Theta Chapter
Wilmington, North Carolina
Region IV
The North Carolina State Organization
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
The Region IV Golden Key Winner Announced at the 2023 NC DKG Convention is our own...Gretchen Simmons!
From the nomination selected by the NC DKG Awards Committee:
"Gretchen is the type of member every DKG chapter needs on its team. She is professional, caring, compassionate, hard-working, kind, capable and dependable. She is soft-spoken, but is always ready with a kind word, sincere compliment, and helping hand. If anyone is overburdened at a DKG meeting with loading, unloading, setting up,cleaning up, or struggling with any task, she is the first to offer a hand. If she knows a member is sick or having a crisis, she quietly sends cards, takes food, offers encouragement, and shares her own experience, strength and hope. She does all these things in a quiet, unassuming way without seeking credit or praise. She loves DKG and truly helps to hold our chapter together!
Gretchen puts quality effort into everything she volunteers to do. Once she accepts a task, it can be considered done and done well! Every detail is planned and well executed. She takes on many assignments in DKG, but also considers her limits. She will decline accepting a task if she feels she cannot give it her best effort, but she very rarely declines a support position and will be there when she is needed. Whether she is chair or member of a committee, Gretchen is never just a name on the list. She attends meetings, participates in discussions and projects, and ALWAYS does her part.
Gretchen quietly moves about her daily life taking care of herself and happily helping others, with no thought of reward or praise."
Congratulations to Nikki Karnes!
Nikki Karnes was selected as 2023 New Hanover County Schools Elementary Teacher of the Year!
Congratulations to the 2023 Marilyn F Grinwis Gray Scholarship Winners!
Each winner receives a $3000 scholarship to study Elementary Education or Music Education.
Tiffani Cash is a Teacher Assistant in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools and full time student at Winston-Salem State University majoring in Elementary Education. She plans to complete her bachelor’s degree program in December and continue teaching in WS/FCS. Tiffani was recently named Winston-Salem/Forsyth Schools' Classified Employee of the Year!
Eric Demetrius Harmon is a graduate student at NC A&T State University seeking a Master of Arts in Teaching and certification in elementary education. His plans include teaching at the elementary level and eventually opening his own school.
Sherre Ojeda is a graduate student at UNC Wilmington seeking a Masters of Teaching degree in Elementary Education. Fluent in oral and written Spanish, she aspires to make the educational experience less intimidating and more welcoming for Spanish speaking students and their families. Sherre recently received UNCW Watson School of Education's Exemplary Intern Award!
Grace Pedigo is an undergraduate at Appalachian State University majoring in Elementary Education. She feels her experience in Germany attending a DoDEA school and becoming bilingual will help her better understand the needs of students who are English language learners.
Mary Katherine Raynor, senior at NC Wesleyan University, believes her experience as a student athlete has helped her learn valuable life skills such as teamwork, discipline, respect, and compassion which will serve her well as an educator. Upon graduation, she plans to seek a teaching position at the k-6 level in NC.
Dakota (Cody) Wiseman, a junior at East Carolina University is majoring in Music Education. After completing his bachelors degree, he plans to teach in eastern NC. In the future he would like to continue his education pursuing a masters and potentially a doctorate in music education and philosophy.
Theta Chapter Mourns the Loss of
Sophia Floyd
Sophia Kelley Floyd (Sophie) passed away on November 22, 2022 in Pender County. Sophie was a graduate of East Carolina University and taught Business Education in Pender County Schools for 36 years. She was inducted into Theta Chapter in 1961, served as Treasurer and a member of the Finance Committee and was a member for 61 years. In 2011 Theta Chapter celebrated Sophie's 50th year of membership in DKG. Sophie was the first 50 year member for Theta Chapter. See additional information about Sophie in the article below.
May Meeting Showcases Educator Grant Winners
The May 20th meeting provided the opportunity to learn about the five grants funded by our chapter this year. Jody Keziah (pictured on the left) and Jennifer Bloodworth, Pender County teachers, were two grant winners who shared their classroom experiences as funded by our grants. The other grant winners shared their experiences through videos.
Theta Welcomes Transfer Member Mary Kay Longo!
Mary Kay Longo transferred to Theta Chapter from Alpha Nu Chapter in New York. She is pictured with Elizabeth Miars who welcomed her to our May meeting. Mary Kay shared information about her DKG experience in New York. Mary Kay is a retired elementary school teacher who moved to North Carolina with her husband to be closer to her children. She and her husband are avid golfers. We look forward to her contributions to our chapter.
Theta and Beta Phi Past Presidents
Founders Day Meeting Celebrated Member Achievements
The March 18th meeting at the Wrightsville Beach Recreation Center honored Theta founders and past presidents for Theta and Beta Phi chapters, celebrated member longevity and welcomed former members from both chapters to celebrate with us. Attendees participated in a Jeopardy game created by Claire Bennett to test our knowledge of DKG past and present and other topics.
Past Presidents were acknowledged with a rose bouquet and members with 25-45 years of service received pins to recognize their society commitment. Committee reports highlighted activities such as our ongoing donations to the Harrelson Center, Beginning Teacher notes and gift bags and upcoming Theta yard sale to benefit our scholarship fund. Liz Day announced that she will represent our chapter at the NC DKG Leadership Development Seminar at Camp Carraway later this month. The luncheon following the meeting was an opportunity for fellowship among former and current Theta members.
January 2023 Meeting Highlights in Pictures
Dee Snyder, (center) NC DKG Educational Law & Policy Committee member, presented our program with assistance from Theta members Delane Mitchell (left) and Claire Bennett.
Tammy Albright, NC DKG Region IV Director, attended our meeting along with fellow Delta Iota members, Betty Pittman and Katie Bennette.
DKG Southeast Regional Director Dr. Teresa Cowan (right) was joined by her sister Wynne Anderson, DKG member from Tennessee.
Claire Bennett and Judy Busick stand behind the display in memory of deceased member Sophie Floyd who was honored during the program.
Sylvia Quinn and Stacy Pullen, Chair & Founding Officer of the Foster Pantry, with items purchased through our gifts.
Fall Community Project Benefits
Foster Pantry
Our fall community project collected $675 at the November 2022 meeting for the Foster Pantry, a local nonprofit which provides foster youth with essential items, and encourages foster families and caregivers with support resources. The following items were purchased with our contributions: two cribs/mattresses, two highchairs, and three extra large diaper orders in size 4, size 5, and size 6. A large bag of baby wipes was provided with these items. The Educational Excellence Committee thanks you for supporting this important project!
Connect to NC DKG & DKG International
