To become members of the international honor society, students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher in the required number of semester hours for degree, diploma, and certificate programs. They must commit themselves to scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship to guide their academic journey.
Certain elements of the honor society were highlighted during the ceremony, like the torch of knowledge, the rose of blossoming intellect, and the symbols on the Phi Theta Kappa key.
The inductees and their majors, listed by city of residence, are
Benson
Michelle Kranz, Office Administration Certificate
Dudley
Mya Artis, Associate in Arts;
Desiree Cutshall, Early Childhood Education Career Track;
Linzy De Jesus Merida, Medical Assisting;
James Faulk, Associate in Arts;
Fyah Gladden, Associate in Arts;
Carlos Hernandez-Borralles, Associate in Arts;
Antonia Jackson, Associate in Arts;
Karina Lopez, Business Administration; and
Addison Smith, Associate in Arts
Elm City
Cheyanne Thorne, Applied Animal Science Technology
Faison
Guylar Netchaeff, Associate in Arts
Fayetteville
Jaime Amaya, Industrial Systems Technology
Garland
Arthur Rich, Turfgrass Management Technology
Goldsboro
Maria Avila, Early Childhood Education Non-Licensure Transfer Track;
Ethan Barnes, Associate in Arts;
Jacquelyn Carmichael, Artificial Intelligence Engineer;
S’Navah Clark, Associate in Arts;
Andrew Crawford, Risk Management and Insurance;
Savana Daniels, Associate in Arts;
Chandler Devaul, College Transfer Pathway;
Ashlyn Disney, Medical Laboratory Technology;
Kristofer Gauthier, Associate in Science;
Josiah Harper, Game Art and Animation;
Joelia Henn, Associate in Science;
Heather Lane, Business Administration;
Pablo Martinez Trujillo, Associate in Arts;
Tristan Melick, Welding Technology;
Phillip Rhodes, Mechanical Engineering Technology;
James Ridgle, Associate in Arts;
Yolanda Roberto-Jimenez, Associate in Arts;
Gralynn Sauls, Associate in Arts;
Caitlyn Schallert, Associate in Arts;
Leighanna Sidle, Associate in Arts;
Maria Siquina, Human Services Technology;
Jammie Slaughter, Early Childhood Education Career Track; and
Jamere Williams, Associate in Arts
Hookerton
Emily Madrigal, Associate in Arts
Jacksonville
Tarina Coitti, Swine Management Technology
Kinston
AJ Woodard, Business Administration
Knightdale
Gabriel Modlin, Aviation Systems Technology
Mount Olive
Hannah Hercules, Associate in Arts; and
Leslie Hernandez-Jaime, Associate in Arts
Pikeville
Leah Blevins, Associate in Arts;
Heather Drake, Emergency Management;
Joshua Francis, Entertainment Technologies – Audio Engineer Certificate;
Clifton Grant, Associate in Science;
Nolan Lien, Associate in Science;
Samantha MacKlin, Associate in Arts;
Kevin Pino, Business Administration / Operations Management;
Hayley Rabon, Entertainment Technologies;
Camryn Ryan, Dental Assisting;
Noe Sarmiento, Associate in Arts;
Nicole Torres, Game Art and Animation; and
Marcus Young, Associate in Arts
Princeton
John Lassiter, Industrial Systems Technology
Rockingham
Ricky Parker, Emergency Management
Seven Springs
Ciclaliz Morales-Perez, Associate in General Education – Nursing
Snow Hill
Jessica Byrd, Criminal Justice Technology; and
Leeann Powell, Agribusiness Technology
Turkey
George Jarman, Emergency Management
Walstonburg
Karen Taft, Criminal Justice Technology / Forensic Science
The ceremony’s guest speaker was Derrick Luethje, WCC business instructor and Upsilon Chi member. A first-generation college graduate, Luethje is an alumnus of WCC, the University of Mount Olive, and Barton College.
Luethje shared with the inductees that he was on the verge of dropping out of high school until his principal changed the trajectory of his life through servant leadership, which focuses on listening to and empowering others with empathy. “What changed my path was someone coming into my life and serving me. I had never really had that before,” Luethje said.
He encouraged the new honor society members to impact others by helping and serving them. “You are the future leaders of our communities, the state, and the nation. I implore you to be servant leaders because you might come across someone who just needs one person to say they care about them, and you can change their lives in a major way.”
Phi Theta Kappa provides inductees with lifelong membership and benefits such as scholarship opportunities and discounts with partner companies.
“Membership in Phi Theta Kappa signifies not only scholarly prowess but also a commitment to leadership, service, and lifelong learning,” said Upsilon Chi Advisor Katie Holloman. “It opens doors to a world of possibilities.”
About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society to recognize the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and help them to grow as scholars and leaders. The society is made up of more than 4.2 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.
