Three Phi Theta Kappa Chapters Win National Awards from Keep America Beautiful
Three Phi Theta Kappa chapters are first-place winners in the National
Awards program sponsored by Keep America Beautiful.
Honored
for their programs to benefit the environment are chapters from Tidewater
Community College, Norfolk Campus, in Virginia; Hinds Community College,
Raymond Campus, in Mississippi; and Danville Area Community College,
Illinois.
Keep America Beautiful's awards presentations
will be held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Friday, December
7.
"Phi Theta Kappa chapters have enthusiastically embraced
programs to protect the environment. We commend the chapters at Tidewater
Community College, Hinds Community College and Danville Area Community
College for their innovative projects, which illustrate Phi Theta Kappa's
commitment to service, leadership and being agents for effective change,"
said Phi Theta Kappa Executive Director Rod A. Risley.
The Tidewater
Community College chapter received a first place award in the Beautification
catagory, for their project that was designed to impart social awareness
and civic engagement to children of incarcerated parents. The chapter
promoted positive youth development by working with these children to
beautify a nearby nursing home.
"Our overall focus was education,
service, leadership and civic engagement for the community," said Tara
Davis, chapter president. "We allowed the children the opportunity to
learn about the environment and take pride in improving their community.
The children completed the project with a new awareness about preserving
the environment and giving back to their community. This is what being a
member of Phi Theta Kappa is truly about - being well rounded civically,
academically and socially."
The chapter at Hinds Community
College focused on cigarette litter by sponsoring a semester-long research
project to promote tobacco awareness and cessation programs, as well as
proper disposal of cigarettes on college campuses throughout Mississippi.
"What
we liked most about the project was the opportunity to learn the leadership
skills required for grassroots program development," said advisor Kristi
Sather-Smith. "From the fellowship aspect, as a chapter we learned how
to work with other student organizations on our campus and other chapters
in our college district, and with faculty, administrators and staff. Scholarship
was highlighted as we focused on the importance of quality research. We
perfected our presentation skills as we worked to earn the respect and trust
we needed from our stakeholders."
The Danville Area Community
College chapter received a first place for Waste Reduction projects. The
chapter partnered with the local KAB Affiliate to host a multi-county two-state
recycling collection for the proper disposal of computers and electronics,
and engaged others in an awareness campaign of the importance of working
with reputable recyclers. More than 70 tons of unwanted e-waste was either
recycled or properly disposed of in the joint effort.
"This
award will refocus the spotlight on the success of our recycling event and
serve as an important reminder to the community about the importance of
being smart consumers, taking responsibility for our planet and our future,
and getting involved to make a difference," said advisor Lori Garrett.
Keep
America Beautiful is Phi Theta Kappa's partner in the Society's
International Service
Program, Operation Green: Improving Our Communities.
