Writer / Connie Sieferman
Photography provided by / Tri Kappa
Doing for others – and thus the world – is a hallmark of Tri Kappa, a philanthropic sorority formed uniquely to Indiana in 1901. There are 146 active chapters in communities throughout the state focusing on the promotion of charity, culture and education. The Delta Pi Chapter of Tri Kappa in Plainfield is one of the largest of its kind in the state and currently numbers about 80 members. They formed in 1938, making this their 80th anniversary year.
Their celebration of that milestone will include the donation of more than $30,000 to over 30 different projects and organizations within the Plainfield area. These funds are primarily available through proceeds from admissions and booth rental fees of their major fundraising endeavor, Gingerbread Christmas craft and fine arts show. Delta Pi is also the recipient of corporate and personal donations throughout the year.
A highlight of the sorority’s charitable giving in 2018 includes $6,000 in scholarships to six Plainfield High School seniors. Tina Hayes is Delta Pi’s First Vice President and the 2018 Scholarship Chairperson.
“Each of these outstanding young people demonstrated, through their actions and achievements, their personal commitment to the sorority’s ideals of charity, culture and 
education,” she says.
She explains the process, in which “applicants for the scholarship funds were asked to complete an extensive application process and exhibit a personal history of engagement in volunteer service, extracurricular activities and classroom diligence.”
The 20 applicants from this year’s senior class of 350 were an impressive mix of students and range of career goals. The six seniors who ultimately received the chapter’s scholarships were selected based on their academic achievements, clearly-defined career goals and their involvement at PHS and within the community.
“Each application was also accompanied by outstanding personal recommendations,” Hayes says.
Seven members of Delta Pi served on a committee to review the applications and select the final recipients.
The scholarships were publicly acknowledged at Plainfield High School’s “Evening of Distinction” in May. The following seniors each received a $1,000 award for their future educational endeavors:
• Lauren Joseph: University of Indianapolis for Elementary Education
• Sierra Lee: IUPUI for Physical Therapy
• Dylan Miller: Northeastern University for Chemical Engineering
• Samantha Olinger: Indiana University for Finance & Management
• Anna Restivo: Butler University for Chemistry
•Anna Restivo: Georgetown College for Media Communication & Film Production
A number of community organizations are the recipients of Delta Pi’s additional philanthropic generosity throughout the year. In keeping with their commitment to a triad of charity, culture and education, the sorority is engaged in a broad variety of projects and funds. Active Grace, Fairhaven Foundation, Family Promise of Hendricks County, Gathering Together (Plainfield Hospice Care), Meals on Wheels, Sheltering Wings, Summertime Lunch Bunch and Susie’s Place are among those that reflect the charitable extension of the group’s resources. Gifts to cultural endeavors are represented by Friends of the Library, Hendricks Civic Theater, the County Arts Council, the Symphonic Society and the Indy Honor Flights, among others. Rounding out the sorority’s promotion of education-related projects are recipients that include Sycamore Center Special Ed, Weekday Religious Education within the Plainfield Community School Corporation, Survivor Skills for Women and substantial support for scholarships like those awarded in May.
Hayes loves to “showcase how the community supports us by attending our fundraiser each December and then it comes back full circle when we award these scholarships to deserving students.” She encourages women in Plainfield to consider Tri Kappa/Delta Pi when seeking a place to find service opportunities and community involvement for themselves. For more information, interested parties can reach out to the chapter president, Whitney Kern at president@plainfieldtrikappa.org. That’s Tri Kappa, doing for others and for the world.
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