Andrew Davis (right) accepts his award as 2016 12th District Omega Man of the Year from District Representative James Walker.
Story and photos by D.L. White
June has arrived and the heat began rising as members of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc, descended on the Valley for the 71st annual 12th District Meeting in downtown Phoenix. More than 750 registered delegates, along with family and friends, took part in a plethora of activities, events, and social gatherings, as well as shopping, dining, and enjoying the splendor of the Southwest. Delegates ventured to the Valley from as far as Hawaii and Anchorage, Alaska to take part in the official business of the fraternity hosted by the brothers of Phi Iota (Phoenix grads) and Alpha Theta (undergrads attending ASU).
Phi Iota Basileus (president) Andrew Davis joined 12th District Marshall Charles Peevy in welcoming 12th District Representative Brother James Walker and Grand Basileus the honorable Antonio F. Knox, Sr., to the Valley.
“The District Meeting was a huge success in terms of the business that was completed leading to the (national meeting) this summer in Las Vegas,” said Davis, adding, “… it was very gratifying that the full schedule of activities allowed the wives, family members and guest of visiting brothers to enjoy the city as well as giving Omega more exposure in the city.”
The local Omega Youth Leadership team led by Brother Larry Ross hosted a youth leadership conference, with the Vice Mayor Kate Gallego and the Grand Basileus bringing greetings. The conference offers an opportunity to showcase what the local chapter has been doing for 20 years – mentoring and impacting the lives of young men and showing them paths to be successful in life. Brother Lionel Lyons was the keynote speaker and several brothers presented on STEM careers.
“With over 200 young men in the Valley, and with our brother’s in Tucson (Delta Alpha Alpha) joining in, I was especially proud of the way the Brothers ‘answered the call’ and supported the vision that our District Marshal Bro. Charles Peevy had for this event to make it the best District Meeting the 12th District has ever seen,” said Davis.
During the 12th District Founders Banquet, Davis was selected Omega Man of the Year for the District. The step team took top honors in the march competition before a capacity crowd in the Hyatt’s grand ballroom. The Que Cabaret included outstanding music, and a uniquely insane comedian.
The week began with the George Greene Benefit Golf Tournament. The wives and guests of visiting brother’s enjoyed a wine tasting day trip to the cool tall pines of northern Arizona and shopping and dining excursions around the city. The week ended with a free community Bar-B- Que at Eastlake Park as the Que’s, family members and guests “qued” it up in the park from mid-day until the sun set.
Talent hunt winner, Christian A. Douglas (right front) with the men of Omega.
Christian A. Douglas, a 14 year old honor student from Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and representing Tau Tau Chapter (Los Angeles) was selected the 12th District Talent Hunt winner. Christian will travel to the national conclave in Vegas to complete for national honors against district winners from across the US.
“Christian is a classical pianist and a percussionist in his school’s orchestra, he also plays the vibraphone in The Colburn School’s Sunday Jazz combo. Immensely talented, Christian credits his hard work and attention to detail for earning him awards for his piano performances at the Southwestern Youth Music Festivals, Music Teacher’s Association of California Festivals; the Los Angeles Branch Sonata/Sonatina Festivals; the Clarice Music Scholarship Competition, and now the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., 12th District Talent Hunt competition.
With talent as large as the Grand Canyon, Christian is also a compassionate young man. In July of 2014, he held a fundraiser, which raised enough money to send an ill youngster and his family on an all expense paid vacation to Disneyland and California Adventure. Christian plans to continue fundraising and using his musical talent to bring joy to the ill and underprivileged. Upon graduation from high school, Christian plans to continue his music education at either UCLA, Stanford University, or Juliard. Christian’s highest goal however, is to use his talent to make the world a better place.