The Celebration of Life Luncheon is hosted by the Austin Alumnae chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) – the oldest alumnae chapter in continued existence in the United States.
Our event benefits the ZTA Foundation which is the National Co-Sponsor of the Survivor Recognition Program at the Komen Race for the Cure®.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and Race for the Cure®
ZTA began an association with Susan G. Komen for the Cure® in 1992 when it became the first national sponsor of the Race for the Cure’s National Series Breast Cancer Survivor Recognition Program. Since that year, ZTA has continually served as a national sponsor of the Survivor Recognition Program.
ZTA provides the signature pink T-shirts and caps for participants to wear during the race. As part of the Survivor Program, ZTA also provides pink “In Memory Of” and “In Celebration Of” back signs for participants to wear during the Race for the Cure events so they may race in honor of a friend or loved one. The ZTA Foundation also provides an educational item for each Race participant, such as the ZTA Breast-Self Examination (BSE) Calendar Reminder Stickers.
On behalf of ZTA, the Foundation has donated more than $2 million to Komen for the Cure since 1992. Additionally, more than 5,000 Zetas volunteer in excess of 50,000 hours each year to support the more than 100 Race events.
Meet our MC, Lauren Petrowski
Lauren Petrowski has been a reporter at FOX 7 News since October 2007. The Phoenix, AZ native attended the University of Texas where she majored in Broadcast Journalism and was a member Zeta Tau Alpha’s Kappa Chapter. After graduation Lauren went on to her first reporting job in Corpus Christi. The transition from Corpus to Austin was an easy one since Lauren interned at FOX 7 while at UT, filing stories as the UT Reporter. Lauren’s favorite thing about being a reporter is getting to meet new people every day and tell their stories.
In her spare time, Lauren loves to try new restaurants around Austin and travel. She has been involved with Big Brothers, Big Sisters since 2008. Lauren and her husband love living in Austin and hope to one day have a family here.
Meet our guest speaker, Holly Mills-Gardner
A 7th generation Texan and graduate of Texas State University, Holly won the title of Miss Texas USA 1998 and went on to place 3rd runner up at the Miss USA Pageant.
Holly spent her 14 month reign dedicated to the communities, charities, and fellowmen of The State of Texas. As a result, Holly was honored by The Governor of Texas, invited by President George Bush and General Colin Powell to be a guest speaker at the America’s Promise Summit, named the 1998 D.A.R.E. Volunteer of the Year and catapulted into a Modeling & TV/Film career; landing featured roles in the Castle Rock film, “Miss Congeniality”, CBS’s “Nash Bridges”, and shows on The E! Channel, ESPN, CMT, Versus and TNN; as well as numerous commercials, music videos, and TV hosting roles. Texans watched Holly every Sunday morning on ABC for two years as a host and associate producer for the upscale regional home and design show, “Designing Texas”, and will see her again in April on CMT. Holly has graced the cover of numerous magazines and has modeled and acted as a spokesperson for some of the most well-known companies and organizations throughout the US, including Ford, Jantzen Swimwear and JC Penny, just to name a few. Now recognized as a Texas TV Personality, Holly stays extremely active not only in her TV/Film career, but with public appearances, speaking engagements and charity events throughout the State, helping to raise more than $2M for Texas Charities in 2009 alone.
Luncheon Schedule
10:30am – Registration, Check-in and Silent Auction Opens
11:30am – Silent Auction closes. Luncheon begins
- Host introduction, Lauren Petrowski
- Keynote speaker, Holly Mills-Gardner
- Fashion show presented by Julian Gold, Bella and Joie de Vie
1pm – Luncheon concludes
Committee Chairs
Allison Whitt, Event Chair
Gayla Greene, Logistics Chair
Rachel Rountree, Development Chair
Fashion Committee
Katie Taylor
Rebecca Moss
Lauren Mauro
Mallory Garica
