Carolyn Hester didn’t have a biological sister, but her sorority filled that void.

In college, the Atlanta native joined Zeta Tau Alpha. Her ties with the sorority, and Greek life in general, didn’t wither after college. She spent more than 50 years as an adviser, recruiter and officer for the sorority’s Atlanta alumnae chapter. For more than 30 years, she served and held offices for the Atlanta Alumnae Panhellenic Association.

Mrs. Hester was so connected that she could put a co-ed in touch with a Zeta at any college in any part of the country. All it took was a phone call or two. She helped students get information, and into the sororities of their choice, no matter the sorority or the college, said her daughter, Cathy Huffines of Atlanta.

“Certainly there are people just as involved as she was, but nobody to this level in this area within Zeta that I know of,” she said. “Wherever a girl wanted to go into Greek life to find a home, she was very involved helping the transition.”

On Wednesday, Carolyn Hendricks Hester of Decatur died at home from complications of breast cancer. She was 74. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on May 22 at Oak Grove United Methodist Church in Decatur. A.S. Turner & Sons is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Hester was a 1953 honors graduate of Bass High School. In 1955, she transferred from Emory University to the University of Georgia, at the latter serving as a football cheerleader for two years and senior class vice president. In 1957, she earned a bachelor’s degree in education.

Two years later, she married Cecil Woodfin Hester Jr., her husband of 46 years. He died five years ago. Mrs. Hester was a substitute teacher at Lakeside High School from 1975 to 2000. The 1982 school yearbook is dedicated to the educator.

Her commitment to Zeta and the Greek community spanned decades. She advised Zeta’s college chapters and helped with training and recruitment. She served as district president of the Atlanta alumnae chapter.

In return, the national organization feted her with honors that include the 2004 Louise Kettler Helper Memorial Award, given to an alumna and a student for outstanding service; the honor ring, the sorority’s highest individual honor, and a 1969 certificate of merit. A national scholarship has been established in her name.

“There are very few people who have given at the level she has given,” said Stephanie Powell, a national Zeta officer and UGA chapter adviser. “She made the chapter at Georgia what it is, and she taught us values to live by in the sorority and in life.”

Mrs. Hester served as a Zeta delegate and held offices as part of the Atlanta Alumnae Panhellenic Association. That organization crowned her its 1986 woman of the year.

“She was a cheerleader  for the whole Greek system,” said Larrie Kontz, a friend who lives in Sandy Springs. “And it didn’t matter what sorority you were in. I can remember the days when we didn’t have enough [Zeta] alumnae in Athens to work rush. Carolyn was right there.”

Additional survivors include another daughter, Carol Young of Augusta; a son, Cecil W. Hester III of Atlanta, and three grandchildren.

We are proud to award two $750 scholarships to local alumnae members who are furthering their education.

Hallee Moore
Hallee is scheduled to attend Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law in the fall, a goal she has been working toward since she was 17 years old. She has a passion for philanthropy and served as Service Coordinator in her Zeta Tau Alpha chapter at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she was initiated. Hallee plans to use her law degree to create social change for those less fortunate.

The Luann Rhodes Alumnae Scholarship
Jennifer Dixon
Jennifer plans to pursue a Masters Degree in Heritage preservation at Georgia State University. She is an active member of her alumnae chapter serving as Recording Secretary since 2008 and previously as Treasurer from 2004-2008. Jennifer was initiated into Alpha Gamma Delta at the University of Georgia.

2010 Collegiate Scholarships

We are proud to award two Collegiate Scholarship recipients who will receive a $1000 scholarship.

Maggie McCampbell
Maggie is a rising senior at Mercer University studying Communication and Spanish. She has held several offices of leadership in her Alpha Gamma Delta chapter and is currently serving as President.  For two years, she has served on campus as a Peer Advisor and member of the Mercer Orientation Team.

Julie Singleton
Julie is a rising senior at Brenau University where she is a Nursing major and Music minor. As a member of Alpha Gamma Delta, she has consistently held an office of leadership and is currently serving as Vice President Member Development. Julie is also on the Panhellenic Executive Board.

Kelly Saroff
Kelly is an accomplished musician and plans to earn her undergraduate degree in Music Performance, specifically, flute, with a minor in French. She is ranked 9th in her class of 753 students at Brookwood High School in Snellville. She has enjoyed cheerleading for the past 8 years. Kelly is the daughter of Carl and Cynthia Saroff of Lawrenceville.

This award honors sorority alumnae who have contributed more
than a decade of outstanding service in civic affairs, education,
the arts and the Greek community. 

Nancy Wright Courtney, Kappa Delta

Outstanding Alumnae Chapter Award

This 5th annual award recognizes an alumnae chapter who has a
well-rounded chapter and has exhibited excellence in service to the
community, collegiate chapters, philanthropic projects, Atlanta Alumnae
Panhellenic Association, and for outstanding programming designed to
meet the needs of their membership.

Kappa Delta Atlanta Alumnae Chapter

AAPA delegates and alternates will be responsible for coordinating this event. Lissa Bradford, National Panhellenic Confer-ence Alternate Delegate for Kappa Alpha Theta, will be leading the information session. Invitations will be sent to area high schools and disseminated to high school senior women through the counseling office. Reservations for College Sorority 101 can be made online  at www.atlantapanhellenic.org/recruitment. If any of your alumnae have high school counselor and/or PTSA contact information for area high schools , please contact Peggy Jones at pegjones@bellsouth.net.

The deadline to submit applications is Friday, March 26, 2010 and should be sent to Patty Deitsch at
scholarship@atlantapanhellenic.org. Additional information is available on the AAPA website.

Scholarship recipients will be announced at the AAPA Scholarship Luncheon on Saturday, May 1, 2010. AAPA already offers scholarships to alumnae and collegiate women, and this year they will expand their scholarships to include high school senior women. The Atlanta Alum-nae Panhellenic is the only alum-nae panhellenic offering scholarships to all 3 age groups and is excited about the opportunity to further increase awareness of sorority membership.

Two collegiate scholarships of $1000 each will be awarded to deserving NPC women attending one of the many colleges and universities within the state of Georgia where the National Panhellenic Conference is represented.

Two alumnae scholar-ships of $750 each will be awarded to active members of an NPC group who are continuing their education. Scholarship application forms and details are available now on the AAPA website. The applications are due March 26, 2010 and selections will be announced at the AAPA meeting on April 20, 2010.

Alumnae chapters all over Atlanta will be able to participate in Sisters for Scholars any month they choose, or all year long! The 2009-10 Sisters for Scholars will kick off with a memo to alumnae chapter presidents and Panhellenic delegates in October. Member groups may decide what month to participate, and distribute the email accordingly. Each chapter is being asked to strive to raise $250 to provide scholar-ships. Our goal is for every sorority woman to receive an email about Sisters for Scholars, and to consider donating, regardless of their involvement in their sorority now.

Collegians have identified scholarships as their #1 need to be successful in college and to build their collegiate chapters. Won’t you please help? Consider donating to Sisters for Scholars today by going to https://co.clickandpledge.com/default.aspx?wid=25310

1^st runner up for Most Outstanding Alumnae Panhellenic 

Citation of Merit for Service, Programming, & Fundraising

Congratulations, Ladies!

Alumnae Scholarships
Luann Rhodes Alumnae Scholarship:  Sarah Carter (Sigma Sigma Sigma)
Alumnae Scholarship:  Laura Bellaire (Pi Beta Phi)

Panhellenic Women of the Year:
Deirdre Reason Hill (Alpha Chi Omega)
Cathy Kramer Leake (Delta Zeta)

Outstanding Alumnae Chapter Award
Alpha Gamma Alpha Chapter, Alpha Chi Omega

AAPA is having an Information Session to share with you what joining a college sorority is all about.  All college sororities were started with the desire for friendship, leadership, achievement and philanthropy in their pursuit of higher education.  Today, some 140 years plus, they still have those same ideals.  Becoming a member of a sorority provides you many opportunities during your college years, not only do they provide you a home away from home they give you a chance to develop leadership skills.  Sisterhood provides a lifetime of friendship through many alumnae associations throughout the country and abroad. 

Please plan to attend our “College Sorority 101” Information Session on Saturday, March 28, 2009 from 2:00-4:00 pm at Robinson Hall on The Westminster Schools campus, 1424 West Paces Ferry Road, NW, Atlanta, GA  30327.  Registration begins at 1:30 pm.

Be sure to RSVP online today!