Northeast Texas Community College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Mu Chi, attended the Texas Regional Convention virtually this past weekend and returned with several awards. In addition, the chapter successfully campaigned for the Texas Region District III Vice President position. The elected representative, Cade Bennett, will take part in leadership training, public speaking opportunities, and travel throughout the state.
“Being able to see the vast amount of leadership and effort that goes into making the regional convention happen was truly incredible. I’m extremely honored to follow in the former vice president’s footsteps, and I’m so excited for the next year of serving the Texas Region,” Bennett said.
Alpha Mu Chi maintained their five-star status and was recognized as Most Distinguished Chapter – Second Finalist. A Texas Top chapter, Alpha Mu Chi earned the Honors in Action Award of Merit for Theme 6: Perceptions of Progress and the College Project Award of Merit. This year's project focused on bringing awareness to accessibility issues for the blind and visually impaired by creating a documentary currently streaming online. Carolina Alcocer-Salas, chapter president, was among seven Texas chapters that presented a poster about their projects during the convention. The chapter placed in the yearbook contest with a “Fractured Fairytales from a Fractured Year” theme and will receive a scholarship to the Texas Honors Institute held in the summer.
James Buckley, chapter Vice-President said, “I had a great time at PTK Texas Regional Convention. Our chapter won a bunch of awards. We are the number three chapter in the state. We took second in the chapter yearbook contest. We had several students and advisors inducted into the Hall of Honor. I can’t wait for Catalyst!”
Brian Ramirez received the Outstanding Friend of Texas for exceptional service to Alpha Mu Chi. “Brian dedicated many hours of service to the chapter and was instrumental in the completion of the documentary for the Honors in Action Project,” said Andrea Reyes, co-advisor of Alpha Mu Chi. Upon learning that he’d won the award, Brian commented "I felt immense joy because I was finally getting recognized for my selfless efforts because once you become an adult, recognition doesn't come often enough.”
The twenty-three awards received by the chapter include: District III Regional Officer position, Texas Top Chapter, Most Distinguished Chapter – Second Finalist, Honors in Action Award of Merit Theme 6, College Project Award of Merit, Five Star Chapter, Honors in Action and College Project participation award, Yearbook Award, Outstanding Friend of Texas (Brian Ramirez), Texas Regional Hall of Honor for Outstanding Officers (Carolina Alcocer-Salas and Corinne Suits), Texas Regional Hall of Honor for Outstanding Advisors (Matthew Lampert and Andrea Reyes), District III Hall of Honor (Carolina Alcocer-Salas, Hannah Barnes, James Buckley, Jalyn English, Malory Fouché, Matthew Lampert (advisor), Elisabeth Lively, Andrea Reyes (advisor), Corinne Suits, Deborah Strong (advisor), Maritza Quinones).
“TRC did an amazing job, from the speakers to the after-show. I was honored to be a part of the District 3 Hall of Honor and very proud of everyone within my chapter and outside of my chapter for all their hard work,” said Carolina Alcocer-Salas, Chapter President.
With over 1,300 chapters located in the United States and ten other nations, Phi Theta Kappa is a selective, international honor society founded in 1918 that recognizes academic achievement of two-year college students and provides opportunities for them to grow as scholars and leaders.
Anyone interested in finding out more about Phi Theta Kappa at NTCC can email mfulgham@ntcc.edu or check out www.ptk.org. Chapter meetings are held every Tuesday at 12:30 via Zoom and on campus in SUB 101.
