Black Bear Courtesy of Gara Williams - Epsilon Chapter
Alaska State DKG Achievement Award
Achievement Award Winner
2024-2026Maryanne Allan
Past WinnersEmily Kemak Carolyn Rooker Patty Bickar Sandra McGowan Kati Rogness Dianne Coursey Daphne Hofschulte Jane Behlke Mary Ann Curtis Eleanor Houts Geri Benshoof Jeanne Fiske Kathy Kiddell Marlin Collins Pat Dart Judy Ireton Barbara Sell Judy Jasperson Aldean Kilbourne Joan Lower |
Achievement Award Information
And the winner is...Good evening, Sisters! It is my honor as your 2nd Vice President to present the 2026 Alaska State Organization Achievement Award. First, I would like to thank my committee: Barbara Kovarik, Nu, Susanne Hall, Eta, and Dianna Beltran, Nu. Thank you for helping with this important responsibility! This biennium’s recipient has been a member of DKG Alaska for 25 years. She was born in Seattle and came to Alaska as an adult. She received her bachelor’s degree from Seattle University and her Masters in Reading Instruction from UAF. She taught pre-K and elementary SPED at many levels. At the chapter level, she served two terms as President. She really appreciated the training she received during the state leadership meetings. She accepted the job of State Webmaster, where she served for ten years. She took various on-line classes to help her understand new programs which she used to create a high-quality website. Working with four other members of her chapter, she spearheaded their efforts to establish a non-profit to provide financial support for women educators and projects supporting educational excellence. In 2016 the foundation was formalized and she was appointed its first president. She has been a proud recipient of the Eunah Temple Holden International Scholarship. She created a group of Young Native Fiddlers to encourage Alaska Native children to become involved in music. Playing cello for the Fairbanks Community Orchestra and her interest in music helped spark the idea for her doctoral studies concerning music and native youth. By using interviews with her students, their parents, and native elder, Bill Stevens, She gained information for her dissertation. She taught children and helped their parents create a non-profit (Young Native Fiddlers) which continues to thrive today. She attended most state conventions and workshops as well as Regional and International Conferences where she has been a presenter several times. She also took a week-long leadership training course offered through International DKG in Austin. Her latest involvement was as State 1st Vice President and chair of the 2024 Convention Committee. She has presented at various Language Resources, Literacy, and Reading Conferences in Alaska and to the International Reading Association about her research. In addition, she published a book about the success the program and her students. She received her Ph.D. in Indigenous Studies from UAF in 2011. In retirement this worthy sister has done some traveling, Recent trips include bike rides in Europe and fund-raising treks for MS in Northwest U.S. For the past seven years, she has been coordinating weekly walking and biking groups to help her chapter keep in touch between meetings. Maryanne Allan has demonstrated an innovative spirit and a dedication to Beta Chapter and DKG Alaska and is a deserving Candidate for the Alaska State Organization Achievement Award. Maryanne Allan, I am honored to present you with the 2026 Alaska State Achievement Award. Barb Sell, 2nd VP |