FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 04/25/11
Contact: Chanel Carela, Director of External Affairs
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: www.JustBeCUS.org
Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Inc. Celebrates its
31st Anniversary
New York, NY (4/25/11) -- On April 23, 2011 Chi Upsilon Sigma celebrated its 31st
anniversary annual awards banquet at the Astoria World Manor Astoria, New York. Chi
Upsilon Sigma sisters and their guests from all over the country assembled together to
celebrate C.U.S first banquet held in New York City. A delightful evening was spent honoring
our undergraduate and graduate chapters for their continuous hard work and dedication
through educating and servicing their communities as well as commemorating 31 years of
excellence.
The annual banquet commenced with a cocktail hour followed by the award presentation
ceremony. The winners of the national awards were:
• Political Awareness: Kutztown University (Theta Chapter)
• Cultural Awareness: Seton Hall University (Gamma Chapter)
• Educational Awareness: The College of New Jersey (Delta Chapter)
• Wisdom Keeper: Martha Penafiel of University of South Florida (Alpha Mu Chapter), GPA of 3.65
• Women of Wisdom (Chapter with highest GPA) – Drexel University (Omicron Chapter), GPA of 3.62
• Emerald Award (Neophyte of Year): Tiffany Gonzalez of Rutgers University – New Brunswick (Alpha Chapter)
• Triad Award (Sister of the year): Bianca Alba of George Mason University (Beta Delta Chapter)
• The Sands of Time Award (Alumna of the Year): Danita Gallegos of Texas A&M University (Phi Chapter)
• Invictus Award (Most Improved Chapter): William Patterson University (Beta Zeta Chapter)
• Pillar of Excellence (Chapter of the Year): The College of New Jersey (Delta Chapter)
• Graduate Chapter of the Year: New York City (Omega Delta Chapter)
• Excellence in Community Service Award, Undergraduate: University of Houston (Beta Epsilon Chapter)
• Excellence in Community Service Award, Graduate: New York City (Omega Delta Chapter)
• Community Service Excellence Scholarship: Rana Shariatdoust of The College of New Jersey (Delta Chapter)
• Athena Academic Book Scholarship: Reyna Martinez of Rutgers University – New Brunswick (Alpha Chapter)
• Alumna Advisor Award: Julie Ellis of The College of New Jersey (Delta Chapter), Advisor to
University of Arizona (Alpha Chi Chapter)
• Eternal Flame Award (10 Years of Service): Felicita Medina of Philadelphia City-Wide (Mu Chapter)
and Eridania Hernandez of The College of New Jersey (Delta Chapter)
Chapter) and Eridania Hernandez of The College of New Jersey (Delta Chapter)
• Eternal Flame Certificate: Christine DeLos Santos of Rutgers University - New Brunswick (Alpha Chapter)
and Yudelkis Hernandez of The College of New Jersey (Delta Chapter)
• Milestone Award (15 Years of Service): Yolan John of LaSalle University (Mu Chapter)
The membership of Chi Upsilon Sigma also welcomed five members to their Grand Chapter
Board:
Vice President: Bianca Jackson of Drexel University (Omicron Chapter)
Director of Communications: Nancy Ayllon-Ramirez of Bloomsburg University (Iota Chapter)
Director of External Affairs: Chanel Carela of The College of New Jersey (Delta Chapter)
Director of Undergraduate Relations: Narcely Ruiz of Texas Christian University (Alpha Zeta
Chapter)
Director of Alumna Relations: Marissa Merrick of University of Delaware (Xi Chapter)
Chi Upsilon Sigma has been in existence since April 29, 1980, incepted on the New
Brunswick Campus of Rutgers – the State University of New Jersey. Our founders are 7
Latinas who had the desire to create an organization to promote leadership among the Latino
community and our membership has since grown to incorporate women of all ethnicities. Chi
Upsilon Sigma has devoted itself to increasing awareness amongst ourselves and our
communities about important political, social, cultural, and educational issues and servicing
the communities around us.
NALFO (National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations) is an umbrella council for
Latino Greek Letter Organizations. The purpose of NALFO is to promote and foster
positive interfraternal relations, communication, and development of all Latino Fraternal
organizations through mutual respect, leadership, honesty, professionalism and education.
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