Kappa Spotlight

Susan Allred, Pi Chapter, Rho State/NC

Who knows what friendships contribute to the future of Kappa locally, statewide, and nationally?

Susan Hendrick of Pi Chapter, Rho State, NC was a hardworking, dedicated member who always set goals for the promotion of education in Pi Chapter.  Before we lost her to cancer in November, 2020, she served as a member, president, secretary, treasurer and committee chair of Kappa Kappa Iota from 1974-2020.  In 2019, Susan was inducted into the Rutherford County Schools Hall of Fame. 

Susan was a very passionate, selfless person when it came to serving others. She was a lifelong member of Rutherfordton Presbyterian Church serving as a deacon, church treasurer, moderator of Presbyterian Women, a circle member and Sunday school teacher. Susan was awarded the Presbyterian Women Life Membership.  She was instrumental in raising funds and leading others of the church to build a new fellowship complex where others could praise and serve the Lord.

Susan H. invited Susan Allred to join Kappa Kappa Iota when Susan A. moved to Rutherford County. A Forever Friendship began. She inspired Susan A. to become more involved in Kappa activities, knowing that Susan A’s love for education would begin a legacy for Rho State.  

Susan Allred is the daughter of a Presbyterian Minister, one who shares the love of God wherever and whenever the opportunity arises.  At 6 years old, she had to stay home from Sunday Worship on Christmas Day because of illness.  Her parents found her preaching from Luke 2 from memory and ending by telling the dolls they didn’t have to worry.  Her dollhouse, received as a Christmas Gift, would be their inn forever and there would always be a place for them in God’s house.  Sharing these memories serve to inspire us to find our place in God’s House also.

Susan Allred is serving as State President this year and asks us to Promote Kappa “For the Good of the Cause”.  As the founder of Susan Allred Consulting, LLC, she travels constantly assisting schools, districts, and states in strategic decision making.  She is Former Chief Academic Officer at Iredell-Statesville Schools and Former Interim Associate Commissioner at the Kentucky Department of Education. She has served in many capacities in her church.

The best part of knowing Susan is that she is a true friend, ready and willing to do whatever is needed to assist when asked and promote Kappa.  Rho State cherishes our Forever Friends, Susan Allred and Susan Hendrick.

Susan Hendrick (left) and Susan Allred (right), Pi Chapter, Rho State/NC

Maria Inzerella, Mu Chapter, Eta State/LA

Maria Inzerella has been a member of the Mu Chapter and Eta State for 20 years. She has held many offices in her local chapter and presently serves as Mu’s Treasurer. This year, Maria has agreed to serve as the Treasurer for the 2023 National Kappa Kappa Iota Convention.

Maria taught various grade levels for 23 years in the Lafayette Parish School System and worked as an adjunct professor for 17 years at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Since her retirement, she has been teaching ballet to ages 3 through adult and truly loves tying the educational part of dance to the creative part. At the same time Maria began working for a lawyer part-time and just recently started doing development work with Catholic Vitality 360 (serving schools, parishes, and dioceses). Maria loves to network with people and enjoys volunteering for local festivals that promote the uniqueness of Acadiana and Louisiana.

Maria Inzerella, Mu Chapter, Eta State/LA

Lynn McNeilly, Omicron Chapter, Rho State/NC

Lynn McNeilly is a leader, an organizer and one who gets things done. I met Lynn at church and invited her to join Kappa. She is a retired principal from McDowell County Schools of North Carolina and served as a classroom teacher for many years. In her Church she is an active leader serving in areas of personnel, finance and children’s ministry. Lynn has used these experiences and dedication to serve Kappa on all levels. Lynn does not hesitate to volunteer to serve on National, State and Local committees. But what I want to talk about is her service to Rho State in their time of need. On March 12, 2020, we received the news of Covid during a Kappa meeting of our local chapter. Immediately, we began to realize that our lives were about to change. During Lynn’s presidency Covid became a grave issue. As Kappas we were no longer allowed to meet in person or perform our service projects. But being the person she is, this did not stop Lynn from her service and dedication to Kappa. At the time, Lynn was Rho State President. We worried about our meetings, our service projects and our connections with our Kappa sisters. Lynn stepped up. Instead of putting everything on hold, she established Zoom meetings with Rho State. Through this act we were able to carry on the business of Kappa and have contact with our Kappa sisters. In Omicron Chapter, along with others, she orchestrated ways to carry on the service projects that had been established over the years. Sadly, Covid was and is still with us. In Rho State, our State Presidents serves a one or two-year term. Lynn stepped up and served an extra year. Assuming all the responsibilities of the office. She is the only Rho State President to serve a three-year term. Happily, we have returned to semi normality. In North Carolina we have elected a new Rho State President and have returned to normal Kappa business. But we will always be grateful to the Kappa who stepped up during an exceedingly difficult time, Lynn McNeilly.

Lynn McNeilly, Omicron Chapter, Rho State/NC

Sherry Read, Epsilon Chapter, Alpha State/OK

Sherry Read is a GREAT Kappa! She has been a Kappa for 34 years. Sherry joined the Epsilon chapter in 1989 in Weatherford, OK. She is also a Kappa legacy! Sherry’s mom joined Kappa’s Beta Nu chapter in 1959 in Oklahoma City. Sherry is a retired math teacher. She taught math at Emerson High School, an alternative school in Oklahoma. One reason Sherry is a notable Kappa is her recent mission to revitalize the Campus/Collegiate Kappas at Oklahoma State University. She works closely with the advisor from the university as well as the members of the group. She models all the qualities that make a Kappa a Kappa. She believes in education as a pathway for students to reach their life goals. She is empathetic to Kappas and others, often reaching out to check in on those who were affected by inclement weather or other curveballs thrown by life. She is philanthropic as she supports and leads activities to give back to her community. Sherry is very involved in her local Kappa chapter, the Tulsa Council, and on the national level. She served as committee chair for Campus/Collegiate Kappas and president of the Past State Presidents. Sherry loves to have a great time with other Kappa members and especially the Young Violets. Sherry, we see you! You are a wonderful Kappa and we’re thrilled to put you in the spotlight. 

Sherry Read

Charlotte Sicard, Mu Chapter, Eta State/LA

Charlotte lives in Lafayette, Louisiana, and is very active in Kappa at the local and state levels. Her love of Kappa began when she was a charter member of Mu Chapter in 1995. During the past 28 years, she has served her local chapter as empathy chair, treasurer, secretary, president-elect and president several times each. Charlotte has served Eta State in the offices of first vice president and second vice president. Her organizational skills and being such a people person have served her well as the chair of three state conventions across the years.

After losing her father to Alzheimer’s disease in 2017, Charlotte organized the Kappa Chicks team in 2018, in honor of her father, for the local Alzheimer’s Walk. She and members of Mu Chapter have continued to participate in that walk every year since.

She is now a Sustainer of Jr. League of Lafayette. When she was an active member, she chaired the Homework Hotline and Provisionals. She also served as a Provisional Advisor as well as serving on various other committees.

Charlotte’s enjoyment of reading has led her to a book club where she enjoys discussing books with friends and looks forward to it on a monthly basis.

Charlotte’s church activities at Asbury United Methodist Church are a major part of her life. She has served on the Administrative Board, as trustee, on the Pastor Parish Relations Board, the Nominations Committee, and as chair of the Garden Committee. She has also been an adult Sunday school teacher, vacation bible school director and leader, Eucharistic Minister and on the ACE Team (Adult Activities Planning).

With all these activities Charlotte still finds time for hobbies including gardening, decorating, flower arranging and machine embroidery.

After 30 great years as a Speech Language Pathologist, Charlotte’s greatest love in retirement is spending time at her lake house with husband, Dwight, and her 2 sons, their wives and 5 grandchildren!!!!!

Be sure to look for this active Kappa member at the 2023 Kappa Convention in Louisiana!

Charlotte Sicard, Mu Chapter, Eta State/Louisiana