Alpha Academy
OIΛ established the Alpha Academy in 2004 to mentor young African American high school males (juniors and seniors) in the Columbia metropolitan area. In supporting the fraternity’s national program, “Go to High School–Go to College,” the Alpha Academy serves as a venue to stimulate the educational, cultural, and personal growth of young men beyond the scope of the normal high school curriculum.
The objective of the Alpha Academy is to offer enriching experiences for young men to expand his network with like achievers and mentors, and to further develop skills through a variety of civic, educational, and cultural activities.
Young men selected to participate in the Alpha Academy, are affectionately called “beaus” by their mentors, and will have the pleasure of attending the following workshops and activities:
- Scholarship Competition
- College Preparation
- Interview Techniques
- Resume Writing
- Teen Pregnancy Prevention
- STD Awareness
- Career Planning
- Personal Finance
- Public Speaking
- Leadership Techniques
- Dinner & Business Etiquette
- Community Service
- Parliamentary Procedures
- Conflict Resolution
Alpha Beautillion
The Alpha Beautillion is the culminating event of The Alpha Academy where junior and senior beaus are showcased before family, friends, and invited guests. The event serves to acknowledge the recent graduates and their academic achievements, as well as their accomplishments throughout The Alpha Academy.
Beaus who have satisfactorily completed all requirements are presented with awards and are awarded college scholarships. “Mantle of Manhood” is also bestowed upon the Beaus and the program concludes with members of the fraternity encircling the Beaus while singing the fraternity hymn.
Alfred F. Young Oratorical Contest
Since the early 1990s, OIΛ has sponsored an annual oratorical contest to allow high school students to express themselves through self written orations on selected topics. In 2006, the contest was renamed in honor of the late Bro. Dr. Alfred F. Young, a charter member of OIΛ who taught chemistry at the high school and collegiate levels. The contest has evolved into the penultimate event of The Alpha Academy with senior Beaus competing for the annual monetary award.