The Alpha lota chapter celebrated its roots this month by offering the most important key to success – reading.
“As a group, we decided this would be a good idea,” said Whitney Dyer of placing a Little Free Library at Hickory Creek Elementary. “We knew there was one at the Civic Center and Eastside and Dibrell. We wanted one here. This one has books for children and adults.”
“Take a book, return a book” is the motto for the Little Free Library. Alpha lota members placed their box at the entrance to the school’s nature walk where people can go for a walk, get a book from the library and then sit and read with hopes to inspire and encourage reading.
“We will, as a sorority, take care of it,” said Dyer. “We’ll check on it, change the books so it’s not always the same books. We’ll keep it clean and painted, when needed.”
ADK is an International Honor Society for women educators which was founded in 1947 in Kansas City. Alpha lota, the Warren County chapter, was organized in 1965 by charter members Elizabeth Allison, Betty Jo Blankenship, Norma Jean Griswold, Mary Frances Hammer, Hilda Newman, Arrie Mae Smith, Sandra Todd, Joyce Wallace, and Ione Youngblood.
The local chapter is currently actively involved in many altruistic endeavors. Along with Little Free Library, members offer a scholarship each year to a senior girl who will be pursuing a career in education, help with the FUEL program at WCHS, and sponsor a family at Christmas.
Dawn Cantrell and Lori Mayfield are currently sharing the office of the Alpha lota presidency, with Rachel McGee as president-elect. Debbie Dunham is chaplain, Sheri Garret is secretary, Lucretia Brown is treasurer, Dana Mullican is sergeant of arms, and Diane Parton is historian.