Lambda Theta Alpha Hosts Its First-Ever Virtual National Convention

Convention Welcome Video

June 30, 2021 – Members of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. gathered virtually on June 25-27 for our 2021 National Convention. While we could not gather in person during these unprecedented times, the National Events Committee was still able to organize amazing new additions to the national convention to ensure networking and bonding opportunities were still at the forefront through our virtual platform. The three-day virtual event included opportunities for members from all over the country to engage in bonding, learn more about our history, attend educational and motivational workshops, and celebrate each other and the sorority’s accomplishments. This year’s theme, “Unity Beyond Distance,” inspired members to reconnect with the sisterhood and focus on our principles of Unity, Love and Respect. This year’s National Convention community service initiative paid homage to the needs of families in Texas. Partnerships for Children & Casa Marianella are organizations that serve displaced children and families. Donated funds directly supported needs purchased from their Amazon wish lists as well as Walmart gift cards. All items were distributed to the families served at both organizations.

On Friday we kicked off our Welcome Reception with a National Awards Ceremony highlighting outstanding chapters and members who have exceeded expectations through scholarship, service, political activism and sisterhood. The recipients of the 2021 National Awards were:

Principles Award
Olivia Andrade
Epsilon Sigma Chapter
University of California, Irvine

Political Activist Member of the Year
Victoria F. Vega
Zeta Epsilon Chapter
Syracuse University 

Lourdes Cortes Scholarship for Academic Excellence
Alejandra Cid
Delta Phi Chapter
University of Southern California

Campus Leader of the Year
Victoria F. Vega
Zeta Epsilon Chapter
Syracuse University

New Member of the Year
Jordyn Valentin
Kappa Chapter
University of Connecticut

Undergraduate of the Year
Taylor Schaefer
Beta Omega Chapter
Wayne State University 

Alumna Entrepreneur Award
Abby Bonilla
Beta Omega Chapter
Wayne State University

New Professional of the Year
Melissa M. Echevarria
Gamma Nu Chapter
Emory University 

Professional of the Year
Dr. Cecilia E. Suarez
Beta Sigma Chapter
University of Miami

Universal Mother Award
Lillianet Lugo-Mercado
Epsilon Chapter
Rutgers University-New Brunswick, New Jersey

Alumna of the Year
Lisa Parladé
Alpha Delta Alumnae Chapter
Silver Spring, MD

Outstanding Service Award
Alpha Xi Alumnae Chapter
Alexandria, VA

Philanthropic Chapter of the Year
Alpha Epsilon Alumnae Chapter
New York City, NY

Political Activist Chapter of the Year
Delta Rho Chapter
University of California, Los Angeles 

New Chapter of the Year
Eta Zeta Chapter
Stephen F. Austin State University

Undergraduate Chapter of the Year – Luna
Delta Kappa Chapter
St. John’s University

Undergraduate Chapter of the Year – Concha
Delta Beta Chapter
Georgia State University

Undergraduate Chapter of the Year – Palma
Delta Rho Chapter
University of California, Los Angeles 

Alumnae Chapter of the Year
Alpha Rho Alumnae Chapter
Raleigh, NC

Area Officer of the Year
Maileah McMullen
Zeta Phi Chapter
Denison University
MIA1 ARRC

Area of the Year
Texas Area Two 

Regional Officer of the Year
Priscilla Guevara
Zeta Alpha Chapter
Virginia Commonwealth University
East Central RS

Regional of the Year
Northeast Region

Fraternity and Sorority Life Advisor of the Year
Mary Osbourne
DePaul University
Epsilon Delta Chapter

The Lambda Theta Alpha Foundation continues to play an integral part during the National Convention. Aligned with its goal to provide educational programming, the LTA Foundation President, Dr. Denise Vidot, attended as a speaker and presented a session on Recalibrating after the COVID-19 Pandemic. Additionally, the Foundation held their virtually 1.975 Run on Saturday. During the Philanthropy Presentation, the Foundation awarded six Lambda Theta Alpha members with scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each. It was also announced that the sorority had superseded its commitment goal of $25,000 by raising $33,830 for the LTA Foundation. 

Evelyn Homs Medero, Sr. Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Multicultural Marketing and Business Development provided remarks on our  St Jude Children’s Research Hospital partnership, then introduced patient Daniela Corado, who shared her personal story of hope and how others like her are grateful for donors like Lambda Theta Alpha. The sorority announced that the total amount raised of $43,248 during the 2020-2021 sorority year, brings the total funds raised to more than $556K since the partnership of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital began back in 2010.  

To conclude the weekend, the Board of Directors held its State of the Sisterhood which is a report on the highlights and achievements of the sorority. During this presentation, the Board praised the membership for its resiliency throughout a challenging year, thanked outgoing sorority leaders for their hard work and dedication and welcomed the incoming 2021-2022 leadership at all levels, including the incoming officers to the Board of Directors:

Vice President of Internal Affairs
Cristina T. Naranjo, Beta Theta Chapter
University of Central Florida

Vice President of Finance
Minna Carreon, Beta Delta Chapter
California State University of Long Beach

Director of Risk Management
Serena Valle, Epsilon Kappa Chapter
University of Arizona 

Director of Alumnae Affairs
Naja L. Muhammad, Alpha Epsilon Alumnae Chapter
New York City, NY

Director of Recruitment and Retention
Cecilia Nieves, Gamma Mu Chapter
University of Wisconsin – Madison

The Board of Directors would like to thank all who helped make this event a success, including the National Events Committee, speakers, sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and staff. We look forward to our 2022 National Convention in Austin, Texas to commemorate 47 years of sisterhood!

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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.