| Contact: |
Alpha Phi International
Fraternity, Inc. |
| |
1930 Sherman Avenue, Evanston,
IL 60201, 847.475.0663,
www.alphaphi.org/news |
|
Release Date: |
|
June 15, 2005 |
| |
|
|
|
Media Contact: |
|
Nora Gardner, 847.316.8929 |
RICHMOND, IND., June
14, 2005 – Recent Indiana University graduate and member of the Beta
Tau Chapter of Alpha Phi, Tara Fuda, 21, competed against eight other
contestants for the title of Richmond’s Miss Bicentennial Queen on
Saturday, June 11, 2005. The pageant kicked off the city's bicentennial
celebration and was the first event in a series scheduled to conclude in
August 2006.
Approximately 150
audience members were present at Indiana University East’s Vivian
Auditorium as the contest began with judges’ interviews during the
morning. The pageant concluded with an evening gown competition.
Encouraged to participate
by former high school classmate and fellow contestant, Paula Kay Frame,
22, Fuda had never before entered in a pageant.
As an undergraduate, Fuda
was the president of the International Studies Student Association and
served as both house manager and secretary for the Beta Tau chapter of
Alpha Phi. Fuda will start graduate school in the fall. However, as she
managed to share with the other contestants during a break in the
competition, Fuda will dearly miss constantly being surrounded by her
Alpha Phi sisters.
"We were all just sitting
around and talking on our break and I told them that I had it made. I
was never alone and there was always a house full of 100 girls to come
home to. I’m really going to miss that next year."
During the pageant Fuda
was asked about her most prized possession. "I think my most prized
possession is a friendship with my twin sister," she responded. "It’s
something I can always count on."
Contestant Amy Lies, 24,
an Indiana University East graduate and news director for local radio
station Kicks 96, won the competition, while Frame took second place.
The pageant also named a
Senior Queen, Thelma Martin, 73. Martin produces and directs her own
television show, "Glory Bound" and sings with the Gospel Heirs Trio.
Richmond Mayor Sally
Hutton plans to follow up the pageant with 200 more bicentennial events,
including a Moonlight Parade on Aug. 27 and the Queen’s Ball on Oct. 8.
When asked if she would
consider giving it another try next year, Fuda didn’t hesitate to
respond. "I am really glad I did it and I would definitely do it again."
Alpha Phi International
Fraternity was founded at Syracuse University in 1872 as one of the
first Greek societies for women. Alpha Phi is dedicated to promoting
sisterhood, cultivating leadership, encouraging intellectual curiosity
and advocating service. The organization is comprised of more than 140
collegiate chapters and more than 130 alumnae chapters throughout the
United States and Canada. The Alpha Phi Foundation is the fraternity’s
philanthropic and educational partner. Through contributions from
chapters, individual members and friends, the foundation supports
women’s cardiac health and other charitable and educational projects.
Together, Alpha Phi International Fraternity and Foundation develop
character for a lifetime.
[Go back to main list of news releases]
