June 30, 2021 – Members of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. gathered virtually on June 25-27 for our 2021 National Convention. While we could not gather in person during these unprecedented times, the National Events Committee was still able to organize amazing new additions to the national convention to ensure networking and bonding opportunities were still at the forefront through our virtual platform. The three-day virtual event included opportunities for members from all over the country to engage in bonding, learn more about our history, attend educational and motivational workshops, and celebrate each other and the sorority’s accomplishments. This year’s theme, “Unity Beyond Distance,” inspired members to reconnect with the sisterhood and focus on our principles of Unity, Love and Respect. This year’s National Convention community service initiative paid homage to the needs of families in Texas. Partnerships for Children & Casa Marianella are organizations that serve displaced children and families. Donated funds directly supported needs purchased from their Amazon wish lists as well as Walmart gift cards. All items were distributed to the families served at both organizations.
On Friday we kicked off our Welcome Reception with a National Awards Ceremony highlighting outstanding chapters and members who have exceeded expectations through scholarship, service, political activism and sisterhood. The recipients of the 2021 National Awards were:
| Principles Award Olivia Andrade Epsilon Sigma Chapter University of California, Irvine |
Outstanding Service Award Alpha Xi Alumnae Chapter Alexandria, VA |
| Political Activist Member of the Year Victoria F. Vega Zeta Epsilon Chapter Syracuse University |
Philanthropic Chapter of the Year Alpha Epsilon Alumnae Chapter New York City, NY |
| Lourdes Cortes Scholarship for Academic Excellence Alejandra Cid Delta Phi Chapter University of Southern California |
Political Activist Chapter of the Year Delta Rho Chapter University of California, Los Angeles |
| Campus Leader of the Year Victoria F. Vega Zeta Epsilon Chapter Syracuse University |
New Chapter of the Year Eta Zeta Chapter Stephen F. Austin State University |
| Campus Leader of the Year Victoria F. Vega Zeta Epsilon Chapter Syracuse University |
Undergraduate Chapter of the Year – Luna Delta Kappa Chapter St. John’s University |
| New Member of the Year Jordyn Valentin Kappa Chapter University of Connecticut |
Undergraduate Chapter of the Year – Concha Delta Beta Chapter Georgia State University |
| Undergraduate of the Year Taylor Schaefer Beta Omega Chapter Wayne State University |
Undergraduate Chapter of the Year – Palma Delta Rho Chapter University of California, Los Angeles |
| Alumna Entrepreneur Award Abby Bonilla Beta Omega Chapter Wayne State University |
Alumnae Chapter of the Year Alpha Rho Alumnae Chapter Raleigh, NC |
| New Professional of the Year Melissa M. Echevarria Gamma Nu Chapter Emory University |
Area Officer of the Year Maileah McMullen Zeta Phi Chapter Denison University MIA1 ARRC |
| Professional of the Year Dr. Cecilia E. Suarez Beta Sigma Chapter University of Miami |
Area of the Year Texas Area Two |
| Universal Mother Award Lillianet Lugo-Mercado Epsilon Chapter Rutgers University-New Brunswick, New Jersey |
Regional Officer of the Year Priscilla Guevara Zeta Alpha Chapter Virginia Commonwealth University East Central RS |
| Alumna of the Year Lisa Parladé Alpha Delta Alumnae Chapter Silver Spring, MD |
Regional of the Year Northeast Region |
| Fraternity and Sorority Life Advisor of the Year Mary Osbourne DePaul University Epsilon Delta Chapter |
The Lambda Theta Alpha Foundation continues to play an integral part during the National Convention. Aligned with its goal to provide educational programming, the LTA Foundation President, Dr. Denise Vidot, attended as a speaker and presented a session on Recalibrating after the COVID-19 Pandemic. Additionally, the Foundation held their virtually 1.975 Run on Saturday. During the Philanthropy Presentation, the Foundation awarded six Lambda Theta Alpha members with scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each. It was also announced that the sorority had superseded its commitment goal of $25,000 by raising $33,830 for the LTA Foundation.
Evelyn Homs Medero, Sr. Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Multicultural Marketing and Business Development provided remarks on our St Jude Children’s Research Hospital partnership, then introduced patient Daniela Corado, who shared her personal story of hope and how others like her are grateful for donors like Lambda Theta Alpha. The sorority announced that the total amount raised of $43,248 during the 2020-2021 sorority year, brings the total funds raised to more than $556K since the partnership of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital began back in 2010.
To conclude the weekend, the Board of Directors held its State of the Sisterhood which is a report on the highlights and achievements of the sorority. During this presentation, the Board praised the membership for its resiliency throughout a challenging year, thanked outgoing sorority leaders for their hard work and dedication and welcomed the incoming 2021-2022 leadership at all levels, including the incoming officers to the Board of Directors:
| Vice President of Internal Affairs Cristina T. Naranjo, Beta Theta Chapter University of Central Florida |
Director of Alumnae Affairs Naja L. Muhammad, Alpha Epsilon Alumnae Chapter New York City, NY |
| Vice President of Finance Minna Carreon, Beta Delta Chapter California State University of Long Beach |
Director of Recruitment and Retention Cecilia Nieves, Gamma Mu Chapter University of Wisconsin – Madison |
| Director of Risk Management Serena Valle, Epsilon Kappa Chapter University of Arizona |
The Board of Directors would like to thank all who helped make this event a success, including the National Events Committee, speakers, sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and staff. We look forward to our 2022 National Convention in Austin, Texas to commemorate 47 years of sisterhood!
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About Lambda Theta Alpha
Lambda Theta Alpha was founded at Kean University in 1975 as the first Latina sorority in the nation. Lambda Theta Alpha strives to develop strong leaders that produce and engage in political, social, and cultural activities. Based on the principles of Unity, Love and Respect, the Sorority was established for the unification of women through charitable and educational programs. Although Lambda Theta Alpha is Latin by tradition, the Sorority is inclusive to all women regardless of race, color, creed, sexual identity, gender expression, or religious beliefs.