The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (DKG), Texas State Organization (TSO) Area 5 Workshop was held Saturday, Aug.

27, at William Adams Middle School in Alice.

TSO President Shalan Inmon, of Slaton, Texas, appointed Mellie Smithwick, to serve as the TSO Area 5 Coordinator from June 2021 to June 2023. One of Smithwick’s many responsibilities is to coordinate and host an Area 5 Workshop.

Chapter presidents in Area 5 were members of the workshop steering committee and the Beta Pi Chapter, Alice, was the host chapter led by President Nora T. Lopez of Agua Dulce. DKG-TSO 2020-2022, presidents, and chapters in Area 5 steering committee were Norma Nelson, Alpha Mu, Brownsville; Dr.

Rosa Maria Vida, and Dr. Lola Norris, Alpha Nu, Laredo; Nora T.

Lopez, Beta Pi, Alice; Connie Stephens, Beta Xi, and Nancy Darnell, Delta Psi, Corpus Christi; Vicki Rainwater, Epsilon Phi, Weslaco; Eloisa Villanueva, Epsilon Upsilon, Mission; Melissa Aguirre, Lambda Eta, Harlingen; Norma Fitzgerald, Mu Zeta, Harlingen; Sylvia Salinas, Rho, Pharr; and Margot Salinas, Zeta Rho, Raymondville.

Alice Mayor Cynthia Carrasco attended and read a proclamation proclaiming Aug. 27 “Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Texas State Organization, Area 5 Workshop “Journey to Alice” Day.” Mi Casa Home Health Agency represented by Vanessa Reynolds, Albert Molina, Vicki Sanchez, Marketing Liaison; Louise Woods, Hospice Coordinator; and Angelica Flores, LVN, provided fruit refreshments, blood pressure readings, and a presentation on hospice, skilled nursing and home provider services.

Investigator/Narcotics Sgt. Brandon M.

Reynolds of the Alice Police Department also provided a booth with information and a presentation on protecting oneself from cyber scams, identity theft, and staying safe while out-and-about.

The Alice High School JROTC presented Colors, presented a session on folding the US flag, and helped with the workshop as needed.

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. DKG is a women educator’s honor Society, and is in 17 countries.

Approximately 113 women educators made the “Journey to Alice” for professional and personal growth. These women educators are active educators and many are retired.

The 2022-2024 chapter presidents and treasurers received training from TSO Recording Secretary, and Area 5 Mentor Dr. Stacey Arnold, Georgetown; and TSO Finance Committee member Sallie Frederick, San Antonio.

TSO President Inmon also presented a session on Women in the Arts with participants making maracas from plastic spoons, plastic Easter eggs, beans and colored tape as a “make-and-take” activity that can be used in the classroom and chapter meetings. Other presentations offered were Scholarships, Personal/Professional Enrichment, Program & Service Projects; Secretary/ Corresponding Secretary, Achievement Award; Women in the Arts, Music and Movement; Communication & Publicity, Technology; Bylaws & Rules, Legislation; Ceremonies, Necrology; Membership and Leadership Seminar.

A special program was presented by The Special Hearts in the Arts of Corpus Christi.

They preformed three songs singing, dancing and signing the final song “God Bless America.”

The 11 chapters in Area 5 were challenged to donate new reading books to a “Unifying Project.” The Tri-Co Texas Retired Teacher Association was selected to receive the “Unifying Project.”

Area 5 chapters and members donated over 1,400 new reading books to the Tri-Co Book Project. The reading books will be gifted and distributed to schoolchildren in Jim Wells, Brooks, and Duval Counties over the school year.

Within DKG Society International and TSO is the Alpha State Texas Educational Foundation (ASTEF.) ASTEF is the foundation that awards scholarships to aspiring educators, women who are pursuing an education degree, but are not members of DKG. They also award scholarships to members who are pursuing master and doctorate degrees.

Recently, ASTEF awarded an Aspiring Educator scholarship in the amount of $1,000, to Jessica Trevino of San Diego. Trevino was employed at Collins-Parr Elementary at San Diego Independent School District as a paraprofessional while working on a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Lamar University. Trevino recently graduated and is teaching second grade at CPE.

Area 5 Coordinator Mellie Smithwick sponsored Trevino.

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