Ruston’s Zeta Rho chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha hosted the service group’s 2024 state convention earlier this month and came way with multiple chapter and individual awards.
Chapters attending were from the areas of Shreveport-Bossier, Alexandria, Houma, Lafayette and New Orleans.
The three-day event featured business and workshop sessions at the Courtyard by Marriott. Installation ceremonies for the state 2024-2025 officers were also held, with Ruston’s Nancy Darland tapped as vice president for the coming year. That title also signifies her as president-elect, set to take office in 2025.
An awards banquet brought other honors. Jennifer Patterson, named as Zeta Rho’s Member of the Year, won second place statewide in that category. Amy Ringheim, Zeta Rho’s Pledge of the Year, also won second in the state competition.
In chapter awards, Zeta Rho placed second overall, with these additional honors: education – second, chaired by Gina Holstead; philanthropic hours and philanthropic monies – second in both, chaired by Darland; and recruitment – third, chaired by Patterson. Among its philanthropic work through the year, Zeta Rho worked in-depth with the Z107.5 St. Jude Radiothon and the Monroe St. Jude Dream Home.
Other honors at the awards ceremony included Holstead’s receiving a Gold Link certificate for outstanding work regarding chapter educational sessions. Norlyn Hyde, Zeta Rho secretary, received a Gold Link award for her minutes of the monthly meetings.
Additional individual citations featured a 40-year membership certificate for Darland and 35-year certificates for Hyde and Sallie Rose Hollis. Honors regarding their philanthropic and service work went to Lester Fife, third degree Pallas Athene, and Holstead, second degree.
The opening social for the convention, held at Beau Vines Steakhouse, featured Ruston resident Valerie Owens speaking about their family’s journey with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital after their son, Breck, was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The tale had a happy ending: Breck is now in remission.
