PJC students in Phi Theta Kappa attend leadership conference
Published or Revised October 28, 2014
Attending the Phi Theta Kappa leadership conference were, from left: John Fornof, Jeremy Howell, Breanna Dunken, Paula Vaughan, Tabitha Yacakasha, Sara Christopher and Aaron Sturgess.
Members of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society, at Paris Junior College attended PTK’s 2014 Texas Leadership Conference held recently at Grayson College in Denison, Texas, and brought back valuable leadership lessons and recognition for the PJC chapter, Beta Zeta.
The conference, carrying a Harry Potter theme, was called “The Magic Behind Every Great Leader.” Sorted into groups of 15, the 389 attending students participated in leadership development sessions led by those trained in the Leadership Development Program. General Session speakers included Grayson College President Dr. Jeremy McMillen; Cliff Wood, former PTK Texas Region Coordinator; Dr. Jo Marshall, President of Somerset Community College (Kentucky) & Vice Chair of PTK’s Board of Trustees; Dr. Jerry Coats, Dean of Liberal Arts, Tarrant County College, Southeast Campus; and motivational speaker Justin Jones-Fosu.
The speakers and sessions gave students much to consider about being servant-leaders. PJC’s group decided to have chapter meetings dedicated to leadership training.
PJC attendees included PTK president Paula Vaughan, Secretary/Treasurer Aaron Sturgess, Vice President Greenville/Sulphur Springs Centers Sara Christopher, and members Jeremy Howell, John Fornof, Breanna Dunken, and Tabitha Yackeschi, with PTK advisor Diann Mason.
The group managed to have fun as well.
“Students attended the Hogwarts Yule Ball, which was a costumed dance,” said Mason. “Our group represented us well! Paula and Aaron dressed all out as Professor McGonagall and Draco Malfoy, respectively.”
At the Division III business meeting, PJC’s Beta Zeta chapter of PTK was recognized as having achieved Four Star status (out of Five) at this point in the year.
Through their attendance at the conference, students were able to learn that PTK is about more than scholarship opportunities and that increased participation in PTK could assist their development as student leaders and in their future careers.
