Early History
Beta Epsilon chapter owes its existence to two educators who were already members of a Kansas City Alpha Delta Kappa chapter. Betty Campbell and Darlene Theno, who had moved to Southern Leavenworth County near the town of Basehor, started the process of establishing a chapter there. The official charter date was August 20, 1974. Location of the ceremony was Eyerly’s Cafe on 155th Street in Basehor, Kansas.
Charter Members
Alphabetically: Marilyn B. Anderson, Laverne Amend, Carla D. Beckett, Jane E. Campbell, Shirley M. Franklin, Ruth S. Grube, Marie E. Henderson, Kathryn E. Hodges, Nancy J. Layton, Karen O. Liljestrand, Alpha C. Lusk, Rosalyn J. McSpaden, Norma B. Newman, Delores Shell, Elizabeth E. Wiley, and Phyllis J. Zishka. All taught in Basehor schools, except Nancy Layton, who taught in Kansas City, Kansas, but lived in Basehor.
Early Altruism
Without a large treasury for monetary projects, members looked for inexpensive ways to be of service, like these: writing letters-to-the-editor to the local newspaper in praise off citizens who deserved recognition; donating fabric scraps to a women’s prison; stitching cancer bandages; cleaning the one-room school at the Agricultural Hall of Fame; and providing cooking ingredients to the Kaw View Detention Center.
Early Fundraising
In an effort to build the treasury, members hosted a taco dinner; sold popcorn balls at an outdoor summer event; held a giant “garage” sale that filled a school gymnasium; recycled cans; and passed around a gift basket from member to member.
The Craft Show
In 1982, just eight years after its founding, member Phyllis Zishka suggested hosting a craft show, which has since become Beta Epsilon's largest annual fundraiser. Usually on the first Saturday of November at Basehor (now Basehor-Linwood) High School, the proceeds from booth rental, customer admissions, and a drawing, have put the chapter on a strong financial footing. Additionally, the show has become a highly anticipated event for the surrounding communities and has allowed talented crafters an outlet for their creations. After a one-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, members hope that 2021 will mark the 37th show.
Scholarships
With craft show profits, scholarships became a real possibility. The chapter now presents $3,400 annually in scholarships for future educators: one at St. Mary University in Leavenworth ($1,300); one at Tonganoxie High school ($700); and two $700 scholarships at Basehor-Linwood High School.
Other Altruism
Wherever there’s a need, Beta Epsilon finds a way to help. A few examples: Project Graduation support at area high schools; bingo prizes for Hickory Villa senior living center; meal preparation at a Ronald McDonald House; support for schools in Africa, Costa Rica, South Dakota; stuffed animals for the Leavenworth Sheriff’s Department for children in crises; flood relief for Easton, KS schools; donations for the Fairmount Township fire department cadet program; hurricane/tornado relief; funding for a spelling bee prize; book bags for students in need; women’s shelter support; animal care groups; Books on the Move reading program; transitional housing; Topeka area technology camp tuition; Festival of Trees Fundraiser for the Lawrence, KS Children’s Shelter, gift card and food pantry donations for Basehor-Linwood Assistance Services, and more.
Fun Stuff
Socializing before and after meetings; traveling to conventions, regional conferences, and state meetings; swimming and boating at a Lake of the Ozarks weekend; movie going; traveling by train to quaint Washington, Missouri; running or walking in the breast cancer Race for the Cure; visiting Atchison, Kansas, for the Sunflower Summit; attending the chapter’s annual salad supper in April and the holiday gathering in December; and more.
Where we are in 2021
Beta Epsilon now numbers 35 exceptional educators from 16 school districts. Membership has expanded well beyond the borders of Basehor, but the group still maintains its center in that town, typically meeting at the Basehor United Methodist Church and holding the craft show at Basehor-Linwood High School. Special gatherings are held in other locations. Because of coronavirus, Zoom and/or hybrid meetings were the recent norm. With the craft show canceled in 2020, budget expenditures had to be tightened. However, careful planning in the past for an emergency has allowed all scholarship obligations to be met. The plan is to resume the craft show in November of 2021 so the treasury will once again be at a reasonable financial level.
Kansas Beta Epsilon remains a strong, vibrant chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa as it nears its 48th birthday on August 20, 2021.
Beta Epsilon chapter owes its existence to two educators who were already members of a Kansas City Alpha Delta Kappa chapter. Betty Campbell and Darlene Theno, who had moved to Southern Leavenworth County near the town of Basehor, started the process of establishing a chapter there. The official charter date was August 20, 1974. Location of the ceremony was Eyerly’s Cafe on 155th Street in Basehor, Kansas.
Charter Members
Alphabetically: Marilyn B. Anderson, Laverne Amend, Carla D. Beckett, Jane E. Campbell, Shirley M. Franklin, Ruth S. Grube, Marie E. Henderson, Kathryn E. Hodges, Nancy J. Layton, Karen O. Liljestrand, Alpha C. Lusk, Rosalyn J. McSpaden, Norma B. Newman, Delores Shell, Elizabeth E. Wiley, and Phyllis J. Zishka. All taught in Basehor schools, except Nancy Layton, who taught in Kansas City, Kansas, but lived in Basehor.
Early Altruism
Without a large treasury for monetary projects, members looked for inexpensive ways to be of service, like these: writing letters-to-the-editor to the local newspaper in praise off citizens who deserved recognition; donating fabric scraps to a women’s prison; stitching cancer bandages; cleaning the one-room school at the Agricultural Hall of Fame; and providing cooking ingredients to the Kaw View Detention Center.
Early Fundraising
In an effort to build the treasury, members hosted a taco dinner; sold popcorn balls at an outdoor summer event; held a giant “garage” sale that filled a school gymnasium; recycled cans; and passed around a gift basket from member to member.
The Craft Show
In 1982, just eight years after its founding, member Phyllis Zishka suggested hosting a craft show, which has since become Beta Epsilon's largest annual fundraiser. Usually on the first Saturday of November at Basehor (now Basehor-Linwood) High School, the proceeds from booth rental, customer admissions, and a drawing, have put the chapter on a strong financial footing. Additionally, the show has become a highly anticipated event for the surrounding communities and has allowed talented crafters an outlet for their creations. After a one-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, members hope that 2021 will mark the 37th show.
Scholarships
With craft show profits, scholarships became a real possibility. The chapter now presents $3,400 annually in scholarships for future educators: one at St. Mary University in Leavenworth ($1,300); one at Tonganoxie High school ($700); and two $700 scholarships at Basehor-Linwood High School.
Other Altruism
Wherever there’s a need, Beta Epsilon finds a way to help. A few examples: Project Graduation support at area high schools; bingo prizes for Hickory Villa senior living center; meal preparation at a Ronald McDonald House; support for schools in Africa, Costa Rica, South Dakota; stuffed animals for the Leavenworth Sheriff’s Department for children in crises; flood relief for Easton, KS schools; donations for the Fairmount Township fire department cadet program; hurricane/tornado relief; funding for a spelling bee prize; book bags for students in need; women’s shelter support; animal care groups; Books on the Move reading program; transitional housing; Topeka area technology camp tuition; Festival of Trees Fundraiser for the Lawrence, KS Children’s Shelter, gift card and food pantry donations for Basehor-Linwood Assistance Services, and more.
Fun Stuff
Socializing before and after meetings; traveling to conventions, regional conferences, and state meetings; swimming and boating at a Lake of the Ozarks weekend; movie going; traveling by train to quaint Washington, Missouri; running or walking in the breast cancer Race for the Cure; visiting Atchison, Kansas, for the Sunflower Summit; attending the chapter’s annual salad supper in April and the holiday gathering in December; and more.
Where we are in 2021
Beta Epsilon now numbers 35 exceptional educators from 16 school districts. Membership has expanded well beyond the borders of Basehor, but the group still maintains its center in that town, typically meeting at the Basehor United Methodist Church and holding the craft show at Basehor-Linwood High School. Special gatherings are held in other locations. Because of coronavirus, Zoom and/or hybrid meetings were the recent norm. With the craft show canceled in 2020, budget expenditures had to be tightened. However, careful planning in the past for an emergency has allowed all scholarship obligations to be met. The plan is to resume the craft show in November of 2021 so the treasury will once again be at a reasonable financial level.
Kansas Beta Epsilon remains a strong, vibrant chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa as it nears its 48th birthday on August 20, 2021.