Alone - Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

as well as actively participating in the annual YouthSymposium.Contact: Andrea Joubert, EpistoleusUpsilon SigmaNashville, Tennessee26th Annual Scholarship LuncheonThe ladies Upsilon Sigma Alumnae Chapter hostedtheir 26th Annual Scholarship Award Luncheon. Thisevent was held at the beautiful Millennium MaxwellHouse Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.The theme for this occasion was Power of Vision:Innovation Collaboration, Implementation. Thirtydeserving high school students in the Nashville areawere honored and recognized for their exceptionalacademic accomplishments and for their ambitions toseek higher education. Scholarships and book grantswere awarded in the names of esteemed membersof Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, inc. who have greatlycontributed to both the sorority and the community.The recipient of the Pearl Allen Bryant Scholarshipwas Amanda R. Walker. The recipient of the HattieJohnson Bond Book Grant was Shannon E. Portis.Book grants were also awarded to JaWueya A. Yanceyand Demlesi Sirah Mdam.Many educators and counselors, school and Boardof Education officials, civic and social leaders, as wellas parents and family members were in attendance toacknowledge the diligence and accomplishments ofthe honorees. The keynote speaker, Reverend HowardJones, Jr. gave an empowering message and challengeto the students and those in attendance.This event was truly a celebration of the spirit ofexcellence and high scholastic achievement. Withthe education of youth and leadership developmentas only a few of the hallmarks of the organization, thechapter will continue to acknowledge the youth inthe Nashville area as they eagerly anticipate the 27thScholarship Award Luncheon.Contact: Soror Natasha Wilkins. ProgramCommittee MemberZeta Delta SigmaArlington, TexasOver 50 youth from the community showedup to view the winners of the 4th Annual PoetryContest sponsored by the chapter. The winners wereannounced at the end of the annual Youth Symposiumsponsored during Sigma Week and co-hosted withthe Dr. Martin Luther King Recreation Center. Theprogram featured Dianne “Ms. Community” Gibson,Councilman Leo Chaney, Jr., Young Life Ministries,Michael Washington and Ron Price, DISD Board. Theevent also featured a performance from “The Vision”step team from Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center. The1st place winner, Jesika Jones from Townview Center,dramatically read her poem which corresponded tothe theme: Who am I … Its an Identity Crisis! She won$100, along with a certificate and gift. The ladies ofSigma Gamma Rho showed their support by wearingblue t-shirts displaying the sorority’s motto “GreaterService, Greater Progress”. Sigmas, Rhoers, youth,parents and friends made this program a success.The chapter also held their 2nd Annual MissBlue and Gold Scholarship Pageant at the DeSotoCivic Center. This elegant event provided a $1000scholarship opportunity to high school seniors andcollege students. The ladies that participated in thepageant were judged on poise, talent, congeniality,formal wear and academics. The crowd was filled withfamily, friends and community and all those who werein attendance were wowed with the variety of talentand the overall styling and production of the show.Ashley Culberson of West Mesquite High School wascrowned Miss Blue and Gold and she will receive a$1000 scholarship to help finance her educationalendeavors at the University of North Texas. The ZetaDelta Sigma chapter is looking forward to next year’sprogram. Sigma Gamma Rho is dedicated to providingservice to the community and ladies of the Zeta DeltaSigma chapter are shining examples of our sorority’smotto, “Greater Service, Greater Progress.”Contact: Jasmine Stewart, EpistoleusWinter/Spring 2008 • The Aurora 69