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3 H's of National Convention

by Mattie Awtrey Alpha - ΚΚΨ Oklahoma State University The Three H's of National Convention

National Convention 2019. There are no words, but if I had to try and put it into words it may go something like this: hectic, humbling, and an incredible honor. I do not think that anything or anyone could have prepared me for the incredible experience of National Convention and the Centennial Celebration.

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HECTIC.

As the Alpha Chapter President, Delegate, and an Intern at National Headquarters, National Convention was hectic to say the least. I can’t even calculate the hours spent planning, prepping, setting up, working, and running back and forth the week of. So many amazing people had spent years, yes years, planning this one single week for brothers and sisters around the nation to finally get to come home to Stillwater and celebrate what began it all and how far we’ve come. So much happened that week, that sometimes it all blends together in my mind. Not only did we get to spend time celebrating the rich history of the fraternity but we also got to work on some important business as well. Each day, brothers and sisters got to attend workshops and talks about leadership, service, being there for each other etc.… At the same time, many others were hard at work in numerous committee meetings passing constitutional revisions, reviewing programs, working on money issues and more. Each day was filled to the brim with wonderful activities and opportunities to learn, grow, and bond with others in the organizations. My days were filled with work, committee meetings, host chapter duties, ritual and ceremony rehearsals, listening to wonderful speakers, and having a great time with all of my favorite brothers and sisters! (Okay, maybe there were some tears being shed in there too – mostly good) Although Convention week was hectic and completely threw my sleep schedule for a loop, I wouldn’t change it for anything.

HUMBLING.

I think sometimes we forget what a privilege it is to be involved in the fraternity at such a special time in our history. One hundred years, one HUNDRED years this

fraternity has been around. People for literally a century have been looking forward to this day and anticipating what it would be like, but here we are getting to breathe it all in. What I love about it is getting to look back at one hundred years of history and learn about what made our fraternity so great. We were founded on a few core principles that we still focus on today. Although the organization has made giant strides in many places throughout history, I love looking back at leaders and members throughout our hundred years and seeing them represent the same great principles we’ve believed in from the start.

alongside my counterpart filled me with so many emotions. I could never thank the chapter enough for trusting me to represent them and allowing me to have such unique opportunities.

To say that this National Convention will go down in history, is an understatement. As it was put so eloquently many times during the week, we are the founders of the next century. We, the brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi today, get to build upon a strong foundation and ensure that the fraternity will continue striving ever higher for 100 more years and then some. I am so glad that everyone came home to Stillwater this summer.

This national convention was such a humbling experience for me. I was given the unique opportunity to work alongside some of the greatest leaders that this fraternity has to offer which challenged me in many ways. These leaders have so much to offer, and I still have so much to learn! I was humbled getting to hear about just how much so many people have given to the fraternity over the years, and I hope that one day I can step up to the plate.

an HONOR.

Getting to represent the Alpha Chapter throughout the week was truly an honor. I was able to work on the Ritual and Regalia Committee which spent the majority of our time reviewing The Inner Circle, an optional resource book for education as it relates to the ritual. This committee worked so hard and I am proud of all of the work we were able to accomplish. In addition to this, on the day of the Centennial Celebration I got to represent the chapter as the fraternity rededicated the National Shrine’s upkeep and care to the Joint Alpha Chapters just like they did nearly 60 years ago. Facing the brothers there in attendance Standing alongside almost 1,000 brothers at the Centennial celebration gave me chills (no matter if it was about 100 degrees outside with what seemed like a 1000% humidity level). Out of many, one. Out of the thousands and thousands of brothers throughout our history, we have made one. One brotherhood. One love for college and university bands. One similar idea of true leadership and its impact on others. One understanding of the astounding impact of music, the universal language. One Kappa Kappa Psi.

Fraternally Submitted, Mattie J Awtrey Alpha Chapter President (2019-2020)

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