The Delta Academy recently attended a Girls Exploring Math and Science (GEMS) conference at the University of South Alabama in Mobile.

The youth initiative group consists of 40 girls in grades five through eight and sponsored by the Selma Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

The Academy participated in activities promoting scholarship, service and sisterhood as well as meet monthly that provide workshops to enhance their education, social, civic and cultural skills.

Athelstein Johnson and Sadie Moss, two members of the Delta chapter, are the co-chairpersons for Delta Academy. Dr. Sherica Hather is in the sorority and also contributes in the Academy.

“The purpose of the Academy is to get the girls in this age group to promote scholarship, service and sisterhood,” Johnson said. “We attempt to expose them to cultural and educational events.”

An Affirmation ceremony was held to confirm their participation and the Academy work on the year’s events. They do activities presented by professionals in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) subjects.

In the near future, the Academy plans to attend the 16^th Street Church (Dec. 22) in Birmingham and Montgomery’s Alabama Shakespeare Festival (Feb. 2). The Academy will also sponsor a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) conference on Jan. 26 at Wallace Community College-Selma.