The  December meeting of the Theta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International was held in the home of Mrs. Jean Ricks of Wesson. At this meeting, guests enjoyed a wonderful meal, fun and fellowship to kick off the holidays!

Eighteen members were in attendance and each member donated books for the Ferst Readers Project. Every newborn at Kings Daughters Medical Center in Brookhaven will receive a book when they leave the hospital as a way to nurture the love of reading in the home.

Jennie Skinner, Chairman of the Professional Affairs Committee, presented the Red Rose Award to Monica Bland of Brookhaven. The Red Rose Award is presented every other year to a non-member who lives in our area, who has contributed in beneficial ways to education and has had a positive impact on women in education.

In 2019, Monica Bland and her husband, Joey, opened By Faith Academy in Brookhaven with 20 students enrolled. Since its beginning the school has continued to grow, and in 2023 By Faith Academy became accredited through Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS). Monica taught at McLaurin and Lloyd Star before earning a degree in Dyslexia Therapy from William Carey University. Congratulations to Monica Bland on her outstanding accomplishments and her many worthy contributions to education.