Courtesy photo Sandi Hoenstine presents a certificate to Lauren Zezanski.

MARTINSBURG — On May 4, Alpha Beta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society met at the Bistro at Village Green, where members had brunch followed by a business meeting along with two presentations.

President Becky Johnen opened the gathering with her poem titled “Alpha Beta Symphony” and recognized the members wearing party hats in honor of “Kentucky Derby Day.”

She then introduced retired teacher Patti Conlin, who told the story of her son Matthew. Despite being born with a genetic disorder, Matthew lived a full, productive life and worked as a guidance counselor in several schools in Pennsylvania and finally in Alaska, where he passed away at age 45.

Conlin asked the question, “What are you doing with your life?” When she asked that question of herself, she answered by sewing stuffed animals for children hesitant to read aloud to others. Having the animals encourages them to read aloud. Conlin donates the animals to local organizations and classrooms. Alpha Beta Chapter hopes to partner with Conlin in widening the scope of her project.

The second guest was Lauren Zezanski, fifth-grade language arts teacher at Chestnut Ridge Middle School. Winner of one of Alpha Beta’s Teacher Enrichment Grants, Zezanski thanked the chapter for the grant and demonstrated the iPad purchased with the grant money and how it has benefited her class with video projects and digital story telling. They even made a music video on indenting at the beginnings of paragraphs.

In other chapter business, Linda McElroy thanked the chapter for its continued support for the Jubiliani School in Zimbabwe, Africa. In March, the chapter collected $550 toward meals and educational supplies for the school. The chapter has been instrumental in building and maintaining the secondary school for several years.

Because of the success of the craft show and bake sale held on March 23, where $3,235.65 was raised, the chapter’s 2024-25 budget will increase both the scholarships for future teachers and the teacher enrichment grants so that more young educators and their classrooms may be enhanced.

The first “Building Community Award” to Live Well Chiropractic was announced.

The next meeting of the chapter is planned for June 27 at Spring House Estates in Everett.