Stroud’s Beta Sigma Phi Sorority members had a busy fall and holiday season with meetings, socials and service projects. President Chris Hodge presided over meetings and recognized birthdays and anniversaries each month. She announced that the International Office of the organization has designated a new chapter name and will be known as Psi Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi since the majority of members have reached the milestone of the Master Degree of membership.
New members were welcomed with the addition of two pledges, Ayne Huelsman and Destiny Jackson; transferee, Kimberlie Weldy; and reinstates Davina McGee and Michelle Doherty, who were inducted into the chapter in A Welcome Ritual and a Candlelight Pledge Ritual. The pledges will participate in training on the history and traditions of Beta Sigma Phi before earning their next degree. The pledges were presented with Breast Cancer Awareness pins given to new members to recognize breast cancer as one of the charities supported by Beta Sigma Phi. They, in turn, presented breast cancer pins to Mary Jackson and Pam Hunt, who invited them to become members.
Yearbooks and bracelet charms designating the new annual theme, “Beta Sigma Phi, the Right Place to Be,” were given to members, and Scrapbook Chairman Pam Clement presented the president’s scrapbook to outgoing President Sue Helms in appreciation of her year serving the chapter.
The executive board announced the appointment of Kim Johnson as Corresponding Secretary.
Members sold fall mums as a fundraiser to support service and community projects, participated in the Stroud Christmas Parade with Kim Weldy, Pan Hunt and Mary Jackson chairing the parade float committee, and supported the Lincoln County On-Stage with memberships, and delivered Christmas cards to the Stroud Nursing Home and Praire Point.
Jim and Chris Hodge hosted a Halloween costume party, where a variety of treats, hotdogs, and chili were served. Best costume prizes went to Daniel Johnson’s Beetlejuice and PamHunt’sMissArgentina from Beetlejuice.
Hostesses and programs include Chris Hodge, who gave a program on the many countries with Beta Sigma chapters; Sue Helms whose program was on her hobby of crocheting and gave members one of her handmade Worry Worms and pocket prayers for comfort. Also, Rachel Shields hosted along with Kim Weldy, who served refreshments. Shields’ program was on Crock Pot Cooking and she shared the best ones to purchase for value and safety and gave safety tips.
Pam Hunt, assisted by Ayne Huelsman, hosted a program celebrating the organization’s Valentine Queen tradition when a member is elected Queen and honored in February. All previous queens wore their crowns and tables were decorated in royal fashion with a special queenly backdrop to take pictures. The guest speaker was Stacy Spitler, director of Miss Lincoln County and revision of the Miss Stroud pageants, which are Miss America preliminaries. She shared the many successes of the Miss Stroud Pageant in the past that brought several Miss Oklahoma crowns to the community as well as one Miss America. The reigning Miss Stroud, Mia Claire Jones, a medical student from Morrison, OK, who attends OSU, told her plans to participate in the Miss Oklahoma pageant. Hunt presented gifts to the guests and served a special dessert.
Andrea Thompson and cohost Michelle Doherty hosted a meeting honoring the season for being thankful and gave the program on Things to be Grateful For. Members played the Pass the Present gift, and Sandy Jones won.
Linda Waller hosted a meeting and shared her traveling adventures with a program on Cruises. She also gave each member a necklace from a shop in the Bahamas.
The last meeting of the year was hosted by Chris Hodge with Sandy Jones, cohost. Dinner was followed with a Secret Sister gift exchange and a program by Jones on Beta traditions. Dessert was served by Davina McGee, and a glove exchange was held.
In other activities, the chapter concluded their fundraiser selling mums, with profits used to support service projects.
The highlight of all the activities was the naming of Chris Hodge as the 2025 Valentine Queen, where she will be honored at a special banquet in February. The announcement was made by last year’s queen, Sue Helms. A dinner party for members and guests was also held with a game of Dirty Santa.
Pam Hunt announced that the Oklahoma Chapters of Beta Sigma Phi have accepted the Stroud Chapter’s bid to host the 2026 State Convention in Stroud, which will also be the 100th anniversary of the opening of U.S. Route 66. The chapter expects several hundred members to be in Stroud for the convention.
Beta Sigma Phi members participating in all activities were Chris Hodge, Cindy Mason, Mary Jackson, Sue Helms, Kim Johnson, Sandra Jones, Linda Waller, Darlene Lau, Pam Hunt, Pam Clement, Linda Stephens, Rachael Shields, new member Andrea Thompson, and former member, Davina McGee.