2010-2011 officers (L-R) Jo Davis, Tina Grimsley, Pat Holzknecht, Jan Grimsley, and Linda Helms Colquitt’s Xi Epsilon Omicron Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi International held its Founder’s Day Celebration on Thursday, April 29, at Moby Dick Restaurant. Members in attendance were Pat Bush, Jo Davis, Jan Grimsley, Tina Grimsley, Hilda Grow, Pat Holzknecht, Linda Helms, Jo Mock, Mary Nell Rentz, Iva Tabb, Betty Jo Toole, and Peggy Widner.

President Pat Holzknecht welcomed members and began the Founder’s Day Program with the Pledge to the Flag and Opening Ritual. Jo Davis then read the Beta Sigma Phi Grace, and everyone enjoyed a delicious dinner.

Following dinner, a short business meeting was conducted. Then the program was continued with Jo Davis reciting the Founder’s Day Pledge. After that, Jo Mock read the “Message from Laura Ross Wingfield,” announcing the 2010-2011 International Theme: “New Paths to Friendship.”

Next on the program Hilda Grow shared the ”beginnings” of Beta Sigma Phi in Colquitt. In 1962, Hilda became a member of Beta Sigma Phi in Athens. That same year, Mary Johnson became a member of Beta Sigma Phi in Lubbock, Texas.

A few years later, the Grow family returned home to Colquitt, and the Johnsons moved to Colquitt. Hilda and Mary met and discovered that they were “Beta Sigma Phi Sisters!” They began making plans to organize a chapter in Colquitt.

In September of 1967, the Colquitt Epsilon Alpha Ritual of Jewels Chapter was chartered. Charter members still active in Beta Sigma Phi include Pat Bush, Veryl Cockey, Hilda Grow, Jan Grimsley, Mary Y. Rentz, and Betty Jo Toole.

The Epsilon Alpha Chapter grew to be a large chapter. After many years of discussing the organization of another chapter in Colquitt, the Xi Omicron Epsilon Exemplar Chapter was chartered in 1995.

The program was concluded with the installation of chapter officers conducted by Iva Tabb. The 2010-2011 officers are Pat Holzknecht, president; Tina Grimsley, vice president; Jo Davis, recording secretary; Jan Grimsley, corresponding secretary; Linda Helms, treasurer.

Congratulations were extended to the new officers, and the meeting was adjourned with the Closing Ritual and Mizpah.