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Alpha Beta News (March 2024)
Members of Alpha Beta have been very busy building community. In the fall and spring, they partnered with a local business which served as a community site for the Weekend Backpack Program food collection. As a result, food donations increased by 25%. To recognize local businesses that help support the chapter, a Building Community Award has been established. It will be given annually to one business who helps promote the chapter’s efforts in the community. The 2024 award will be given to Live Well Chiropractic for their work with the chapter’s Weekend Backpack Program.
Building community has also extended to all the local school districts (beyond what is regularly done). To raise funds for the chapter’s Teacher Enrichment Grant (three teachers were recipients of funds this year and each attended chapter meetings to share how they used their grant and the impact their projects are having on their students), a Craft Show/Kitchen/Bake Sale/Raffle was held (and it was wildly successful). Superintendents and building principals helped with the fundraising by promoting the event through district public relations outlets. (The local newspaper also helped promote the event with a front page, above the fold article on the event.)
All school districts in Bedford County as well as the Greater Johnstown School District benefitted from the chapter’s new We Care Bag initiative. This project helps children in families who deal with a devastating situation (loss of possessions due to any unfortunate event, sudden change in living conditions, etc.) by providing them with backpacks filled with personal and comfort care items. Members donated items to fill the backpacks (including making fleece blankets), worked to fill each backpack, and distributed 46 bags to the districts.
Building community has also extended to the work Alpha Beta does with Beta Epsilon with the Easter for Eli project. Twelve members from the chapters donated items and gathered to make 18 baskets.
Indeed, it has been a very busy year so far with the chapter’s focus on building community.
Members of Alpha Beta have been very busy building community. In the fall and spring, they partnered with a local business which served as a community site for the Weekend Backpack Program food collection. As a result, food donations increased by 25%. To recognize local businesses that help support the chapter, a Building Community Award has been established. It will be given annually to one business who helps promote the chapter’s efforts in the community. The 2024 award will be given to Live Well Chiropractic for their work with the chapter’s Weekend Backpack Program.
Building community has also extended to all the local school districts (beyond what is regularly done). To raise funds for the chapter’s Teacher Enrichment Grant (three teachers were recipients of funds this year and each attended chapter meetings to share how they used their grant and the impact their projects are having on their students), a Craft Show/Kitchen/Bake Sale/Raffle was held (and it was wildly successful). Superintendents and building principals helped with the fundraising by promoting the event through district public relations outlets. (The local newspaper also helped promote the event with a front page, above the fold article on the event.)
All school districts in Bedford County as well as the Greater Johnstown School District benefitted from the chapter’s new We Care Bag initiative. This project helps children in families who deal with a devastating situation (loss of possessions due to any unfortunate event, sudden change in living conditions, etc.) by providing them with backpacks filled with personal and comfort care items. Members donated items to fill the backpacks (including making fleece blankets), worked to fill each backpack, and distributed 46 bags to the districts.
Building community has also extended to the work Alpha Beta does with Beta Epsilon with the Easter for Eli project. Twelve members from the chapters donated items and gathered to make 18 baskets.
Indeed, it has been a very busy year so far with the chapter’s focus on building community.
Alpha Omicron News (Spring 2024)
The Alpha Omicron Chapter held its first spring meeting on Saturday, March 23 at the Avalon Field Country Club in New Castle. Before the meeting was called to order by President Ann Peay, members had the opportunity to chat and greet each other. Fifteen members attended along with two guests. Chapter Treasurer Ginny Brooks, co-hostess, placed eight colorful potted tulip plants as table decorations to be raffled during the meeting. Carol Bauzo, co-hostess and Hospitality Committee member, provided a red, rose-scented soap and soap dish to each attendee to celebrate the 67 th Chapter Birthday. During the chapter business meeting, Yvonne Chichin, Scholarship Chair, presented the annual Caroline Daverio $1000 Grant-in-Aid Scholarship to Slippery Rock Junior Education Major Alison Breighner. Chair Chichin shared Miss Breighner’s achievements, honors and educational background. She also read Miss Breighner short essay, “Why I Chose to Enter the Field of Education.” She received a check and the chapter Grant-in-Aid Scholarship Certificate. She expressed her appreciation, thanked the chapter for this scholarship and stated that looks forward to becoming a teacher. Her mother also attended the meeting. Members enjoyed lunch ordered from a limited menu. The program speaker was Communications
Chair Karen Prince, who presented a power point presentation about her trip to Alaska. She received an Enrichment Grant in 2023 at the 2023 State Convention for her travels to Alaska. She presented a pack of Forget-me-not seeds, Alaska’s state flower, to each attendee. Members enjoyed the fellowship of their chapter
sisters!
The Alpha Omicron Chapter held its first spring meeting on Saturday, March 23 at the Avalon Field Country Club in New Castle. Before the meeting was called to order by President Ann Peay, members had the opportunity to chat and greet each other. Fifteen members attended along with two guests. Chapter Treasurer Ginny Brooks, co-hostess, placed eight colorful potted tulip plants as table decorations to be raffled during the meeting. Carol Bauzo, co-hostess and Hospitality Committee member, provided a red, rose-scented soap and soap dish to each attendee to celebrate the 67 th Chapter Birthday. During the chapter business meeting, Yvonne Chichin, Scholarship Chair, presented the annual Caroline Daverio $1000 Grant-in-Aid Scholarship to Slippery Rock Junior Education Major Alison Breighner. Chair Chichin shared Miss Breighner’s achievements, honors and educational background. She also read Miss Breighner short essay, “Why I Chose to Enter the Field of Education.” She received a check and the chapter Grant-in-Aid Scholarship Certificate. She expressed her appreciation, thanked the chapter for this scholarship and stated that looks forward to becoming a teacher. Her mother also attended the meeting. Members enjoyed lunch ordered from a limited menu. The program speaker was Communications
Chair Karen Prince, who presented a power point presentation about her trip to Alaska. She received an Enrichment Grant in 2023 at the 2023 State Convention for her travels to Alaska. She presented a pack of Forget-me-not seeds, Alaska’s state flower, to each attendee. Members enjoyed the fellowship of their chapter
sisters!
Alpha Nu (March 2024)
Alpha Nu held a fashion show at their March 2024 meeting. The following members were fashion models: Joyce Bigley, Cathy Caligiuri, Michelle Fitzgerald, Carole Harris, Susie Huang, Mary Lelinski, Jolene Martin, Pam
Ottenheimer, Mary Anne Ritchie, Linda Scammell and Ellie Short. We would also like to extend thanks to Trish Davis for her “sound track."
Ottenheimer, Mary Anne Ritchie, Linda Scammell and Ellie Short. We would also like to extend thanks to Trish Davis for her “sound track."
Alpha Xi (Jan 2024)
Alpha Xi has held two meetings and participated in two projects to begin the 2023-2024 year. On September 14, we met at Luciano’s Restaurant in Cranberry Township to hear Lisa Purk, life coach, speak on “Purk Up Your Self-Awareness.” She discussed five steps to complete self-awareness and focused on dealing with stress and establishing priorities while being a leader. She strove to help members understand that they CAN accept leadership roles and keep their sanity in the process. We enjoyed a dinner meal, and the business meeting gave a preview of the year ahead.
On November 9, we saw red when we met at Shaler North Hills Library in Glenshaw for member Darlene Farrell’s program on “Who is Betty Crocker?” After the business meeting and a boxed sandwich meal from Good L’Oven, we learned about Betty Crocker’s role as an educator. (Spoiler alert: She is not a real person. Her “signature” came from a competition among secretaries at the company (now General Mills). Darlene told us that the concept started as a puzzle in the Saturday Evening Post for Gold Medal flour, and readers sent in baking questions with their answers. We saw pictures of Betty Crocker through the years and viewed various editions of her cookbook. Darlene also made us pin cushions in DKG colors.
At these first two meetings, we collected over 125 boxes of tissues to be distributed to the high school staffs of the four main districts where our members work/worked. The boxes were also given labels that explain our chapter and offer a site for teachers to find out more about us. Teachers at Avonworth, North Allegheny, North Hills, and Shaler Area High Schools received a bag of 30 boxes of “Tissues for Teachers.” Members Darlene Farrell and Jade Leung co-captained this effort. For the rest of the year, we will collect school supplies for North Hills
Community Outreach and The Hub in West View for students to refresh/replace supplies they may have received to start the school year. First Vice President Phyllis Jenny will lead this project (she has a big garage…). We also continue to donate clothes to Dress for Success, which are delivered by member Shari McGill.
January will bring the awarding of three Teacher Enrichment Grants. Stay tuned for more news from Alpha Xi. We enjoy reading about what other chapters are doing and are excited that the 2024 State Convention will be right in our backyard! We hope we will be able to meet many of you.
P.S. If you won our raffle basket of lottery tickets and frames at the 2023 State Convention,
we’d love to hear how much you won when you scratched!
On November 9, we saw red when we met at Shaler North Hills Library in Glenshaw for member Darlene Farrell’s program on “Who is Betty Crocker?” After the business meeting and a boxed sandwich meal from Good L’Oven, we learned about Betty Crocker’s role as an educator. (Spoiler alert: She is not a real person. Her “signature” came from a competition among secretaries at the company (now General Mills). Darlene told us that the concept started as a puzzle in the Saturday Evening Post for Gold Medal flour, and readers sent in baking questions with their answers. We saw pictures of Betty Crocker through the years and viewed various editions of her cookbook. Darlene also made us pin cushions in DKG colors.
At these first two meetings, we collected over 125 boxes of tissues to be distributed to the high school staffs of the four main districts where our members work/worked. The boxes were also given labels that explain our chapter and offer a site for teachers to find out more about us. Teachers at Avonworth, North Allegheny, North Hills, and Shaler Area High Schools received a bag of 30 boxes of “Tissues for Teachers.” Members Darlene Farrell and Jade Leung co-captained this effort. For the rest of the year, we will collect school supplies for North Hills
Community Outreach and The Hub in West View for students to refresh/replace supplies they may have received to start the school year. First Vice President Phyllis Jenny will lead this project (she has a big garage…). We also continue to donate clothes to Dress for Success, which are delivered by member Shari McGill.
January will bring the awarding of three Teacher Enrichment Grants. Stay tuned for more news from Alpha Xi. We enjoy reading about what other chapters are doing and are excited that the 2024 State Convention will be right in our backyard! We hope we will be able to meet many of you.
P.S. If you won our raffle basket of lottery tickets and frames at the 2023 State Convention,
we’d love to hear how much you won when you scratched!
Chi (Jan 2024)
Chi Chapter has had a busy holiday season. In October, members joined for a an Fall treat and game night hosted by one of members in their home. Everyone went home with a bag of Halloween candy. Our book club met in November to discuss Horse by Geraldine Brooks. At our November business meeting, we welcomed two new members, Jenn and Alicia and learned about Calming Strips from our Chapter Visionary Award winner Andrea. To wrap up 2023, members joined for a holiday meal and white elephant exchange at the Lancaster Tennis and Yacht Club. Chi chapter is looking forward to continuing to grow our community in 2024.
Beta Rho (Dec 2023)
Check out their Christmas in Montrose!
Check out their Christmas in Montrose!
Sigma Chapter (Dec 2023)
Sigma Chapter recently visited The Joseph Priestley House and Museum in Northumberland as part of their December meeting. Members enjoyed a private docent lead tour, followed by a business meeting and lunch at the Front Street Station.
Sigma Chapter recently visited The Joseph Priestley House and Museum in Northumberland as part of their December meeting. Members enjoyed a private docent lead tour, followed by a business meeting and lunch at the Front Street Station.
Alpha Upsilon (Oct 2023)
Written by Dr. MaryAnne Battaglia and Roseann Currence
Teachers, who are in the classroom and who are members of Alpha Upsilon Chapter of DKG, can count on Alpha Upsilon Chapter for support. Most of the members of AU are retired. However, those members recognize the needs of teachers working today.
When AU member Pamela Derby needed Scholastic books for each of her students in her first-grade classroom, Alpha Upsilon responded. Each student in Mrs. Derby’s class received several books throughout that school year. When Julie King, another classroom teacher and recent new member, had her school budget significantly cut for basic supplies, Alpha Upsilon lent a helping hand by providing funds for them for her classroom. A school in Pittsburgh posted a Wish List on Amazon for the 2023-2024 school year, one Alpha Upsilon member donated supplies and equipment for that school. In addition, a recent Au program speaker heard about Julie’s situation and insisted on donating his honorarium to her students. Every little bit helps!
Alpha Upsilon Sisters are a very generous group of chapter members. Making contributions to the work of teachers who continue to work in today’s classrooms provides our retired sisters with a feeling of connection to today’s education.
Written by Dr. MaryAnne Battaglia and Roseann Currence
Teachers, who are in the classroom and who are members of Alpha Upsilon Chapter of DKG, can count on Alpha Upsilon Chapter for support. Most of the members of AU are retired. However, those members recognize the needs of teachers working today.
When AU member Pamela Derby needed Scholastic books for each of her students in her first-grade classroom, Alpha Upsilon responded. Each student in Mrs. Derby’s class received several books throughout that school year. When Julie King, another classroom teacher and recent new member, had her school budget significantly cut for basic supplies, Alpha Upsilon lent a helping hand by providing funds for them for her classroom. A school in Pittsburgh posted a Wish List on Amazon for the 2023-2024 school year, one Alpha Upsilon member donated supplies and equipment for that school. In addition, a recent Au program speaker heard about Julie’s situation and insisted on donating his honorarium to her students. Every little bit helps!
Alpha Upsilon Sisters are a very generous group of chapter members. Making contributions to the work of teachers who continue to work in today’s classrooms provides our retired sisters with a feeling of connection to today’s education.
Beta Pi (Oct 2023)
Beta Pi recently awarded two Grant-In-Aid Scholarships to two very deserving women entering into the field of education in June 2023!
Our Collegiate Scholarship was awarded to Nya Cherry, a student at Penn State University. Nya is majoring in Secondary Education / Biology, fulfilling her desire to bridge the gender gap and help marginalized students realize a career in the sciences and STEM. An excellent student, Nya has demonstrated leadership experience as University Relations Director in Penn State’s Lion Ambassadors. She is a member of THON, a philanthropic organization that raises money for pediatric cancer, and a member of the College of Education Student Council. She has won numerous awards for her service and leadership through her memberships in professional organizations and honor societies. Some of these awards include Penn State Provost Award, S.P A.R.K.S. Science Foundation Award, and 2019 Girl Scout Gold Award Recipient, to name just a few. Nya will also be a USA Girl Scout National Delegate from 2023 to 2026.
Our High School Scholarship was awarded to Abigail Phillips. Abigail recently graduated from Upper Merion Area High School and is attending Xavier University. Abigail is majoring in History with a minor in Secondary Education. Her decision to enter into the field of teaching was motivated by her two grandmothers who were teachers, and from whom she learned that patience and close attention to
the unique differences in how students learn is necessary for their success. Abigail’s goals are to help students overcome learning difficulties and help them to succeed in the classroom and into the future. She maintains a high GPA and has participated in the Octagon Club, is Interact Club Secretary, a member of PBIS Student Leadership, and a member of the National Honor Society. In addition to her Beta Pi Scholarship, she has been awarded the Xavier University Trustee Scholarship based on her academic strengths and exceptional accomplishments.
Beta Pi kicked off our 2023-2024 calendar year with a Meet & Greet Social on September 7th! Members enjoyed great food, great friends, inducted a new member, welcomed back a previous member, and learned about what we have planned during our first general membership meeting!
Beta Pi held its annual Designer Handbag Bingo and Basket Raffle on October 1st! 20 Designer Bags, 45 raffle baskets, a 50/50 of over $500 (total pot over $1000), and a jackpot game containing a Vera Bradley organizer filled with over $725 in gift cards were won by very deserving participants. We thank all of our chapter members and the many DKG members from across the state that attended our event! We can’t wait to see you again next year!
Beta Pi recently awarded two Grant-In-Aid Scholarships to two very deserving women entering into the field of education in June 2023!
Our Collegiate Scholarship was awarded to Nya Cherry, a student at Penn State University. Nya is majoring in Secondary Education / Biology, fulfilling her desire to bridge the gender gap and help marginalized students realize a career in the sciences and STEM. An excellent student, Nya has demonstrated leadership experience as University Relations Director in Penn State’s Lion Ambassadors. She is a member of THON, a philanthropic organization that raises money for pediatric cancer, and a member of the College of Education Student Council. She has won numerous awards for her service and leadership through her memberships in professional organizations and honor societies. Some of these awards include Penn State Provost Award, S.P A.R.K.S. Science Foundation Award, and 2019 Girl Scout Gold Award Recipient, to name just a few. Nya will also be a USA Girl Scout National Delegate from 2023 to 2026.
Our High School Scholarship was awarded to Abigail Phillips. Abigail recently graduated from Upper Merion Area High School and is attending Xavier University. Abigail is majoring in History with a minor in Secondary Education. Her decision to enter into the field of teaching was motivated by her two grandmothers who were teachers, and from whom she learned that patience and close attention to
the unique differences in how students learn is necessary for their success. Abigail’s goals are to help students overcome learning difficulties and help them to succeed in the classroom and into the future. She maintains a high GPA and has participated in the Octagon Club, is Interact Club Secretary, a member of PBIS Student Leadership, and a member of the National Honor Society. In addition to her Beta Pi Scholarship, she has been awarded the Xavier University Trustee Scholarship based on her academic strengths and exceptional accomplishments.
Beta Pi kicked off our 2023-2024 calendar year with a Meet & Greet Social on September 7th! Members enjoyed great food, great friends, inducted a new member, welcomed back a previous member, and learned about what we have planned during our first general membership meeting!
Beta Pi held its annual Designer Handbag Bingo and Basket Raffle on October 1st! 20 Designer Bags, 45 raffle baskets, a 50/50 of over $500 (total pot over $1000), and a jackpot game containing a Vera Bradley organizer filled with over $725 in gift cards were won by very deserving participants. We thank all of our chapter members and the many DKG members from across the state that attended our event! We can’t wait to see you again next year!
Alpha Nu by Assunta Deliman (Oct 2023)
The Delta Kappa Gamma Alpha Nu October meeting clearly represented the song title... “Let’s Hear It for The Girls!”
I had the opportunity to sit with our President, Royce Boyd, as we listened to Carol Simon Levin portray Lillian Moller Gilbreth, a creative inventor (1878-1972). Lillian had a “ornery” personality; she lived in a time where a “woman’s place “was in the kitchen feeding her babies, taking care of her husband.
Before the presentation, I listened as Royce talked about her travels around the state, meeting new people, and enjoying the sights. I was curious about Royce’s “why.” I asked her “why” she pursued the position of president of DKG. I had ten reasons quickly running through my mind not to do the job, and she simply, said, “I’m ornery.” She said that she loved to create community. She has visited 25 of the 50 chapters, and she is excited to visit all of them. The hours, days, and weeks of task management fulfills her. Royce has led countless leadership roles through her years at DKG and is finance chair of her local chapter! Royce is funny and engaging. Alpha NU was so pleased to have her attend at our meeting.
The conversation quickly stopped and “Lillian Gilbreth” stood before us in time travel. Our group listened to “Lillian” and learned of the amazing, life altering inventions she and her husband, Frank, made in their lifetimes. All the conveniences that we have today, often trace back to their efficient minds. Her creative ways to make life easier for woman, so that they could multi-task, has traveled through the decades. The triangle design of kitchen appliances for efficient movement? Lillian. The foot pedal on the garbage can to keep one’s hands free? Lillian.
Generational slogans cast historical markers for decades. In 1942, Lillian prepared to go to World War II. Her picture often aligned with the picture of Rosie the Riveter and the slogan “We Can Do It!” She battled the study of how inertia and fatigue could increase our nation’s industry. She wrote Normal Lives for the Disabled in 1944, as she continued to support the disabled GI coming home from war.
Lillian Gilbreth was a woman that ignited a fire that burned within decades of talented women. Mattel’s Barbie slogan in the 80s, “We Girls Can Do Anything” gave tangible proof that girls no longer had limited choices in their future; the only limits where their imaginations. Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song” sung at the 2016 National Convention gave a nod to the past, as the world gave testimony to the first woman to” break the glass ceiling” and accept the nomination as a presidential candidate of the United States of American.
In Dr. Gilbreth’s later years, she said that she was gratified that her work had given hundreds of millions of people more “happiness minutes” and the disabled more independence in their lives. She was a daughter, a wife, and a mother of twelve who changed the world with simple, efficient inventions.
Generations are built on the foundation of the past. Glass ceilings continue to break, and women have seats at “business tables” all over the world.
“Let’s Hear It for The Girls... We Can Do Anything.”
The Lillian Moller Gilbreth presentation, portrayed by Carol Simon Levin, is one of the many engaging presentations viewed at the women educators of Delta Kappa Gamma Alpha Nu meetings. Literacy programs such as annual grants-in-aid, a Book and Blankie project aimed at promoting literacy with new moms, and quarterly donations to food drives coincide with chapter meetings.
The Delta Kappa Gamma Alpha Nu October meeting clearly represented the song title... “Let’s Hear It for The Girls!”
I had the opportunity to sit with our President, Royce Boyd, as we listened to Carol Simon Levin portray Lillian Moller Gilbreth, a creative inventor (1878-1972). Lillian had a “ornery” personality; she lived in a time where a “woman’s place “was in the kitchen feeding her babies, taking care of her husband.
Before the presentation, I listened as Royce talked about her travels around the state, meeting new people, and enjoying the sights. I was curious about Royce’s “why.” I asked her “why” she pursued the position of president of DKG. I had ten reasons quickly running through my mind not to do the job, and she simply, said, “I’m ornery.” She said that she loved to create community. She has visited 25 of the 50 chapters, and she is excited to visit all of them. The hours, days, and weeks of task management fulfills her. Royce has led countless leadership roles through her years at DKG and is finance chair of her local chapter! Royce is funny and engaging. Alpha NU was so pleased to have her attend at our meeting.
The conversation quickly stopped and “Lillian Gilbreth” stood before us in time travel. Our group listened to “Lillian” and learned of the amazing, life altering inventions she and her husband, Frank, made in their lifetimes. All the conveniences that we have today, often trace back to their efficient minds. Her creative ways to make life easier for woman, so that they could multi-task, has traveled through the decades. The triangle design of kitchen appliances for efficient movement? Lillian. The foot pedal on the garbage can to keep one’s hands free? Lillian.
Generational slogans cast historical markers for decades. In 1942, Lillian prepared to go to World War II. Her picture often aligned with the picture of Rosie the Riveter and the slogan “We Can Do It!” She battled the study of how inertia and fatigue could increase our nation’s industry. She wrote Normal Lives for the Disabled in 1944, as she continued to support the disabled GI coming home from war.
Lillian Gilbreth was a woman that ignited a fire that burned within decades of talented women. Mattel’s Barbie slogan in the 80s, “We Girls Can Do Anything” gave tangible proof that girls no longer had limited choices in their future; the only limits where their imaginations. Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song” sung at the 2016 National Convention gave a nod to the past, as the world gave testimony to the first woman to” break the glass ceiling” and accept the nomination as a presidential candidate of the United States of American.
In Dr. Gilbreth’s later years, she said that she was gratified that her work had given hundreds of millions of people more “happiness minutes” and the disabled more independence in their lives. She was a daughter, a wife, and a mother of twelve who changed the world with simple, efficient inventions.
Generations are built on the foundation of the past. Glass ceilings continue to break, and women have seats at “business tables” all over the world.
“Let’s Hear It for The Girls... We Can Do Anything.”
The Lillian Moller Gilbreth presentation, portrayed by Carol Simon Levin, is one of the many engaging presentations viewed at the women educators of Delta Kappa Gamma Alpha Nu meetings. Literacy programs such as annual grants-in-aid, a Book and Blankie project aimed at promoting literacy with new moms, and quarterly donations to food drives coincide with chapter meetings.