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Round-Up for April 28
Alphas and AKAs Get Down to Business in Pittsburgh
For the next four days, the camaraderie and time-honored traditions usually shrouded in secrecy on leafy college campuses will be out in the open.A legion of 500 men will march upon the Hilton Pittsburgh, Downtown, proudly showing the black and gold colors of Alpha Phi Alpha, a black fraternity founded 99 years ago.
At the other end of Downtown, at the Westin Convention Center hotel, their sister group, the Alpha Kappa Alphas, will gather 1,300 strong.
Each group is having a four-day regional convention. It's unusual that they happen in the same town at the same time and the coincidence means an explosion of social, volunteer and career development activities for the black professionals and college students who make up the groups' membership.
By the time the dinners, workshops and boat rides are over, the groups' members are expected to drop more than $1 million into the city's coffers, according to the Greater Pittsburgh Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Ice Train Attracts 1,000 plus (Arizona Alphas)
The sounds of stomping, clapping and canes against the stage floor filled Centennial Hall Saturday afternoon.More than 1,000 people attended the Sixth Annual Ice Train Classic Step Show hosted by the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
The event has grown every year since its inception in 1999. In the beginning, the show could barely fill the Social Sciences auditorium with the capacity of 500 people. Now the fraternity is celebrating its second year hosting the show in Centennial Hall.
The step show showcased the talents of six teams from all over the West Coast.
The Black Student Association and the National Panhellenic Council hosted a step competition as a finale to Stompweek 2005. Acts from Oklahoma, Louisiana, Missouri and Texas competed and young local step teams performed as exhibition acts.
Fraternity member arrested on battery charges (SIUE Ques)
Published: Tuesday, April 26, 2005
A member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity was arrested Sunday, April 17, on battery charges in an incident after the March Down.A 21-year-old woman came to SIUE from Chicago for Omega Psi Phi's March Down with two other women. One of the women was familiar with Harold Turney, a member of the fraternity.
After the March Down, the alleged victim said there was a "get together" at 12 Devon Court in Edwardsville where alcohol was being served.
While leaving, the alleged victim claimed Michael A. Parks, a member of Omega Psi Phi, lifted her skirt up while walking to her car in the rear parking lot.
"I turned around and said some choice words to him," the alleged victim told the Alestle. "Then he punched me in the face."
The alleged victim said she tried to fight back, but another person had came between her and Parks. Parks then allegedly tried to hit her a second time but missed, she said.
According to the victim, she was then picked up and carried to the parking lot. At that time, she allegedly tried to ask people for Parks' name, but no one would tell her.
"(Turney) wouldn't tell me because it would be disloyal to the fraternity," the alleged victim said. "Finally, a girl there gave me Parks' business card. He apparently gave it to her earlier."
When the alleged victim said she was going to call the police, members of Omega Psi Phi then allegedly gave Parks directions to leave and avoid running into police.
After Parks left, the police came, and the victim filed an official report and gave the police Parks' business card. The police then called Parks' cell phone and asked him to return.
When Parks returned to Devon Court, he allegedly claimed it was the victim who attacked him. Allegedly, no one in the fraternity admitted to witnessing the incident, but the alleged victim claims there were at least 10 people who saw it.
Parks was arrested for battery and taken to the Edwardsville Police Department where he posted the $100 cash bond.
Youth, parents get financial, health tips at annual summit (Jackson, TN Deltas and Ques)
Members of the local chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity did their part Saturday to help local youth maintain their physical and fiscal health.Sixty-two youths between the ages of 10 and 17, along with 18 local adults and parents, gathered at Jackson State Community College to participate in forums and discussions during the ninth annual teen summit. The target age for the summit was 12 and older, but some 10-year-olds attended.
The teens rotated between three sessions: ''Get Your Money Straight,'' ''Healthy Choices: Take Control'' and ''Being an Offensive Player in the Game of Life.''
Sigma Jewels presented at Miss Rhomania/Courante Ball: Shreveport SGRhos
Seven debutantes were presented Saturday at "Sigma Jewels, Timeless Treasures," the Miss Rhomania/Courante Ball.It was given by Beta Omega Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority at Shreveport Convention Hall.
As each debutante stepped onto the royal blue carpet, she made an entrance through a Victorian arch accented with yellow tea roses embellished with soft lights and suspended jewels.
The stage was set with columns draped with royal blue and antique gold tulle, elements that complemented the exquisite floral arrangements.
Each debutante was presented gifts from her sponsor and the sorority.
University of Washington Sigma Probate Warning, this isn't a good article, but they tried.
Drawing more than 300 people to see a rare -- and boisterous -- fraternity initiation ceremony, nine men took their first "steps" into brotherhood with a little sweat, blood and step dancing yesterday.The UW's black fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma, showed off its new members in an elaborate celebration in front of the HUB.
The men, dressed in blue dress shirts with black ties, slacks and shoes, signifying the fraternity's colors, culminated with a probate ceremony after more than a month of memorizing routines, songs and fraternity history.
Posted by Rashid on April 28, 2005 8:23 AM