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Frat/Soror Round-Up for May 26
Grambling set to give degree to late student
By TIMOTHY P. BUSH
Staff Writer
Though Shanita Sharmaine Shine was unable to finish her last semester of college because of her death, Grambling State University plans to award the former Beauregard Parish resident's degree to her mother this Sunday morning at the university's fall commencement. The ceremony will take place at Eddie G. Robinson Stadium beginning at 8 a.m.
Rosa Cole, Shanita's mother, received a letter from the university saying that the senior would be awarded her degree posthumously.
"I didn't think they were going to give her the degree since she had not been in school since December," Cole said.
The 3.8 GPA student left school on December 2nd after being confused and disoriented. She died on March 21, 2005.
Cole said she wasn't aware of the impact her daughter had on so many people in her short life. Since her death, a tree has been planted in her memory at GSU. She was honored with an award from the GSU chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants. The award will be named in Shine's honor and given to a deserving member within the organization.
Shanita was a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Society, Beta Phi Society, Student Mentor, Big Brother Big Sisters and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.
"It really gives my heart joy that even though she's not here physically, she is leaving a legacy behind," Cole said. "It pleases me to know that she touched so many people's lives. She was so focused and hard working, so it pleases me that her hard work is being recognized.
Delta Sigma Theta recognizes community work
By Jennifer Peltz
Staff Writer
May 22, 2005
WEST PALM BEACH · Delta Sigma Theta is a sisterhood and a distinguished one, counting congresswomen, a presidential cabinet member and noted activists and artists among its members.
But the Deltas aren't chary about giving men credit, too. In fact, the predominantly African-American sorority's West Palm Beach Alumnae Chapter alternates its annual community-leadership awards between men and women every year.
"We don't recognize the men enough, not in our community. So we have made a concerted effort," explains awards chair Allyson Smith. "It's a very proud thing, I think, for a man to say, `The women think that I'm doing something that's contributing to their lives.'"
If Saturday's Men of Excellence Awards gala was any indication, she's right. As honoree Alfred "Zack" Straghn put it, "It does make me feel that I have touched people that I thought I hadn't."
The gathering at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts recognized the men for their work in fields ranging from arts to business, but above all for their commitment to community service. The sorority evaluates not only nominees' achievements, but their zeal.
And it does not consider elected officials, aiming instead to recognize "the everyday person who's doing great things," Smith said.
The Deltas did make a bit of an exception for one very recognizable honoree, actor/producer/director Tim Reid. He said the sorority had impressed him since his days at Virginia's Norfolk State University.
"I know the power, prestige and the dynamics of the organization," said Reid, whose 30-year career includes starring in WKRP in Cincinnati and writing and directing the critically acclaimed film Once Upon A Time ... When We Were Colored.
Reid's fellow honorees may not have screen credits, but they are luminaries in their own respects. Straghn, for instance, is an esteemed Delray Beach community activist. The owner of Straghn and Son Tri-City Funeral Home, he headed his hometown's Human Relations Board and led South Palm Beach County's branch of the NAACP for 10 years, among many other civic endeavors.
Elder Robert J. Hendley Jr. has worked to make Greater Bethel Primitive Baptist Church a resource for those in need, in ways as diverse as starting a school and making buses and buildings available to disaster victims. The pastor's work at the Riviera Beach church dates back decades.
James J. Jefferson of West Palm Beach is a retired educator and seemingly tireless volunteer. He calls bingo at a nursing home, provides advice and referrals on a 211 crisis-line shift, helps staff his neighborhood's citizens patrol and that's just the beginning.
Orville Lawton started and directs the Ebony Chorale of the Palm Beaches, a highly regarded volunteer chorus that centers on preserving black spirituals. Lawton also teaches at the Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. School of the Arts, a public arts magnet school.
Joseph Orr spent more than 40 years as a teacher, principal and high-ranking administrator in Palm Beach County's public schools. He's now working to start a Montessori-method charter school, a public school run by a private group, in Palm Beach Gardens.
The Responsible Fatherhood Initiative of Palm Beach County, led by director Kevin T. Irvin, works with fathers and potential fathers, some as young as 9. Offerings range from afterschool programs to support groups for dads.
For more information about the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, see www.deltasigmatheta.org v or call 202-986-2400.
Jennifer Peltz can be reached at jpeltz@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6636.
Copyright © 2005, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Local students learn valuable lession
By Kerry Batey
The Daily Sentinel
Published May 18, 2005
Students from the Alabama A and M University recently paid a visit to Scottsboro thanks to Coordinator Tiajuana Cotton. Members of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity visited and performed Step Shows for students at the Scottsboro Christian Academy and the local Boys and Girls Club.
The students enjoyed the Step Show, but they also learned some valuable advice. Advisor, Kevin Walker, told students a little about his childhood experience and involvement with the Boys and Girls Club. Walker said that he had tried becoming a part of other groups and organizations. However, he found that the Boys and Girls Club organization really cared about him and helped him succeed in life. According to Walker the Boys and Girls Club aided him throughout high school and even his first year in college by teaching him valuable skills.
NPHC Event To Step Up Black Culture Week
by Jason La - Staff Writer
Friday, May 20, 2005
The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) will host its annual Yard Show tomorrow on the UCen lawn as part of the 2005 Black Culture Week celebration.
The free event will last from 12 to 2 p.m. with a live DJ. The Black Student Union will host a raffle with prizes, and the show will feature performances from the Black Reign and Skyline dance troupes. Third-year law & society and black studies major Karen Everett, NPHC president, said the show is meant to serve dual purposes.
"It's not only a form of entertainment -- it's a time for us to educate the community about different aspects of black culture," she said.
Everett, who is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta sorority, said the Yard Show drew about 200 people last year. She said the NPHC used to host the show in Storke Plaza, but as the number of people attending grew, the organization had to relocate the event to the UCen lawn.
The dance routines at the event are called "stepping," where performers dance, clamp and stomp to create a beat.
"Stepping is a dance form that derives from African culture," Everett said. "It began as a song and dance routine, and it evolved into a more acrobatic or rhythmic performance."
Zakiyah Shepard, Black Reign dance team president, said the group performed at the Yard Show in previous years and drew a large crowd. She said last year's celebration was fun and is one of the last performances for Black Reign this year.
"We're going to do a hip hop dance -- real funk -- lots of flavor like we always do," Shepard said.
Rounding out the 2005 Black Culture Week celebrations, the Delta Sigma Theta sorority will put on the "Red Hot" barbeque from 2 to 4 p.m. in the UCen courtyard today. The Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity will host a bowling event Saturday night at Zodo's. On Sunday, Zeta Phi Beta is having a three-on-three basketball and dunking tournament Girsh Park in Goleta from 12 to 4 p.m. The winning three-person team will receive a $350 cash prize, while the dunking champion will be awarded a $50 prize.
Posted by Rashid on May 26, 2005 7:17 AM