May is the time of graduation celebrations! From pre-school, junior high, to high school and college, graduating students look forward to being awarded certifications of academic achievements and completion.

In Wewoka, the ladies of the BZ Chapter have always been a part of the Wewoka High School graduation celebration. For over forty-years, the Chapter has hosted a Senior Tea for the graduating senior girls, senior sponsors, school administration, and their parents/ guardians to commemorate this special time.

“I love our chapter’s tradition of an annual tea each spring to honor our graduating Wewoka High School girls. It is fun for us to meet them, and each brings a guest who has been supportive in reaching their educational goals,” states long-time BZ member Melanie Lewis. “The tea also gives us a chance to highlight who we are and what we do as a P.E.O. Chapter.”

The mission statement of the P.E.O. Sisterhood has been refreshed into a simple, short message that reinforces our commitment to women and education. Help share the good works of our organization today by sharing it. P.E.O.— Where women motivate, educate and celebrate women.

This year, the 2026 Senior Girls were honored, Wednesday, April 8, with special guest speaker, Melanie Rinehart. For the past 10 and a half years, Melanie has been employed at Seminole State College and has spent the last three years serving as the Vice President of Finance, Grants, and Enrollment. Melanie earned her master’s in business administration from St. Gregory’s University and her bachelor’s in journalism and mass communication from the University of Oklahoma.

The motivational speech encouraged the graduates to not underestimate their potential. The Senior Tea participates were also given gift bags from the following Wewoka donors: 3 Ladies Coffee & Gifts, Blake’s BBQ, El Cazador Mexican Restaurant, Hometown Laundromat, My Second Closet, Seminole State College, Simple Simon’s Pizza, and Sonic Drive-In and was welcomed with wonderful refreshments by the BZ Chapter.

BZ Chapter President Mary Richardson states, “Our Senior Girls Tea is always something I look forward to! Their attention to our speaker clearly indicates their interest in hearing about their options for the future, and I am proud to honor their upcoming graduation!”

With the help of such wonderful Wewoka High School administrators and staff, the Senior Tea is a truly memorable event for all who attend. The chapter gets the opportunity to meet the future leaders of Wewoka and gives the Senior Girls the opportunity to meet current leaders within the community.

The BZ Chapter members are *Denise Bailey, Meagan Feril, *Carol Beth Friar, Kay Hargrave, Melanie Lewis, *Becky McCorkle, Angie Norman, Nan Norman, Danille Patterson, Jackie Patterson, *Debbie Phillips, *Mary Richardson, Paige Sherry, Teresa Smart, Mary Smith, *Kay Wallace, and *Phyllis Williamson. (*Denotes officer)