Preceptor Omicron Epsilon look back to 1938

The Texas Preceptor Omicron Epsilon chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met on Tuesday, February 5, in the home of Dimples Burns.

President Marcella Harkrider called the meeting to order and led members in the Opening Ritual.

President Harkrider read a communication from International which included Renewals and Proposals for the 2008 Endowment Fund.

Officer and standing committee reports were given.

Dr. Opal Steward, a member of the nursing scholarship committee, gave updates on the scholarship and reported that memorials and contributions may be made to the new Margaret Matlock Nursing Scholarship endowment Fund through the Kilgore college Foundation.

Beginning in march, the regular sorority meeting day will be changed to the second Tuesday of the month.

Janis Slayter presented the program from THE BETA SIGMA PHI SCRAPBOOK - FIFTY YEARS IN PICTURES 1931-80. The chapter on the first valentine contest was timely and of interest. In February 1938, the international sorority magazine, The Torch, had the face of actress Jean Parker McDonald on the cover. Her beautiful face was framed by a lacy valentine. This magazine cover launched the popular contest, the Valentine Contest. Each year, Beta Sigma Phi sororities all over the world may send in pictures of their valentine sweetheart. The contest is judged by a famous personality, and the winner is on the cover of each February Torch. The first judge was Cary Grant. Over the years, contest judges have included Rita Hayworth, Glenn Ford, Humphrey Bogart, Jack Benny, John Wayne, George Hamilton, and Robert Wagner. This year, the judge was Bill Ross. Bill's father founded Beta Sigma Phi in 1931 in Abilene, Kansas.

On Sunday, February 10, the five Beta Sigma Phi chapters met at the Kilgore First Baptist Church for a Valentine Tea to present their 2008 Valentine Sweethearts.

Members attending the meeting were Marcella Harkrider, Jennie Daigle, Janis Slayter, Deana Covin, Yvonne Kennedy, Frances Adams, Roberta Boggs, Dimples Burns, Barbara Mabery, Vivian Patton, Opal Stewart, and Jennifer Utzman.