The four Great Bend chapters of Beta Sigma Phi celebrated the international sorority’s 80th anniversary with a Founder’s Day event April 26 in the Plaza de Cavanaugh community room at Barton Community College.
Vicki Haselhorst, president of Beta Sigma Phi City Council, led the Founder’s Day celebration, drawing attention to the 2010-11 theme, “New Paths to Friendship.”
Other City Council officers participating in the Founder’s Day program were Janice Walker, vice president; Chari Miller, secretary; and Elsena Bender, treasurer. Lois Johnson of Preceptor Pi led the singing of the National Anthem.
Each of the four Beta Sigma Phi chapters presented awards to outstanding members. Honorees from each chapter were: Patty Fairbanks, Sister of the Year, for Theta Master; Sandy Smith, Woman of the Year, and Leona Prosser, Girl of the Year, for Laureate Kappa; Brenda Black, Woman of the Year, and Linda Jerke, Sister of the Year, for Preceptor Pi; and Nancy Sundahl, Girl of the Year, for Xi Delta Upsilon.
Following the Founder’s Day Celebration, members of the four chapters received tours of Barton Community College’s newly renovated Learning Resource Center. Director of Learning Resources Mary Hester led a tour of the library, drawing attention to its new openness and abundance of natural light. Her tour also included the Cohen Center for Kansas History. Dean of Student Services Angie Maddy conducted a tour of the Student Support Services’ newly renovated facilities located in the north area of the Learning Resource Center
The Great Bend Beta Sigma Phi chapters sponsored many service projects this year. Xi Delta Upsilon assisted several charities including Catholic Social Service, Food Bank, Humane Society and Family Crisis Center. In addition, the chapter had a drawing for Mike’s Meat Market gift certificates with proceeds going to help two families with medical expenses for their children.
Preceptor Pi’s special service project again this year was the Makinna Ann Hope Foundation established by Dr. Kyle and Tasha Krebaum in memory of their daughter, Makinna, to provide special-needs toys and equipment to local families who have special-needs children. The chapter also continued to donate food to the Food Bank each month and several donations to special projects. The chapter also had decided to collaborate with a Colorado Springs chapter to help children in Ghana, Africa.
Kansas Laureate Kappa collected small token gifts to be used as Bingo prizes for the patients at Larned State Hospital. Members also helped residents of Country Place Assisted Living in Hoisington address their personal Christmas cards. Theta Master’s service projects included donating food items to the Food Bank.
New BSP City Council officers for 2011-12 were named during the Founder’s Day celebration. They are Joyce Boor, president; Vicki Haselhorst, vice president; Judy Krebaum, secretary; and Chari Miller, treasurer.
Beta Sigma Phi International was founded in 1932 in Abilene, by a young businessman, Walter W. Ross, when he shared his ideas for offering young women a unique organization that was creative, productive and hopeful during an era of economic despair. “Life, Learning and Friendship” became the motto of the organization.
Each year the international organization establishes a theme for chapters to incorporate into their programs for the year ahead. The theme for 2011-12 will be “Building Our Future on Traditions.”