Kelsey williams
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CONGRATULATIONS, KELSEY!
Kelsey Williams, Pi Chapter, received the MSO Amanda Lowther Scholarship at the 2025 MSO Convention held in Tupelo. She also received the Mary Katherine Shoup Scholarship in the amount of $10,000 from The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. This scholarship was awarded at the 2025 International Convention. Kelsey is the Assistant Principal at Florence Middle School in Rankin County School District. She attends The University of Southern Mississippi, where she is seeking a doctoral degree in Educational Administration. |
Tracey crawford
Congratulations to Tracey Crawford
2025 Zeta State Achievement Award Recipient
2025 Zeta State Achievement Award Recipient
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Tracey Crawford joined Alpha Chi Chapter in 2003 and has been an active member ever since. She served as her chapter newsletter editor for many years. She has also been Vice President and President. She is a graduate of our Zeta State Leadership Management Seminar and represented her chapter as Woman of Distinction. Tracey has served the MSO on the state level in many ways. She served as Central District Assistant Director, Central District Director, First Vice-President, and President. Tracey co-chaired The Marketplace for the DKG International Conference in San Antonio. She is currently serving as MSO Zeta Data Editor. She has also presented at numerous regional conferences and international convention.
Tracey is still currently teaching school and just completed her 33rd year! She is the current librarian at Mendenhall Elementary School. She is a graduate of USM and received the Kaigler Lamont Award from USM. She was also chosen as Teacher of the Year at Mendenhall. Tracey has been married to her husband, Randy for 36 years, and they have two grown daughters, Laurel and Christa. In addition, the most perfect fun loving granddaughters Eleanor and Laura Leigh. They reside in Magee. |
cheryl saffle
Congratulations to Cheryl Saffle
2025 Zeta State Achievement Award Recipient
2025 Zeta State Achievement Award Recipient
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Cheryl Saffle was initiated as member of Pi Chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma in 1987. She has served as chairperson for various committees within her local chapter including Scholarship, Legislative, and Professional Growth and Services. Cheryl has served as Secretary and President of Pi Chapter . She is also a graduate of the Leadership Management Class of 2015. She was honored by Pi Chapter as their Woman of Distinction in 2017. Cheryl has also been active on the state level for MSO. She has served on Scholarship, Communications and Publicity, & EEC. She chaired Communications and Publications and was the Professional Affairs Representative for two biennia. Cheryl has attended educational conferences in Savannah GA, Nashville TN, and Austin Texas. She has attended and presented at numerous regional conferences and international convention.
Cheryl is a graduate of MSU and earned her BS and Master’s degrees in Elementary Education and a Masters of Exceptional Education in areas of EMR, LD, & Gifted. She has a Specialist Degree in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in Reading, Cheryl is also National Board Certified – Early Childhood Generalist, and was honored as Metro Teacher of the Year. She has had the opportunity to prepare and present numerous teacher workshops for Mississippi State Department of Education, New Summit School, and Delta Kappa Gamma at the State and International levels. She has enjoyed being an educator for 48 years. Cheryl has been married to Thomas Owen Saffle, Jr. for 53 years. She is a proud mom of 3 sons and Nonnie to 7 grandchildren. |
Dorothy shank
It is with a heavy heart that Gamma Chapter informs us of the passing of Dorothy Shank, known as Dot to her family and friends. She enjoyed a long and full life, passing away at the age of 101.
In the spring of 1967, Dorothy Shank was initiated into Gamma Chapter. During that time, the chapter held its meetings at Meridian Community College at night. She was an active member — serving as Gamma Chapter secretary and as President during the 1974-1976 biennium. Since her initiation 58 years ago, Dot has been a faithful member and supporter of our chapter. Her own education included attending Chalk, Stevenson, Kate Griffin, and Meridian High School. Her college years were spent at Louisiana Tech. Her years of teaching were spent at Meridian High School teaching typing and shorthand to 11th and 12th grade students. Dot’s teaching extended to 2- and 3-year-old preschoolers at First Baptist Church where she continues to be a member. It was an honor to dedicate the 2022-2023 Gamma Chapter Yearbook to Dorothy Shank, for her outstanding service and commitment to Gamma Chapter and The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
Thank you, Dot, for your faithful membership in and service to Gamma Chapter and Delta Kappa Gamma!
In the spring of 1967, Dorothy Shank was initiated into Gamma Chapter. During that time, the chapter held its meetings at Meridian Community College at night. She was an active member — serving as Gamma Chapter secretary and as President during the 1974-1976 biennium. Since her initiation 58 years ago, Dot has been a faithful member and supporter of our chapter. Her own education included attending Chalk, Stevenson, Kate Griffin, and Meridian High School. Her college years were spent at Louisiana Tech. Her years of teaching were spent at Meridian High School teaching typing and shorthand to 11th and 12th grade students. Dot’s teaching extended to 2- and 3-year-old preschoolers at First Baptist Church where she continues to be a member. It was an honor to dedicate the 2022-2023 Gamma Chapter Yearbook to Dorothy Shank, for her outstanding service and commitment to Gamma Chapter and The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
Thank you, Dot, for your faithful membership in and service to Gamma Chapter and Delta Kappa Gamma!
SOLT training
Officers & Related Personnel Attend SOLT in New Orleans
Karen Rhodes, Karen Fayard, Stephanie Jones,
Polly Ann White and Toni Cook
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Karen Rhodes, as the Membership chairman, explored innovative ways to engage and grow the organization's membership. Meanwhile, Treasurer Karen Fayard focused on financial management and budgeting techniques to ensure the organization's fiscal health. Stephanie Jones, as President, honed her leadership skills to steer the organization towards its goals, while Polly Ann White, the 1st Vice-President, learned about strategic planning and member engagement. Toni Cook, stepping in for the Executive Secretary, gathered administrative tips to improve efficiency. The conference was not just about learning; it fostered a sense of camaraderie and collaboration that will benefit MSO moving forward.
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2025 International Conference
MSO Members Attend the 2025 DKG International Conference
MSO members attended the International Conference in New Orleans this summer. It was a great Conference that focused on “building our next Century together.” Breakout sessions included topics from the Society to personal growth to professional strategies. General sessions provided two great speakers, Merlyna Valentine and Norina E. Bentzel, who shared their triumph over adversity, and who now encourage others to embrace resilience as a pathway to success.
alpha chi
Alpha Chi Chapter Leading The Way In Making Connections
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On June 21, Alpha Chi members set-up a booth at the Mississippi Comic Con, held at the Trade Mart in Jackson, to share the opportunities of membership in Delta Kappa Gamma with attendees. Great way to make connections, Alpha Chi!
Dr. kay conley
Congratulations, Dr. Conley!
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The Distinguished Teacher Award from the Mississippi FFA Association recognizes Dr. Kay Conley's outstanding contributions to agricultural education. This award signifies that she has made a positive impact n her students' lives through her passion and dedication to teaching. The award highlights her ability to inspire and influence students, demonstrating her exceptional teaching skills, and commitment to her profession. Kay is a member of Alpha Delta and teaches at Strayhorn High School in Tate County.
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Renna Moore-edwards
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Pi Chapter is so excited to recognize member Renna G. Moore-Edwards for her outstanding accomplishments in the field of art. She has been a member of Pi Chapter for 5 years and has served on the Fine Arts committee, a Hostess leader and contributed to Pi Chapter programs highlighting her students and their artwork. We are so proud to announce her most recent accomplishments in the field of art.
Renna Moore-Edwards is a 22-year veteran visual art educator at Ida B Wells APAC (Academic and Performing Arts Complex). She was chosen to be in the national cohort for the 2025 class in the NAEA School for Art Leaders (SAL). 24 art leaders were chosen for this fellowship out of the thousands that applied. The fellowship took place July 2025 at Crystal |
Bridges Museum in Bentonville, AR and she will be presenting her fellowship project in Chicago in April 2026 at the national convention for NAEA.
Renna received 3 different grants, 1 from MS Professional Educators and 2 from MAC (MS Arts Commission), all to be used to enhance learning in her classroom. This was seen in the continued 100% passing Advanced Placement scores and her students receiving 251 regional and 19 national medals in the Scholastic Art awards, which were awarded in NYC at Carnegie Hall June 2025.
Finally, Renna received a national award with NAEA (National Art Education Association). She accepted the 2025 NAEA Outstanding National Junior Art Honor Society Sponsor Award in March in Louisville, KY. While at the national awards/convention, she also spoke on 2 different conference panels and served as the Mississippi representative for the National Art Education Delegates Assembly.
Renna received 3 different grants, 1 from MS Professional Educators and 2 from MAC (MS Arts Commission), all to be used to enhance learning in her classroom. This was seen in the continued 100% passing Advanced Placement scores and her students receiving 251 regional and 19 national medals in the Scholastic Art awards, which were awarded in NYC at Carnegie Hall June 2025.
Finally, Renna received a national award with NAEA (National Art Education Association). She accepted the 2025 NAEA Outstanding National Junior Art Honor Society Sponsor Award in March in Louisville, KY. While at the national awards/convention, she also spoke on 2 different conference panels and served as the Mississippi representative for the National Art Education Delegates Assembly.
