Zeta Rho honored women for Women's History Month

At its meeting in March, Zeta Rho Chapter of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International honored women in three categories in celebration of Women's History Month. The society is an organization which promotes personal and professional growth of women educators and excellence in education.

The Community Service Award was presented to VanHa To-Cowel, a teacher at Wagner Holt Elementary Schol in north Stockton, recognizing that she has been drawn beyond the community of the school to the larger Stockton community. In addition to teaching in the Lodi Unified School District, she has been an active recruiter for the San Joaquin A+ Reading Program which has a mission to serve students of the Stockton community and San Joaquin County. Her community service also includes active involvement with the Lincoln Unified School District. Her "can do" spirit and energy to serve her community is recognized and admired.

The Chapter Service Award was presented to Karen Longoria to recognize her outstanding contributions to the chapter. She has been an active member since 1997. During this time, she has served the chapter in many ways including serving as recording secretary and as vice president for two terms each. Karen teaches at Wagner Holt Elementary School.

The Professional Service Award was presented to Kathy Anderson, also a member of the chapter since 1997. Her involvement with the chapter during this time has been noteworthy. She has simultaneously held significant leadership roles with the AAUW and with the International Reading Association in California. She currenly serves as the California Reading Association membership chairman. She is a reading recovery teacher at Heritage Elementary School in the Lodi Unified School District.

Nine members of the chapter including chapter president and delegate, Judy Henke, attended the Chi State (California) Convention at the San Francisco Airport Marriott from May 2 to 4, along with 400 members from throughout the state and internationally. The Chi State Distinguished Service Award was presented to Ruth Diekman, a Zeta Rho chapter member, recognizing her service to the state organization which has included serving as chairman of both state and international committees. Dr. Julia Harper, a southern California member, recieved the state award for distinguished career/professional service.

Zeta Rho and the three Stockton area chapters met at the Woodbridge Country Club for the Delta Sierra Council initiation meeting and luncheon on April 12. The following educators were initiated as members of Zeta Rho: Nikki Kalra, Karen Perkins, Melanie Sievers and VanHa To-Cowell. The program featured Dorothy Mulviihill with biologues of outstanding women. Erica Haley and Cathy Manassero have also been recently initiated.

The May 5 meeting served as the forum for the installation of Zeta Rho Chapter officers for the 2008-10 biennium. Patti Schmidt, a past chapter president, installed the following officers: Diane Meier, president; Maurie Jacino, first vice-president; Judy McKelvey and Ruth Diekman, second vice presidents; Carmela Brown, recording secretary; Nasy Thlang and Catie O'Grodnick, corresponding secretaries; Joann Duer, treasurer; and Judy Henke, parliamentarian.

The chapter will be continuing its major service project, Books for Babes, distributing books and literature to mothers of newborns at Lodi Memorial Hospital emphasizing the importance of reading to young children. Assistance with the program has been received from Omega Nu Sorority, Soroptimist International of Lodi and the San Joaquin County Reading Assocation.