Fifty Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) members were chosen to have their writing and original artwork published in the 30th edition of PTK’s literary journal, Nota Bene. Eight received scholarships for their exemplary entries. The full publication can be read here.
Nota Bene showcases the outstanding writing and artistry of community college students. More than 4,500 applicants submitted works for the 30th edition.
“Each year, Nota Bene reveals the extraordinary talent and limitless potential of community college students across the nation,” said Dr. Susan Edwards, Senior Director of PTK Honors Programs. “Their words inspire, their stories captivate, and their ideas remind us of the profound impact these scholars will have on the world.”
This year’s Ewing Citation Scholarship of $1,000 has been awarded to Samantha Ward, from Southwest Texas Junior College- Eagle Pass Campus in Texas, for her short story “At the Edge of the Universe.” The award is named in honor of the late Nell Ewing, a long-time PTK staff member and former historian, and goes to the author of the competition’s most outstanding entry, excluding poetry.
Katherine Eliason, a student at Riverland Community College in Minnesota, has been named PTK’s International Poet Laureate for her poem, “A Chance to Breathe.” She will receive a $1,000 award and will have the opportunity to present her work during one of PTK’s upcoming international events.
Four additional authors each received a Reynolds Award of $500 for their impressive entries. The award is endowed by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation and honors the memory of the late Donald W. Reynolds, founder of the Donrey Media Group (now Stephens Media Group).
The Reynolds Award recipients are:
- Leo Ameika, Tidewater Community College, Virginia
- Shivani Bedre, Middlesex Community College, Massachusetts
- Kelsey Gioja, Kankakee Community College, Illinois
- Olivia Williams, Cape Cod Community College, Massachusetts
Two artists have also been recognized with the first Visual Arts Awards a will receive a $500 award for their outstanding artworks. The first two Visual Arts Awards recipients are:
- Beheshta Eqbali, Clark College, Washington
- Anna Tumbarello, Fashion Institute of Art, New York
The 50 students published in the 30th edition of Nota Bene are:
Samantha Ward, Southwest Texas Junior College- Eagle Pass Campus, Texas
“At the Edge of the Universe”
Katherine Eliason, Riverland Community College, Minnesota
“A Chance to Breathe”
Anna Tumbarello, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York
“What Do You Think Happened?”
Shivani Bedre, Middlesex Community College, Massachusetts
“Babel”
Leo Ameika, Tidewater Community College, Virginia
“Pointe Shoes”
Beheshta Eqbali, Clark College, Washington
“Afghani Girl”
Kelsey Gioja, Kankakee Community College, Illinois
“Invisible”
Olivia Williams, Cape Cod Community College, Massachusetts
“Mary Wollstonecraft: The “Daring Fighter””
Megan Vaughn, Patrick and Henry Community College, Virginia
“The Last Sea Turtle”
Jada Benda, Morton College, Illinois
“About My Father”
TruongVan Do, College of San Mateo, California
“In Passing My Native Soil”
Rebecca Rae Olson, Minnesota State College Southeast, Minnesota
“Flowers”
Christian Rudolph Ceralde, Daytona State College, Florida
“Cat with Orange and Lime Eyes”
Anna Bradley, Community College of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
“No One Likes You When You’re 21″
Nicole McCarville, Delaware Technical Community College- Georgetown-Owens Campus, Delaware
“Twilight at the Pier”
Reacher Ssozi, Massachusetts Bay Community College, Massachusetts
“The Pearl of Africa”
Maria Sepulveda-Avila Stiles, Shasta College, California
“Dog,” “Table Mountain”
William Chad Anderson, Valencia College- Osceola Campus, Florida
“The Ballad of Resilience”
Cara Olson, Carroll Community College, Maryland
“Head in the Clouds”
Mariah Crawford, Aims Community College, Colorado
“These Metaphors, My Body”
Reyna Browne, Warren County Community College, New Jersey
“Dragon,” “Japanese Woman”
Fiona L. Page, Central New Mexico Community College, New Mexico
“Blue Moon Murderess”
Jouly H. Youssef, Orange Coast College, California
“Camel”
Aisha Kysteena Manus, Cochise College, Arizona
“Seoul Mates: A Memoir”
Maria Crawford, Delgado Community College- City Park Campus, Michigan
“Waterfall”
Emosha Antoine-Butler, North Central Michigan College, Louisiana
“Just…Super”
Arianna Adams, Martinburg Community College, North Carolina
“Cats at Campfire”
Alston D’Souza, Green River College, Washington
“Echoes of Eternity”
Iman Bhyat, Pasco-Hernando State College- West Campus, Florida
“Florida Gothic”
Wilhelmina Westbrook, Midlands Technical College- Airport Campus, South Carolina
“Priceless Memories”
Charity Futrell, North Arkansas College, Arkansas
“Vice Versa”
Briana Mason, Metropolitan Community College- Penn Valley Campus, Missouri
“Untitled”
Isabella Pruneda, Waubonsee Community College, Illinois
“Serenidad”
Macy Elizabeth Hudgins, Shelton State Community College- Martin Campus, Alabama
“Puzzled Pieces”
Kendrick Ferreria Duran, Cascadia College, Washington
“The Ballerina”
Kaitlin Rose Herbert, Louisiana State University, Louisiana
“Selfulcerum”
Savannah J. Faulkner, Georgia Highlands College, Georgia
“Words Define Myself”
Reina Howard, Big Bend Community College, Washington
“A Trip Down Slip Hill”
Victoria Pinto, Mt. San Jacinto College, California
“Bob Marley”
Mak Gomez, Portland Community College- Rock Creek Campus, Oregon
“What’s Left at the Diner”
Tara Lamper, Lakes Region Community College, New Hampshire
“Where the Path Leads”
Jennie Weible, Jefferson College, Missouri
“Wet Paint”
Lydia Si Ying Chen, Valencia College, Florida
“Rat Race”
Amy Abang, Cape Fear Community College- Wilmington Campus, North Carolina
“Marine”
Megan Fajardo, Northwest Florida State College, Florida
“Independence”
Dominic Palmer, Pima Community College, Arizona
“Embrace of Time: Celestial Union”
Leonardo Fabbro, Palm Beach State College- Boca Raton Campus, Florida
“Water Drop”
Aschyr Conley, Pellissippi State Community College, Tennessee
“Atomic Cancer”
Lacey Blakesley, Kennebec Valley Community College, Maine
“Ebony: Monster of Anger”
Evan DiPietro, Los Angeles Valley College- Van Nuys Campus, California
“Lowlands”
About Phi Theta Kappa Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 4.3 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 230,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.
View the Nota Bene 30th Edition here.
