Theta Chapter Recognized at National Convention

Pictured above (left to right): Katie Mann, Megan Fitzpatrick, Sara Hendershot, and Ali Veatch

Westminster’s Epsilon Iota Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta holds the current record of the most semesters ranked number one academically across all Theta chapters in North America.  At the Kappa Alpha Theta Grand Convention this summer in Orlando, Florida, the Westminster chapter was honored yet again to receive their third Golden Kite award.  Chapter Chief Operating Officer Megan Fitzpatrick, ’16 gives this first person account of this year’s Grand Convention experience.

The 2014 Kappa Alpha Theta Grand Convention was an amazing experience. Each biennium, Kappa Alpha Theta holds Grand Convention. Every college and alumae chapter sends one voting delegate, usually its president. So for our chapter, Sara Hendershot was the delegate. Katie, Ali, and I got to attend because we (Epsilon Iota) had enough money to send three additional members. The three of us were lucky enough to be chosen by our sisters to attend. I really wanted to attend because I knew it would be a once in a lifetime learning opportunity.

Pictured above (left to right): Ali Veatch, Sara Hendershot, Megan Fitzpatrick, and Katie Mann 

Over 800 Thetas attended Grand Convention this year. It was a great turn out. It was so interesting meeting girls from other chapters to see how they did things differently than we did. I was able to learn new things from them that I plan on implementing in our chapter at Westminster. Going to Grand Convention also allowed me to see that Theta is truly for a lifetime. There were women there who had attended over 20 conventions and who had served on Grand Council. Their continued love and dedication for Theta was clear to see. Attending such a prestigious event really made my love for Theta grow and really encouraged me to stay dedicated even after I graduate.

Betsy Humphreys and Leah Logan were two of our alumae at convention. On multiple occasions, including the award banquet, we got the opportunity to sit with Betsy. She is still extremely active with Epsilon Iota and it was amazing to see how involved she was with her St. Louis Alumae Chapter. At the final dinner of convention I had the pleasure of sitting in between Betsy and Leah. Both of them told me stories about their Theta days at Westminster and explained what things were different when they were there. It was really nice getting to know Leah and Betsy since I’ve only met them each a few times. After attending Grand Convention with them, I know that they would do anything for me and for our chapter.

 Pictured Above (left to right): Ali Veatch and Megan Fitzpatrick 

Personally, I think winning the Golden Kite Award was the most exciting part of Grand Convention. Earning this award makes us one of the top 20 Theta chapters internationally. For being such a small chapter, it’s truly an honor to receive such a prestigious award. I’m so glad I was there to represent Epsilon Iota on such an exciting night!