By Suhey Nevarez

National Headquarters, NJ – On Saturday, March 27, 2004 the National Board of Directors of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. hosted a 29th anniversary celebration with its Annual Awards Dinner at the Fiesta Hall in Woodridge, New Jersey. On this evening, the organization celebrated and honored its growing achievements in 2003 and throughout the past 29 years, and presented various awards and scholarships to individual members and chapters that excelled in community service, academics, educational programming, campus relations, and sister support. Moreover, the awards presentation was concluded with a video show, a live band for entertainment and a host of other special presentations.

Additionally, the F.U.T.U.R.O. (Focused Urban Teens United and Ready for Opportunity) scholarship was presented that evening to the student who in 2003 had best exemplified the goals (Pride, Scholarship, Community) of Lambda Theta Alpha’s mentoring program for at-risk youth. Cynthia Brito, an 8th grade student from Columbus School in Union City, NJ received a $1,000 scholarship on behalf of the national organization. Cynthia participates in F.U.T.U.R.O. via the Beta Rho Chapter (New Jersey City University and St. Peter’s College of NJ) of Lambda Theta Alpha, and was presented with the scholarship by Rosa Diaz, former Lambda Theta Alpha National President and current National Program Coordinator of the F.U.T.U.R.O. program. Cynthia was accompanied by 3 of her school teachers and aunt, and stated “I'm very happy and proud of winning this scholarship to help reach my dream, which is going to college."

Lambda Theta Alpha also received a proclamation from Mayor Brian Stack of Union City NJ, which honors the organization’s commitment towards empowering the community, stating “as they celebrate their good work with their annual banquet, we wish to show our appreciation and gratitude for all they do on behalf of the people and the communities they serve.” The proclamation was presented by Commissioner Christopher Irizarry, of the Department of Parks, Public Property and Recreation. The presentation of the F.U.T.U.R.O. scholarship and Union City proclamation were featured in the Union City Reporter’s April 4th edition.

Among the list of award winners for 2003 were, Eva Sanchez (Principle’s Award), Farrah Irving (Alumna/ Graduate Sister of the Year), Anarosa Peña (New Sister of the Year), Lauren Strina (Undergraduate Sister of the Year), Kimberly Lopez (Academic Sister of the Year), Alpha Alpha Graduate Chapter of NJ (Alumnae/Graduate Chapter), Gamma Mu Chapter at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (New Chapter of the Year), Upsilon Chapter at the University of Maryland-College Park (Undergraduate Chapter of the Year), Florida Area One (Area of the Year) and Suhey Nevarez (President’s Award). Each year, Lambda Theta Alpha grants scholarships to the recipients of the Undergraduate Sister of the Year and the Academic Sister of the Year awards.

Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. is a philanthropic-based Greek letter organization whose mission includes the fostering of academic excellence and promotion of community activism in all arenas, as well as the sponsorship of cultural and educational programs. Lambda Theta Alpha is recognized as the first Latina sorority in the nation, established in 1975.

For more information about Lambda Theta Alpha, please visit www.lambdalady.org.

For more information on Lambda Theta Alpha’s F.U.T.U.R.O. program, visit http://www.lambdalady.org/futuro.htm.

To read the article in the Union City Reporter, please visit http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=11230842&BRD=1291&PAG=461&dept_id=523590&rfi=6.