Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.
Michigan Area 1
|
|
Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.Michigan Area 1
|
|
January 23, 2000 marked the birth of Lambda Theta Alpha (LTA) in the Midwest. In the Spring of 2000, 17 ladies added to the rich history of LTA. These ladies were the Founding Sisters of Beta Omicron (University of Michigan) and Beta Pi (Eastern Michigan University) chapters. They embarked on a path to the unknown with only their intuition and loyalty at hand, leading them to set a solid foundation for the future growth of their chapters and the area. In the beginning, the sisters of Beta Omicron and Beta Pi faced many challenges. Not only were they the only chapters in the State of Michigan but also in the entire Midwestern United States. The closest chapters were a minimum of 10 hours away, leaving them to depend only on one another for support. At that time, they were under the supervision of the National Board of Directors (NBDs). Due to national reconstruction of the sorority, the NBDs were unable to provide training to the newly founded chapters on how to properly run an undergraduate chapter of LTA according to our constitution. After much deliberation, the NBDs realized the vital need to support and train the MI chapters. It was in January of 2001 that Beta Omicron and Beta Pi joined Connecticut Area One (CTA1). Though there was some hesitation to break away from their traditional monthly meetings, the sisters of Beta Omicron and Beta Pi were elated to have an area to call upon for help. Spring 2001 saw the growth of Lambda Theta Alpha in the Midwest with three newly established chapters in IL and one newly established chapter in MI. These new chapters were: Beta Phi – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (IL) Beta Psi – Northwestern University (IL) Beta Omega – Wayne State University (MI) In late Spring 2001, expansion continued and Lambda Theta Alpha established its first chapters in Tennessee with Gamma Beta (Vanderbilt University) and Gamma Gamma (University of Tennessee at Knoxville) chapters. Like the first two chapters in MI, the TN chapters were separated by great distance to many other chapters. A question arose of what area our new TN chapters would fall under. The NBDs needed to research before deciding the fate of Gamma Beta and Gamma Gamma. After much planning and preparation, the announcement of LTA’s newest area, Michigan Area One (MIA1), was announced at our National Convention 2001. Realizing the importance of establishing a board with experienced sisters to guide and mentor the new chapters, Raquel Casarez (BO FS3) was an excellent choice for MIA1’s first Area Supervisor (AS). The question of what area the TN chapters would fall under was still a question at hand. The NBDs asked Raquel if the MIA1 Executive Board would be willing to take on the task of supervising an additional two chapters under MIA1 bringing the total from six chapters to an astounding eight, by far the largest area in LTA history. Raquel took on the daunting task of leading MIA1 in its inaugural year and excelled in every possible way. The rest of the first MIA1 Executive Board included Nicolette Padilla-Cheff (AAS, BP FS1), Aligna Lopez (AFS, BP FS6), and Summer Rose Del Prete (AOS, BO FS2). Towards the end of the Spring 2001 semester, Nicolette and Aligna resigned. Soon after, Jaclyn Masson (BF FS3), one of IL’s newest alumni sisters, took on the role of Area Administrative Supervisor (AAS) in November 2001. Mayra Garcia (BP FS2) filled the position of Area Financial Supervisor (AFS) in February 2002. The inaugural MIA1 Area Executive Board had a fantastic 2001-2002 year. They were very successful in establishing a new area as well as mentoring and guiding their eight chapters, six of which were newly established chapters. All of MIA1’s hard work was evident at the National Convention 2002 where MIA1 received much praise for its many accomplishments throughout the year as well as for completing the most number of activities than any other area in the nation. In the summer of 2002, the NBDs announced that Gamma Beta and Gamma Gamma chapters would move to Maryland Area One (MDA1). This move would better suit them geographically. MIA1 was saddened at the loss of the TN chapters to our area but know MDA1 will enjoy working with them as much as we did. In only its second year of existence, MIA1 is continuing to build on the solid foundation established by our first Area Executive Board. The MIA1 Area Executive Board 2002-2003 is composed of Jaclyn Masson (AS, BF FS3), Shanna Fitzpatrick (AAS, BK FS4), Andrea Pérez (AFS, BO FS4), and Marianela Enriquez (AOS, BP FS3). MIA1 looks forward to many more years of Lambda Theta Alpha excellence. |
|
This page was last updated on January 20, 2003. |