Alpha Omega chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, a global service organization made up of professional women educators, met in Belhaven on May 5 to install officers for the 2016­–2018 biennium and award scholarships to aspiring high school graduates and women educators seeking higher credentials.

Dava Jarman, Katherine Holt, Jane Griffin, Barbara Jones and Dianna Winstead were installed officers of the chapter. Betty Cochran, retiring president, will serve on the board along with the other officers installed.

Phyllis Balance, chairwoman of the scholarship committee, presented scholarships to current teachers Dana Hudnell of Belhaven and Stacia Abba of Blounts Creek, and to graduating senior Kaitlin Brescia of Pinetown.

A highlight of the evening was the recognition of Mary Alice Chapin, who was recently awarded the prestigious Gold Key Award at Delta Kappa Gamma’s Eta State Convention in Winston-Salem. This award is given to women educators who have distinguished themselves in their service to education and to the community. Cochran also reported that the chapter had won recognition as a distinguished chapter, and the chapter newsletter published four times a year by Jane Griffin was recognized as outstanding.

Established in 1929, Delta Kappa Gamma has approximately 75,000 members in 17 different countries. Members include professional women educators in both the public and private sectors. Selection is based on professional qualifications, leadership potential and personal qualities. The North Carolina organization (Eta State) has 104 chapters with more than 4,300 members.