The Eta Gamma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Coffeyville Community College was recently named Most Outstanding Chapter during the honor Society’s Kansas Nebraska Region Convention March 4-6 at Kansas State University, Manhattan.  During Session 1, twenty-21 members from the Eta Gamma chapter participated in an original skit, “Phi Theta Kappa Remembering Back and Looking Forward.”  The skit placed third in regional competition and featured the chapter’s original charter membership certificates past and present, and the Phi Theta Kappa Key, the Society’s emblem.

The Eta Gamma Chapter received ten first place recognitions including the following:
 

• Most Outstanding Chapter
• College Project
• Honors in Action project
• Most Outstanding Officer Team
• Most Outstanding Chapter Officer – Colter Comstock
• Most Outstanding Region Alumnus – Eric Mueller
• Sister Chapter Award with Beta Omega, Independence Community College
• Achievement in Art, Drawing/Painting, First Place – Rayanndra Darbro
• Achievement in Art, Drawing/Painting, Distinguished Recognition – Tanner Vieyra
• Achievement in Art, Photography, First Place – Tanner Vieyra
• Achievement in Art, Photography, Distinguished Recognition – Rayanndra Darbro
• Achievement in Art, Photography Distinguished Recognition – Cristin Shepard
• Achievement in Art, Photography,  Honorable Recognition – Eleora Coward
• Achievement in Art, Ceramics, First Place – Rayanndra Darbro
• Achievement in Art, Ceramics, Distinguished Recognition – Cristin Shepard
• Achievement in Literature, Honorable Mention – Matthew Roesky
• Chapter Great Idea Award, Distinguished Recognition
• Chapter Service Award, Distinguished Recognition
• Horizon Award for Advisors – Linda McFate

The Coffeyville Community College students had an opportunity to hear several outstanding keynote speakers including humorist, Devin Henderson who addressed the topic, “What is Your Magic?” Whether it’s an uplifting word, a smile or some long-lost talent, Henderson reminded attendees that sharing your magic means making people feel special in your own special way.  Being a “magician” is about putting your talents and passions into action.  Other keynote speakers included Kevin Blackwell who presented a Town Hall meeting on the Honors Study Topic:  How the World Works:  Global Perspectives; Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa from Jackson, Mississippi; and Renee Gregory, instructor of Leadership and Honors Tutorial classes at Kansas City Kansas Community College who addressed the topic of Strengths Quest.

During the convention, the Eta Gamma members participated in fellowship activities including bowling and a region dance.

New Kansas-Nebraska Officers installed at the convention were:
 

• President, Curtis Walters, Beta Omega, Independence Community College
• Vice Presidents of Kansas, Alyssa Dehncke, Alpha Phi Alpha, Butler Community College and Megan Thompson, Tau Theta, Labette Community College
• Vice Presidents for Nebraska, Trenton Molczyk, Chi Sigma, Central Community College – Columbus and Stacy Whitten, Alpha Tau Tau, Central Community College – Grand Island

Students representing Eta Gamma at the convention were:  Victoria Smith, Morgan Porter, Evalys Azuara, Cheyenne Delano, Courtney Zeigler, Karen McKenzie, Reina Garcia, Lisa Lamb, Cristin Shepard, Rayanndra Darbro, Johnathon Kowalczyk, Igor Luczensky, Erasmo Tejeda, Andres Mora, Matheus Ribeiro, Jesus Medina, Kyle Darnell, Colter Comstock, and Wes Merritt.  They were joined by chapter alumnus and Kansas State University senior, Aaron Neely.

The next events for the Eta Gamma Chapter include an officers meeting on March 21, a general membership meeting on March 28, and international convention in National Harbor, Maryland, April 5-10 to which the chapter is sending thirteen delegates.