The annual state convention of Delta Kappa Gamma, the sorority for women educators, was held June 16-17 at the Honey Creek Resort near Lake Rathbun in Moravia, Iowa, attracting nearly 100 members who promoted the professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.
With the theme of “All Trails Lead to . . . Honey Creek Resort to RECONNECT,” the convention included workshops, roundtable discussions and mini grant presentations, fostering shared ideas that empowered leaders and strengthened chapters.
Special guests included Northwest Regional Director Bev Mantey-VanCronkhite from Wisconsin and Iowa International Grant recipient Aimen Hameed of Pakistan, who attends the University of Iowa and is working on her doctorate in educational leadership.
Overcoming many obstacles to pursue her degree, Aimen said, “If your heart is in your dream, no dream is too extreme.”
Dallas County’s Nu Alpha Gamma Chapter members in attendance were Cathy Clark, Deb Irving, Marlene Johnson, Roxy Schwartz and Sharon Ulrich. Sporting red berets in honor of longtime member Marilyn Bode, who died in May, the Dallas County members presented an invitation to hold the 2025 Iowa State DKG Convention in Perry.
Schwartz, who has been serving as the Southwest District director, was installed as the state’s new second vice president. Also notable was Liz Poock, former Perry resident and daughter of Florence Heck, a longtime member of Nu Alpha Gamma Chapter, who was newly installed as the state organization’s president.
Prior to the convention, Irving attended the Neva Barnhart Leadership Seminar and later assisted with the Ceremony of Remembrance to honor recently deceased members. Schwartz co-chaired the silent auction fundraiser for future Neva Barnhart Leadership Seminars.
Nu Alpha Gamma is a chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International for women educators.