Kappa Phi Alpha and AFGM combine efforts to feed needy families at Thanksgiving, 2004.

Southwest Academy’s KappaPhi Alpha is a community service fraternity that was established to give boys the opportunity to interact with committed, conscientious adult mentors at the school. The challenges in today's world are greater than ever, and Kappa Phi Alpha, under the direction of Assistant Principal Donyall Dickey, gives youth a chance to see their options, make good choices, and do good deeds. The core principles of Kappa Phi Alpha are “Knowledge of Self and Community,” “Perseverance,” and “Achievement in Every Endeavor.” The Kappa Phi Alpha boys discover their own individual strengths, talents, and gifts, which help them develop positive life skills.

(Left to right) Paul Winfield, Teacher Mentor-Old Court Middle School; Donyall D. Dickey, Assistant Principal-Southwest Academy & Founder of Kappa Phi Alpha; Steaven Hamlin, Teacher-Old Court Middle School & Founder of A Few Good Men.

Founded in 1999, the fraternity focuses on community service. This year’s 26-member group has a full calendar loaded with service projects they conduct throughout the year. With assistance from family and staff members, the boys fed 118 families for the fraternity’s 5th Annual Food Drive at Thanksgiving. In March the fraternity will hold a fundraiser to benefit terminally ill children. A car wash is planned for April to finance college visits. The Annual Spring Step Show Extravaganza, scheduled for May 26, will benefit all community service projects and college field trips.

Not all is work for the Kappa Phi Alpha boys! Along with their mentors, the group attends NBA basketball games and meets twice a month to discuss upcoming events and to interact with one another. The fraternity members also act as ambassadors for Southwest Academy during parent conference meetings and Back-to-School events.

Thankful family accepts food donation from a Kappa Phi Alpha member.

Kappa Phi Alpha is proud to boast over 200 members, some of whom have gone on to prestigious colleges and universities, technical schools, and service in the military.

Modeling itself after Kappa Phi Alpha, Old Court Middle School has founded a male mentorship program called A Few Good Men (AFGM). Conceptualized by Steaven Hamlin, an Old Court Middle School teacher, and Paul Winfield, a former Southwest Academy teacher and Baltimore County Teacher of the Year, AFGM boasts 35 members from the ages of 11-13 and five faithful mentors who are working to actively instill in its members the three core principles of their organization adopted from Kappa Phi Alpha. AFGM supported Kappa Phi Alpha in their service project to assist needy families at Thanksgiving.

Story by Marjorie Hampson, Communications Specialist Photos by Donyall Dickey, Assistant Principal