Members of the Beta Rho Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International recently attended the Alpha Alpha State Convention at the Nittany Lion Inn in State College. The theme of the convention was “Our DKG Journey.” Pat Arnold, Pat Carpenter, Mary Ann Cunningham, Kathy Fuller, Carol Goodman, Barbara Kelly, Susan Lee, Becky Place, Cindy Reynolds, Jeanette Saulo, and Sheri Wolfe attended the three-day convention along with 290 other Society members representing 46 chapters from across the state. All participated in both Society workshops as well as personal and professional workshops; attended two general sessions where state level items were discussed and voted on; and heard inspiring keynote speakers.
Pictured (L-R) are state president Tracy Dusch with Beta Rho Co-President Jeanette Saulo following the celebration luncheon. Jeanette presented an inspirational speech entitled “My DKG Journey” during the luncheon.
Two guests of the weekend event included International guest Becky Sadowski from Tennessee, who is the Southeast Regional Director and chairman for the International Convention in Nashville, Tennessee in July. She brought greetings from the International Headquarters in Austin, Texas and gave the keynote address at Friday night’s banquet. International President Dr. Lyn Schmid, from Pennsylvania participated in the weekend convention as well.
Friday evening began with a session for first timers, recognition of nineteen state members in the Album of Distinction, an executive board meeting, and a fun Casino night. Saturday morning began early with the First General Session where committee reports were reviewed and discussed. The Purposeful Seminar was announced which will be in Pittsburgh, September 23-25, 2016 where chapter member Cindy Reynolds will portray Rachael Carson as she welcomes members to the seminar. Pat Arnold, along with her committee encouraged members to attend the Arts Retreat at Olmsted Manor in Ludlow on April 21-23, 2017. Carol Goodman led the group in an original song dedicated to state president Tracey Dusch. Heather Lister, a middle-school librarian in the Derry Township School District, gave a stirring keynote address, which was impressive because she is only 26 years old and already has an impressive list of credits to her name. Society workshops were then presented by the state committees.
The Celebration Luncheon began by recognizing eight chapters as birthday chapters. Jeanette Saulo, outgoing co-president of Beta Rho Chapter gave an inspirational talk entitled “My DKG Journey”, which ended with a standing ovation. Many chapters were recognized by the communications chair for their newsletters and websites. Red roses were distributed to all members present for forty plus years of membership, which included Jeanette Saulo and Becky Place.
The afternoon workshop included one by chapter members Mary Ann Cunningham and Kathryn Fuller entitled “You Can, Too!”, which focused on their experiences as Enrichment Grant recipients. The Saturday night banquet began with the procession of outgoing and incoming presidents. Jeanette Saulo and Sheri Wolfe, Beta Rho Chapter, were recognized as outgoing co-presidents. Cindy Reynolds, State Achievement Award Committee chair, announced and presented the Rosebud Recogntion to Kathy Kelly, Beta Alpha Chapter, which is given to a member who is 40 or younger and has already shown leadership qualities and has taken an active role not only at the chapter level but also at the state, regional or international levels. She was nominated by her chapter without her knowledge so the presentation was a wonderful surprise and definitely a highlight of the evening. Kathy is a graduate of Mountain View High School and has taught high school advance placement math in the Haverford School District for seventeen years. Beta Rho member Pat Carpenter sang in the Alpha Alpha State Chorus during its delightful musical presentations at the banquet.
Sunday morning began with a lovely Celebration of Life Ceremony which recognized chapter members from across the state who passed away within the last year. Beta Rho members Eleanor Churchill, Rose Marie Dobrosielski, Inez Lyne and Jayne Manzer were all named in the lovely service. Three scholarships and ten enrichment grants were awarded to state members following the Honors Breakfast.
Delta Kappa Gamma is an international society of women educators whose membership is by invitation only and provides a variety of opportunities for women educators internationally. The international convention is scheduled for July 5-10 in Nashville, Tennessee. The next Beta Rho meeting will be a picnic at Mary Ann Cunningham’s home, outside of Montrose on August 3, 2016, at 10:00 AM with a covered dish luncheon. Initiation of new members will take place at the October 6th meeting, 4:30 PM at Dreyer Hall in Montrose.
