51街射

Epsilon Alpha, 51街射鈥檚 chapter of the national English Honor Society Sigma Kappa Delta, recently attended this year鈥檚 international convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The NACC chapter brought home numerous awards and scholarships.

Four students, all who serve as officers of Epsilon Alpha, received scholarships. First, Madison Black was awarded the Dr. William C. Johnson Sigma Tau Delta Transfer Scholarship, a scholarship presented each year to a deserving English major with plans to transfer to a four-year institution. Additionally, three Epsilon Alpha officers received scholarships in recognition of their service to school and community: Stephanie Diaz Rocha was presented the Dr. Don Perkins Service Scholarship, Chloe Bell was presented the Dr. Susan LeJeune Service Scholarship, and Gina Peduto Sly was presented the Professor Joan S. Reeves Service Scholarship.

Sigma Kappa Delta also holds literary competitions each year, with winners receiving a monetary award that can be used as scholarship money. Gina Peduto Sly placed first in the national literary analysis competition with her essay entitled, 鈥淐allous Control鈥�; Gina also placed third in the national personal essay competition with a work entitled 鈥淪tepping In.鈥� NACC鈥檚 Stephanie Diaz Rocha placed first in the SKD national poetry writing contest with her poem entitled "I Learned to Swim鈥�; Stephanie also entered two winning black and white photographs into the SKD national contest, winning second place with her photo entitled 鈥淲ritings of Relaxation鈥� and third place with 鈥淎 Breeze of Life.鈥�

In addition, Epsilon Alpha鈥檚 yearly literary journal Aurora was recognized as SKD鈥檚 鈥淥utstanding Literary Journal鈥� for 2025. Four Epsilon Alpha officers were recognized for their selection to participate in a national panel discussion entitled, 鈥淭he Community Within.鈥� Gina Peduto Sly, Emily Flores, and Stephanie Diaz Rocha presented and discussed their papers, while Madison Black served as the official moderator for the discussion.

All six of the Northeast students who attended--Gina Peduto Sly, Emily Flores, Stephanie Diaz Rocha, Katie Horton, Madison Black, and Chloe Bell, along with Epsilon Alpha sponsors--enjoyed numerous speeches and events with award-winning writers and book signings. They also toured famous sights in Pittsburgh, like the Mr. Fred Rogers 鈥淭ribute to Children鈥� memorial and the historical Duquesne Incline.

Ms. Reeves, SKD advisor, noted, 鈥淥n behalf of the SKD advisors, we could not be prouder of the members who participated in this year鈥檚 convention. These students brought home more awards and scholarships than we have ever received in one year.鈥�