Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Summer 2024 15 M embers of the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter happily met with SAI Patroness Peggy Cobb to celebrate her 109th birthday on May 23rd. Peggy was initiated as a Patroness in 1966 by Iota Eta Chapter at Indiana State University. When Peggy Vanstrom Cobb was born in 1915, her parents named her Blanche Eloise after her mother's best friend. It was later discovered that there was no county registration listed by that name, only "No Name Female." Peggy dropped this parental-given name and went by her preferred name of Peggy, which her father called her. Growing up in Lynd County, MN, she attended St. Cloud State University where she earned a degree in art and mathematics. She was an art teacher and a supervisor in the Edina, MN schools. After earning a Master's degree in art education from Indiana State University, she taught art in the Indiana State University Laboratory School. In 1943 she married Jacob Cobb of North Carolina. A Navy-enlisted serviceman, his first assignment was in Princeton, New Jersey on the Navy staff at Princeton. Later in Jacob's civilian life, he was a PHD at Peabody College in Nashville, TN. While in Nashville, Peggy taught social studies and mathematics at Ward-Belmont College, a girl's school which later merged with Belmont College and is now part of Vanderbilt University. This program, which was created just for her, lasted one year. Later, she and Jacob moved to Terre Haute, IN where Peggy was involved in Sigma Alpha Iota activities as a Patroness in the Terre Haute Alumnae Chapter. Moving to Atlanta to live near family, Peggy has continuously been a member in the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter and attends meetings when able. Still active in her artistic endeavors, Peggy wrote and illustrated her children's book, Painter Pan, The Rainbow Man, when she was 107. For decades, Peggy has shared this story with the many generations of her family. It had been a lifelong dream to bring the story to children everywhere. The story: "One day a charismatic, elfin character named Painter Pan comes sliding down a rainbow to visit Susan, who is unhappy with the picture she is painting…With his painting tips and warm, comfortable smile, Painter Pan helps Susan with her painting. When he leaves, she waves goodbye, knowing that Painter Pan is found in every rainbow, bringing joy and happiness to children and adults everywhere." (River Lane Press) —Submitted by Arolue Flemmen Prater and Peggy Cobb Education Reconnecting with SAI Alumnae IMEC doesn't just include the structured talks, but it also provides an opportunity to catch up with those you may have lost touch with or have not seen in years — for me, this included some of my fellow Sigma Alpha Iota alumnae. Settling into a career post-graduation can oen feel like a whirlwind: spending time with your loved ones, working on personal goals, and attempting to get into a routine. Despite life moving fast, conferences help me to reconnect with SAI alumnae as we share our successes in our respective classrooms. At IMEC, I had the chance to catch up with many SAI alumnae I had not seen in person for years. I le many of the conversations I had with my fellow SAI sisters and colleagues with a smile on my face, truly thankful there's an opportunity for such a way to catch up. Planning for the Future Music conferences — like the Illinois Music Education Conference — are truly unique experiences that all music educators should attend during their careers. ey provide opportunities to not only grow as an educator, but to kindle new connections and collaborations. Impactful clinics, dynamic performances, fulfilling networking opportunities, and a bustling exhibition hall are all opportunities that await attendees, whether at IMEC or at another state's music education conference. As someone who attended my state's conference aer some time away during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, I believe I've gained a great deal personally and professionally for the years to come. Not only do I feel more enriched as a professional, but I'm confident I've learned skills I can share with my students. I recommend that every musician consider attending their state music education conferences throughout their careers. Without the Sigma Alpha Iota Professional Development Education Grant, none of this would be possible. I am forever grateful to the national board members and all involved who helped in the selection process for my attendance. Lydia Oseguera is the 4th and 5th grade Band Director in Edwardsville CUSD #7. She attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for her undergraduate degree in Music Education, where she was Vice President of Membership, Professional Development Chair, and an active member of the Sigma Delta chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota. Member Highlight: Peggy Cobb at 109 Patroness Peggy Cobb (seated in blue) with Atlanta Alumnae Patroness Peggy Cobb (seated in blue) with Atlanta Alumnae members (from left) Emily Boorstein, Martha Head, Arolue members (from left) Emily Boorstein, Martha Head, Arolue Flemmen Prater, and Sharon Doty. Flemmen Prater, and Sharon Doty.

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