Greetings everyone andwelcome to the of the2014-­‐2015 Sorority Year!Iam excited to serve as thePresident of Eta Chi ZetaGraduate Chapter. We aregetting back into the swing ofthings by drawing our hearts,minds and energy into “ZetaMode.”

This year has been very busyfor Eta Chi Zeta. Membershave participated in theIllinois Lupus Walk, theDuPage County CollegeReadiness and ScholarshipFair, and to top it off, learninga great deal of valuableinformation at our biennialInternational Grand Boulé inWashington, D.C. whilejoining our brothers of PhiBeta Sigma as they celebrate100 years of service.

The women in the “Chapter ofMasters” are ready to hit theground running as wededicate the year toRetention, Education, Actionand Rebuilding.

In this issue....

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Presidential Pearls......................................................Page 1

Eta Chi Zeta at the NAACPCollege Fair......................................................Page 2

Nu Delta Spotlight......................................................Page 4

Upcoming Events......................................................Page 4

Presidential Pearls

The Pearl EssenseZeta Phi Beta Sorority Incoporated Eta Chi Zeta Chapter

A Chapter of Masters

I am looking forward to whatthe year has in store for EtaChi Zeta and we continue toBlaze New Paths throughoutWill County and Zeta. Thankyou for being a loyal reader ofPearl Essence

-­‐Janielle D Gooden, Eta Chi ZetaChapter President

Elections proved to be a proudtime for our chapter. MemberChauntine J. Kendricks-­‐Doramewas selected as the next IllinoisState Representative. In thisrole Chauntine will travel tochapters across the state to helpdevelop programming andinitiatives that will propel thestate of Illinois forward. She willbe replacing Nicole Weathersby,who was elected Chair of theState Executive Board. Also, NuDelta Chapter member,Mercedes Huey, was elected asthe State UndergraduateRepresentative.Conference attendees were alsotreated to a scholarshipluncheon where 3 youths wereawarded various scholarshipstowards their college education.Patricia Jones, National Graduate

Member at Large, gave adynamic presentation on oursorority and even challengedtwo undergraduate members toa trivia contest.Overall the conference provideda great opportunity to membersto lean and grow within thestate and the organization as awhole. There were plenty ofopportunities to serve, learn andlead during the weekend. And ofcourse there were plenty ofopportunities to fellowship withfellow chapters.

Saturday, August 2nd, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Eta Chi Zeta Chapter partnered with the Illinois LupusSociety in a Walk for a Cure and raised money in support of the organization. The dedicated Finer Womenof the Western Suburbs joined area families, friends and Lupus survivors who participated in the threemile trek around the Naperville Riverwalk.

Participating in this cause gave the sisterhood an opportunityto meet those from the community who have been touched bythis disease. Along the walk, some shared their personal storiesof their suffering while holding firmly to optimism, tenacity andhope as they pray for a cure.Many offered “Thanks” for our support and for the words of

encouragement spoken. As the event drew to a close, all enjoyed snacks, music, line dancing family-­‐friendly and animal-­‐friendly fun.

Walking For A Cureby Tonya Banks

Blazing the Business of Zetaby Candyce Holland

Zeta sisters continued to blazenew trails as we all convened forthe state leadership conferencethat was held on October 3rd and4th, 2014 at the Crowne PlazaHotel and Conference Center inSpringfield, IL. Ourundergraduates of the Nu DeltaChapter served as gracioushostesses for over 250 members.

During the conference there werea number of break out sessions,including chapter mediamanagement, which wereinformative and engaging.

You’re a senior, NowWhat! Let’sstart the journey! Zeta Phi BetaSorority Incorporated upholdsScholarship as one of thesororities founding principles.Through our community serviceopportunities, Zeta Phi BetaSorority strives to offerassistance towards those in thecommunity pursing educationalgoals. No need to worry, it’s nottoo late! Let your journey beginhere.

Start a new and adventurouschapter in your life. We-­‐at ZetaPhi Beta Sorority Inc.-­‐Eta ChiZeta Graduate Chapter-­‐-­‐ wishyou the best of luck with yourschool year. Do not forget—takea look out for our Pearl Essencescholarship applicationavailable winter 2015. Theapplication can be found atwww.etachizeta.org

Walking For A Cureby Tonya Banks

SupportingEducation in ourCommunityby Lisa Lee

Education continues to be a focusfor the women of Zeta Phi BetaSorority, Inc., Eta Chi Zetachapter this year. Members havebeen diligently collectingnumerous supply items for thechildren at Isaac SingletonElementary School in JolietIllinois.

As the school year continues, tryto keep these few tips in mind tohelp your children to have agreat year. Let me caution you,your son or daughter might notfeel the same way, but thesepractices will pay off.1) Go and meet the teachers.Exchange information, like emailaddresses.2) If your school has a system forgrades and attendance to be sentto your email or phone, sign upfor that.3) For parents with youngerchildren, read to them everyday.For older students, let them readto you.

Sisters Come Together to EncourageCollege Preparednessby Ebony Baker

On Saturday, August 23, 2014,Eta Chi Zeta Chapter and the PearlEssence Foundation participated in the 4th Annual NAACP CollegeReadiness Fair held at Oswego East High School. Over 700 studentsand families participated in this event. The goal of this fair is toprovide students, parents, and community members withinformation from various local and national organizations who offerscholarships, college preparation programs, volunteeropportunities, and leadership skills building.

The Pearl Essence Foundation assisted families with registrationactivities along with setting up a information table to shareprograms offered by Eta Chi Zeta chapter Archonette Program(youth auxiliary) and annual scholarship through our Pearl EssenceFoundation.

I'm a Senior... NowWhat?!!!by Shenekia Stimage

The 2014-­‐2015 school year isstarting off fast and furiousfor the Nu Delta Dollz &Divaz. After spending timeduring the summer planningfor this fiscal year, the fourinspired undergrads areshowing the campus of theUniversity of Illinois whatZETAS can do.

Starting with the Universityof Illinois’ Annual Quad Dayfor campus organizations inlate August, the Nu Deltawomen expounded on thebenefits of Zeta membershipto various campus-­‐community members.September included theschool-­‐sponsored program,“Meet the Greeks”, thechapter’s annual bake salefundraiser, a membershipopen house and formalinterest interviews.

There was no rest for thesewomen as during the firstweekend in October; Nu Deltawas the hosting chapter forthe 48th Annual Illinois StateLeadership Conference.During this weekend, theUndergraduates made surethat everything was in placefor the festivities andcoordinated the events andprograms.

Undergraduate Spotlightby Chauntine J. Kendricks-­‐Dorame

The rest of the semester will bespent welcoming in newmembers and the individualmembers working on keeping upon and improving theirscholarship as all four of the NuDelta ladies are planning tograduate in 2015.

October and first part ofNovember was spent planningtheir big fundraiser of the year,The Twizted Yard Show. Thisanticipated event is the Nu Deltaversion of sororities imitating,stepping and strolling asfraternities and the fraternitiesimitating the sororities. 2014 willbe the third year of the programand every year it gets larger.

P.O. Box 3694 | Joliet | ILT: 847-866-9382 | E: etachizeta@gmail.com | www.etachizeta.org

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Save The Date! Fun withFundraisingby Candyce Hollande

On the beautiful and clear evening ofWednesday, November 25, 2013, thewomen of Eta Chi Zeta Chapterhosted their first fundraiser. TheChapter raised funds with allproceeds benefiting the Chapter’scommunity programming initiatives.Held at the world famous LouMalnati’s Pizzaria in NapervilleIllinois. Over 50 guests took part inan evening full of laughter, fun andexcellent food.

Creatively, the FundraisingCommittee offered trick or treat bagsto children who attended the eventto kick off their Halloweencelebration. The FundraisingCommittee consists of the followingmembers: Chauntine J. Dorame,Candyce Holland, Ebony Baker andSabrina Rhymes.

The highly successful event will beheld annually. Congratulations on anextraordinary event!

A Chapter of Masters

CashPrizes!