Sigma Alpha Iota

2014 FRATERNITY AWARDS sAI-NATIONAL.ORg FALL 2014 PAN PIPES 19 d i a m o N d s w o r d A L u M n A E L E A d E R S H I P A w A R d c r i s t i e G i l K e y r e n o a l U M n a e C h a p t e r , d e l t a B p r o v i n C e , r e g i o n i C ristie Gilkey, a member of the Reno Alumnae Chapter, Delta B Province, was selected to receive the Region 1 Diamond Sword Alumnae Leadership Award this year. From the chapter's nomination, "No matter what Cristie is involved with, she is competent, creative, and committed to the task. She focuses on goals and is determined to meet them. She is always the first to volunteer for any project or committee and always has a positive attitude." At the national level, she served on the Music Outreach Grant Committee, the National Yearbook Directory Committee, and the National Convention Election Committee. At the chapter level, she has held the offices of president, corresponding secretary, editor, and vice president, ritual, and has served as chairman for various committees. She was also an advisor for Eta Omicron chapter for five years. A music education major and flute performer, Cristie was initiated by Eta Omicron chapter. She has received the Fraternity's Sword of Honor and Rose of Honor. She created a "Family and Me" music class for the alumnae chapter service project, and the project was a finalist for the National Music Education Award in 2007. She recently received the local "Twenty Under Forty" award from the Reno-Gazette Journal for community service. In her church, she serves as the children's music director and is on the Worship Planning Committee. She is also the president of the Reno Dance Company. An active member of PEO, she runs 5K races in support of breast cancer and diabetes research. Cristie has been an elementary educator for sixteen years and was bestowed the "Firecracker Award" by her colleagues due to her gracious spirit and willingness to assist other teachers. Her chapter's nomination adds, "She is always willing to volunteer and 'goes the extra mile' in each endeavor. She strives with self-determination to accomplish all objectives." Her Province Officer comments that "Cristie has served the Reno Alumnae chapter, and the Fraternity, well over the years. She is always there to help, and always follows through on her commitments." C a t e g o r y 1 ( 1 - 2 0 M e M b e r s ) l a n s i n G / e a s t l a n s i n G ( M i ) a l p h a B , r e g i o n v Our chapter started a brand new project this year, "Paving the Way for Young Musicians," which included both a scholarship competition as well as a music education event. We had several excellent scholarship applicants, and were able to award 1st and 2nd place scholarships of $400 and $200, respectively, as a result of several fundraising efforts. Our event, which was free and open to the public, included an inspiring presentation by a local professor of jazz piano, as well as performances by the scholarship winners and a presentation of awards. All of our active members participated in this event by advertising the scholarship opportunity, judging the competition, organizing the event, and/or attending the event. We were also able to partner with our local collegiate chapter to help with the reception at the event. We plan to make both the scholarship competition and the event an annual project of the chapter. t a M p a ( F l ) l a M B d a d , r e g i o n v i e Tampa Alumnae Chapter participated in the Hillsborough County Schools Multicultural Festival with a hands-on instrument making booth for elementary and middle school students attending the festival. e "Make a Shekere" booth was a great success! We prepared 80 make-a-shekere kits prior to the event, and all 80 were used. e kits included: a 2-liter bottle, pipe cleaners cut to correct sizes needed, beans, macaroni, beads, and instructions. We also had paper plates, extra beans, extra pipe cleaners, and a stapler for the students to make paper plate shakers, which about 40 were made by the students attending. Delta Chi sisters (8 of them) joined us this year, and they were a tremendous help. a N N e l l e C h a N d l e r m C a d a m s a l u m N a e s e r v i C e p r o j e C t a w a r d CHANDLER continued on page 20

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