AWARDS 2025
SPECIAL HONORS
The Awards Ceremony was held at the Ridgecrest Convention Center in the Dogwood Hall on Saturday, June 7, 2025 during the 21st Annual Convention. Presiding was the 2024-2025 National Board of Trustees: Claire McAuliffe, Elizabeth Kroner, Liz Downer, Magen Nelson, Faith Dumais, Allison Howard, Jashania Gatling-Garrette, and Cayce Lee.
***Guest award presenter, The Sigma Alpha Omega® Foundation President Brett Pasquinelli presented three awards: the Grace Award, the SAOF President's Choice (Director of the Year) Award, and the 2nd annual Rose Quartz Award. The Rose Quartz Award is given to a chapter that makes a inspiring effort to maximize their participation in the annual Convention that year, whether from large active and alumnae registration numbers, financial obstacles overcome, and/or distance traveled. The Grace Award is given to a sister who has distinguished herself in service to the official charitable foundation of Sigma Alpha Omega and/or the sisterhood at large. The SAOF President's Choice, or Director of the Year, Award is selected by the current President of the SAO Foundation in recognition of a fellow Foundation Director who has distinguished herself in her volunteer role with the Foundation. Accompanying Kelli Anne Gecawich at the Awards Ceremony were fellow directors Abby McHenry, Scarleth Andino, and Ashleigh Crouch. Director Shelby Howard was unable to be in attendance.
*The Lily Award is a nomination-based award given to a sister of Sigma Alpha Omega, enrolled or alumna. The Lily Award recipient will personify the following: 1) A Christ-like attitude of humility and compassion, 2) A consistent record of service to others through SAO or otherwise, 3) A strong reputation as a woman of Christ and ambassador for SAO to her campus and/or community [Song of Solomon 2:1-2: "I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters."]
**The Dove Award is a nomination-based award given to a sister of Sigma Alpha Omega, enrolled or alumna. The Dove Award recipient will personify the following: 1) Evidence of a strong work ethic, 2) An obvious passion for Christ and Sigma Alpha Omega, 3) An extraordinary dedication to her commitments and relationships [Matthew 3:16-17: "As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him."]
CHAPTER LEADERSHIP

SISTER OF THE YEAR
Shelby Howard (Alpha Xi)​
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OUTSTANDING PRESIDENT
Morgan Howell (Upsilon)​
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OUTSTANDING VICE PRESIDENT
Yvette Fay (Beta)​
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OUTSTANDING SECRETARY
Mykayla McClure (Beta)​
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OUTSTANDING TREASURER​
Olivia Richardson (Upsilon
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OUTSTANDING JUDICIAL BOARD CHAIR:
Lily Cagle (Upsilon)​
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OUTSTANDING COMMITTEE CHAIR
Sarah Baxter (Beta Delta)​
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OUSTANDING ALUMNA
Shelby Howard (Alpha Xi)​
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SISTER OF PROMISE
Madeline Morrow (Beta Delta)​
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SISTER ACHIEVEMENT
Chrissi Pedley Buck
(Alpha Chi)​
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SISTER OF SERVICE
Sarah Baxter (Beta Delta)​
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THE LILY AWARD*
Emma Halfacre (Upsilon)​
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THE DOVE AWARD**
Morgan Howell (Upsilon)
CHAPTER ACHIEVEMENT
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CHAPTER OF THE YEAR
Alpha Xi
(Campbell University)​
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OUTSTANDING MERCHANDISE DESIGN
Alpha/Breanna Hudson
(North Carolina State University)​
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OUTSTANDING SOCIAL MEDIA
Beta Mu/Mia Bently
(University of Texas)​
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CHAPTER OF PROMISE
Alpha Mu Chapter​
(Virginia Tech)
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CHAPTER OF SERVICE
Mu Chapter
(University of Georgia)​
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CHAPTER OF THE FALL 2024 SEMESTER
Nu Chapter​
(Western Caroline University)
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CHAPTER OF THE SPRING 2025 SEMESTER
Beta Mu Chapter​
(University of Texas)
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DISTINGUISHED CHAPTERS
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ALPHA
BETA
THETA
MU
NU
OMICRON
UPSILON
CHI
ALPHA DELTA
ALPHA LAMBDA
ALPHA XI
BETA DELTA
BETA IOTA
SPECIAL HONORS
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TRUSTEE OF THE YEAR
Liz Downer (Beta)​
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MENTOR OF THE YEAR
Emileigh Crouch
(Beta Delta)​
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THE SAO FOUNDATION'S DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Shelby Howard (Alpha Xi)​
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THE SAO FOUNDATION'S GRACE*** AWARD
Madeline Morrow
(Beta Delta)​
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THE SAO FOUNDATION'S ROSE QUARTZ*** AWARD
Beta Mu Chapter
(University of Texas)
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NATIONAL BOARD-SELECTED CONVENTION CHAPTER BANNER WINNER
Beta Delta (Jacksonville State)
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CONVENTION​
EVENT SUPERLATIVES
(as voted upon by the 20th Annual Convention Attendees)
MOST FASHIONABLE
Lane McCarthy (Mu)
​
CONVENTION CLOWN
Amanda Hayes (Alpha Zeta)
MOST PASSIONATE
Savannah Greene (Theta)
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MISS CONGENIALITY
Barbara Dabbs (Alpha Sigma)
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ALUMNA "POTATO" ARTWORK WINNER
Claire McAuliffe (Alpha Alpha)