Theta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International met at 10 a.m. Feb. 8 at the Kingfisher Public Library.

The members judged essays from Watonga, Okarche and Lomega public schools.

There were nine essays from seventh graders and 11 essays from eighth graders. The 2019-2020 Essay

The 2019-2020 Essay topic is “In the Spirit of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and its theme – ‘Transforming the World’ – How Can You Individually Encourage the Acceptance of Others?”

This essay contest was open to all seventh and eighth graders with essays due by Feb. 1.

Those selected from the seventh grade were Gabriella Reherman, Kate Myers and Avery Schieber. The eighth graders were Caden Schieber, Ryiley Bomhoff and Afton Shirey.

The winners will be announced at a reception at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 4, at InterBank in Kingfisher.

The students will read their essays. The winners’ parents, guests and teachers are invited to attend.

Charlene Heronema, Reydon, essay chairman, will announce the first, second and third place winners at that time.

The first place winner’s essay will be sent to the Oklahoma State Organization Essay Committee for judging by March 1 and state winners will be honored June 6 at the Leadership Conference in Oklahoma City.

After the judging, the members had lunch and fellowship and a short business meeting was conducted by Ramona Paine, Enid, president.

Dana Terrell, Kingfisher, gave the devotional taken from the book “100 Things God Loves About You.”

The members received information from the Kingfisher and Blaine county sheriff departments as to what Theta Chapter could help them with as a chapter project as a follow-up to their November meeting on “School-to-Prison Pipeline” and mass incarceration.

The departments furnish the club with a list and for its April meeting members will be bringing some of the requested items.

In another ongoing chapter project, this is the group’s fourth year of participation in placing a sixth grader’s name, selected by the staff of the Okarche Elementary School, on a name plate that hangs in the elementary school as well as giving a plaque to that student.

The recognition is called “Leave it Better Than You Found It” in recognition of David Vallerand, the former elementary principal that died in an accident. Karla Eischen, Okarche, is the chapter chairman for this project.

Members present were Phyllis Hightower, Ramona Paine, Jan Stinson, Eischen, Ann Ritchie, Dana Terrell, Joy Rhodes and Heronema.

The next meeting will be April 4 to hear essays and to install the 2020-2022 chapter officers.