PJC honor society inducts more than 100

Published or Revised January 11, 2017

More than 100 new members of the Beta Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society, were inducted at Paris Junior College near the end of the spring semester. Three induction ceremonies were held during the month of April 2016 in Paris, Greenville and Sulphur Springs. “Just a few years ago, I sat where you are today,” said guest speaker and PJC alumna Paula Vaughan at the Paris ceremony. “I had no idea what Phi Theta Kappa could do for me, where it would take me, and what I could contribute. Words from my induction ceremony stayed in my mind: ‘you will only get out of Phi Theta Kappa what you are willing to put in.’” Vaughan urged all the new members to become active and take advantage of the opportunities offered by PTK, including $37 million available 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. After hearing from speaker Vaughan, new members were inducted by PTK President Joel Mutchler and Vice President of Leadership Rebecca Graham. Installation of new officers was done by Vice President of Scholarship Erick Gaytan Fernandez, Vice President of Fellowship and Membership Kayla Naron, and Historian Lesli Johnson. At the PJC - Greenville Center, Advisors Diann Mason and David Larkin gave the official welcome, and Mutchler inducted the new members. Alee Corrales was installed as PTK Vice President - Greenville. Recognized for chapter leadership were Secretary John Carroll, Communications & Social Media officer Caleb Artis, and Publicity officer Hannah Palmer. In Sulphur Springs, Mason and Larkin again gave the official welcome and Mutchler inducted new members. Anna Jones was installed as Vice President - Sulphur Springs. Recognized for chapter leadership were Secretary Amanda Gunnels, Communications officer Chailyah Moore and Publicity officer Nazareth Olguin. 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, by city (state included if not from Texas), include: Allen: Kal Kilgo Argyle: Brenton Boyd Blossom: Kelsie Bridges, Elizabeth Dougherty, and Alexis Lawson Bogata: Daniel Jones and Ashlyn Kennedy Boswell, Okla.: Shawnee Bacon Brookston: Myranda Cope and Lora Gordon Burnet: Josef Hernandez Caddo Mills: Lindsey Carrell, Carmen Carrillo, Josephine Katenkamp, Victoria Nicholson, Caroline Roberts, and Madison Wilcox Campbell: Josey Elmore Channelview: Ashley Herrera Commerce: Hannah Duncan, Sahil Kumar, and Shane Lowe Cooper: Beverly Hall Cumby: Aleigh Bessonett and Tiffany McManus Denton: Jacob Fuess Deport: Jalyn Weddle Detroit: Lainey Wolf Dike: Justin Nichols El Paso: Jenessa Taylor Farmers Branch: Jose Velasquez Fort Worth: Tony Henderson and Darla Johannsen Granbury: Taylor Deyoung and Nathan Hickey Greenville: Caleb Artis, Kyle Bousquet, Mireya Calderon, Adam Craven, Kristin Craven, David Guittard, Carla Ingram, Taylor Lowery, Sara Mayfield, Lainey McCullough, Stephanie Messinger, Mariana Ochoa, Julian Olivarez, Joseph Selvaggi, Stacie Swiger, Taylor Wilson, and Sophia Wimberley Honey Grove: Susan Ned and Andrea Porcayo Houston: Diana Soto Liberty Hill: Jaycie Pluenneke Lone Oak: Paige Nikles and Ashley Voegele Longview: Brittany Hall McKinney: Luke Bay Mesquite: Destiney Diaz Paris: Nicole Bennett, Reid Britt, Dixon Grossnickle, Tenisha Hampton, Caleb Heatwole, Joe Jackson, Taylor Kropelnicki, Michael Loranger II, Kierra Miller, Lindy Norris, Payton Patrick, Brian Smith, Amy Stearns, Taylor Threadgill, Wietske Tillema, Blair Viehe, and Jason Williams Pattonville: Lexie Jackson and Nathaniel McClain Pickton: Nabor Cuevas Powderly: Kristen Holland Quinlan: Kaitlyn Ard, Courtney Carroll, Emi’Lee Crenshaw, Cody Floyd, Dezarae Harden, James McDonald, Kayla Millsap, and Mark Thompson Reno: Michelle Kollar, Timothy Kollar, and Jacob Stripland Rockwall: Morgan Hargrave and Jessica Yeager Scroggins: Katie Umbaugh Sulphur Bluff: Hunter Powers Sulphur Springs: Taliana Bell, Taylor Broyles, Katie Cooper, Sidney Dietze, Vanessa Gonzalez, Shandi Groezinger, Olivia Gudino, April Hanson, Anna Jones, Megan Lescallett, Ana Miranda, Casie Norris, Hodalis Olmos, Estrella Resendiz, Esmeralda Sanchez, and Micah Stieber Terrell: Lynsie Brown, Maria Guevara, and Levi Reeves The Colony: Natalie Collier Tyler: Garrett Hudson Wills Point: Ashlynn Clark Wolfe City: Matthew Sandquist Yantis: Roselilian Fernandez