NEW OFFICERS

Featured in today's paper The Vicksburg Post are the national officers of Pi Alpha Kappa Sorority, from left, are Josephine Peterson, president; Georgia Turnage, vice president; Jane Brock, secretary; and Helene Benson, teasurer. They were elected at the sorority's national convention June 6 in Vicksburg. ~Submitted to The Vicksburg Post

Thanks & Appreciation

Today in The Vicksburg Post was a very nice thank you and appreciation message from our Past National President, Pam Gee, thanking everyone who participated in making our Pi Alpha Kappa Convention a great success.

PAK ladies were welcome....

The ladies of Pi Alpha Kappa Sorority recently held their national convention in Mansell Hall of Vicksburg's First Presbyterian Church. We wish to thank all those who made this event so successful.

We are grateful to Beta Chapter President Georgia Turnage for opening her beautiful home to us for the reception. Thank you also Katherine Turcotte, Joan Donovan, June Emerson, Connie Greer, Myrtle Curro-Alvarado, Anita Hossley, and the ladies of Omega Chapter for the morning refreshments.

Chris Patin led a very moving memorial service for the five sisters and five spouses we lost over the past two years. Helene Benson and the Delta Chapter sisters, provided the delightful hat decorations to carry out the theme of "Hats Off to PAK Sisterhood." Door prizes were contributed by all chapters. alpha Chapter provided the programs and memorial booklets.

The entire convention was under the able direction of Joann White, convention chairman.

We also thank caterer Betty Palmertree for the delicious salads and desserts and musician Clay Koestler for providing the entertainment at the Installation Luncheon. We were pleased to host our scholarship winner and her mother and other guest at this celebratory event.

Pam Gee

Past National President

Pi Alpha Kappa

Vicksburg

Thank You

Special thanks go to the following individuals who worked so hard to bring this convention to fruition:

Joann White,

Convention Chairman

Florence Amborn

Helen Benson

Jane Brock

Louise Carr

Linda Christian

June Emerson

Connie Greer

Evelyn Harrison

Frances Koury

Joan Morgan

Chris Patin

Josephine Peterson

Katherine Turcotte

Georgia Turnage

Illma Williams

Hats Off to PAK Sisterhood!

Vera Marshall Brown ~ Omega Chapter showing off one of three hats she won!

Installation of National Officers

Connie Greer ~ Omega Chapter installing the National Officers.

Newly elected national officers of Pi Alpha Kappa Sorority are (from left) Josephine Peterson, President; Georgia Turnage, Vice-president; Jane Brock, Secretary; and Helene Benson, Treasurer.

After the Installation of Officers, door prizes were given out, outgoing President made her remarks, passing of the gavel, Incoming President's remarks and then adjournment. A good time was had by all and we PAK Sisters look forward with anticipation to our next convention in two years.

Scholarship Awards

Jazmyne Clyde, a 2009 graduate of Vicksburg High School, received a $1,900 scholarship from Pi Alpha Kappa Sorority at its National Convention June 6 by National President, Pam Gee. She plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi and major in nursing. Active in numerous school and community activities, Jazmyne also maintained a 3.94 grade average and received high ACT scores. Pi Alpha Kappa awards a scholarship to a deserving young woman at its national convention every two years.

A Group Photo

Sisters In PAK!

Our Entertainment

Clay Koestler

The Installation Luncheon was hosted by the Vicksburg Delta Chapter. After the call to order we had the reading of The Collect, the introduction of National Officer at the Head Table and the introduction of the PAK Rats. Lunch was then served buffet style and for entertainment we had Clay Koestler on the guitar. Everyone enjoyed their meal and the music.

Memorial Service

Memories

Friends no longer with us

and yet memories flood the soul

Of those who've given unselfishly

To reach PAK's lofty goals.

Of service to humanity

Reaching out to those in need

With compassion, love and kindness

Through action, words and deeds.

We've shared this walk together

Been blessed by God above

To have "reached the stars through effort"

By friendship's bond of love.

Friends no longer with us ~ oh, no

For memories are forever tied

Bound and cherished within the heart

Where love remembered ~ never dies.

Frances C. Koury

Vicksburg Alpha Chapter

Beth Haskins honoring the memory of Merrilyn Anthony, Vicksburg Delta Chapter, March 2009

Vera Brown honoring the memory of Barbara Kinnebrew, Vicksburg Omega Chapter, December 2008.

Marie Hernandez honoring the memory of Helena Walley, Vicksburg Beta Chapter, Honored Member, November 2008.

Kathryn Chaney honoring the memory of Wanda Duvernet, Vicskburg Beta Chapter, June 2008.

Francis Koury honoring the memory of Margaret Stephens, Vicksburg Alpha Chapter, February 2008.

Louise Carr ~ Alpha Chapter, Helene Benson ~ Delta Chapter and Linda Christian ~ Beta Chapter. Chaplain, Chris Patin ~ Omega Chapter.

Also in Remembrance of:

John Danko, PAK Rat

Denver Delta Chapter, 2007

Martin T. Hebler, PAK Rat

Vicksburg Omega Chapter, October 2007

Gerald Turnage, PAK Rat

Vicksburg Beta Chapter, March 2008

John Anderson, PAK Rat

Vicksburg Alpha Chapter, September 2008

Ellis Koury, PAK Rat

Vicksburg Alpha Chapter, May 2009

Break for Refreshments & Resumed Meeting

Janie Curtis and Margharita Davis ~ Beta Chapter, Marian Love Phillips ~ Omega Chapter, and Linda Christian ~ Beta Chapter.

Marie Hernandez, ~ Beta Chapter and Beth Haskins ~ Delta Chapter

Jane Lobado and Jean Seabergh ~ Omega Chapter

We had a 15 minute break for refreshments and then we resumed our meeting after a call to order. We continued to discuss old business/new business and had our officer elections.

PAK Convention Meeting

The meeting was called to order by President Pam Gee at 9:00 a.m. We had the reading of The Collect by Margharita Davis. We then had the roll call, followed by the President's greeting, officer reports, committee reports, old business, new business and announcements.

PAK Registration & Refreshments

Registration Table

Breakfast Table

Joann White ~ Delta Chapter, Chris Patin ~ Omega Chapter, Georgia Turnage ~Beta Chapter, John Donovan and Connie Greer, Omega Chapter.

Connie Greer and Pam Melsheimer ~ Omega Chapter

Chris Patin and Katherine Turcotte ~ Omega Chapter with Josephine Peterson (new incoming National President ~ Delta Chapter

Banners for the Memorial Service, Chris Patin, Chaplain

Joan Donovan and Pam Melsheimer waiting for sorority sisters to arrive for reception ~ Omega Chapter

Vera Brown and Katherine Turcotte ~ Omega Chapter and Joann White ~ Delta Chapter

PAK luncheon convention tables.

Vera Brown, Joan Donovan and Katherine Turcotte ~ Omega Chapter and Joann White ~ Delta Chapter

Chris Patin ~ Omega Chaper and Joann White ~ Delta Chapter

The centerpeice for the luncheon serving table.

The beautiful hats are the centerpeice for PAK 36th Biennial Convention. The theme is, "Hats Off to PAK Sisterhood."

Our Omega Chapter was in charge of the registration and refreshments. Here are the highlights from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2009.

PAK Wine & Cheese Reception

Marie Hernandez ~ Beta Chapter

Louise Carr ~ Alpha Chapter

Pam Gee, our National President, PAK and Georgia Turnage, Hostess ~ Beta Chapter

Helene Benson ~ Delta Chapter

Kathryn Chaney ~ Beta Chapter

Left to right, Marian Love Phillips, Myrtle Loviza Curro, Vera Marshall Brown, Sannon Curro, Connie Greer, Anita Zorn Hossley, Jane Seabergh and Joan Donovan ~ Omega Chapter

Evelyn Harrison ~ Beta Chapter

Beth Maggio (Guest) with her mother Janie Curtis ~ Beta Chapter and Muriel Green (Guest).

A beautiful centerpiece!

Jane Brock ~ Delta Chapter

Connie Greer, Shannon Curro, Myrtle Loviza Alvarado, Anita Zorn Hossley and Vera Marshall Brown ~ Omega Chapter

Janie Curtis ~ Beta Chapter with her daughter Beth Maggio (Guest)

Margharita Davis ~ Beta Chapter

Anita Zorn Hossley, Marian Love Phillips and Vera Marshall Brown ~ Omega Chapter

We began our Pi Alpha Kappa (PAK), 36th Biennial Convention this evening with a reception held at the lovely home of Georgia Turnage at 11 Lakewood Lane from 5:30 to 7:30. It was a great turnout and everyone enjoyed socializing and meeting new members that have recently joined PAK. Tomorrow morning, June 6, from 9:00 to 1:30 p.m., we will meet at the First Presbyterian Church, Mansell Hall, 1501 Cherry Street. Registration and refreshments will began at 8:30 a.m. Our first meeting will be from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., with a break from 10:30 to 10:45 a.m. Our second meeting and Memorial Service will be from 10:45 to 11:45. The installation luncheon will began at noon with Clay Koestler for entertainment. We will then have our installation of officers and recognition of scholarship recipients.