The Delta Kappa Gamma Society is an international organization of key women educators which promotes the personal and professional growth of its members and excellence in education.
It provides more than $1 million in scholarships and grants to help both members and non-members further their education. North Dakota chapters are actively involved in numerous literacy projects and provide support to local domestic violence shelters and other agencies. Minot DKG members who suffered flood losses this summer received over $12,000 from the International Society's emergency fund.
To learn more about the organization, visit (www.dkg.org).
Article Photos
Submitted Photo - - Pictured are the 2011-13 state officers for the North Dakota State Organization of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International installed earlier this year. Seated, from left, are Karen Walz, Minot, immediate past state president, Rebecca Anhorn, Minot, state president; and Elaine Larson, Minot, state treasurer. Standing, from left, are Dianna Schneider, of Williston, state parliamentarian; Lisa Olson, Minot, state first vice president; Peggy Donahe, Wahpeton, state second vice president, and Jan Repnow, Rugby, state secretary.
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Berg names nominees for military academies
Rep. Rick Berg, R-N.D., announced his nominations to the nation's military academies on Dec. 21.
Among them are Abby Bierschbach, Minot, who was nominated to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Brian Anderson, Harvey, who has been nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy.
To be considered for admission to the armed service academies, all potential students must be nominated by either a member of Congress or the Vice President. Final appointments are decided by each academy. The honor of attending a service academy comes with a commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation.
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Minot teacher honored as special educator of the year
The Magic City Council for Exceptional Children has selected Karen Barnes as the special educator teacher of the year and Betty Vibeto for the humanitarian award.
Barnes currently serves as an elementary special educator at Washington Elementary and at McKinley Elementary. She also has worked at the Minot Job Corps as a proctor for GED testing and at the Minot Adult Learning Center with adult students studying English as a second language. According to a press release, she is admired by peers for her willingness to work unceasingly in the best interest for students with special needs. Just last year, Barnes was also awarded the Minot PTA Founder's day award.
The Humanitarian Award winner exemplifies a willingness to work above and beyond the duties required by employment working in ways to advocate for individuals with disabilities. Vibeto has served as a coordinator in the area of intellectual and physical disabilities for Souris Valley Special Services for more than 30 years and continues to work tirelessly to garner the appropriate services that students with special need require. In addition to her work at SVSS, she volunteers for many community programs. She has also been involved on local and statewide committees such as the development of state guidelines for students with intellectual disabilities, Comprehensive System for Personnel Development, Children's Review Team, coordination of a pilot site for the implementation of the Life Centered Career Education curriculum, Statewide Special Education Case Management system, State Tienet User group, and School Improvement Process.
Final selection for the North Dakota Council for Exceptional Children state winners will take place at the state conference in February.
"Spotlight on Exceptionalities" is slated to occur the evening of Feb. 8 and Feb. 9 and 10 in Minot at the Holiday Inn-Riverside. Registration and more information can be obtained at (www.ndcec.k12.nd.us) under "2012 Annual Conference."
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Be safe when you're out celebrating
New Year's Eve is a great time to let loose and have fun, but unfortunately, criminals are out there waiting for an opportunity to take advantage.
To help your readers stay safe this New Year's Eve, Marcia Peot, full time police officer and Chief Safety Officer at StreetSafe, offers the following safety reminders:
+ Don't let your guard down. Holidays, including New Year's Eve, are not an excuse to throw caution to the wind. Be careful not to leave your drink unattended and don't become intoxicated.
+ Stay in groups or use the buddy system you are more likely to become a target if you are alone. Select a place to meet should you get separated, and check that your buddy got home safely at the end of the night.
+ Have a plan for how you will get home. Don't find yourself stranded!
+ Don't use the festive atmosphere as an excuse to do something you wouldn't normally do or put yourself in an unsafe situation.
+ While out, be careful what you post online. Don't alert others that you are not at home.
+ The beaten path is the better path. Don't take short cuts and familiarize yourself with the area before heading out.
+ Take extra precautions. (StreetSafe.com) is a mobile personal security system that uses your smart phone's GPS technology to instantly connect to help before a situation turns into an emergency. Street Safe's "Walk with Me" service offers a live connection to a professional Safety Adviser to keep you safe when walking in unfamiliar or threatening surroundings and instant access to 911 if needed.