Delta Sigma Theta

Shamika M. Fleuranges, 22, of St. Mary’s County Maryland knew on the day she was born she was literally destined to become a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. She crossed over into this sisterhood April 20, 2008, which was also her 21st birthday.

“It’s no other one but delta to me,” said Shamika M. Fleuranges, 22, Towson University student. “I feel like they do more for the community and I see them as strong women who change the lives of people every day.”

Out of all the aspects of joining a sorority, Fleuranges believes the sorority’s three fundamental principles, sisterhood, scholarship and service, are what makes Delta stand out from other sororities. Being able to be a part of a sisterhood with the rest of her Delta sisters is what intrigues Fleuranges the most.

“I think that we stand out above the rest and I love the women who are a part of it,” Fleuranges said. “You can identify a delta woman over other sororities. We actually put our words into action.”

Being a member of a sorority means engaging in the different activities and events that occur. These events include community service, step performances, cookouts and on-campus events.

“Take a Trip Around the World was the best event I’ve ever planned,” Fleuranges said. “It was an event to expose students on campus to other cultures of food, music and dress.”

Individuals looking at the lives of sorority members from the outside in may have their own opinions of how those members act. Whether they are stuck up or hostile toward non-members, these are stereotypes that should be cleared up.

“People think that we can’t have friends outside of our sorority and that our sorority controls who we are,” Fleuranges said. “We are individuals with one more common interest.”

The process of joining a sorority is very difficult but understood to be well worth while in the end. When asked if Fleuranges regrets any part of the process, she answered with a simple “hell no!”

Wall

A 36-year-old female and a 10-day-old baby of the Housing Authority of Baltimore suffered a combination of burns and smoke inhalation midday Thursday when their apartment complex caught fire after an explosion which caused the wall in between the two apartments to collapse, Baltimore County Police said.

Arnetta Sands, of 200 North Aisquith Street, apt 10B, was in the kitchen spraying insecticide from an aerosol can which was a factor in the ignition of a flame from the stove being used for heating and cooking combustion. Sands suffered third degree burns on her back and arms and was taken to Church Home and Hospital, police said.

Andre Henderson, of 200 North Aisquith Street, apt 10C, was sleeping in his crib when the explosion caused the wall between the two apartments to collapse and it landed on his crib. Firefighters removed a portion of the wall off of the crib and sent the baby to Hopkins Hospital for possible smoke inhalation, police said.

Sands remains in the hospital to continue to be treated and the baby was said to be okay. Renee Henderson, the 23-year-old mother of the baby was not injured. Captain Thommen says this was an accident.

Holdup

A Provident Savings Bank was robbed midday Friday by three men, one of which was carrying a .22-caliber rifle and they succeeded in exiting the bank with an undisclosed amount of money inside of two white pillowcases, county police said.
The three suspects entered the Provident Savings Bank in the 3100 block of Greenmount Avenue around 12:20 p.m. where one of them pointed the weapon at the bank manager and ordered the four employees and two customers to lie down on the floor. The other two suspects leaped over the counter and ransacked several tellers’ cages, police said.
After successfully getting to the other side of the bank counter, the suspects proceeded to stuff money into two white pillowcases. They then ran out of the bank, east along the alley on the north side of the bank where they disposed of the rifle, police said.
The suspects were lost from sight after they fled the scene with the cash and there were no injuries or arrests, county police said.

Shopping!!!

You could say that Debra Wright, 49, of Silver Spring, Maryland was born to shop because for as long as she can remember she has enjoyed shopping,

“Shopping is more of a mental stress reliever,” said Debra Wright, 49, resident of Silver Spring. “It gives me the feeling of satisfaction. It eases the stress of the situation.”

Whether Wright is shopping for business attire, boots, or her favorite item, shoes, it is the great bargains she finds on quality designer wear that makes Wright so interested in shopping.

“I’ve cut back a lot but I used to go to the mall an average of three to four times a week,” Wright said. “Maybe I didn’t purchase anything. I could have just been window shopping or returning a previous purchase. I am the return queen!”

Hobbies are an excellent way to pass the time and what better way to do that than by shopping!