University of Guam English Students from the UOG Alpha Zeta Xi chapter of the Sigma Tao Delta international English honor society traveled to the the society’s annual International Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio in March. From left to right: Alejandra Roberto, Aubrey Yatar, Kiana Brown, and Via DeFant.

In March, four members of the University of Guam Alpha Zeta Xi chapter of the Sigma Tao Delta international English honor society traveled to the the society’s annual International Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio.

This is the first year that Guam was represented at the national convention, and this year also marks the local chapter’s 20th anniversary.

The conference included over 800 Sigma Tau Delta chapters from different universities. Students had the chance to network, present critical or creative pieces, and also sit in on other presentations or panels.

During her president’s address at the recent induction on April 19, outgoing president Aubrey Yatar shared their achievements at the conference.

“The four current officers and our sponsor engaged in intercollegiate networking, which also getting a chance to represent a few original works of our own,” Yatar said. “The experience of the convention was unlike any other, and we accomplished all this with only 7 active members.”

The students also won an honorable mention award for the display board they created highlighting some of the particular accomplishment’s of Guam’s chapter.

“At this point, we want to keep up the momentum. The students are really hoping to go again this year,” said Verna Zafra-Kasala, the head faculty advisor of the chapter.

“Guam’s presence was deeply felt among the convention attendees in Ohio, and it would be an honor for us to start the tradition of attending the convention every year,” Yatar said.

Alpha Zeta Xi inducted 23 new members.

“What we want to do is promote literacy and foster a sense of community among our English majors,” Zafra-Kasala said. “The organization offers different scholarships, internships, linking up with publishers, [and] attending conventions.”