The Eta Gamma chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. went to the 50th annual Texas Council of Alpha Chapters District Convention and won five trophies.
The trophies include, TCAC Step Show winners, chapter member with the highest GPA, chapter of the year, Charles H. Wesley Award, and the Miss Black and Gold-TCAC.
Tafford White, technical manager of the step team was ecstatic when notified that the chapter had been so prevailing over the weekend. “The Alpha Legacy continues in the state, and it is an honor to contribute to the dominance at the convention,” said White as he jumped for joy during the announcements of awards and the black and gold banquet held at the convention.
The awards that the Eta Gamma chapter won reaffirmed the dominance that they have had historically. “We are just fortunate to add another state chapter of the year title to our belt,” said Ameer McMillan, the current chapter vice president and newly nominated assistant district director, one of the highest collegiate positions an Alpha can hold in the state.
Willie McClure, the member responsible for winning the chapter member with the highest GPA was excited about the weekend as well. “I am happy that I could contribute to the chapter in a positive way,” he said, “One of our aims in the fraternity exemplify scholarship, and it is rewarding to know that I helped our chapter get recognized by living up to that aim.”
Willie McClure is a biology major, currently studying for the MCAT, and preparing for medical school once he graduates he won the title with a cumulative GPA of 3.9.the Miss Black and Gold contestant was also ecstatic about her accomplishment over the weekend. “I am truly shocked,” she said as she was being crowned the TCAC queen.,
“The support and encouragement from the Eta Gamma chapter has truly motivated me to push myself like this. I never would’ve thought that I could represent the entire state in this manner,” she said.
Nadia won after displaying elegance in each portion of the scholarship pageant. She placed first out of nine contestants throughout the state.
One of the contestants included Brianna Clark, who represented the graduate chapter, Epsilon Tau Lambda, in the pageant. Epsilon Tau Lambda also won the Chapter of the Year for Alumni chapters. “This shows that not only is Eta Gamma dominating, but Prairie View is dominating the state altogether,” said by Kyle Maronie, one of the members of the graduate chapter.
The Eta Gamma chapter has a long history of winning, from the first national title in 1976, to the most recent state title won this past weekend. The state Chapter of The Year title adds to the other thirty state titles that the chapter has won.
Along with their state titles, the Prairie View chapter has also been the Chapter of The Year for the South Western region eighteen times, and the National chapter of the Year three times.
Consistency was key when preparing for the competition. The current chapter president said, “This Title meant a lot to us, and the consistent effort from my brothers truly paid off.” He followed his words with a strong and stern statement, “This is only the beginning for us. Our goal is to be the next National Chapter of the year. Nothing less.”