The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa honored educators and community leaders at the “Dancing with the Stars of Education” Gala on Friday night in Selma.

The event, held at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center in downtown Selma, honored Becky Nichols of the Selma-Dallas County Public Library, Melvin Hall of Safety Net Academy, Kennard Randolph of Selma Housing Authority, Sheryl Threadgill of Bama Kids and Jerria Martin of Dallas County Drug Free Communities for her work with teen “Hope Dealers.”

The sorority also recognized Alabama’s Alternate Teacher of the Year Eshwaa Godfrey of Selma High School and Veronica Pitts, Alicia Johnson and Tracey Parker. Vice President of the NSPDK Zella Ford was the honoree presenter of the evening.

There were also 15 new inductees into the Zeta Delta Chapter during the “Red Coat Presentation,” a presentation presided by Kendray Murray and other Zeta Delta members. 

Selma Mayor Johnny “Skip” Moss III instituted the evening’s greeting with Althelstein Johnson who gave the evening introductions. 

NSPDK President Tonya Chestnut told the Black Belt News Network: “We realize that, in this day and time, teachers are the key to making our communities successful. Regardless of what you’re aspiring to do in life, it is a result of a teacher. So, we want the educators in this area to know that we value them — they’re all educators — if we had to do it again, we’d choose the same profession. Thank you, Selma, and Dallas County.”

Althelstein Johnson said the intent of the evening was to recognize the educators and salute community partners who help make education as convenient as possible for all citizens of all ages. The evening ended with those words from her, along with a whole lot of dancing, … with educators, of course.

Valencia Benjamin is a Community Correspondent based in Dallas County.