Twenty-one members of the Eta Gamma Chapter at Coffeyville Community College participated in the Kansas Region Convention March 7-9, at the University of Kansas and Spring Hill Suites, Lawrence. Theme for the conference was Unmask Your Dreams and was addressed by the conference’s keynote speakers Sylvia Hall, a life coach from Kansas City; Sister Susan Rieke, professor of English from the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth; Dr. J. Michael Finnegan, Assistant Professor in the School of Leadership Studies at Kansas State University; and Joyce Layman, founder of Mind By Design.
Eta Gamma member Dezirae Hamrick was a candidate for Kansas Region Vice President of Correspondence while Trae Venerable was a candidate for Vice President of the southern district. Both candidates participated in the region political rally and delivered speeches on the current Honors Study Topic, “Frontiers and the Spirit of Exploration.” Highlights of the convention included: KU Campus tours, the Spencer Museum of Art and the special Albert Bloch Prints and Drawings special exhibit; an international Headquarters update by Society representative Susan Edwards; Lawrence Ghost Tour that included the Eldridge Hotel, Sigma Nu Fraternity House, and Haskell Institute Cemetery; Alumni Association Run for Funds 5K; college fair; and region dance. Special guests at the conference was Susan Edwards, Dean of Academic Affairs and Honors Programs and Chance Harmon, KU School of Medicine student and former Eta Gamma and Kansas Region President.
During the region awards presentation, the Eta Gamma Chapter was recognized with twenty-four individual and chapter awards including the following: First Finalist, 2014 Most Distinguished Chapter; Honors in Action Project, Winner; College Project Award, Honorable Mention; Sister Chapter Award, Winner; Service Award, Winner; Great Idea Award, Distinguished Recognition; Distinguished Chapter Member, Hernan Diaz, Winner; Distinguished Chapter Officer Team, Distinguished Recognition; Distinguished Chapter Officer Awards, Winners Eric Mueller and Jessika Hamrick; Advisor Award, Distinguished Recognition, Linda McFate; Distinguished Alumnus Award, Winner, Aaron Neely; Achievement in Literature, Distinguished Recognition, Lindsey Base; and the Five Star Chapter Development Plan Award. Receiving Honorable Mention in the Yearbook Award and first place in Achievement in Ceramics/Sculpture was Darah Sherwood. Also, winning in the Art Award Ceramics/Sculpture was Distinguished Recognition, Dezirae Hamrick; Honorable Mention, Luke Hailey and Jessika Hamrick. Jessika Hamrick won first place in the drawing/painting category while Jessika and Paige Porter received distinguished recognition in Achievement Award Photography. Eta Gamma received the Competitive Edge plague for having the most members reach level five on the self-development program. Receiving individual plaques for completion were: Bethany Acridge, Danika Burton, Hernan Diaz, Dezirae Hamrick, Jessika Hamrick, Shelby Howard, Robert Miller, Eric Mueller, Aaron Neely, Kacie Serrault, Darah Sherwood, Brianna Spence, Karen Stoehr and Bethany Walrod.
Representing CCC at the convention were: Brianna Spence, Beth Acridge, Darah Sherwood, Sara Lumm, Danika Burton, Jessika Hamrick, Dezirae Hamrick, Shelby Howard, Abby Hanigan, Paige Porter, Greta Giebler, Karen Stoehr, Sang Pierre Gomez, Hernan Ensaldo Diaz, Michael Udarbe, Robert Miller, Eric Mueller, Conner Murrell, Trae Venerable, Aaron Neely, and Advisor Linda McFate.
The next event for the Eta Gamma Chapter will be the international convention in Orlando, April 23-26.