HAMPTON – Virginia Peninsula Community College’s Phi Sigma chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa national honor society took center stage at the College’s student awards ceremony on April 24.
Phi Sigma was named the student organization of the year after winning numerous state and regional awards. Top among them was the chapter being awarded five-star status. It was the seventh consecutive year it earned the highest available honor.
“We strive for excellence, and it’s a way to attract new members so that they can be a part of greatness,” PTK President Keri Brown said of extending the streak.It was really important for us to maintain 5-star [status].”
Brown said there wasn’t any added pressure.
“We were doing things that we enjoy doing,” she said, mentioning the Honors in Action project, recruiting members, and organizing events throughout the year, all of which are considered when determining status.
The awards received by the chapter included the Continued Excellence Chapter designation (five-star award); first place for Distinguished Honors in Action theme, focused on stories of persistence, resilience, healing and sorrow; first place for Distinguished Chapter Officer team, including President Keri Brown, Vice President Alejandro Holquin and Secretary Sophia Smith; second place for Distinguished Honors in Action project; third place for Distinguished Chapter award; placement on the PTK All-Virginia Academic Team for Hanaa Abdallah, Christina Hicks, Melody Quijano and Madison Townsend; and the Horizon Award for chapter adviser Lew Silverman.
Brown said she’s most proud of the Honors in Action project because it showed a collaborative effort.
“I was able to assign different tasks for everybody, so it didn’t feel overwhelming for each and every one of us,” she said. “We were able to get it done.”
For more information, visit www.vpcc.edu.
