News Article on Our Trip to the International PTK ... - Santa Fe College

PTK at Santa Fe
<strong>News</strong> From the Alpha Zeta Phi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa
Santa Fe College, Gainesville FL April 2012
An Overview of the 2012 Internaonal Convenon
By Marlene Sanders
The Alpha Zeta Phi Chapter from Santa Fe College was represented at the Internaonal 2012 Phi Theta
Kappa Convenon in Nashville, Tennessee on April 12th, 13th, and 14th. There were six Phi Theta Kappa offic-
ers aending: David Durkee, Julian Childers, Juan Camilo Romero, Erica Laboissoniere, Hanna Hanchy and Mar-
lene Sanders, along with one advisor, Dr. Naima Brown. This event was aended by over 4000 members of the
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and set at Gaylord Opryland Convenon Center. This was the highest aend-
ance at any Phi Theta Kappa event in history!
One of the key ideas emphasized is entled,”C4.” This stands for the Community College Compleon
Challenge. A huge poster was erected for students to sign a pledge to commit to compleon and aain a de-
gree. This philosophy was brought about to inform all students of the importance of compleon and to reduce
college dropout rates by engaging students in a connecon with other students to persevere through all the
difficules of college and succeed in life. So far over 50,000 students have signed this pledge.

The Convenon Featured Inspiring & Movang Speakers
Our Internaonal President, Tameka Wilson, is the first female military veteran to be elected to this
office. She spoke of the difficult paths she travelled to reach this point in her life. Her encouragement reached
us all.
A very interesng and dynamic woman, Amy Chua, addressed the difference between educaon in USA
and China, her nave country.
She discussed in depth, the im-
portance of studying to the Chi-
nese people. Although her par-
ents were very strict with her and
her siblings when they were
growing up, the benefits of
spending many hours studying
every day resulted in successful
careers and fulfilling, sasfying
lives. Oen students in the USA
place more value in entertain-
ment than educaon. One key
statement she pointed out was
that she was told to keep two
chapters ahead of the class, so
that when the teacher got to the subject at hand, she’d already know what the teacher was talking about and
Journalist Malcolm Gladwell of the New Yorker
Amy Chua, author of the Bale Hymn of the Tiger Mother
feel confident of her abilies. Once she
was viewed as one of the smart kids in
class, she connued on to excel in her en-
deavors, armed with great self-
confidence. With dedicaon to one’s ini-
aves, great things can be accomplished.
We also heard from Malcolm
Gladwell, a journalist for ,”The New York-
er” and author of a number of other liter-
ary works, all encouraging self -
empowerment. He explained how in this
day and age, it’s so beneficial to be a
geek, nerd, or dweeb. To be the smart
kid in class is to be successful and be ca-

pable of accomplishing our goals. He also stated the importance of encouraging one another. A few words of
encouragement can make a difference between a student connuing in a posive direcon, or dropping out. The
smallest discouragement can cause a loss of ambion. We must upli each other, inspire each other, and insll
the self-confidence in those we come in contact with who just need to build up faith in their own abilies. Kind
words to one another can make a huge difference. His saying was ”Complete to Compete” meaning that aain-
ing a degree works well in the job market.
We met the execuve director of Phi Theta Kappa, Dr. Rod Risley, who developed,”CollegeFish.Org.”
which helps students locate and apply for scholarships. This can mean the difference between drop-out and
graduaon to many students.
Mr. & Mrs. Lou Oberndorf of the
PTK Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion
We also had the honor to be introduced to the Oberndorfs, a
married couple who have dedicated funds toward scholarships for
Phi Theta Kappa members. What they did was to match donaons
up to a total of $125,000 to result in $250,000 of funds available for
educaon. The goal was reached, and matched. The kindness of
this family is quite overwhelming.
Finally, a PTK alumnus by the name of “Wes Moore” spoke
to us regarding his path to success. Wes is a graduate of Johns Hop-
kins University, an author of a book entled, “The Other Wes
Moore.” He hosts a show on Oprah Winfrey Network called,
“Beyond Belief” and is a commentator on MSNBC’s Morning Joe.
Acvely engaging in programs to help disadvantaged youth is some-
thing he makes me for. His speech was quite inspiraonal as well. He and his wife donated $10,000 to the
Oberndorf fund.
There were also educaonal forums and mini sessions for us to aend where lecturers addressed com-
mon chapter problems and soluons. Overall, the amount of useful informaon offered to us during this con-
venon was phenomenal. I do feel aending this convenon was an experience of a lifeme, and feel enriched
and ,and encouraged as a result of aending. Hopefully, we can share with the rest of the campus the things we
learned at the convenon.
During the convenon, the lower level of a huge architectural structure was
an open marketplace. To be discovered were all sorts of memorabilia. To benefit
the American Cancer Society, a $5 event pin encouraged all to parcipate. The mar-
ketplace was not only the site for the mini-sessions of ½ hour informaon sharing. It
was also an opportunity for chapters of Phi Theta Kappa to showcase their interests
and endeavors. Juan Camilo Romero presented a poster depicng Santa Fe College’s
very own Pathways to Persistence Program. Our chapter of Phi Theta Kappa
paired up with GED students just entering college with mentors and peer connect-
ors. We offer them tutoring free of charge and guide them through the beginning
Juan Camilo Romero
PTK/Pathways To Persistence

of their college career. Together with other students with similar beginnings, they form social bonds as well. This
has reduced our school’s dropout rate significantly. This is currently our 2nd term of mentoring and peer con-
necng. Already we have 2 new Phi Theta Kappa members who were Pathways to Persistence scholars. We don’t
leave either program. We all help one another and have established lasng friendships. To be encouraged and
inspired by kind and wise words can make the difference that’s somemes necessary to bale the workload of col-
lege studies. The poster that Juan Camilo presented illustrates our “pathway” that seems to have a posive effect
on both scholar and mentor. If there is anyone who’s interested in mentoring or peer connecng, your parcipa-
on in this program is encouraged. The other Phi Theta Kappa chapters seemed intrigued with the idea and asked
how to get this started in their colleges. This could make a huge impact on the dropout rate plaguing colleges to-
day. Parcipaon in the program ranges from teachers to scholars to business people in the community. It’s such
a worthwhile cause, people are eager to proceed with the program.