Polk State’s PTK chapters win 30+ awards

Polk State College’s two Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) National Honor Society chapters combined for more than 30 regional and international awards this spring, priding themselves on personal development as well as community service projects, focused research projects and lively fellowship events.

Xi Pi, the College’s Winter Haven chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, totaled 29 awards – 15 regional and 14 international. Chapter President Rebecca Pace and Vice President for Leadership Catherine Derival each earned the Distinguished Officer distinction at the regional and international level. Derival was also named the International Vice President for Division II, one of the highest student leadership positions in the nation, becoming the first Polk State student to become an international officer.

“I’m so excited for this new role,” Derival said. “I’ll be doing a lot of traveling and speaking throughout our region. I’m ecstatic to be the first (international officer) and make history for our College. I’ll meet so many people and have so many opportunities that I never would have had if I had not stepped out and joined PTK.”

At the Regional Conference, held in Melbourne in February, Xi Pi also earned Distinguished Officer Team; Distinguished College Project for the food production project at the campus greenhouse; Distinguished Chapter; Five-Star Chapter; and Elected Regional Executive Chapter.

Beta Upsilon Upsilon was also recognized as a Five-Star Chapter at the regional and international levels. Polk State’s Lakeland Campus chapter took home the Office of Regional Fellowship Chapter recognition for the second year in a row. During the academic year, Beta Upsilon Upsilon held a fundraiser for Polk State Soccer, hosted a dance and karaoke night, participated in statewide conferences and conducted research on the stigma of homelessness among other initiatives.

“I was very proud of the work that our officers and members put into both the College Project and Honors in Action Project,” said Professor Penny Morris, advisor for Beta Upsilon Upsilon “With the approval and appreciation of our College administration, we worked together to serve the College and the community.”

Keyshawn Tention, Vice President of Leadership, won an international distinction with the 2026 Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion Scholarship and will receive $1,500. The scholarship helps PTK members overcome unanticipated financial barriers preventing the completion of their first college credential, associate degree or certificate.

For Xi Pi, Pace was recognized in the Non-Fiction Short Story category. Derival was recognized in the Speech category. Derival and Wanda Dilan were each recognized in the Art category. Rosemary Smith was named a Distinguished Member. Advisors Madison DeSoto and Professor Anthony Cornett helped Xi Pi win Distinguished Advisor Team at the regional and international levels.

Cornett was presented with the Horizon Award, which recognizes service to the Florida Region. DeSoto won the Paragon Award, which honors exemplary new advisors, at the regional and international levels.

“Professor Cornett and Madison DeSoto put an insurmountable effort into PTK and truly go above and beyond,” Derival added. “The way they advocate for students – not just PTK students but all students – is incredible. They’ve been my support system and have shaped me into the person I am today. I also have to mention Allison Dvorske – the most exceptional campaign manager ever. Our chapter is not just a bunch of students and advisors; it is a family.”

During Catalyst, the national conference in Baltimore in March, Xi Pi earned international awards for Regional Award of Excellence for Fellowship, Scholarship and Career Readiness. Maria Garcia was named Distinguished Regional Officer. Xi Pi was chosen as a Distinguished Regional Officer Team and Distinguished Officer Team.

“It’s all so rewarding,” Derival exclaimed. “After all the hard work over the last year, to be successful at Catalyst was validating. It assuaged my fear and self-doubt and let me know that I was doing the things I needed to do to get where I want to be professionally.”

Xi Pi also won an international award for Distinguished College Project. It was recognized as a Top 100 Chapter and with the Beta Alpha Award of Continued Excellence, which acknowledges chapters that finish in the top 50 internationally in three consecutive years.

“I cannot express how proud I am of this team and especially Cat,” Cornett said. “Everyone came together to help her get elected to one of the five highest student leadership positions not only in Phi Theta Kappa, but in the United States. So far, this group has earned 29 awards this year, a chapter record.

“The most important of these is the Beta Alpha Award of Continued Excellence, staying in the top 50 chapters in Phi Theta Kappa for three consecutive years,” the professor continued. “Only 13 other chapters out of almost 1,200 chapters worldwide accomplished that feat. I am never disappointed by the quality of Xi Pi’s chapter leadership group and am looking forward to continuing this excellence next year.”

In addition to winning big, PTK students also had the chance to network and meet other PTK students from across the country over parts of five days in Baltimore. That in itself, Derival said, made it worth attending.

“I got to meet students from all parts of the world,” Derival reflected. “I was able to speak with people in our division and network with people in my region. I felt supported from all the chapters in the region. Our Lakeland chapter, Beta Upsilon Upsilon, is awesome and supported us as well.”