Amazing Members

Outstanding AK Alpha Chapter Member Rhiana Gay

by Helen Foster, NW Regional President-Elect, AK Alpha

Could it be that Rhiana Gay, newly installed Alaska state copresident, is secretly a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (TMNT)? Her persona depicts a kindergarten teacher in the same school where she once was a student, but is that who she really is? In a recent interview with Rhiana, I was able to delve a little deeper. First, over the last two years, Rhiana has received two outstanding community awards. In late 2021, the Alaska Black Caucus named her the Alaska Teacher of Excellence, and in the spring of 2022, she was named one of Alaska‘s Top 40 under 40 by the Alaska Journal of Commerce. Both awards showcased Rhiana’s service to others through her community altruistic endeavors. Even in her service to Alpha Delta Kappa, I see Rhiana making relationships among her sisters and serving the organization with humility and joy. Her personal goals as AK state co-president are connecting with sisters by communicating and engaging them in conversations with each other. This secret TMNT has led her chapter as a co-president and as chaplain and is currently serving on the 2020-2022 International Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

Second, I found that Rhiana comes from a strong military family, the youngest of four daughters. Her father was an Air Force chaplain in the 80s and 90s, and her mother instilled the love of school in her daughters while they were growing up by working along with their teachers wherever the girls went to school throughout the US and Europe.

Third, my interview revealed that Rhiana has masked herself over the last eleven years as a kindergarten teacher at Creekside Park Elementary School in Anchorage and is currently pursuing a degree in school counseling. She says that sharing one’s gifts is a big part of making lasting relationships. Isn’t that the mission of a Ninja Turtle? Also, she says giving back to the community and treating mental health issues is a major part of her dream to become a school counselor, nourishing herself as well as her students. Are these not the traits of a TMNT: fierce perseverance, a servant’s heart, humility, joyfulfulness and with faith? Rhiana seems to embody these traits. So, is she a TMNT?

Finally, I learned that Rhiana disguises herself and travels the world collecting those stamps in her passport, but is that what she is really after? Sometimes, she is found on the slopes skiing or on the court playing ball. She plays basketball, softball, volleyball and soccer with vigor and enthusiasm to achieve victory for her teammates. She likes learning about new technology. But in doing all of these things, is she really just conquering the forces of nature and triumphing over evil in her own right? One thing I do know is that Rhiana’s A∆K sisterhood goals are similar to her life goals, which include service to others, and that is definitely the goal of a TMNT.

Consider this, Rhiana collects little TMNT figurines. Go figure!

Leading the Big Parade

Giving marching orders to seventysix trombones kept Yvette Keel, NC Beta Upsilon, busy this summer. Yvette, musical director for the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre’s (HART) production of “The Music Man,” was responsible for the songs and choreography in the show. “Beta Omicron sisters attended a performance and enjoyed the evening of music and fellowship,” said Bonnie Meadows, NC state chaplain.

Yvette, a past GA State President and NC Vice President for Membership, was a high school choral director and musical theater instructor for ten years before becoming a middle and elementary school administrator. The HART in Waynesville, NC, founded in 1985, is a semi-professional community theater showcasing the talents of the region’s residents. Yvette was stage manager for the HART’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and vocal coach for “The New Class Cabaret.”

For Fourth Graders, School is a Marvel

Every day is a marvel for the fourthgrade students of Caitlyn Petersen, CA Gamma Eta, Marvel comic heroes, that is. Caitlyn has been a fan and collector of superhero figures and memorabilia for over ten years. Her classroom at Sunny Sands Elementary School, Cathedral City, CA, is decorated with Wonder Woman, Batman and Spiderman.

Lady Venom, a rabbit free to run between the desks, shares attention with guinea pigs, Chilly and Tootsie. Caitlyn thought she was ordering two male Madagascar hissing cockroaches to be used in a science lesson, but ended up with a male and female, and now there is a tank full.

The Mar-vel-ous classroom was featured recently in an article by Jonathan Horwitz in “The Desert Sun,” Palm Beach, Ca.

Caitlyn has been a member for five years and is the chapter historian. She was Teacher of the Year 2019-20 at Julius Corsini Elementary School, Hot Springs, CA.