Alpha Theta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International has awarded its annual future educator scholarships to two deserving young Suffolk seniors.

DKG is a multi-national organization created in the USA in 1929 as an honorary society that promotes professional and personal growth of female educators and excellence in education.

Currently and since its inception, the scholarships have been named for Ms. Gladys Yates who taught in Suffolk decades ago.

Starting next year, the chapter has voted to rename one of the two scholarships to honor Deborah Marlo Brown, a young mother of two sons, and daughter of Alpha Theta member Adele Brown and her husband, Donald Brown. Educated in Suffolk schools and Old Dominion University, Deborah was tragically killed last fall.

The chapter raises funds every year to award these scholarships, currently $1,500 each, through various projects that have included selling meals and cookie dough and sponsoring fashion show luncheons and craft shows. This year the chapter plans to sell its creation — cookbooks for children — as well as cookie dough and fried chicken dinners.

Both scholarship recipients, Sarah Jane Cook and Elizabeth Morning Star Smith, have outstanding records in academics and extra-curricular pursuits. They are both recent graduates of Nansemond River High School.

Sarah Cook, who attended summer school several summers in order to finish high school in three years, plans to attend Tidewater Community College and later transfer to a university. She will major in education with a minor in music. She has received many awards in both music and academic excellence, including the National Junior Leaders Conference of Achievement, among others, and has over 100 hours of volunteer experience. She credits an outstanding Suffolk teacher with helping her to overcome her dyslexia — which affected her ability to read — to complete her high school education as an honor graduate, and wants to help children as she was helped by finding out how they learn and giving them the tools and the support to be successful.

Elizabeth Smith will attend Longwood University and major in elementary education. She was accepted into Longwood’s Cormier Honors College. Her interest in drama is evident in her extra-curricular activities, including being a VHSL Theatre four-year letterman. Her academic honors include Academic Excellence. She is in the top 5 percent of her class with nearly a 4.0 average. Additionally, she has been on the student council and has volunteered with Edmarc Children’s Hospice, Sentara Obici Hospital and her church, among others. By participating in the Teachers for Tomorrow program with a six-week internship in second grade, Elizabeth found her calling so that she can help children build a solid foundation for life.

Alpha Theta will be looking for new members to participate in the many opportunities and community service projects. There are also interesting programs, conferences, and workshops offered, and stipends and scholarships for educators at state and national levels available. For information, refer to the Delta Kappa Gamma and Iota State websites.