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Virginia Theta Rho Lambda Chapter, Arlington, Virginia, celebrated its Annual Black & Gold Banquet and Ball on October 29th at the Twin-Bridges Marriott Hotel. Our theme, "To Reach the Highest, Begin at the Lowest," was emphasized by our banquet speaker, Brother George Haley, Esq. Throughout his speech the brother of Roots' author, Alex Haley, used a famous expression that was frequently stated by Dr. Benjamin Mays of Morehouse College — "The man who outthinks you will one you." Brother Haley spoke of his family's humble beginnings and how each child in the family worked to his fullest potential. Worthy of national and international recognition, is his famous brother, Alex. To further demonstrate the true Alpha principles, the Annual Scholarship Fund was presented to the President of Northern Virginia Community College. This Scholarship Benefit financially supports the Rhonda A. Gilliam Memorial Scholarship Fund, which assists needy students in their pursuit of a college education. In addition, we recognized one person in the community; one organization; and one Brother who exemplified true leadership and service in the community. Our Special Achievement Award was given to Brother Thomas L. Penn of our chapter. Brother Penn is a Past President of the Metropolitan Boards of Education and is the 1977-78 Chairman of the Arlington County School Board. The Civic Award was given to Mr. George Richardson, Chairman of the Neighborhood Conservation Committee, Arlington View Association and Assistant Principal of the Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Maryland. Another Civic Award was given to the Arlington Chapter of Links, Inc. The Arlington Chapter is one of 161 affiliated Links chapters committed to education, cultural and civic programs. During its eleven years of existence, the Arlington Chapter has contributed more than $ 15,000 to worthy causes.
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Theta Rho Lambda's Black and Gold Banquetand Ball— 19 77. cooperation with the groups in making The program is a cooperative effort the project work. Books and other between the Norfolk Chapter members current materials used in the schools and members of the Bowling Park Civic are supplied yearly. Members of the League. Bowling Park is one of Norlocal c h a p t e r s have c o n t r i b u t e d f o l k ' s public housing communities volumes from their own personal where the rate of drop-out and failure is libraries also to help develop a library. extremely high when compared with While the Alpha Brothers are the acsections outside the inner city. In July tual tutors, the children's parents are of 1976 members of the Bowling Park responsible for the operations and funCivic League approached the Alpha Phi ding of the projects. Although funds Alpha members after local school ofwere contributed by the local agencies ficials had urged parents to get involved to get the project started, the parents with the schools to help turn around the express certainty that the program will ugly trend of drop-outs and failures. The continue as long as there is a child who Alpha Brothers, many of whom are afneeds tutoring. filiated with the school system and The project meets each Saturday other service agencies, have been inmorning at the Bowling Park Recreation strumental in the tutoring and cultural Center. Fifty-six (56) children are enrichment portion of the program. already enrolled this school year, and When briefed on the idea, both the the Norfolk Alphas are "Back to the schools and the Redevelopment and Basics." Housing Agency demonstrated full
Virginia At a time when the nation's school systems are being challenged to improve their basic math, reading and cultural programs, the Norfolk chapters are involved in an innovative tutorial program called "Project Runners." 32
Showing Brother Wilton Best, a member of Norfolk's Alpha Phi Lambda Chapter, tutoring participants in the chapter's tutoring program, "Project Runners." The Sphinx / December 1977