Alpha Rho Northwest District
November/December Volume 36/Number 2
Mission Statement
The DKG Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.
News/Photos:
Please send your news/photos to Editor: Kim "Lovie" Howell
2025-2026 President - Martha Turner
A message from our President...
Happy Fall Y’all,
Hope y’all are enjoying these cooler mornings. It won’t be long before we are raking up leaves, handing out Halloween treats, and Christmas shopping.
Each fall we have our DKG Northwest/Northeast District Meeting. Kathye, Margene, and I went to the meeting in Ruston at the Church of Christ on Saturday, October 18th . I carried our chapter flag as the
chapter presidents were being presented. Kathye (Non-Dues Revenue) and Margene (Membership) gave state committee reports. We had a great time and Kathye and Margene won door prizes.
What’s happening with Alpha Rho:
Janet and Kim delivered our Grant-in-Aid awards to our selected 1st year teachers:
Jennifer Caple - Benton Middle School
Debra Poore - Haughton High School
Kierston McPherson - Parkway High School
Sidney Carter - Princeton Elementary
Madison Timms - Rusheon Middle School
Several of us delivered cookies to the schools where we have chapter members:
Apollo Elementary - Deborah
Benton Intermediate - Janet & Kim
Benton Middle -Janet & Kim
BESC - Lynn
BPSTIL - Ann
1st Baptist PreK & Elementary - Martha
1st Baptist Middle - Martha
Haughton High School - Lynn
Kingston Elementary - Becky
Providence - Denise
WT Lewis - Lenni
Our next meeting is Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 4:30 PM at the Do Good Store (100 Boardwalk Blvd. Bossier City). Committees in Charge: Professional Affairs and Research. We will honor local
educators. Please invite outstanding educators you know/you work with to join us. Our guest speaker is Jessie Fussell, the Director of Engagement at the Hub. She will share about the Lovewell Center Stores: The Eatwell (food items) and The Dresswell (shoes, clothing, hygiene items, etc.) Please bring cloth-like bags to donate to the Lovewell Centers for their clients to use as they check out at these stores. The speaker will share with us how we can help/donate to their stores throughout the year. Also, be prepared to do a little Christmas shopping at the Do Good Store.
Hope to see you at our next meeting.
Martha
DKG Cookie Delivery to our Alpha Rho Member Schools
Alpha Rho Members delivered cookies to our member's schools & buildings including:
Apollo
Benton Intermediate School
Benton Middle School
BESC
BPSTIL
1st Baptist Shreveport Church Middle School
Haughton High
Kingston
Providence
1st Baptist Church Preschool & Elem.
1st Baptist Church Middle School
1st Baptist Church Preschool & Elem.
Grant-in-Aid
Sidney Carter
Princeton Elementary
Debra Poore
Haughton High School
Kierston McPherson
Parkway High School
Madison Timms
Rusheon Middle School
Jennifer Caple
Benton Middle School
Bossier-Caddo Coordinating Council Fall Luncheon
Barbara, Nancy, Lottie, Debney, & Clara
Be the Light Decor
Gifts for everyone
Northeast/Northwest Joint District Meeting
Margene, Martha, and Kathye
Martha presenting the Alpha Rho flag
Bags for Bucks
Upcoming Dates:
2025-2026 Scheduled Meetings:
November 13, 2025
4:30 p.m.
Committees in Charge: Professional Affairs/Research
Honor Local Educators/Lovewell Center Stores: The Eatwell and The
Dresswell
Speaker: Lovewell Center Staff Member
Invite Outstanding Educators You Know/You Work with to Join Us.
Bring cloth-like bags to donate to the Lovewell Centers for their clients to use as they check
out at The Eatwell (food items) and The Dresswell (shoes, clothing, hygiene items,
etc.)
The speaker will share with us how we can help/donate to their stores throughout the year.
Come prepared to SHOP for Christmas at the Do Good Store.
Location: Do Good Store 100 Boardwalk Blvd. Bossier City
December 6, 2025
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Committee in Charge: Communications
Christmas Brunch
Come and enjoy brunch and fellowship with a Christmas Season flair.
Location: Kim Howell’s Home, 207 Echo Glen, Bossier City
January 15, 2026
4:30 p.m.
Committees in Charge: Finance
Pottery Painting/ClayGround
Choose from walls full of unique pottery to create your one of a kind treasure. After
completing your work of art, The ClayGround will glaze and fire your masterpiece. They will contact you to pick them up in approximately 7 days.
Cost: Pottery ranges from $15 to $60 with a large selection of pieces under $30. Price includes your pre-fired pottery, all needed art supplies & paint, clear glazing & kiln firing fees.
Location: ClayGround, 3820 North Market, Building A, Shreveport, LA
February 12, 2026
4:30 p.m.
Making Sour Dough Crackers/World Fellowship Program
Learn how to make yummy sour dough crackers.
Committees in Charge: Educational Excellence/Scholarship/World Fellowship
Speakers: Denise Wood/Leni Smith
Location: Asbury Methodist Church, Seekers Room (Use the north entrance
at awning.)
March 13-15, 2026 DKG State Convention
More information about registration coming soon!
Location: Hotel Bentley, 200 DeSoto Street, Alexandria
March 26, 2026
4:30 p.m.
Committees in Charge: Membership/Personal Growth
Creating Salads/Salad Bars
We will munch on our creations in addition to tasting
a variety of olive oils and vinegars.
Cost $15.00
Location: Bella Nonnas Olive Oil & Vinegar Tasting Bar, 1409 E. 70th St. Unit
107, Shreveport
April 11, 2026
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Committees in Charge: Rules
Potting Flowers/Plants
Bring a pot from home or purchase one there. Select your variety, size, type of flowers or plants to pot from the potting shed. Cost depends on the flowers/plants you choose.
Price point is approximately $5 for potting soil, and an additional cost for the pot if you purchase at Lex Farms.
Location: Lex Plant Farm Garden & Center, 9045 E. Kings Highway, Shreveport
April 25, 2026
10:30 a.m. Registration
11:00 a.m. Induction
Bossier-Caddo Coordinating Council Founders’ Day Luncheon/New Member
Induction/New Officers’ Installation
Meal: Order off the menu.
Location: Silver Star Restaurant, 5815 Youree Drive, Shreveport
Alpha Rho Chapter Committees
Society Business
Finance: JJ Stallcup, (chair), Martha Turner, Janet Bouso
Membership: Deborah Mullinnix (chair), Mary Lou Hughes, Terrie Johnson
Nominations: Educational Excellence Committee
Rules: Kathye Blackburn (chair), Margene Watters, Rebecca Barrish, Alison Ferrero
Communications: Kim Howell (chair), Ashley Umphries, Shuntay Banks, Bayley Jandres*
Society Missions and Purposes
Educational Excellence (Program): Denise Wood (chair), Rebecca Young, Shayna Vincent, Leni
Smith, Kathye Blackburn, Deborah Mullinnix, Kim Howell, JJ Stallcup
Personal Growth (Music): Rebecca Young (chair), Brenda Collins, Teri Schalewski, Emily Cryer
Professional Affairs/Research: Shayna Vincent (chair), Maggie Reeder, Karyn Flowers, Margie
Carleton, Ann Allred
Joys...
Please let us celebrate Joys with you. Email: echoglen21@gmail.com
Successful District Meetings across the State!
Pigs with a Purpose raised over $2,000.00!
Concerns...
Please keep in your prayers :🙏🏽
Pray for our Country.
Pray for Charlie Kirk's family.
Pray for our Grant-in-Aid Educators in their first year of teaching.
2025-2026 Alpha Rho Officers
President - Martha Turner
1st V.P. - Denise Wood
2nd V.P. - Deborah Mullinnix
Treasurer - Janet Bouso
Corresponding Secretary - Kim "Lovie" Howell
Recording Secretary - Margene Watters
Parliamentary Advisor - Kathye Blackburn
Historian - Ann Allred