Friday, June 6, 2003

Sorority awards scholarship, installs officers

The Atlanta Southern Crescent Alumnae Panhellenic Association has announced the winner of its first annual scholarship, Alison Michelle Fincher, who graduated last week as valedictorian of Henry County High School.

In the fall, she will head to George Washington University in Washington, D.C., majoring in political science. She is a three-year member of the Beta Club, a participant in the Georgia Governor's Honors Program, a member of the National Honor Society, and a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. Her extracurricular activities include the Academic Team, serving as music coordinator for the Bethany Baptist Children's Ministry, serving as a team leader for FAITH Evangelism, and as business manager for the Wingspan Newspaper. She also sings backup and plays guitar and keyboard for the Shine Praise Band.

When asked what she expects to get from and give to her college experience, Ms. Fincher replied, "I go to college fully expecting to return the favors this world has granted me by making the most of every opportunity. I plan to immerse myself in as many activities as my stress level will allow and can barely wait to be involved in new service projects ... College seems made for people like me, and I cannot wait."

The Association has also recently installed officers for the 2003-2004 year. Serving as president is Valerie Mallon, Alpha Xi Delta, of Newnan, vice-president is Becky Moeller, Delta Zeta, also of Newnan. From Peachtree City, Cheryl Drury, Zeta Tau Alpha, is treasurer and Carol Jensen-Linton, Sigma Kappa, is secretary.

Currently, the group is collecting information sheets from young women who plan participate in sorority recruitment in the fall. This information will be used to write recommendations for the ladies. A recommendation is similar to a job reference. These recommendations serve as a personal introduction to a sorority written by alumnae members of the individual sororities. This letter of introduction does not guarantee an invitation to events or membership. For more information, visit the Alumnae Panhellenic Web site at www.geocities.com/rbecky267/PanhelAlum.html. Forms must be completed and returned by June 17.

The Panhellenic Association's calendar is full for the upcoming year starting off with the Peachtree City Fourth of July Parade. They will continue with a Feng Shui presentation, a potluck with a speaker from one of their philanthropies, The Women's Success Network, November Noel, the annual Christmas Party, Founder's reception, two recruitment information sessions, and the end of the year banquet at which the new officers will be installed and the 2004 scholarship will be presented.

The Association also participates in two philanthropies. The first is the Women's Success Network based in Fayetteville. Panhellenic collects new and nearly-new career clothing and accessories that WSN provides free of charge to economically-challenged women going back to work. The second is the Senoia Police Department Care Bear Program which provides officers with stuffed animals to give to children when officers are working calls with children involved.

Membership is open to all initiated members of the National Panhellenic Conference's 26 member sororities. For more information, visit the Web site listed above or call 770-304-9026.