By Sonnet Relph
Editorial writer
Phi Theta Kappa is an International Honor Society for students with a grade point average of 3.5 or above. Amarillo College’s chapter of PTK is the Beta Eta chapter. They are currently a three-star chapter working toward a five-star rating. The club purpose is to acknowledge and reward excellence in academics, assist the college administration and students and be involved in the greater Amarillo community.
“We are looking to be leaders here in Texas and set a good example for our district with the help and support of our students and faculty,” Paredes said. “Our students are really phenomenal and if we can work together with other AC organizations, I think we can do great things.”
The club will hold its fall semester induction ceremony tonight at 7 p.m. in the Concert Hall Theater in the Music Building on Washington Street Campus. “We have some of the brightest kids here with great potential,” Paredes said. “PTK can really help them hone their leadership skills while representing the college academically and professionally. I’m very optimistic about the possibilities of this group.”
Pre-medical major and PTK president, Mary Phongphraphan said she is looking forward to meeting the club’s newcomers and hopes that some of them will become officers. Phongphraphan is very driven and well-organized. Since she has taken leadership under the tutelage of Biology instructor and PTK sponsor Dalila Paredes, Beta Eta has returned to its roots as an academic club.
Change isn’t always easy but it is often necessary according to Paredes. She said that as she guides PTK members toward a better and more prosperous future she tries to follow Mohandas Ghandi’s advice to “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Phi Theta Kappa membership is by invitation only. Students with a GPA of 3.5 or above for one semester will be invited to join the following semester. The fee to join is $89. Active membership is noted on each member’s student life transcript.
Active members are eligible for a $500.00 transfer scholarship when they transfer to most universities. Club officers are eligible for even more financial assistance. Members receive multiple invitations to transfer to great universities and are often recognized for their accomplishments when submitting transcripts or job applications.
Projects that PTK participates in include volunteering at San Jacinto Elementary School in their after school program, sponsoring and participating in highway clean-up, assisting with AC graduation and other ceremonies, and working with other AC organizations.
There are currently five officer positions available. If you are interested in learning more about the club, the open positions, or opportunities available through the club you can come to the meetings on Wednesdays at noon. The meetings are held in the private dining room next to the book store in the College Union Building.
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