PJC Holds Honor Society Induction

Published or Revised May 02, 2014

The Beta Zeta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society, is celebrating its 80th anniversary at Paris Junior College and inducted new members this Sunday. PTK began in 1918, and the PJC chapter started in 1934. A gold PTK seal is placed on a student’s diploma to demonstrate their academic accomplishments. PTK officers, President Aaron Sturgess, Vice President Destiny Mullens, Treasurer Stuart Edris, and Historian/Secretary Paula Vaughan led the ceremony. The featured speaker was former Beta Zeta chapter president Teleroro Chaverria, also a winner of PJC’s Distinguished Service Award. He taught biology at Paris High School and now teaches at John Horn High School in Mesquite while working on his master’s degree at Texas A&M University-Commerce. “I’m well aware of the hard work and determination it took to get here,” Chaverria said. “Encourage each other, enjoy the fellowship, and remember the friendships you make.” He urged members to help others in need through community service. Students who are in PTK have opportunities to develop qualities of scholarship, leadership, fellowship, and service. 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. As each new member's name was read, the students lit their candle of light and learning and signed the official membership book. Students inducted and their hometowns in Texas include: Arthur City: Tiffany J. Dawes Bagwell: Kayla Presley Blossom: Johnathan D. Brown and Elia Rangel Bogata: Joel Mutchler Brenham: Haiden Lane Caddo Mills: Sara M. Christopher, Triston Gray, Alyssa A. Toming, and Jimmy Vaughn Cedar Hill: Morgan Monzingo Celeste: Chelsey Davis Commerce: Stephanie Chapman and Jonathon Glass Detroit: Lane Manginell Duncanville: Lavelt D. Page Flower Mound: Austin McDaniel and Tyler Pohl Frisco: Kalyn Paris and Ryan C. Pulsifer Greenville: Kimberly Baldwin, Taylor E. Bigony, Catherine S. Brown, Sherri E. Cano, Joel Collins, Carl L. Evans, Christopher D. Hazlett, Kalli Moyer, Daria Shelton, Elizabeth R. Shirey, Nathan Slinkard, and Twila Naleen Taylor. Lone Oak: Wendy E. Elmore Longview: Jake Oden Mineola: Jonathan Allen Paris: Lacy N. Ashton, Madison R. Bolton, Heidi Bourcier, Jose Colin, Amanda M. Cooke, Samuel R. Craft, Stephanie Damian, Kaitlyn Edwards, Christine E. Essary, Misty D. Good, Kinsey L. Hutto, Haden Kennemer, Beverly Malone, Jana Martin, Kindyl Dean Parks, Chelsea Pirtle, Scott Powell, Alexander Ricketts, Demi Sheppard, Tristin S. Strickland, and Collin Thomas Point: Desire' Tucker Powderly: Alexa Bussell, Erin E. Stone, and Kaylee Michelle Thomason Quinlan: James Cantrell, Dakota McBride, and Kayly McKeown Ravenna: Angela Y. Mitchell Reno: Ciara C. Yates Roxton: Hunter Schepis Royse City: David O. Allen and Kathrine Kirkland Sulphur Bluff: Ryan J. Watts Sulphur Springs: Aleya Biggers, Stephanie Bradford, Velda E. Claxton, Leydie S. Franco, Valorie Nell Frazier, Alonso Gallegos, Rick McCann, Madison Millsap, Andrea D. Rodriguez, Jarrett Thornton, Sean E. Vance, Sheena R. Wright Wolfe City: Brittany Lynn Beegle Yantis: Keri Glenn Also inducted was Jory Wall of Glasgow, Montana.