Theta Chapter
Wilmington, North Carolina
Region IV
The North Carolina State Organization
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
NC DKG Theta Chapter Educator Grant now open until November 1 2023!
Our September Meeting was a Back to School Bash and Picnic!
Twenty-three members of Theta Chapter gathered at the Wrightsville Beach Recreation Center on Saturday, September 9, 2023 to kick off a new school year with a picnic lunch and plans for an exciting year of chapter activities. President Connie Marks welcomed participants and honored working teachers. Each working educator received a "goody bag" of personal items to show appreciation for their classroom expertise. Members selected two projects to support during this year- Domestic Violence and NourishNC. Members voted to use funds earned from the October 9th yard sale to support working members who would like to attend the NC DKG Convention in Durham in April. 2024. A committee will determine the method for utilizing those funds. Judy Busick recognized the Beginning Teacher Project schools to be supported this year- Pope Elementary School in Pender County and Snipes Elementary School in New Hanover County with a total of 21 BTs within the two schools.
Mark Your Calendar for These Upcoming Meetings
November 18, 2023 highlights TODAY’S CLASSROOM FOR TOMORROW’S CAREERS.
We will meet at Topsail Middle School (17445 US Highway 17 in Hampstead) for a hands-on classroom experience. NC DKG President HildaParler will be our guest for this event.
January 27, 2024 focuses on TRENDING ISSUES IN NC EDUCATION.
NHC Arboretum (6206 Oleander Drive) will host our meeting which includes invitations to NC DKG Region IV Director Tammy Albright and neighboring chapters to attend this activity.
March 16, 2024 is our annual FOUNDERS DAY LUNCHEON at the beach home of Kitty Brunjes.
May 18, 2024 highlights the 2024 THETA GRANT WINNERS with presentations of these projects. The location for this event is the Northeast NHC Library (1241 Military Cutoff Road).
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.
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
