Lambda Theta Alpha Concludes National Convention in New Orleans, LA

July 18, 2013

Lambda Theta Alpha Concludes National Convention in New Orleans, LA 

July 18, 2013 (New Orleans, LA) – The 38th Annual National Convention for Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. (LTA) concluded on July 14 after three days of educational and motivational seminars and activities that highlighted the sorority’s accomplishments for the past year. This year was a historic event and first of its kind as a partnership with Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. was set to co-host our respective national conventions together.

 

This year’s theme, “Honoring The Legacy: Viviendo La Visión,” celebrated continued excellence as well as reinforcing the principles, purpose, and vision for the organization. The National Convention offered programming focused on leadership development, philanthropic initiatives and academic excellence to 512 undergraduate and alumnae members including six Founding Mothers who were in attendance.

 

The National Convention started with a Kick Off celebration at the New Orleans’ House of Blues where more than 700 members of Lambda Theta Alpha and Lambda Theta Phi cheered on chapters presenting salute and LTA stroll performances. The following day, both organizations worked together in a community service effort to assemble 250 Hero Box care packages that were sent to military men and woman overseas. In addition, both organizations witnessed the keynote presentation given by David Stollman, co-founder of CampusSpeak, where he touched on renewing motivation for Greek life and personal responsibility to our organization and communities with his presentation titledBuy In or GET OUT!

 

During the weekend, Lambda Theta Alpha was able to celebrate and reinforce our commitment to philanthropy and social activism during the Philanthropic Luncheon featuring St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Voto Latino. Brett Collins from St. Jude presented the latest accomplishments of the hospital and fundraising efforts of LTA. In addition, LTA presented a $30,691.02 check to St. Jude, once again, exceeding the $20,000 annual goal. This donation reflects the year-long national campaign in the effort to battle childhood cancer and the lasting partnership between St. Jude and LTA. This past fall, LTA won Voto Latino’s Rep Ur Letters campaign by registering the most voters for the national elections among many other greek organizations. As a result of the hard work from LTA, Voto Latino sponsored a celebrity guest speaker at the National Convention. Wilmer Valderrama arrived to meet with the Board of Directors and Founding Mothers of LTA and went on to present to the membership on his commitment to energize the Latino community to learn and take action in politics. He encouraged LTA to stay involved, achieve our goals, and to be aware of our responsibility to our communities and country.

 

In addition to our philanthropic work, the National Convention took the time to recognized our over achieving chapters and sisters. This year the National Awards event was held in conjunction with Lambda Theta Phi at an evening gala on Saturday, July 13th as an opportunity to present awards of the highest caliber within our organization to members who have exceeded all expectations through scholarship, service, and sisterhood. The recipients of the 2013 National Awards were:

Philanthropic Sister of the Year
Aleyda Cantu Muños
Beta Eta Chapter

Undergraduate Sister of the Year
Alexandra McGuire
Gamma Xi Chapter

New Sister of the Year

 Stephanie Marte
Gamma Iota Chapter

Alumna Sister of the Year
Patty Garcia

Beta Phi Chapter Alumna

Campus Leader of the Year
Daniela Natal
Delta Beta Chapter

New Professional of the Year
Adrianna Samaniego
Delta Alpha Chapter Alumna

Professional of the Year
Merlix Reynolds

Chi Chapter Alumna

Lourdes Cortes Scholarship for Academic Excellence 

Cristina Padierna
Phi Chapter

 Universal Mother Award

Marisol Cruz

Alpha Delta Alumnae Chapter

 Alumna Entrepreneur Award
Elvia Gonzalez
Alpha Gamma Alumnae Chapter

Principles Award
Janay Stargell

Delta Alpha Chapter Alumna

Philanthropic Chapter of the Year
Epsilon Gamma Chapter
University of Illinois at Chicago

Undergraduate Chapter of the Year
Kappa Chapter
University of Connecticut

 

New Chapter of the Year
Epsilon Psi Chapter

State University of New York, Albany

Alumnae Chapter of the Year
Alpha Epsilon Alumnae Chapter

New York

Area of the Year
Maryland Area 1

Service to St. Jude Award
Alpha Beta Alumnae Chapter
Connecticut

In addition, the Board of Directors praised the 2012-2013 Leadership Team for all of their hard work through the year and welcomed the incoming 2013-2014 Leadership Team along with officers at all levels such as chapter, area, and national officers. The incoming officers to the Board of Directors include:

 

Vice-President of Administration

Korina Gonzales, California Alumna

Vice-President of Finance

Eldris Despaigne, Florida Alumna

Director of Risk Management

Lena Orosco, California Alumna

Director of Recruitment and Retention

Marisol Cruz, Maryland Alumna

To conclude, the National Convention also hosted the Omega Ceremony to honor our sisters who have passed away and induct those that left us this year into Omega chapter. These sisters were Luanda Cavaco, Beta Alpha chapter; Paty Vasquez, Beta Phi chapter; Mercedes Fabor, Mu chapter; and Stephanie Irene Murrel, Gamma chapter.

 

The Board of Directors would like to thank all who helped make this event a success. The sisterhood looks forward to the 39th National Convention hosted in Las Vegas, NV in  July of 2014.

 

 

Convention 2013
Kick Off event with Lambda Theta Phi
Convention 2013
LTA’s Founding Mothers, Line 1, andNational Advisors

 

Convention 2013
Board of Directors with boxes for

Hero Box community service

Convention 2013
LTA members at

Philanthropic Luncheon

Convention 2013
David Stollman talks to members of Lambda Theta Alpha and Lambda Theta Phi

 

Convention 2013
Amount that was fundraised for St. Jude in 2012-2013

 

Convention 2013
Wilmer Valderrama

speaking to LTA

 

Convention 2013
Four sisters inducted into

Omega chapter

 

 

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About Lambda Theta Alpha

Lambda Theta Alpha was founded at Kean University in 1975 as the first Latina sorority in the nation. Lambda Theta Alpha strives to develop strong leaders that produce and engage in political, social, and cultural activities. Based on the principles of Unity, Love, and Respect, the Sorority was established for the unification of women through charitable and educational programs. Although Lambda Theta Alpha is Latin by tradition, the Sorority is inclusive to all women regardless of race, color, creed, sexual identity, gender expression, or religious beliefs. Lambda Theta Alpha is a proud member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations.