Lambda Theta Alpha Concludes 2016 National Leadership Summit and Annual Convention

July 13, 2016

Lambda Theta Alpha Concludes 2016 National Leadership Summit
and Annual Convention

Boston – Over 500 sisters of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. convened at the DoubleTree by Hilton North Shore Hotel July 7-10 for its first-ever Leadership Summit followed by its annual National Convention. The four days included educational and motivational seminars, civic engagement and celebrations that highlighted the sorority’s accomplishments.

The two-day Leadership Summit began Thursday and provided an opportunity for the sorority’s leadership team to meet before National Convention. Regional and area officers received training and collectively discussed strategies for the upcoming year.

The annual National Convention officially kicked off on Friday afternoon with a mobilization activity organized by the Political Education Initiative Committee. Sisters learned ways to engage with local, state and federal elected officials and then had an opportunity to write a letter to their representative on a topic of their choice. The evening continued with an opening ceremony and a salute and stroll competition.

The following day, members arose early for a keynote address from motivational speaker Eliana Reyes and attended workshops on a variety of topics, such as leadership, voter rights, philanthropy, and diversity, equity and inclusion.

Evelyn Homs, Executive Director of Multicultural Marketing at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, joined members for the annual awards luncheon where she highlighted the sorority’s commitment to its national philanthropy and to ending childhood cancer. The sorority announced its 2015-16 fundraising efforts culminated in $72,336 in contributions to the hospital, bringing total donations to over $280,000 since the partnership began in 2010.

The awards ceremony proceeded to recognize overachieving chapters and sisters who have exceeded all expectations through scholarship, service, political activism and sisterhood. The recipients of the 2016 National Awards were:

Philanthropic Sister of the Year
LéAndrea Vernon
Alpha Kappa Alumnae Chapter

Undergraduate Sister of the Year
Megan Aidoo
Delta Pi Chapter

New Sister of the Year
Dyani Melissa Rivera
Beta Lambda Chapter

Alumna Sister of the Year
Shaneese M. Hernandez
Beta Gamma Chapter

Campus Leader of the Year
Sarah Judith Fernandez
Gamma Epsilon Chapter

New Professional of the Year
Roxette Vasquez
Gamma Lambda Chapter

Professional of the Year
Merliz Tejeda
Beta Lambda Chapter

Lourdes Cortes Scholarship for Academic Excellence
Evelyn Rivas
Zeta Eta Chapter

Universal Mother Award
Sandra Cagua-Valdez
Alpha Chapter

Principles Award
Karina Soto
Beta Lambda Chapter

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

Political Activist Chapter of the Year
Epsilon Omicron Chapter
State University of New York at Binghamton

Undergraduate Chapter of the Year
Delta Psi Chapter
Towson University

New Chapter of the Year
Zeta Eta Chapter
Idaho State University

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

Area of the Year
Arizona/New Mexico Area One

Outstanding Service to St. Jude Award
Beta Nu Chapter
University of Texas at Arlington

To conclude, the Board of Directors praised the 2015-2016 Leadership Team for their hard work through the year and welcomed the incoming 2016-2017 leadership at all levels. The incoming national officers to the Board of Directors include:

National President
Laurie Ochoa, Washington alumna

Vice President of External Affairs
Liz Lizama, Maryland alumna

Vice President of Administration
Nathalie Canadas, Maryland alumna

Director of Undergraduate Affairs
Jasmine Mageno, California alumna

Director of Orientation
Jennifer Rincones, Michigan alumna

The Board of Directors thank all who helped make this event a success, including the Convention Committee, photographer, speakers, sponsors, volunteers and the DoubleTree by Hilton North Shore Hotel. We look forward to our 2017 National Convention, which will be held in Anaheim, CA!

2016 LTA Convention Highlight Video
Video courtesy of Norma Perez of HauteShotz Photography

 

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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.