ALPHA ATHLETES - The Sphinx Magazine
ALPHA ATHLETES - The Sphinx Magazine
ALPHA ATHLETES - The Sphinx Magazine
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70<br />
CHAPTER NEWS<br />
Pi Alpha Brothers.<br />
PI <strong>ALPHA</strong><br />
Clemson University<br />
Clemson, SC<br />
Pi Alpha Brothers Make<br />
Community Service <strong>The</strong>ir Priority<br />
Pi Alpha Brothers have performed a number of community service activities<br />
to help improve the area. During its Project Alpha presentation, Pi<br />
Alpha collaborated with Gamma Gamma Lambda Chapter in Greenville,<br />
South Carolina for their program at West Oak Baptist Church in the city.<br />
More than 75 youth, between ages 14 and 17, attended the program, which<br />
helped the participants better understand the dangers that arise from sexual<br />
promiscuity, drugs and gang involvement. <strong>The</strong> program also taught the<br />
importance of proper hygiene and the significance of education. Pi Alpha<br />
Brothers engaged with the youth one-on-one to ensure the experience was<br />
beneficial to each person present. Also, as part of the Chapter’s Go-to-High<br />
School, Go-to-College program, Pi Alpha Brothers participate every week<br />
in an after school program held at Kellet Elementary in Seneca, South<br />
Carolina and a tutoring program at New Holy Light Baptist Church, located<br />
in Pendleton, South Carolina. Both programs provided a positive outlet for<br />
middle school students, a majority of whom are underprivileged and come<br />
from single-parent homes. In addition, they take pride in annually hosting<br />
their A Voteless People is a Hopeless People program. This year, Pi Alpha<br />
held a forum which focused on the candidates in the U.S. Presidential<br />
Election. <strong>The</strong> Chapter sought representatives from each candidate’s party<br />
and provided them with an opportunity to tell the public what their candidate<br />
stood for. Pi Alpha also set up a display board and provided non-registered<br />
students with voter registration forms, enabling more than 50 students<br />
to become registered voters. In conjunction with those three national<br />
programs, Pi Alpha Chapter also participates in March for Babies; the<br />
Adopt-a-Highway program; the annual Clemson University Martin Luther<br />
King, Jr. Commemorative Service; and numerous other service events<br />
throughout the year. In 2007, Pi Alpha made the highest financial contribution<br />
in the District of South Carolina; and the second highest financial<br />
Fall • Winter 2008 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Sphinx</strong>: www.APA1906.net<br />
contribution nationally for March of Babies. This past year, Pi Alpha held a<br />
fundraiser involving a week of events to raise money for March for Babies.<br />
Collectively, the Chapter was able to solicit over $2,000. <strong>The</strong>y have<br />
increased their goal each year. <strong>The</strong>ir participation in the MLK<br />
Commemorative Service activities allows each Chapter Brother to give back<br />
to the community through various activities such as a day of service; a<br />
school sponsored trip; a poster; essay and oratorical contests for local<br />
youth; and a variety of other programs for the campus and community,<br />
ranging from Education Olympics to an annual food drive held at a local<br />
grocery store. Community Service has been a priority for Pi Alpha Chapter<br />
for more than 25 years. With over 200 recorded hours of service to the<br />
community during the past year, each member of Pi Alpha takes pride and<br />
joy in giving back to those less fortunate.<br />
OIL Chapter Beautillion participants.<br />
OMICRON IOTA LAMBDA<br />
Columbia, SC<br />
Beautillion Participants Discuss the<br />
Importance of the African American Vote<br />
Omicron Iota Lambda Brothers held their Annual Beautillion Program this<br />
past summer at Seawell’s Banquet Center. <strong>The</strong> 2008 Beautillion theme was<br />
“Building Stronger Character; Building Stronger Men.” Alpha Phi Alpha<br />
Fraternity General President-elect Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr. was guest<br />
speaker for the program where ten outstanding high school seniors were<br />
presented to society. <strong>The</strong> young men had been involved in the program<br />
since October 2007. <strong>The</strong> Beautillion program was designed to inspire and<br />
stimulate further growth, academic excellence, community service and<br />
leadership development. Additionally, the participants met once or twice a<br />
month for a seminar conducted on various topics and/or community service<br />
events were held. <strong>The</strong> seminars covered topics such as filling out college<br />
applications, teen pregnancy, financial aid and etiquette. Also, each youth<br />
was paired with a member of the Chapter who served mentor. <strong>The</strong> mentors<br />
were chosen based on similar interest and/or careers. An oratorical contest<br />
was held in March where the participants spoke on the topic “<strong>The</strong><br />
Importance of the African American Vote in the 2008 Presidential Election.”<br />
Brother Arthur L. Pinckney served as the Beautillion Chairman and Brother<br />
Wendell Jumper served as Director of Educational Activities. Wayne Gilbert<br />
is the Chapter President.