Author’s Book Is Finalist In International Awards Kangaroo’s Shoes (ISBN: 9781452084695), written by Richelle Taylor Krzak (RhoOhio State), was a finalist in the 2011 International Book Awards, sponsored by JPX Media Group (Los Angeles). It scored top honors in the children’s books category. The story follows little Joey Kangaroo on an elaborate adventure. It includes skillbuilding elements teachers and parents alike can use. Although this is her first children’s book, Richelle has been a published writer in trade and online publications for more than 14 years, including creating and writing for Biz e-Mom’s Blog (bize-mom.com). The book is available through retail outlets or at kangaroobooks.com.
Teacher Receives Prestigious Award Heather Monfasani (Epsilon Eta-Old Dominion) received the Outstanding First Year Teacher Award on behalf of Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia, the 12th largest school district in the United States. Heather is a fifth grade teacher at Crestwood Elementary School (Springfield, Va.) and has a master’s degree in elementary education. Heather’s approach to teaching is based on building relationships with students, recognizing that every student is different and treating each student equally and individually.
Sister Selected for Exchange Program Ginny Bowen Olson (Zeta Iota-Virginia) was one of four Greensboro, N.C., young professionals selected to participate in an international exchange program between the U.S., Turkey and Armenia. The program was funded by the U.S. Department of State. Ginny participated in a two-week training session in May and traveled to Armenia and Turkey in July. The program brings together young leaders to create joint community-based projects that will deepen ties between the three countries, build non-governmental organizational capacity and civil society, and positively impact the citizenry. Ginny is senior project manager for the global web marketing team at the Center for Creative Leadership (Greensboro, N.C.).
Unique Collaboration Brings Book to Life Three alumnae worked together to create From Mourning into Gladness (ISBN: 9780983387312). The book was written by Carolyn Fitzpatrick Gilliam (Gamma Xi-Wichita State) and edited by her daughter, Kimberley Gilliam Westfall (Delta Chi-William Woods). The cover was created by Michelle Rand Morse (AlphaSyracuse), a muralist and illustrator who Carolyn met through the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., alumnae chapter. The book is a Biblically-based historical novel about an ordinary woman living in Bethlehem during the time of Caesar’s census, whose children were killed in the slaughter of the babes. As her life returns to normal, she finds herself involved in events that bring meaning to her life, freedom from her past and hope for the future. The book is available at online retail sites or at FromMourningintoGladness.com. For more information about Michelle, visit mmorse.com.
Collegian Named Editor-in-Chief of J-School Blog Claudia Tran (OmicronMissouri) is editor-in-chief of the University of Missouri’s J-School Buzz (jschoolbuzz.com), a student-run blog about the prestigious Missouri School of Journalism that publishes content without prior review from journalism school faculty. Claudia is a sophomore journalism and psychology major with a minor in sociology. She completed an internship at 435 South Magazine (Overland Park, Kan.) during the summer.
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Fall 2011
Alpha Phi Quarterly
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