71st Eastern Region Youth Leadership Conference hosted by Beta Lambda
Beta Lambda group picture – Host Chapter.
Beta Lambda Chapter of Winston-Salem hosted the Eastern Region Xinos/Kudos Youth Leadership Conference March 15-17 at the Downtown Marriot. These are ninth through twelfth grade girls (Xinos) and boys (Kudos). Noreen Little is the Eastern Region Director and Donna Mickens is president of the local chapter.
National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. consists of professional female educators who are committed to stimulating personal growth among teachers, fostering a true spirit of sisterhood, promoting the highest ideals of the teaching professional and encouraging the development and potential of our youth.
There were over 400 attendees from states from Connecticut to North Carolina. Activities included a college fair, an activity station with a photo booth by Memory Lane Photographers, “Getting to know you!”, and table games. The Health Fair included screenings and information on nutrition, mental and emotional health, bullying and other issues.
Over 140 10th and 11th graders participated in a “Campus Crawl” to University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Wake Forest University and Winston-Salem State University. They had guided tours by alumni and professors.
The theme for the conference was: “Discovering K.E.Y.S. – Unlocking Your Dreams.” During the conference, the youth displayed their talent through oratorical presentations, step competition, talent (vocal, instrumental, spoken word, dance), science, art, activity books, and non-competitive.
Each chapter could submit Scholar of the Year applications for the Gladys Merritt Ross Memorial Scholarship Award. The Scholar of the Year for Beta Lambda is Xino Kenya Brabham. The winner for the Xinos was Jasmine Rowland of Xi Chapter of West Chester, Pennsylvnia, and Kudos Gray Hall, Beta Chapter from Washington, D.C., each receiving a trophy and a monetary gift.
Youth also have an opportunity to submit an essay on the theme prior to the conference. The winner for Xinos was Danielle Jenkins, Alpha Chapter of Jersey City, New Jersey, and Kudos was Jordan Leake, Epsilon Alpha Chapter from Somerset, New Jersey.
The finale for the evening was the Parade of Seniors. They were presented by chapters, entering with their banners, walking the red carpet. They stated their name and the college or university attending in the fall. Beta Lambda has seven seniors: Xinos Kenya Brabham, Rashawana Huntley, Da’Maya Jefferies, Kendall O’Neal; Kudos Duronza Artis, Eric Cherry and Shawn Johns.
