Local sorority honors students, residents

Published 6:00 am Monday, May 14, 2018

A group of local women leaders known for scholarship, sisterhood and service donned beautiful red hats and dresses with strings of pearls as they celebrated youth and the arts Sunday afternoon.

The New Iberia Alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority held its annual spring tea titled “Accentuating Excellence” Sunday afternoon at the Ramada Inn.

Among those attending were recipients of the Ethel Atlas Sparrow Fine Arts Awards and their supporters. 

Sparrow was a resident of Loreauville and member of the New Iberia Alumnae Chapter of DST, who in her lifetime focused on the importance of the fine arts in her sorority and community. Her legacy is being remembered by her sorors who honor her memory.

“She was a pianist who taught piano to many children and we do this to honor her,” Faith James First Vice President of the New Iberia Alumnae Chapter of DST, said.

Each recipient Sunday was chosen because they have shown excellence in the community as well as an ability to express themselves through some form of art.

Community awards were given to painter Rachel Ambroise, whose artwork was on display, as well as the Rev. Francis Davis, who is never seen without his camera as he takes photos of different events throughout the community.

Student awards were given in two categories. Junior High students were given recognition and $250 to pursue their interest in the arts. Recipients included Landon Kately son of Kevin and Jennifer Kately, a seventh-grader at St. Bernard Catholic School. Ajah Joseph who is a sixth-grader at Pesson Elementary and is the daughter of Patrick and Nerissa Joseph. Natali Batiste, a sixth-grader at Parks Middle and the daughter of Nathaniel and Dimitricia Batiste. A special award was also given to Hannah Jones a sixth-grade band student and daughter of Larry and Devin Jones.

“We also sent scholarship applications to the four schools in the area, Westgate, New Iberia Senior High, Loreauville and St. Martinville, James said. “We’re giving away $5,000 total in scholarships.

Five seniors were awarded $750 scholarships from the sorority.

They included Bria Lockett and her twin sister Brianni Lockett who are seniors at St. Martinville Senior High. Brianni is a band student who maintains a 3.9 GPA. Her sister Bria is also in band and maintains a 3.8 GPA. They are the daughters of Orlando and Jennifer Lockett. Their plans are to attend UL of Monroe together in the fall.

Danielle Thibodeaux, a senior at Loreauville High who maintains a 3.0 GPA and wants to become an athletic trainer also received a scholarship. She is the daughter of Daniel and LaSondra Thibodeaux

 Kamryn Marks an honor graduate at NISH has a 3.9 GPA and wants to major in kinesiology at LSU. She is the daughter of Tona Marks.

Dwan Jackson also received a scholarship. In addition to the Delta award Jackson received a full scholarship to Jackson State University and has a 3.9 GPA  She is the daughter of Dwalyn and Alfreda Jackson and was not in attendance Sunday.

“Once we go through the interview process the sorority members vote on the winners and then we present them to the community,” James said.

The sorority also honors one of their own in the arts. The soror award was given to author Geraldine Russell who wrote a book entitled, “I’m Convinced, God Does Know It All.”

A 50th Anniversary award was given to DST soror Linda Thomas.