Omegan 2016 Winter Edition

The Omegan
Tau Pi Holiday with Omega
Voice of the Second District
Bro. Pete Higginbotham, Event Chairman and Committee
Columbia, MD. December 12, 2015. Holiday with Omega (HWO) is
Tau Pi Chapter’s signature event usually held on the second Saturday of
each December. The date this year was December 12, 2015 held at the
BWI Airport Marriott Hotel in Baltimore, MD. Bro. Peter Higginbotham,
Event Chairman and his committee did a yeomen’s job implementing the
Black Tie gala. Proceeds from the event fund the chapter’s programming
and community service initiatives for the upcoming fiscal year.
April 19, 2015, Tau Pi Chapter celebrated its 40th Anniversary. Over the
years, the chapter has generated more than $250,000.00 in scholarships
for high school seniors; funded the mentoring program; supported their
Senior Citizen programs; plus enabled sharing with those in need of a
helping hand. All is possible with the patronage of their guests; vendors;
advertising in the Souvenir Journal; and other heartfelt generous gifts.
Mano Swartz has donated a fur coat to be raffled off to one lucky guest for
over two decades. In addition, a 50/50 raffle is held with half of the proceeds
directly supporting the Mentoring Program. Music was provided by
the extraordinary Panama Band.
Tau Pi Mentoring Initiative an STEM Program
Columbia, MD. December 19, 2015. One of the main focuses of Tau
Pi Mentoring Initiative has been the introduction and participation of its
mentees in the STEM Environment. In support of its focus on STEM,
Tau Pi has provided it mentees with current electronic devices. We purchased
tablets for elementary mentees and laptops for middle and high
school mentees, which are being used by their peers in the County Educational
Environment.
To assist the mentees in becoming competent in the use of their electronic
devises, the Mentoring Committee held a Computer Camp on December
19, 2015. The mentees were given instructions on the use of their devices
by Mr. TaVonne Wilkinson, Microsoft Expert, of Best Buy. His instructions
covered internet searching, use of devices writing applications, saving
data, and printing reports. Mentees were also taught to send emails
with attachments. Mentees will be tasked with development of Black
History Reports and other assignments requiring the use of their devices.
Tau Pi has been mentoring in Howard County since 1994 and presently
has 34 mentees ranging from 3rd to 11th grades.
Standing Bro. Rashaun Bass, sitting Bro. George Franklin and
Bro. Anthony Yates, Adult Mentor Mr. Vernon Curry with STEM mentees
Tau Pi Puzzles Enriching Aspiring Kids (P.E.A.K)
Columbia, MD. December 21, 2015. Over the past 6 years, the Brothers
of Tau Pi Chapter have been making annual donations of puzzles to the
children enrolled in the Howard County Head Start Program.
Bros. David Charon and Mike Currie have taken on the role as Santa’s
Helpers to distribute the puzzles. This year, puzzles were handed out on
December 21 and 22, 2015 at the four Head Start program. The locations
are Dasher Green, Ellicott City, First Presbyterian and Old Cedar Lane.
These puzzles are welcomed by the instructors as help to build effective
motor and critical thinking skills while also providing a little holiday
spirit to the kids. As expected, the kids are so excited to get their puzzles
and the smile on their faces is living proof.
54
Bro. David Charon with PEAK Kids
www.opp2d.org