On March 18, 42 women educators celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Mu Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa at First United Methodist Church in Salisbury.
Alpha Delta Kappa is an international honorary organization of women educators dedicated to educational excellence, altruism, and world understanding.
The organization has numerous purposes including sponsorship of scholarships, promotion of high standards in education, and the strengthening of the status and advancement of the teaching profession.
The international organization was founded in 1947 and has 42,000 members with chapters in all 50 states, Australia, Canada, Jamaica, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Today there are nearly 1600 chapters.
Mu chapter was founded on March 1,1958, with its first meeting being held at the Yadkin Hotel.
Fifteen teachers from Rowan and Cabarrus County organized the chapter. The teachers taught in the Rowan County schools and the Spencer City schools.
Two of the 15 charter members continue to be members today. These Golden Sisters are Leona Morgan and Janice C. Robbins, both of Salisbury. Morgan served the chapter as the first sergeant-at-arms. Robbins served as the first treasurer and is currently serving the chapter in this capacity.
Today Mu chapter has 31 members. The newest initiates are Trina Bungard, Crystal Gault, Mary Horton, and Brenda Hunt.
Outstanding educators are nominated for membership and must be actively engaged in education for two years and presently employed full-time in the field of education.
On February 27, 1973, Mu chapter colonized Gamma Theta chapter in Salisbury.
Gamma Theta joined Mu chapter for the Golden Anniversary celebration. President Eunice Holt presided. Janice Robbins was presented the floral centerpiece in honor of her continued service to Mu chapter and the field of education. Chaplain Melanie Miller shared a reading about sisterhood.
Vice President Martha Smith joined the president in the presentation of the Golden Chapter Ceremony. Greetings were given by District III Vice President Penny Ledbetter. Greetings were also given in absentia from the president of Gamma Theta Debbie Lesley and the state president Ruth Ann Griggs.
Those present were encouraged to reminisce as they viewed chapter scrapbooks from the past decades.
Dinner was served, after which a program on gang awareness was presented by the Salisbury Police Department.
The meeting concluded with the singing of “The Lamp of ADK.”
String students
The second and third year students from the Granite Quarry Elementary School After School Strings class performed April 12 at the Carowinds Band and Orchestra Festival.
This annual festival gives student ensembles the opportunity to play for the comments of a panel of judges. It also provides an opportunity to listen to other school music groups.
Members of the class are: Erica Archer, Ana Carla Betancourt, Callie Slife, Hunter Jones, Christina Strobel, Monica Teodorovici, Maddy Pepper, Bill Leach and Leighla Sides.
The instructor is Carrie Webster, and assistant is April Haffner. Accompanist is Susan Trivette. Assistance was also provided by Salisbury Symphony Executive Director Linda Jones.
Some of the judges comments were: “I really enjoyed your performance;” “There’s a lot of potential on that stage;” “This is a beginner strings group, but I think from the start you’ve got right now, you’re going to turn into fine young musicians.”
Music scholarship
April Hafner has been awarded the John Nelson Haden Scholarship in Music by the Salisbury Civitan Club. This award is presented annually to only one student in the Music Education program at Catawba College.
Hafner has been an Assistant in the Salisbury Symphony’s After-School Strings program for two years.
Hafner started playing the violin in the fifth grade in her public school system. She played in orchestra all through middle and high school.
She is currently a senior at Catawba College and studies privately with Dan Skidmore, concertmaster with the Salisbury Symphony.
She is a music business major. Her studies have included an internship with Muzak.
Merrell recital
Students of Mrs. Franklin Merrell were presented in recital on April 5 at Union Lutheran Church.
The program opened with a duet performed by Merrell and Meredith Hovis.
Other students performing were Sarah Bess Hallett, Andy Hallet, Katelyn Shuping, Anna-Leigh Shuping, Kaitlyn Burgess, Lauren Thomas, Cristin Ritchie and Emily Graczyk.
The program closed with a duet performed by Lisa Hill and Merrell. Lisa was recognized as a graduating senior. She has been a student of Merrell for 10 years.
Special guest was Ashley DeCelle, a former student of Merrell’s. Ashley is a sophomore at Applachian State University, where she is a music education major with emphasis in vocal studies.
Ashley sang the Mozart aria, “Voi, che sapete.”
Merrell recognized several of the students for accomplishments in the musical field.
Andy Hallett and Anna-Leigh Shuping participated in All-County Band. Andy was also accepted to participate in the UNC-G Honors Band. Katelyn Shuping is the recipient of a scholarship to attend Cannon Music Camp during the summer, and Anna-Leigh Shuping is the recipient of a scholarship to attend UNC-G Piano camp during the summer.
Each of the students will be participating in the National Piano Teachers Guild competitions at the end of April.Antosek baptism
Katherine “Katie” Christine Antosek, 5-month-old daughter of Jody and Amanda Antosek of Salisbury, was baptized April 5 at Sacred Heart Church. Dr. James Mazur, deacon, officiated.
Katie wore a baby beau and belle white, lacy christening gown with a matching bonnet given by her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Antosek Jr. She also used a white blanket during the ceremony that was presented to her before the baptism that was made by her grandmother, Kay O. Kepley.
Also attending the private ceremony were Katie’s brothers, Alex, 7 and Nicholas, 4; grandfather Walter A. “Buddy” Kepley; great-grandparents Margaret Matterson Antosek and Joe Saleeby, godparents Christopher Michael Kepley and Lindsey Holloway Antosek, all of Salisbury, along with 30 family members and friends.
Following the ceremony, everyone gathered for a luncheon at the Forest Glen home of the parents, where Katie received gifts.