The Psi Omicron Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), an international education honor society, inducted nine new members on October 6, 2024.
The ceremony began with a welcome by faculty counselor, Mrs. Barbara Lutz, who also introduced the Executive Officers. She stated the mission of the chapter is to reaffirm the ideals of the organization and initiate new members committed to a lifetime of educational excellence. The induction ceremony celebrates the achievements of new members and charges them with accepting the duties and responsibilities of this recognition. The officers shared the values of KDP, the meaning of these beliefs, and the actions that reflect the principles of the society. After each principle was stated – Knowledge, Duty, Power – inductees affirmed their acceptance by saying “I do.” The pinning of the inductees was done by Mrs. Lutz and Dr. Beth Kobett, Dean of the School of Education. President Ashley Clous then declared each inductee a member of KDP.
Following the pinning, two guest speaker delivered remarks. Emma Harris ’11 is an eighth grade U.S. History teacher at East Middle School in Carroll County and former member of KDP. She is the Advisor for Student Government, a mentor teacher, partner school Liaison for Stevenson interns and teacher candidates, lead enrichment teacher, serves as Content Liaison for the Social Studies Department at her school, and writes and edits curriculum for the county. Emma is also the Gilder Lehman 2024 Maryland History Teacher of the Year. “The inspiration for KDP this year is the majestic white oak tree,” she informed the audience. “Like this tree, which can live for centuries and grow to towering heights, our careers in education have the potential to create a legacy, touching countless lives across generations.”
Wiktoria Bilich ’23 is a second grade teacher at Mays Chapel Elementary School in Baltimore County and Past President of KDP. She was the 2023 recipient of the Distinguished Chapter Officer Award by the national KDP organization. Wiktoria observed, “Teaching is the one profession that sticks with you forever. Decades down the line when your name comes up, there’ll be students who reminisce about the impact you had on their lives. The difference you make in their lives is your legacy and will outlive you.”
Dr. Kobett delivered the closing remarks, congratulating the new inductees, thanking Mrs. Lutz and the officers, and recognizing family and friends who attended in support of the new inductees. Congratulations to the inductees and their families, and welcome to KDP!
Executive Officers: Ashley Clous, President; Jennifer Fink, Vice President; Justice Simpson, Secretary; Joy Lee, Treasurer/Historian; Lauren Banks, Recruitment Chair
Members: Germayony Alcaraz, Alyssa Boyer, Claire Fairman, Abby Franklin, Makayla Frock, Maggie Greenwell, Ashlee Payton
Inductees: Emma Breznak, Melissa Figueroa Gonzalez, Erica Goodwin, Gabrielle Green, Stephanie Henry, Anna Johnston, Abigail Slovikosky, Anna Willey, Kylie Zimmerman