PTK holds fall inductions at Paris Junior College

Published or Revised December 15, 2015

The Beta Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society at Paris Junior College, held three induction ceremonies this fall in Paris, Greenville and Sulphur Springs. The Paris ceremony was led by PTK member Elena Crawford, President Joel Mutchler, Vice Preisdent of Fellowship and Membership Kayla Naron, and Vice President of Scholarship Erick Gaytan Fernandez, as well as chapter advisor and English instructor Diann Mason. PTK Texas Regional District III Vice President Isaac Burris, from the Alpha Mu Chi chapter of Northeast Texas Community College, was the guest speaker at the Paris ceremony. While praising those being inducted for their achievement, several times he challenged the audience by asking, "is this all you want?" He encouraged the new members to reach for all they could achieve. At the PJC - Greenville Center, Director John Shasteen gave the official welcome and Mason and Mutchler were joined by Greenville and Sulphur Springs PTK chapter advisor and history/government instructor David Larkin for the induction, as well as Greenville PTK members Lenora Willman and Emily Callaghan. In Sulphur Springs, Mutchler, Mason and Larkin were joined by PTK Vice President - Sulphur Springs Amy Wilburn to conduct the ceremony. Dr. Phillip Williams, director of the PJC - Sulphur Springs Center, gave the formal welcome. PTK offers $37 million in transfer scholarships to more than 700 colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and online. Members are also eligible to apply for scholarships and award programs to assist them with costs of attending two-year schools. Students who are in PTK also have opportunities to develop qualities of scholarship, leadership, fellowship, and service. To be eligible, students must have a grade point average of 3.5. Inductees light a candle of light and learning and sign the official membership book as part of the ceremony. Following the induction, students, family and friends enjoyed cookies and punch. PTK inductees from Texas, by city, include: Bagwell: Krystal Freeman Blossom: Colton Gordon, Haylee Hart, Savanaha Humphrey and Trystan Chapman Bogata: Lesli Johnson Campbell: Richard Lott Coppel: Elizabeth Ahrens Deport: James Navia Farmersville: Ashleigh Evans Granbury: Nathan Hickey Greenville: John Carroll, Amy Daugherty, Gregory Dorough, David Guittard, Patrick Jones, Brandy Petrea, Carly Prim, Anne-Elizabeth Rouleau, David Tanoos, Celeste Weaver, and Anna Welch Honey Grove: Susan Ned and Eva Peters Ladonia: Diana Moore Lone Oak: Justin Carson and Becca Schumann Mansfield: Corey Murray Merit: Tamra Helka Paris: Christopher Barnett, Heather Biondo, Erin Boaz, Allison Bratcher, Daniella Callaway, Chelsea Delarosa, Lacey Dickey, Alain Garcia, Leonel Gutierrez, Micah Heatwole, Marin Ivers, Alexis Jameson, Lesli Johnson, John Newman, Amy Stearns, Kelsey Thompson, Lauren Thompson, Hunter Tuggle, David Vandenburg, Kendall Vogt, and Elise Winter Pattonville: Philip Baker Point: Justin Kellogg Powderly: Andrew Babb, Peter Babb, Miranda Harrimon, William Scudder, Jimmy Sisson, and Elisha Skidmore Quinlan: Alexandra Corrales and Ian Floyd Reno: Kimberly Cox Roxton: Bailea Branum and Raven Maxwell Sulphur Bluff: Kaci Powers Sulphur Springs: Shelby Bales, Gillan Boyer, Marcy Fisher, Kara Garner, Taylor Harden, Anna Jones, Catherine Knotek, Jessica Martinez, Karla Martinez, Amanda Osorio, Nazareth Olguin Resendiz, Daniel Riera, Brianne Roland, Emely Sosa, Hannah Van Vleet, Jessica Worth, and Chaliyah Moore Sumner: Erin Hurst and Amelia Purvis Terrell: Jayce Gibson Trenton: Bailey Burks Wills Point: Brittney Wilson Winnsboro: Rhett Deaton and Amanda Gunnels Wolfe City: Lisa McKenzie PTK inductees from other states include: Benton, Ark.: Crystal Lee Boswell, Okla.: Shawnee Bacon Hugo, Okla.: John Brunson