Alpha Zeta Sigma

In an effort to provide fresh, organic produce to those in need, Alpha Zeta Sigmans volunteered at Synergy Garden on Sunday nights at 7:00 p.m.. Synergy Garden is a community garden that feeds both its volunteers and donates produce to food banks in the area. The garden, under direction of our faculty advisor Anita Tam, is located at 1102 Howard Drive, Simpsonville, SC 29681.

On Fridays during the summer semester, Alpha Zeta Sigma officers held free fitness events for Greenville Technical College students and faculty. These events included hiking, walking, yoga, and cycling. Our first event was a 5-mile hike through Jones Gap State Park. Next, we headed out on Swamp Rabbit Trail, which borders Barton campus on Cleveland Street, and walked around Falls Park on the Reedy in downtown Greenville. For our third event, we partnered with yoga studio Southern Om who generously donated their time to offer a free yoga class to Greenville Technical College students.

Every Wednesday during the summer semester, Alpha Zeta Sigmans participated in Water Wednesdays. As part of our Honors in Action theme, health and fitness, this project promoted healthy choices, fitness activities, and campus services. We found that Greenville water won the "Best of the Best" national water taste test in 2011. We also studied the health benefits of water (improved brain function and metabolism, clearer skin, removal of toxins, etc.) an that Americans don't drink enough water. In an effort to encourage healthy choices on campus, officers set up a table in the University Transfer Building 104 lobby, near the vending machines, and distributed free glasses of ice water (with optional wedges of lemon or cucumber) from 5-gallon coolers. Concurrently, officers acted as campus ambassadors and provided students with information on free campus services (such as tutoring options), building and classroom locations, and fitness opportunities on campus such as Swamp Rabbit Trail on Cleveland Street and free yoga classes in the library at 1:00 on Fridays during summer. Officers also used this time to promote joining Phi Theta Kappa and Alpha Zeta Sigma activities such as Fitness Fridays.

Alpha Zeta Sigma officers gave speeches in College Skills classes about Phi Theta Kappa membership benefits. We also introduced the students to the C4 program and held signings -- students made a contract with themselves to complete their 2-year degrees.

Alpha Zeta Sigmans promoted and participated in a 5K race each semester that raised funds for healthy causes.

1. In March, we participated in the March for Babies. 
2. In June, we participated in the Feed Greenville 5K to benefit Generous Garden, a community garden in Mauldin that has donated tons of food to food banks in the Greenville area.
3. In November, we volunteered to set up the Caine Halter YMCA Lungs4Life 5K to benefit those suffering from lung cancer.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Today, Greenville Technical College volunteers, including Phi Theta Kappa/Alpha Zeta Sigma Vice President Amalie Wendelken and Vice President of Member Services Haochen Zuo, helped with this ReWa sponsored event.

According to the ReWa website, "Last year, more than 6,000 South Carolina volunteers removed over 45 tons of aquatic debris from South Carolina's waterways. This annual clean up clears our waterways of unsightly debris, educates the public about the impact that aquatic debris has on our economy and our environment, and serves as a research tool for the Center for Marine Conservation in Washington, D.C.."

Haochen Zuo shared his thoughts on today's event. "Today Amalie and I went to Conestee Park for the Reedy River Clean Up. It was a cold, windy, and overcast morning but the scenery was beautiful. There were three groups: some people went on canoes to clean the lake, another group cleaned the area around the dam, and our group cleaned the trail. I was surprised that there was so much trash to pick up, especially in the swampy areas. There were tires, footballs, and even a basketball. Afterwards everyone got a t-shirt and hot dogs. It was a very rewarding and fun experience."

This biannual cleanup takes place on Georgia Road by the Brashier campus, where trash and debris is removed from the road to improve the environment and keep South Carolina beautiful.