Halifax Community College welcomed 11 new members into its Phi Theta Kappa honor society on November 16 during an in-person and virtual induction ceremony.
HCC students Sarahi Antillon, Brindalyn S. Benton, Jonathan V. Bond, Madison E. Finch, Kadeshia N. Fleming, Jenna E. Jones, Marquis D. Morgan, Michael R. Nicholson Jr., Ethan B. Rountree, Sonia D. White, and Janine N. Williams each took the oath while holding a lit candle, the flame symbolizing knowledge.
Roanoke Valley Early College student and current PTK member Brianna McKoy began the ceremony with a welcome.
She was followed by Jaquan Edmonds, a Northampton County Early College student and PTK member, who provided an invocation.
HCC student and PTK member Tiffany Taylor introduced Lacara Ramsey, a third-grade teacher at Central Elementary School in Jackson, as the keynote speaker. Ramsey is a recent graduate of Elizabeth City State University.
Ramsey, a former HCC student and PTK member, began her keynote address by congratulating the fall 2021 PTK class members on their induction.
She explained to the PTK inductees that they should strive to be more than excellent students because many colleges, universities and employers will consider whether they have held leadership positions and volunteered in their communities.
She charged inductees to become well-rounded citizens by participating in extracurricular activities, living in the present moment, pacing oneself to reach personal and professional goals and focusing to hone soft skills and hard skills.
“Ms. Ramsey exemplifies the caliber of our PTK student cohort,” said Gary R. Redding, English and criminal justice instructor, at the conclusion of Ramsey’s remarks. “Together we’re doing our part to balance our academic pursuits and community engagement and I’m confident these students will remain vigilant, resilient and successful as they continue their journeys into the greater world.”
Redding also shared the range of PTK’s recent activities and workshops, including a PTK financial literacy workshop, college transfer and application seminar, a paint and sip art therapy workshop and a holiday donation drive to benefit local senior citizens.
HCC leaders also offered words of encouragement.
Jeffery Fields, vice-president of Academic Affairs, advocated the PTK inductees to face and embrace life’s challenges.
Barbara Bradley-Hasty, vice-president of Enrollment Management and Student Services, also inspired the PTK inductees to continue to set and achieve academic goals at HCC and beyond. Michael Elam, president of HCC, concluded the ceremony with closing remarks reminding the inductees to strive to reach PTK’s hallmarks: scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship.