Knock Outs,
On behalf of the Kappa
Omicron Chapter of Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., it is my pleasure to present to you the second issue of
“Keeping You KOnnected”!
February has been a busy month of service and programs for the chapter. Thank you to those that joined us for our Founder’s Day Rededication Service and our Pink and Green Week! It is great to see the former members of Kappa Omicron that have formed the rich history that has existed since 1976. We hope that you enjoy this issue as we share more of the accomplishments and achievements of the chapter, its members, and alumna.
The Kappa Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated kicked off Pink and Green Week on Sunday, February 17, 2013 with worship service at Watts Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. The scripture was based on Judges Chapter 6, verses 11-18. The congregation was encouraged to overcome inferiorities, insecurities, and inadequacies and stop placing limits on God. Sorors had the opportunity to fellowship with members of the community and interact with our graduate chapter, Alpha Theta Omega, and former members of Kappa Omicron. The service was centered on Historically
Black Colleges and Universities, special features and performances from the church youth step team and St. Augustine’s University Band. The service only reiterated the chapter’s drive to be “More than a KOnqueror.”
Sisterly,
Amber Johnson
President
On Monday, February 18, 2013 the Chapter presented “Are you KOming
Prepared?” in Park Shops 210. The program helped educated, motivate, and prepare students for their future career. The guest speaker was Mr. D.
R Ingram, Jr. an Assistant Director at the Career Development Center at
NC State. He delivered an informative presentation on resume writing and interviews. In his mini-workshop, he encouraged attendees to keep a clean, concise, and clear resume that is easy to navigate. When preparing for interviews, Ingram also encouraged everyone to know thyself in all facets of life, in regards to skills, abilities, accomplishments, interests and values.
Attendees were encouraged to bring resumes for optional critiques. The program provided an open and inviting atmosphere to discuss and learn how to successfully market oneself in the professional world. A repast was held after the program.
Soror Erika Earley was chosen to attend an all-expense paid “Leap @McIntire” Accounting Leadership Conference in Charlottesville, Virginia. TheMcIntire School of
Commerce at the University of Virginia presented the conference. She was one of the 21 students from universities along the east coast selected in the application process. The conference was held on February 8-10,
2013. Earley and the other conference participants had the opportunity to network with numerous professionals in the accounting field. Students attended workshops throughout the week-end. A sample of topics covered is:
Creating Your Personal Brand, Global Mindset, Selecting a Grad School, and Etiquette. During the conference students were also able to interview with the “Big 4” global accounting firms for internships and summer leadership conferences. Earley said, “I thoroughly enjoyed the conference and am very thankful for the opportunity to participate. I was able to gain tips and strategies that will allow me to be more successful and make the most out of both my college and professional career.”
Kudos to Soror Chelsea Gardner for her induction into the NC State Chapter of W.E.B Du Bois
Honor Society on Thursday February 21, 2013. She was awarded membership based on her outstanding scholarship, leadership, and service potential.
KOngratulations!
The following program, “Kaptured: A Walk in HER Shoes,” was held
Tuesday, February 19, 2013 in Park Shops 210. The chapter facilitated an open discussion about Sex Trafficking in America and North Carolina specifically. This informative and insightful program revealed important statistics and common misconceptions and myths regarding Human
Trafficking. Several videos were utilized to provide more information on its prevalence today. Guest Speaker Kiricka Yarbough Smith, an Anti-
Trafficking Coordinator at North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault, answered attendees’ questions and provided more feedback on legislation and awareness of labor trafficking and sex trafficking. To conclude, the Chapter provided handouts with further research, statistics, quick facts, and resources on Human Trafficking.
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Mariah A.Walker, a Fall 2003 initiate of Kappa Omicron, is currently the Assistant
Principal of Instruction at Sanderson High School in Wake County. She has been working in Wake County Public Schools for seven years. “I have always enjoyed working with children,” she said. In high school, she had dreams of becoming a neo-natalnurse but her plans changed when she began tutoring and teaching elementary students basic literary skills. At the time, N.C. State did not offer Elementary Education so she majored in English and Secondary Education. “Once I started teaching, I knew I was in the high school setting for a reason…I believed in teaching young people to read, write, and see beyond their current situation,” Walker said.
Though she misses her classroom days as a high school English teacher, she feels her administrative role gives her a greater opportunity to help more students and have more of an impact on the educational environment. As an assistant principal, Walker is grateful for the moments when she can support public education and the role it has in the community and the United States. Her daily schedule ranges from conversations with young people about their future to conversations with the area superintendents about the need for more resources in schools.
She said, “Educators are forced to believe in the hope and future of humanity; and the most meaningful days are when I see the hope of future humanity in the young people I work with.”
Walker’s Favorite Memories of Kappa Omicron: “KO definitely proved to have a positive impact on my undergraduate time at NCSU, but also my life beyond. KO proved to be everything a sisterhood has to offer…
Remember that the memories you make in college will truly last your entire life… .Instead of focusing on your greatness, focus on how your greatness can work to make something better, stronger, and greater.”

Soror Amber Johnson.
Johnson traveled to El
Remate, Petén, Guatemala from January 14-
22, 2013 to enhance her professional skills, foster academic learning and serve the global community. On her expedition, she gathered information for her Senior Design project in Biomedical Engineering. Her team focused on global health, and prior to this trip, they shadowed the catheterization laboratory and rehabilitation division at WakeMed. In Guatemala,
Johnson visited families to learn more about their daily lives. She built a cement floor for a family, visited hospitals and clinics to learn about their healthcare system, interviewed families that had members with lower limb injuries, and saw some amazing sites. She ziplined through the jungle, the Aktún Caves, and the temples of
Tikal. Since her return to the States, her team is currently in the process of creating a rehabilitation bicycle.
Her team is interested in creating an attachment to their device that can use the rotational energy created by the bicycle to power a small device. Their plan is to make the device inexpensive, sustainable, and easy to repair so that families in Guatemala can have a device for rehabilitation in their homes.
March 4-8 Spring Break!
March 19- African Amercan Cultural Center Clark
Lecture featuring Dr. Ricky Jones
On Wednesday night, February 20, 2013, the Chapter collaborated with the Mu Omicron
Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated for “MOnetary KOntrol.” The program informed audience members about tips and guidelines for investments and savings. A representative from Primerica, Ms. Eugenia Annette Smith, spoke to the audience about easy ways to manage and prepare for long-term monetary goals and plans.
The presenter had the audience look at their own spending habits and gave resourceful ways to break wastefulness. She also encouraged the audience to strive for financial independence.
On Thursday, February 21, 2013 the Kappa Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority,Incorporated hosted Total KnockOut. In our quest to educate the NC State community about asthma management and prevention, we developed a program that encompassed a rigorous fitness class hosted by Melissa Cream, a Campus resident advisor at NC State. The exercise class involved standard kickboxing moves, which definitely got everyone’s heart racing and blood pumping. The one-hour workout was done to an array of fast beat songs and all of the participants were engaged and energized.
On Friday, February 22, 2013 the Kappa Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority, Incorporated participated in Dance Marathon at North Carolina State University.
The event began at 7:30 p.m. and concluded at 8:00 a.m. the following morning. This firsttime event took place in Carmichael Gymnasium. The entire NC State community was welcome to attend this amazing experience, in which registered participants stood for 12.5 hours on behalf of the Miracle Kids at Duke Children’s Miracle Network. There were 450 participants, encompassing dancers and spirit wolves. Chapter members were encouraged to write letters, tweet, can, and other fundraising techniques to get donations. Kappa
Omicron ultimately raised $1,523. The Chapter reached 41% of the Dance Marathon goal. The Chapter placed in the top 10 teams for fundraising at Dance Marathon and won two awards (largest team attendance and second runner-up for small group miracle cup competition). The night was filled with dancing, live performances, musical acts, games, activities, and various other guests and speakers such as the NC State Football Coach,
Miss North Carolina 2013, Chancellor Woodsen, and Student Body President Andy Walsh.
The most meaningful part of the night was when participants met the 10 miracle children and families. It was awe-inspiring and emotionally moving to meet all of the miracle kids and hear their stories. They really are the heroes! Ultimately, the 2013 Dance Marathon total exceeded all expectations and goals for the first year. The final total raised was
$60, 013.17.
March 23- Service Raleigh
March 28-29- Spring Holiday
April 4-7- 65th Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference,
Winston Salem, NC
April 7-13- Pan Afrikan Week
April 13- Pan Afrikan Step Show
April 26- Last Day of Classes
April 26- Ebony Harlem Awards
April 27- Kappa Omicron’s 37th Charter Day
April 30- KO Study Jam