Ruston’s Zeta Rho chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha has won Best in Show in a national competition designed to demonstrate the collective power that comes when members do good works in their communities in the name of ESA.
The Power of Us campaign was conducted by ESA’s national headquarters during the 2023-2024 year, from August 2023 through May 2024. Zeta Rho recently received word of its win.
The Ruston chapter submitted the most reports of any of the 42 chapters that participated in the contest and was judged “to shine brightest among all submissions.” Zeta Rho submitted reports concerning 19 activities across the areas of education, association and service, which are the main tenants of the organization. The entries were judged by a panel of ESA and non-ESA members.
In the coming months, Zeta Rho will be featured in ESA’s Journey magazine and across the organization’s social media platforms, along with additional awards.
Mackeigan Bickel, marketing and communications manager for the international office, noted in the announcement email that besides the number of entries, judges were impressed by the quality of the accompanying photos and the nod to the 2023-2024 international president’s theme concerning connections.
Samples of Zeta Rho’s entries include:
Service – volunteering with the Monroe St. Jude Dream Home, KXKZ 107.5 St. Jude Radiothon, two St. Jude trike-a-thons, a St. Jude math-a-thon, Project4Hope for veterans, Christian Community Action food drives, two Ruston Special Olympics, and Grace Methodist’s mats for the homeless project.
Education (during chapter meetings) – a talk by a St. Jude mom, a how-to demonstration of making chocolate-covered spoons at Christmastime, a presentation by Ruston’s Master Gardeners, and an informative program on posture by a doctor of physical therapy.
Association – a social at Rolling Hills Bookstore and the group’s annual recruitment event.
Outgoing Zeta Rho president Sallie Rose Hollis and philanthropic chair Nancy Darland submitted the majority of the reports.
“We’re extremely pleased that our chapter had the chance to be recognized like this and that the judges deemed us worthy of such an honor,” Hollis said. “We don’t do what we do to be recognized, but when it happens, it’s always a nice feeling.”
Although membership is open throughout the year, Hollis said, if anyone is interested in joining the group, a special recruitment event will be held in the fall. “So stay tuned,” she said.
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