Alumni, friends and supporters of Delta Sigma Theta, a sorority of the University of Arkansas, met for the Crimson and Cream ball March 7.
The evening was a lounge-style benefit that included dinner, dancing and entertainment by comedian Joe Torry. Tickets to the event and a silent auction garnered support for the Nola Holt Royster Living Legacy Scholarship, which is awarded to high school seniors, and the Bethany McClendon Scholarship, which is awarded to college students to continue their education to graduate school.
At A Glance
Crimson and Cream Ball
Who: Delta Sigma Theta
What: Scholarship fundraiser, silent auction, jazz, comedy
When: March 7
Where: Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville
Information: nwadst.org
"Delta Sigma Theta is all about the three s's, sisterhood, school and service," said Stephanie Adams, president of the organization. "Our McClendon scholarship is [a memorial] named after Bethany, who was a graduate of the University of Arkansas. We do a lot of outreach and have partners' support in honor of her."
The Northwest Arkansas Alumni chapter of Delta Sigma Theta began in 1998 and implements a variety of programs to serve the community, instill strong educational values in children and young adults and inspire giving to others.
The Delta Academy works with youth ages 11 years and older to tutor them academically throughout high school. During the holidays, the women of the sorority visit seniors at Hillcrest Towers to keep them company and spread Christmas cheer.
Guest entertainer and comedian Joe Torry is an alumnus of Omega Si Phi, the sister organization of Delta Sigma Theta. Although he has long been acquainted with it, Torry was motivated to contribute to the organization when he learned the extent of its outreach.
"There were so many things about Delta that I didn't know," he said. "It's what they do in the community here. Women bring up [bright] minds together, bring cheer to residents at Hillcrest and contribute to St. Jude's, the American Heart Association and Susan G. Komen. They provide community workshops and help students get credit and preparation for college."
The tenets of Delta Sigma Theta aligned with those of Torry's foundation, which pairs athletes and entertainers with young students to foster mentoring relationships and encourage good grades with incentives.
Rather than having a traditional benefit, the Crimson and Cream Ball kept the silent auction to a selection of four high-end items and nixed a program in favor of jazz standards, such as All of Me, Let's Stick Together, Over the Rainbow and It's a Wonderful World sung by the Anthony Ball Jazz Group.
The result was a relaxed night out on the town and an opportunity to lend young students a helping hand.
"All the money we raise goes for scholarships," said Programs, Planning and Development Co-Chairwoman Rachel Johnston. "One year we gave three, one year we gave four, but whatever we raise goes back to students."
Sandra Walton became a chemical engineering major at the University of Arkansas because of Delta Sigma Theta's contribution.
"They gave me $1,000 the first year and $500 the next three years on the basis that I have a 2.75 GPA," she said. "That definitely means staying involved in the community is important."
The University of Arkansas, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Honeywell and Tyson Foods were a few of the evening's sponsors.
April Robertson can be reached by email at [email protected].
NAN Profiles on 04/12/2015