2 minute read
The Zeal Institute: Women’s Academy of Excellence
In 2016, Alpha Alpha Omega Zeta chapter adopted the Women’s Academy of Excellence, an all-girls high school located in the Bronx, NY. Affectionately known as WAE, the Women’s Academy of Excellence was founded and operated by one of Zeta’s finest, Dr. Arnette Crocker.
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Since establishing the partnership, Alpha Alpha Omega Zeta has been a consistent presence, from supporting annual fundraisers to organizing and facilitating workshops not only for the student body, but for their families as well. Workshops focus heavily on college preparedness, healthy relationships and life after high school.
On occasion, the chapter has brought in prominent Black women to hold workshops in their areas of expertise, from licensed clinical social workers addressing the importance of mental health to vet-
• Ms. Akira Armstrong, an accomplished dancer, founder and CEO of Pretty Big
Movement, a plus-sized professional dance company, graced the stage at
WAE in 2018 with an unforgettable and inspiring performance. She returned in 2019 to lead dance workshops for juniors and seniors. the school’s valedictorian is presented with a gift from the chapter.
During the coronavirus pandemic, Alpha Alpha Omega Zeta will continue to serve the young women of WAE and hopes to inspire them to serve other young women in the future.
LEFT TO RIGHT:
ΑΑΩΖ Sorors 1st VP, Mary Ademola;
Francis Chisolm, Chaplin; Theresa Umstead; Dr. Arnette Crocker, Founder and Principal of Women’s Academy of Excellence (WAE); 3rd VP, Desiree Campbell; Tiffany Anderson; Judith Slowly; and President, Ryushique Bonner. Women’s Academy of Excellence Students along with Soror Gigi Gillard - Workshop Leader and Alpha Alpha Omega Zeta Chapter members: Sorors Tiffany Anderson, Theresa Umstead, Mary Ademola and Judith Slowly.
eran college advisors exposing secrets to accessing college funds.
• Soror Monica Britton, member-at-large and founder of Black Girl On Campus, hosted two sessions. The first, Why
College?, discussed what it means and looks like to be in college, college terms students should know, how to submit a successful application, and finding your passion in college. The second, Standing out from the Crowd, focused on the tools needed to present your best self when applying to college, to a job, and when in networking spaces. • Soror Gigi Gilliard, member-at-large, author, and founder and CEO of Gigi
Gilliard Development, helped prepare high school seniors for their collegiate interviews with a seminar on interviewing with confidence. As the workshops quickly picked up traction, the chapter saw an opportunity to develop a program that would serve as a staple in the school community. Hence, the birth of “The Zeal Institute” in 2018. The Zeal Institute is a workshop series of six sessions designed specifically to meet the needs of WAE. Some titles include College Roundtable, Needs vs. Wants, and Things I Wish My Parents Told Me. The chapter’s most recent achievement was the procurement of a $1,000 scholarship through The Alpha Alpha Omega Zeta Foundation Inc., to be awarded annually to a WAE senior. In addition to the scholarship, every year, upon graduating,
