Convention 2026 is in full swing!

The National Officers, dressed in their best ZTA spirit wear, started the day together with a little icebreaker that got them mingling and meeting new sisters. Once they settled back in their seats, National President Dinah Jackson Laughery asked, “Who met their besties at a previous national ZTA conference?” Tons of hands shot in the air! “That is what this week is all about,” Dinah said.

Once the collegiate and alumnae delegates arrived, sisterhood was in full swing! During the full attendee kickoff, sisters took pictures in front of several cute backdrops and created their own bag charms to decorate their Convention totes, choosing desert-chic scarves, keychains, and colorful beads.

Zetas got an afternoon pick-me-up at the “ZTA is SODA-licious” dirty soda bar before heading in to Crown Chapter Dinner. The excitement was contagious as we celebrated our first award winners of the week! The following women and chapters were honored:

Vivian Ulmer Smith Recruitment Award

This award honors an alumna who has contributed significantly to recruitment efforts and increasing membership in the Fraternity during the biennium.

This biennium, Jaclyn Conatser (Theta Iota, University of North Florida) was honored for her service to the Fraternity.

Louise Kettler Helper Awards

The Louise Kettler Helper Awards honor an alumna and a collegian whose service and achievements made notable contributions to the progress of the Fraternity and the fraternity/sorority world.

Alumna: Nona Douglass Richey (Zeta Omicron, Arkansas State University)

Collegian: Maggie Krajnak (Lambda Upsilon, University of Wisconsin–Madison)

Outstanding Advisor Awards

These awards honor one advisor for each collegiate Area and one for a new chapter.

Area I: Denise Schulz (Delta Omicron, Lenoir-Rhyne University), General Advisor for Iota Phi Chapter (North Carolina State University)

Area II: Leah Ann McAbee Sexton (Nu, The University of Alabama), Financial Advisor for Nu Chapter

Area III: Paige Auten (Alpha Mu, Washburn University), General Advisor for Alpha Mu Chapter and Programming Advisor for Sigma Chapter (Baker University)

New Chapters: Renee Parker Murphy (Alpha Theta, Purdue University), General Advisor for Gamma Sigma Chapter (The University of Tampa)Outstanding Alumnae Chapter Officer Awards

These awards honor one alumna for each alumnae Area who is an effective role model and is involved in ZTA and other community organizations.

Area I: Kim Johnson Payne (Alpha Theta, Purdue University), President of North Fulton Link of Georgia Chapter

Area II: Sylvia Contreras (Theta Phi, California State University, Fullerton), President of Long Beach, CA Chapter

Alumnae-Collegiate Relations Award: Alumnae

This Silver Award recognizes the alumnae chapter that has, through communication, joint activities, service projects, recruitment support, social gatherings, and emphasis on sisterhood, developed and/or maintained a strong commitment to connecting collegians and alumnae.

Statesboro, GA Chapter

Alumnae-Collegiate Relations Award: Collegiate

This Silver Award recognizes a collegiate chapter that has, through communication, joint activities, service projects, social gatherings, and an emphasis on sisterhood, developed and/or maintained a strong commitment to connecting collegians and alumnae.

Theta Omega, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Crown Chapter

To see the full list of Collegiate Crown Chapter recipients, click here.

To see the full list of Alumnae Crown Chapter recipients, click here.

Congratulations to all of our award winners tonight! Tomorrow is another full day of sisterhood and celebrations!