For your convenience, we have enclosed a paper copy of the application as well as made it available on our chapter’s official website (www.dst-sla.org).  Applicants may print out the materials and type onto them, scan  or use Acrobat Reader to complete the on-line application.

Your school may submit up to five (5) applications to the scholarship committee for consideration. A completed application packet must be received by Friday, February 3, 2012. Please make sure the applicant, parents/guardians and counselor sign the application.  Only those applicants with completed scholarship packets will be granted an interview.

*** Female high school seniors who are currently participating in any Rites of Passage/Cotillion affiliated with any chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., are ineligible for this  scholarship. ***

If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Lacy-Rush at 314-412-1915.

Sincerely,

Michelle Lacy-Rush

EMBODI is a national program sponsored Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a public-service sorority.  The purpose of the program is to focus on improving the plight of the African American male. EMBODI is designed for boys between the ages of 13 thru 18. Both informal and empirical data suggests that the vast majority of African-American males continues to be in crisis and is not reaching their fullest potential educationally, socially and emotionally. EMBODI is designed to address these issues through dialogue, and recommendations for change and action. EMBODI will include a program format and information template. Through EMBODI, the participants are exposed to a variety of academic, cultural, and personal development activities.

Participant Application Criteria
In order to participate in EMBODI, specific criteria and guidelines must be met by applicants as described below:

• All participants must be African American boys. This is a gender-specific program.
• All young men must be no younger than 13 years old and no older than 18 years old as of their most recent birthday.
• Each young man must complete and submit an application packet including:
  • Participant Application Form
  • Typed Essay
  • 1 Recommendation Letter
  • Most recent Transcript and/or Report Card

Packets must be postmarked on/or before October 1, 2011 to be considered for the EMBODI program.

 Participant Profile
EMBODI is designed for boys with one or more of the following characteristics:

• Possess potential, but limited opportunity to achieve success
• Interested in developing leadership skills
• Interested in video games, computers, and technology
• Enjoy learning new things
• Express an interest in math, science, and technology and/or careers that are considered nontraditional.

 Participant Schedule

• EMBODI participants will have session throughout the academic year at various locations.

Mona H. Bailey, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s 17th National President, will give the keynote address at the St. Louis Alumnae Chapter’s Founders Day celebration at the Hilton Frontenac Hotel 11 a.m. Saturday, January 22. The theme is “Deltas: Continuing to Build Bridges to the Future.” 

Bailey is presently Senior Associate with the Center for Educational Renewal at the University of Washington and the Institute for Educational Inquiry in Seattle.

She has held positions as Deputy Superintendent of the Seattle Public Schools and Assistant State Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of Washington.

In 1999 she was selected and honored by Florida A&M University as one of the 100 most influential FAMUANS of the century.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Florida A&M University and a Masters degree in Science Education from Oregon State University.

On Founders Day members of the sorority pay homage to the 22 visionary young women who founded the organization in 1913 on the campus of Howard University. The Sorority has grown from 22 to more than 250,000 college-educated women dedicated to social welfare, cultural enrichment and academic excellence.

Cynthia Whitaker and Thomasina Hassler are Chair and Co-Chair respectively of Founders Day, and Gloria Clark Reno is Chapter President.

Pictured is Delta Sigma Theta Sorority St. Louis Alumnae Chapter’s Founders Day Committee.

Front Row: Deloris Green, Cynthia Howard, Teresa Hargrow-Simmons, Thomasina F. Hassler, Gloria C. Reno, Cynthia Whitaker, Kim Banks, Betty Conyers Patton, Marilyn Williamson.

Second Row: Barb Henry, Angela R. Rhone, Cynthia Young, Malva Williams, Gloria Overton, Sheree Lee, Beverly Dummett, Rita Logan, Sheila O’Connor, Leola I. Tolen, Margaret Williams.

Third Row: Emelda Harris, Carolyn Thomas, Shawn M. Wade, Sanceria Thomas,

Anita Thomas, Gerthia G. Carter, Jacqueline Ploudre, Linda K. Cobb, Allynson

Matlock, NiRita Baker-Bradford, Shelia Young

Not pictured: Deloris Grice, Sharon Halley, Janie Lane, Emma Morris, Joanne

Schooler, Armetta Whitmore, Glenda Adkins, Yvonne Edwards, Wandaleen Brown.

Please note:
Female high school seniors who are currently participating in any Rites of Passage/Cotillion affiliated with any chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. are ineligible for this scholarship.

If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Lacy-Rush at 314-412-1915.

Scholarship cover letter 2012

MG Scholarship Applic 2012 (2)-1

- Embodi Application (must be postmarked by October 1, 2011)
- Delta Academy Application (must be postmarked by October 6, 2011)
- Delta GEMS Waiting List Application (must be postmarked by September 23, 2011)

Delta GEMS coordinated the adoption of five families.  The needs of these families were heartbreaking; however, we accepted the challenge of making this holiday season a joyous one, filled with love and many blessings.

St. Louis Alumnae's Delta GEMS - Christmas 2009

GEMS were assigned to a family to ensure that each family’s needs were met.  The GEMS and their parents were asked to donate a minimum of two items from the families’ wish list.  Committee members donated supplies (wrapping and tissue paper, scissors, name tags, tape, Christmas cards, gift bags/boxes, etc.)  The GEMS also made stockings (stuffed with toys) for the small children associated with our families, baked cookies, and took pictures surrounded by their contributions and the tree. We had a 98% contribution rate.  All donations were made to the Youth and Family Center Agency.  Below is a summary of the items donated:

 1^st Annual College Road Trip.  St. Louis Alumnae Chapter Delta GEMS sponsored its first ever college campus tour on March 17 -18, 2010.  This year’s trip was to Nashville, Tennessee. The GEMS held a fundraiser allowing them to cover lodging and transportation expenses.  Thirty three GEMS were selected to participate in this educational opportunity; five St. Louis Alumnae members served as chaperones on this trip.

GEMS pose for a snapshot during DST-SLA's first college road trip

On March 17^th, the GEMS ate lunch on the Fisk University campus and met the Alpha Beta Sorors.  After lunch, there was a question and answer session with the collegiate Sorors. The Alpha Beta Sorors showed the girls student housing on the campus.  The GEMS also participated in a student led campus tour and learned about the history of Fisk University.

Delta GEMS at TSU

On March 18^th, the GEMS visited Tennessee State University for an informational session and tour.  Everett Jolley, Associate Director of Recruitment at TSU, spoke to the girls about the importance of attending college.  Current TSU students gave the GEMS a campus tour which included building and campus history.   After the tour, the girls ate lunch in the campus cafeteria. 

Alpha Chi Chapter members met the young ladies and provided them with a tour of student housing in Wilson Hall.  After the tour, the collegiate Sorors had an informal discussion with the GEMS about adjusting to college life, living on campus and life on campus at TSU.

As a result of the college tour several GEMS mentioned interest in these schools as their choice of college.  The St. Louis Alumnae Chapter Delta GEMS plans to make this an annual event due to the success of the tour.

• Read the complete news release from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
• Read President Barack Obama’s heartfelt remarks (courtesy of NY Times)
• Watch Dr. Height’s funeral ceremony (courtesy of CSPAN)
• View photos from Dr. Height’s funeral ceremony (courtesy of CBS)

The Rites of Passage/Ariya Program is based upon the Nguzo Saba, the seven principles of Kwanzaa and is sponsored by the St. Louis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.  Its purpose is to provide character development and leadership training for young African-American Women, encourage them to pursue college or vocational training after high school graduation and empower them to take ownership of their futures by providing an opportunity for them to raise funds for their education.

 After completing six months of training, the Kwanzishas (young women participants) participate in the Rites of Passage Ceremony.  In this ceremony, they are granted permission by their families and the community to transition to the next level of social and educational development.

 The Ariya, a Swahili word meaning celebration, is the program’s culminating activity and public celebration where the Kwanzishas are presented to the community.  The role of an Escort is vital to the success of the Ariya celebration.  In this Afrocentric-based program, the young men represent the warriors and protectors (Askari Hodari) of the young women who are being presented to the community.  Escort participants are encouraged to have good academic standing, community involvement, and extra-curricular activity involvement.    

 There is a non-refundable application fee of $150.00 that may be paid in two installments.  This fee is required of all Escort participants.

 Please complete all sections of the attached application.  The application must be received by Sunday, November 30, 2009.  If there are any questions please contact Mitchelle Price at 314-381-2634 or Gertia Carter 314-383-2649.