Xi Chapter History 

Xi Chapter is relatively new. In 1981 there was a need for expansion by Delta Chapter. Xi Chapter was organized with key women educators of Atlantic County."

Our newly formed Chapter listed 38 charter members. Judith M. Gibson, an Assistant Vice-Principal at Oakcrest High School, became the first president of Xi Chapter. Four other OHS staff members were officers with President Gibson. Susan Feder was named Vice-President, and Sandra Brone, Corresponding Secretary. Chapter Treasurer was Lois M. Reed, and Ruth Osbo-rn assumed the duties of Parliamentarian. Antoinette Aurelio of Shaner Elementary School, served as Secretary.

Since Xi's formation, we have been busy establishing the beginnings of "Our History." We have attempted to become acquainted with our local resources and increase our knowledge and understanding of the cultural offerings of our area, and to respond to the needs and concerns of our environmental and social agencies. Thus, we have donated to the Atlantic County Rescue Mission, the Women's Abuse Center, and the Marine Mammal Stranding Station. Some of our cultural pursuits involved field trips, tours, speakers, demonstrations, and hands-on activities and included places such as Mays Landing's Atlantic County Library, the Noyes Museum for New Jersey artists, Wheaton Village with glass blowing and museum, Brigantine Wildlife Preserve, Waldor Orchid Nursery, an herb farm, and the Renault Winery. We are trying to master flower arranging and will soon attempt calligraphy. Xi members have enjoyed annual Christmas dinners with our Delta sisters and the entertainment of a children's choir, Frank E. Bowker (a hand bell soloist), and the Vineland High School Madrigal Choir.

Respectively submitted,
Orinda L. Schultz, Historian

In the 32 years since Xi chapter was formed from Delta Chapter (1981), we have been
involved as a group and individually in school, community, state, national and
international needs, projects, events and widening our experiences and services. 

In addition to the chapter participation in all areas at Alpha Zeta State Convention, the
following Xi remembers were active as

STATE CHAIRS: 
    1983-85 Social Judith M. Gibson 
    1987-88 Social Helen Hudson & Orinda Schultz 
    1989-97 World Orinda Schultz 
    2013-2015 X and Y Jane Flanagan

FELLOWSHIP:
    1997-99 Chaplain Orinda Schultz 
    2003-05 Scholarship Catherine Barish& Sandra Santa Maria 
    2009-11 Necrology Orinda Schultz 
    2011-14 Programs  Kathleen Reichert 

AD-HOC COMMITTEES & CTAUN: 
    Patricia (Ozersky) Kennedy (New Potential Convention Sites) 
    Roslyn Johnson (Women’s Caucus) 
    Monica Taylor (New Child Development Research) 
    Helen Hudson /Natalie Morris/Janel Schafer (CTAUN)

WORKSHOP PRESENTERS: 
    Monica Taylor- Early Childhood & Kindergarten Reading Incentives 
    Mary Prychka- Ukrainian Egg Decorating
    Orinda Schultz- Literature-Based hands-on Science K-4 
    Helen Hudson- Water Aerobics
    Janel Schafer- Character Education on-line, Using Technology in the Classroom, NJEA, High Tech     Hall, FETC 2013, AZS State Convention
    Carla (Hockenbury) Sbrana & Janel Schafer - From My Classroom to Yours 
 
ALPHA ZETA STATE SCHOLARSHIPS & STIPEND RECIPIENTS: 
    Carla Hockenberry- Sbrana 
     Rose Petrunis-Gaughin 
     Mary Prychka 
     Mary Ann Gustafson 
     Sandra Santa Maria 
     Jane Flanagan (Elizabeth Ann Bozarth- 2012) 

SPECIAL CONVENTION EXTRAS: 
    Xi Chapter initiated the inviting of the Atlantic County Boardwalk Chorus to sing at the
convention, which they did beautifully. Introducing guest speaker, Jeannine M.
Duane, NJ State Ambassador for NASA’s teacher in Space Program was a very
special privilege for Orinda “Lou” Schultz, as she too was an applicant. Orinda
decorated over 400 nut cups for the 50th Anniversary banquet tables. 
     During these past 25 years, Xi sisters have enjoyed informative presentations by
members who have shared experiences visiting international countries through
personal trips, Hands Across the Water or People To People Ambassador programs
for teachers. Presentations involving power point, slides, photo albums and
artifacts. 

COUNTRIES & PRESENTERS 
     Australia Carla Hockenberry- Sbrana 
     Belarus Judi Marzolino 
     China Patricia Ozersky-Kennedy 
     Ireland Joan D’Ottavio-Davenport 
     Israel Kathleen Smith 
     Kenya Janel Schafer 
     Kiev Helen Hudson & Mary Prychka (2 Kiev teachers visited here and we sent clothing, coats and books to Kiev) 
     New Zealand Joan D’Ottavio- Davenport 
     Russia & Poland Sandra Santa Maria
     Turkey Orinda “Lou” Schultz 
     Haiti Stephanie Zarych, daughter of Xi member Linda Zarych (Dresses for girls are presently being sewn by Xi to be delivered by Stephanie. 

NATIONAL AIDS: 
    Teacher School supplies for Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. (Delivered by Gregg Laubert, husband of Xi member Gay Laubert)
    Teacher & Student supplies, Science/Math Hands-on Units, books, balls and much more were donated 
to Hackleburg, Alabama which was 75% destroyed by tornadoes in 2011. (Delivered b y John Norton, brother of Xi member Orinda “Lou” Schultz) 

LOCAL CHARITIES & AIDS PAST & PRESENT: 
     Funds raised through Ocean City Block Parties, scrapbooking, sale of Xi pens & donations
     Sister Jean Webster’s Kitchen in Atlantic City  
     Atlantic City Rescue Mission donations and aiding preparations & serving lunches for 300 + on a
  rotation basis with donations of needed supplies. 
     Atlantic Co. Women’s Abuse Center Crisis Bags, toiletry kits and books for children
     Books for the Atlantic Co. Library- Mays Landing Branch. 
     Jump Rope for Heart with 300+, under Carol Bennett, Xi member 
     ARC of Atlantic County     
     Gilda’s Club 
     Ocean City Cancer Walk
     Vineland High School Madrigal Choir & Oakcrest Choir 
     Adopt-a-Highway Clean-up for many yrs.
     Forsyth Wildlife Refuge

PROGRAMS & CHAPTER SOCIALS: 
     Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Speaker 
     Literacy Volunteers of America, Speaker & Presentation 
     Women’s Health Issues-Breast Cancer Presentation, Healthful Living, Good Nutrition, Reiki
     Healthful Cooking, Massage & Aroma Therapy, Zumba, Yoga, Scarf Art Wardrobe 
     Enhancing, Understanding Astrology, Identify Theft, Self Defense, Game Night 
     Scrapbooking by Lou, Crafting by Lou & Rose Gaughin, Clay Art by Rose & Pat Kennedy 
     Atlantic County Old Cemetery Headstone rubbings by Xi member Helen Hudson 
     Atlantic County herbal Botanical alliance in Egg Harbor (Trip) 
     Atlantic County crime Stoppers, Inc. 
     Will & Estate Planning 
     Trip to New York City 
     Tours of local wineries 

SPECIAL SCHOOL & STATE RECOGNITIONS and TEACHERS OF THE YEAR: 
     1987 Carla Hockenberry-Sbrana 
     1987 Mary Prychka & Patricia Thompson (NJ Technology for children from NJ State) 
     1988 Orinda “Lou” Schultz 
     1990 Catherine Barish & Evelyn Hagel 
     1991 Monica Taylor & Loretta Leyrer 
     1992 Roslyn Johnson 
     1993 Miranda Levy 
     1995 Patricia Ozersky-Kennedy 
     1996 Dotsi Schoenstein (also Xi Banner Designer/Maker) 
     1997 Jan Peterson 
     2002 Sandra Santa Maria 
     2004 Nancy Beach & Michele Petrucci 
     2007 Kathleen Reichert 
     2008 Margaret Anderson 
     2011 Carol Bennett 
     2012 Amy Gold

PUBLISHED MEMBERS: 
     Sandra Santa Maria, Monica Taylor and Orinda Schultz for Reading Council of So. Jersey 
     Orinda Schultz for Hands-On Math-Science Activities for Elementary Math Publication 
     Mary Prychka on Ukrainian Hospital Relief for Alpha Zeta State Newsletter 
     Helen Hudson & Mary Prychka on Ukrainian Visit for NJEA Magazine 

SCHOLARSHIP & GIFT: 
    Antoinette Aurelio- Money gift to an 8th grader, selected by school 
    Memorial Scholarship- Money to a High School student going into the Education field. In 
memory of all deceased Xi members. 

ROSE AWARD:
    2018- Lisa Goodwin