(from left to right) Angela Colmenares, Sarah Palacios-Wilhelm, Melissa Heselmeyer, Luis Botello, Isabel Burbano, Rodolfo Rodriguez, Beatriz Onofre, Selma Couret, Holly Young, Blake Kelly, Hope Bennett. Students in Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Beta Delta Iota chapter at Lone Star College-Montgomery have received some of the highest honors in the state.

Students in Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Beta Delta Iota chapter
at Lone Star College-Montgomery have received some of the highest honors in the state. At a recent conference the group was honored with a Texas Top Chapter Award, which is given to the top 18 chapters in Texas; a College Project of Distinction Award, which is given to the top two projects in the state; an Honors in Action Award of Merit, which is given to the top two chapters in each theme, and a Five Star Level Award for the Five Star Chapter Plan.

“PTK is an international honor society that recognizes and encourages scholarship among two-year college students,” said Angela Colmenares, LSC-Montgomery PTK faculty co-advisor. “Students join PTK to polish their leadership, service and communication skills. The fact that this group of students devoted the time and effort to get us from zero to five stars in one year is impressive.”

Student Holly Young attended the conference on behalf of the PTK student officer team. “This year we put in a lot of effort so we would be seen as a chapter that is taking our responsibilities seriously,” said Young, vice president of leadership. “I think all the awards we got were great validation for the hard work our entire team has put in.”

The College Project of Distinction Award recognized PTK students for helping Conroe High School’s club, First Generation College Students. “We talked to them about college and what it takes to get here,” said Blake Kelly, officer of fellowship. “We realized since they are the first in their family to pursue higher education, there is no one around to help them or give them advice.” PTK students went to Conroe High School to talk about college life and the PTK students hosted the high school students on the LSC-Montgomery campus, giving them a tour and setting up speakers to talk about the college experience.

The Honors in Action Award of Merit recognized PTK students planning for planning a financial literacy project. “We surveyed students on campus to find out what they know about their finances,” said Rodolfo Rodriguez executive vice president. “We found out people on campus don’t know a lot about investing, so we are planning workshops for students to learn more about how the economy works, so they can strive for better financial situations.”

PTK Members are invited to join based on strict academic requirements. “We encourage students who qualify for membership to get more involved in PTK,” said Sarah Palacios-Wilhelm LSC-Montgomery PTK faculty co-advisor. “Once you’re an active member, there are countless benefits including special scholarship and leadership opportunities, recognition on your transcript and letters of recommendation to potential employers.“

 “PTK gave me an opportunity to learn more about Lone Star College and be a part of the Lone Star Community,” said Hope Bennett, chapter president. “I’m a returning, non-traditional student, so PTK really gave me an opportunity to embrace the students that are younger than me and help others grow academically and personally.”

To learn more about PTK, visit ptkmontgomery.org or email Angela Colmenares Angela.N.Colmenares@lonestar.edu or Sarah Palacios-Wilhelm SarahPWilhelm@lonestar.edu.

LSC-Montgomery is located at 3200 College Park Drive, one-half mile west of Interstate 45, between Conroe and The Woodlands. For more information about the college, call 936.273.7000, or visit www.LoneStar.edu/montgomery.

 

Lone Star College System has been opening doors to a better community for more than 40 years. Founded in 1973, LSCS remains steadfast in its commitment to student success and credential completion.  Today, with almost 83,000 students in credit classes, and a total enrollment of more than 95,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and one of the fastest-growing community college systems in the nation.  Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., is the chancellor of LSC, which consists of six colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Tomball, and LSC-University Park, seven centers, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.