Alpha Kappa Alpha
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the nation’s first African American sorority, convened in Washington, D.C., on July 12-18, to celebrate its 100 years of existence. Several members of the local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha joined the more than 25,000 members in attendance to remember its nine founders and celebrate the accomplishments of the sorority.
Highlights of the 63rd biennial international meeting included a fitness walk around the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and a Unity March to Capitol Hill.
At the Capitol, the marchers heard from various members of congress including House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Shelia Jackson Lee (D-Tex.), Eddie Bernice Johnson, (D-Tex.), and Diane E. Watson, (D-Tex.).
Dr. Barbara A. McKinzie, AKA’s International President, presented House Speaker Pelosi with a resolution pressing congress for more action in areas concerning the black community such as education, healthcare, and access to better jobs. More than 10,000 participated in the march.
As a show of unity, the march was open to other fraternities and sororities. Pennsylvania Avenue was shut down for this historic event.
The sorority’s banquet, held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, had over 17, 000 attendees and was reported to be one of the largest known banquets in the history of conventions.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority was founded by nine women at Howard University in 1908 who envisioned a sisterhood devoted to academic excellence and service projects to uplift the black community. Recent nationwide sorority initiatives include a seminar on homeownership, computer training programs, and house reconstruction projects in New Orleans and Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina.
Alpha Kappa Alpha’s scholarship foundation gives out more than 130,000 scholarships annually. The local AKA chapter gives $1,000 scholarships to selected students in area high schools. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. has more than 200,000 members worldwide.
Local members who attended were: Lovetta E. Moore, chapter president, Carolyn P. Holt, Suzette Davis, Cecelia McCorkle, Sarah S. Lightner, Lillian L. Morgan, Stephanie Morgan, Fonda Kirk, Jean Kennedy, Earnestine Krider, Shirley Holt, Mignone Snipes, Jewell W. Holland, Lori Henderson and Marsha Pruitt.
Neely crowned
Jalyn Breonna Neely was crowned the 2008 Centennial Cinderella Ball Queen on June 28 in Livingstone College’s Varick Auditorium.
Neely is the daughter of Cassondra Heilig and Barry Neely. She is granddaughter of Mrs. Willie Smith and Rose Neely. Jalyn attends Cornerstone Church and is a rising seventh grader at West Rowan Middle School. She also won second place in the scrapbook contest.
Jalyn was escorted by her brother, Tory Turner, the son of Barry Neely and the late Shenitta Foxx Turner.
Other participants were: Makayla Davis, first runner-up, daughter of Shawnta and Lashonda Tracey. She is a rising eighth grader at West Rowan Middle School and a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church, USA. Her escort was Shaquille Phillips, son of Nakia Phillips and Lamar Hailey.
Shakela Brown, daughter of Anneissa Hyde. She attends Mt. Zion Missionary Church and will be entering eighth grade at Erwin Middle School. She won third place in the talent competition. Her escort was DeShawn Lyles, son of Trishelle Patterson.Cierra Cross, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Cross. She is an eighth grade student at West Rowan Middle School and was escorted by Daisean Reddick, son of Maurice and Teresa Warren and Lamont Reddick. She won second place in the talent competition. She attends Dorsett Chapel UCC.
Briana Jackson, daughter of Albert and Wendy Jackson. She attends Moore’s Chapel AME Zion Church and is a seventh-grader at Knox Middle School. Briana won first place in the talent competition, first place in the scapbook competition and Miss Congeniality. Her escort was Dionte’ Reddick, son of Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Warren and Lamont Reddick.Teikka McClees, daughter of Lafrita McClees and John Edward Harris. She attended the sixth grade at Knox Middle School. McClees tied for third place in the scrapbook contest. She is a member of Look to Jesus Baptist Church. Teikka was escorted by Denzel Price, the son of Ruth Long.Keyanna Morrow, daughter of Traci Norman and Mr. and Mrs. Todd Morrow. She attends Yadkin Grove Baptist Church and is a seventh grader at Hairston Middle School. Keyanna tied for third place in the scrapbook contest. She was escorted by Bralyn Hoskins.TiAsia Palmer, daughter of Ali Palmer and Kim Palmer. She attends Shady grove Baptist Church. She is a seventh-grade student at North Rowan Middle School. Her escort was Jarvye’ Henderson, the son of Abe Allen and Shontell Henderson.
Kadijah Torrence, daughter of Shenica Hill and Zaki Torrence. She attends New Beginnings Church and is a seventh grade student at Knox Middle School. Her escort was Dionte’ Means, son of Stephanie Means.
The Cinderella Ball participants and escorts participated in leadership workshops provided by the sorority. A Mother-Daughter Tea honoring the Cinderella Ball participants and their mothers was held June 22 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Summer Martin and Olivia Rankin provided entertainment for the event.
The pageant is an annual fund-raiser for the Delta Xi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. The local chapter serves youth by promoting education through numerous activities, including tutoring, mentoring, providing grants and leadership development.
Annual scholarships were given to high school seniors in the Rowan and Davie County areas. Scholarship recipients for this year were Tiffany Anderson (West Rowan), Natonsha Charleston (East Rowan), Akeira Hill (South Rowan), Faith Howell (North Rowan), Chantelle Issac (Salisbury) and Ashanti Wood (North Rowan).
Cassondra Heilig is the Centennial fundraising chairperson.
Lovetta Ealy Moore is the chapter’s Centennial president.
Yawn Patrol
Yawn Patrol Zone Toastmasters met Aug. 5 at United Cabarrus Insurance. Ken Miller was Toastmaster for the evening.
The theme for the evening was “Heat Wave.” Jeff Hoffner was voted Best Table Topics, Ann Carroll was voted Best Speaker and Ken Miller was voted Best Evaluator. Tracy Threatt and Timothy Hoffner were welcomed as a guests to the meeting.
Silver Queen Strollers
The following members of the Silver Queen Strollers of the Red Hat Society of Miller Center enjoyed lunch at the historic Coffee Cup soul food restaurant in Charlotte July 29: Carrie Boler, Jessie Childers, Betty Hutchins, Idella Watkins, Marion Logan, Katherine Smith, Alice Jamison and her granddaughter, Keria Cowan.Pictures were made of the group to be posted on the restaurant wall.
The group thanked van driver Teresea Geters and guest Tamela Daniels for a pleasant trip.
Evelyn Clayborn is queen mother.