A large crowd was on hand for the Fall 2017 Acadia Parish Youth Summit held Saturday, Sept. 16.
The event, sponsored by the Youth Initiative in conjunction with the Crowley Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was held at Crowley Middle School from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Representatives of the “Divine Nine,” the historically African-American Greek lettered fraternities and sororities that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council, including Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta, Sigma Gamma Rho and Iota Phi Theta, were on hand to enjoy and participate in the event.
The purpose of the summit – themed “Community and Greeks: Stepping Up!” – was to provide the youths an opportunity to see, hear and experience what it takes to apply to college and be a successful student.
A good number of state and city officials, alumnae and collegiate fraternity and sorority members, teachers, parents and community supporters were on hand.
Lafayette City-Parish Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux served as master of ceremony for the day, and the opening ceremonies included a Prelude and Posting of Colors by the Naval JROTC from LaGrange High School in Lake Charles and the performance of the National Anthem by the Northside High School Band out of Lafayette.
Attendees listened to challenging yet inspiring presentations from a variety of educators, counselors, government officials and other professionals on the benefits of striving to attain high levels of academic achievement and attending college.
During intermissions, there were performances by the Wolfpack Step Team from Armstrong Elementary in Rayne and Northside High School’s marching band and dancing dolls.
Concluding the summit was one of the unique highlights of the event, a step show presented by collegiate and alumnae fraternity and sorority members from the Acadiana area.
