The Beta Lambda Sigma Raleigh Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. sponsored its annual Youth Symposium on March 11, 2023 at the Raleigh Girls Club of Wake County. Youth Symposium committee chairwoman Farrah Pickstock and committee members Karlynn Kerney, Talasia Smith, Charity Jones, Della Hardy, Rosetta Brown, Ranisha Moore, Johnsie Bullock-Johnson, and Tinika Bunch planned a full day of events for children ages 5 to 15.
Participants were divided into two groups by age to take part in four 30 minute activity sessions. During session 1, 6-9 year olds attended a Building Self Esteem workshop led by Soror Tricia Speller while 10-15 year olds brushed up on social media etiquette in a workshop led by Soror Kim Roberson.
Session 2 focused on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) projects for both age groups with Soror Karlynn Kerney leading the experiment for the 6-9 year olds and Talasia Smith leading the experiment for 10-15 year olds.
During Session 3, both age groups attended finance workshops. Soror Charity Jones helped the 6-9 year olds distinguish between needs and wants while Soror Candance Davis led other finance related activities with the older participants.
The day ended on a high note with a Tik Tok video challenge for the 6-9 year olds led by Soror Kerrett Hibbert and a step show demonstration and workshop for the 10-15 year olds led by Soror Anessa Thompson.
Soror Pickstock says her favorite part about the Youth Symposium was seeing how much the participants enjoyed the event. She also enjoyed giving back to the community in the form of a wholesome opportunity for children to experience some enrichment.
The Beta Lambda Sigma chapter provided participants with refreshments and gift bags as parting tokens.
Soror Pickstock looks forward to next year’s 2024 Youth Symposium, and hopes to incorporate sponsors to expand the reach of the event.
