Phi Theta Kappa honors students awarded with scholarships

Learning that there is no such thing as impossible, only possibilities, the current Northern Marianas College Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society students were inspired after hearing news that two former members were recently awarded scholarships to continue their education in the United States.

After graduating from Northern Marianas Academy and NMC in May 2004, Jin Am Seo is now pursuing his Baccalaureate at Syracuse University in New York. He received a PTK scholarship valued at $2,000.

Meanwhile, another NMC alumnus and former PTK recording secretary for the Beta Lambda Psi chapter, Catherine Cepeda, is continuing her education towards a Bachelors Degree in Nursing at Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu. Her PTK scholarship amounted to a 50 percent tuition waiver scholarship.

Over $35 million are available to PTK members in over 600 higher educational institutions in all 50 states.

“Indeed, if you are high school or college student, or you know one personally, take it from Seo and Cathy about the awesome advantages of being a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Upon hearing or reading about Phi Theta Kappa, many college and high school students don’t realize what opportunities this prestigious honor society has to offer,” said PTK secretary Lucia Henry.

Being a member of PTK opens doors to fun activities with other members while at NMC and to scholarship opportunities if one transfers to another college, according to Henry. A PTK membership also makes one look good when he or she applies for future employment.

“Most importantly, being a PTK member provides motivation to do your best to learn all you can, also to maintain that high grade point average, to be eligible to participate in various community projects, to develop a sense of fellowship among members, and to be recognized for your leadership abilities,” added Henry

Since its induction ceremony in April 2003, the local chapter of Beta Lambda Psi has also welcomed and inducted almost 100 local and international students into PTK.

It is the largest collegiate honor society of the two-year tertiary institution with chapters in the U.S., Canada, and Japan.

For additional information about the NMC chapter, please contact PTK president Tatiana Babauta; or advisers Debra Cabrera, Eleanor Cabrera or Angie Silis at NMC-Saipan; or Joan Flores or Sue Palacios at NMC-Tinian; or Marilyn Strickwerda or Frank Sobolewski at NMC-Rota.