Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Fall 2025 3 The 2025 Natial Cvention A ttending the SAI National Convention was a milestone I had long anticipated. This was my first Convention after eight years of membership, spanning my collegiate years and immediate transition into an alumnae chapter. I arrived with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Though I'm active with the San Antonio Alumnae Chapter, I had never experienced the national sisterhood until now. I was looking forward to reconnecting with the organization's mission and reigniting my personal passion for music and service. What I didn't expect was how profoundly Convention would reaffirm my sense of belonging and inspire me for the year ahead. From the moment I stepped into the convention space, every sister I passed greeted me with a smile, their identical badges and totes serving as visible symbols of our shared bond. I quickly realized that this event was more than just meetings and workshops; it was a celebration of our collective dedication to music, leadership, and sisterhood. Plus, the SAI Mall was a cute shopping experience to upgrade my old collegiate shirts to new ones. One of the highlights of Convention was experiencing it alongside my Kappa A and Region II sisters. Teresa Gray, San Antonio Alumnae Chapter president, was our delegate. Karen Palafox and I were two members from the chapter who got to support Teresa at Convention, alongside amazing sisters from the Austin and Arlington Alumnae Chapters. We are hoping more sisters from San Antonio will join us at the next Convention! While we see each other regularly at meetings, Convention provided a unique opportunity to connect in a different context. Between speeches, workshops, and concerts, we laughed and shared what we had enjoyed thus far from Convention. We also bonded with the local collegiate sisters from Texas universities. These moments deepened our relationships, reminding me that SAI's sisterhood extends far beyond five gatherings in a year. Whether we were dissecting a general session takeaway or simply enjoying a meal together, we enjoyed everyone's company in this fresh new setting. As a non-music major, Convention's workshops offered a variety of sessions ranging from in-the-classroom to addressing personal growth and sisterhood. The session that stood out the most for me was "Launching Belonging in SAI Chapters" by Dr. Keena Day. As someone who recently faced challenges that made me question my place, this workshop resonated with me and with others on the same boat, as the workshop had a packed room. Hearing SAI's leadership commit to tangible initiatives, like training programs and diversity training, reassured me that our sisterhood is evolving to ensure no one feels like an outsider. Convention's concerts and general session musicales reawakened my love for the art. From breathtaking solo performances to stirring ensemble pieces, each event showcased the incredible talent within SAI. The luncheon performance featuring only SAIs left me in awe. Each performance pulled on all the heartstrings to make Convention much more adored. I enjoyed the push to learning new songs from the new songbook. These are definitely ones that we will be performing at the next Texas Music Educators Association convention in February. When I was a collegiate member, SAI gave me confidence and leadership skills; as an alumna, it's provided a steadfast community. The SAI National Convention solidified that SAI isn't just an organization—it's a living, growing network of talented individuals who uplift one another. With this renewed sense of purpose, Convention has challenged me to reflect on how I contribute to my chapter for the betterment of SAI. Convention was a reminder of why I joined this sisterhood in the first place. The music, the learning, and—above all—the people reaffirmed that SAI is a lifelong sisterhood. Service starts with showing up, both for our organization and for one another. To those considering attending in the future: Do it! There is a place for you here. — Crystal Zamarron, Editor, San Antonio Alumnae Chapter Proud First-Time Attendee Luncheon with Kappa A Collegiate chapters: The University of Texas at San Antonio, Luncheon with Kappa A Collegiate chapters: The University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas A&M University – Kingsville, Texas State University, and the University of Texas at Austin Texas A&M University – Kingsville, Texas State University, and the University of Texas at Austin San Antonio Alumnae chapter with Province Officer, San Antonio Alumnae chapter with Province Officer, Kelsee Wuebben. Left to right: Crystal Zamarron, Kelsee Wuebben. Left to right: Crystal Zamarron, Wuebben, Teresa Gray, and Karen Palafox. Wuebben, Teresa Gray, and Karen Palafox.

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