Delta Kappa Gamma honors educators
As retired educators gathered for the Delta Kappa Gamma Alpha Upsilon Chapter spring banquet at First Highlands Church of Christ in Russellville, memories of classrooms past quickly resurfaced.
As part of the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, club members displayed school artifacts from years past.
Vintage schoolbooks, old yearbooks and classroom artifacts sparked conversations about school days and teaching careers.
The display also included old school photographs, copies of the World Book Encyclopedia and other classroom materials.
We especially enjoyed hearing guest speaker Dawn Faulkner Petitt discuss upcoming state and international events involving the organization.
Petitt serves as Alabama state president of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International for the 202527 term. She belongs to the DKG Delta Chapter in District VI and teaches Spanish at Monroe County High School.
She previously served as Alabama state first vice president and has held several leadership positions within the organization.
Petitt discussed state officer training for incoming chapter officers and committee chairs, scheduled for June 12 at Dalraida Church of Christ in Montgomery. She also discussed recent chapter redistricting efforts and upcoming events planned across the state.
Petitt encouraged Alabama educators to attend the DKG international convention, scheduled for June 30 through July 4 in Aurora, Colorado. Those attending the convention will consider proposed constitutional changes affecting the international organization.
Petitt stressed the importance of Alabama educators participating and having a voice in convention discussions and voting.
Alabama member Cindy Dixon will present a workshop titled “Put Your Own Face on First: The Benefits of Self Care” during the convention.
Petitt announced organizers will hold the 2027 DKG International Convention March 5-7 in Gulf Shores. Another upcoming event will be the fall DKG board meeting Aug. 15 at Dalraida Church of Christ in Montgomery.
During the banquet, Petitt conducted the installation ceremony for the Alpha Upsilon Chapter’s 2026-28 officers. Installed officers include Beverly Donaldson, president; Donna Bolton, vice president; Debbie Beason, secretary; Debbie Nale, treasurer; and Cheri McCain, parliamentary advisor.
We also presented the Sherry Davis Memorial Scholarship. Amy McCollum joined Beverly Donaldson and Debbie Nale for the scholarship presentation.
We voted to donate $100 to the Sherry Davis Memorial Scholarship at Phil Campbell High School. Davis served as Alpha Upsilon Chapter president from 2014 to 2016.
Cheri McCain, Leah Masterson, Patricia Cox, Emily Rush and Deedra Moore served as hostesses for the banquet. Bonnet Café catered dinner for the event.
Alpha Upsilon representatives also attended the DKG International Joint Founders Day Celebration for District I in Leighton. The annual event honors Dr. Annie Webb Blanton and 11 other women educators who founded the organization May 11, 1929, in Austin, Texas.
Dr. Annie Webb Blanton and Dr. Agnes Ellen Harris traveled to Alabama in 1931 to install the Beta State founders in Montgomery. Alabama became the first state to join the Delta Kappa Gamma Society.
Sherry Isbell, president of the DKG Lambda Chapter, presided over the Founders Day event in Leighton. Several District I chapters attended, including representatives from Franklin County.
The next Alpha Upsilon meeting will take place on Oct. 5.
