Members of Alpha Mu Chi, NTCC’s five-star, award-winning chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, won 4 of 13 prestigious Texas Star regional scholarships given out at the 2024 Phi Theta Kappa Texas Honors Institute held July 26-28 at Texas Women’s University in Denton. The scholarships are available to members of Phi Theta Kappa throughout the state of Texas, with awards based on demonstrated leadership and academic excellence. NTCC students won the top four spots in the state.
The top two scholarships, worth $1,000 each, are named for highly regarded former advisors within the Texas Region.
Skylar Hodson (pictured top left) won the top scoring scholarship, named in honor of former Texas Regional Coordinator Dr. Mary Hood. An officer in the Alpha Mu Chi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, President of the NTCC Film Club, and the incoming Russell Mowery Scholar in Honors Northeast, Hodson is the current film director for the Honors Northeast film project. Her research on Texas film history, including an exploration of primary source materials archived in Austin, won her a first place at the Red River Honors Symposium and a second place at the McGraw Hill Poster contest. Her essay, which competed against essays written by upper-level university students, won a second-place Caldwell prize from the Texas State Historical Association.
The highest ranking scholarship was the last one given out at the Texas Honors Institute. Reacting to the experience, Skylar commented: “Honestly, I was just hoping the best for me and my friends. The closer they got to the last scholarship, the more nervous I became. When they called my name, I felt faint, but that was quickly replaced with pure joy. Pure joy that I believed in myself, tried, and made it that far. I find it a bit ironic since before the announcements I was talking about how important it is to believe in yourself and to do things for yourself.”
Vanessa Jane Bayna (pictured top right) won the $1,000 Dr. Yolando Romero Texas Star Scholarship. Bayna is an officer in the Alpha Mu Chi chapter of Phi Thete Kappa, the Texas Heritage National Bank Scholar in Honors Northeast, an Eagle Excellence Award recipient, and a Caldwell winner for her essay on “Big Oil” and Texas politics. Her work is the basis for the current Honors Northeast film project.
The next two scholarships, worth $750 each, are named after advisors in the student’s own chapter.
Mary-Faith Wilson (pictured bottom right) won the $750 Dr. Melissa Fulgham Texas Star Scholarship. Wilson is an officer in the Alpha Mu Chi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, an incoming Presidential Honors Scholar in Honors Northeast, President of the Sigma Kappa Delta English Honor Society, writing tutor, editor of Lagniappe magazine, Eagle Excellence Award recipient, Sunday School teacher, Praise Band leader, and music scholar. Her work on the impact of music on Alzheimer’s won a first place at the Red River Honors Symposium.
"When I found out about the scholarship, all I could do was praise God for providing for my education and thank my wonderful professors for helping me every step of the way. It is a true blessing to me and my family,” noted Wilson.
Sarah Dierflinger (pictured bottom left) won the $750 Athena Hayes Texas Star Scholarship. An officer in the Phi Theta Kappa chapter on campus, social work major, Honors Northeast scholar, Eagle Excellence Award recipient, and mother of three, Sarah is also an award winning researcher. Her study for psychology class on the factors influencing student enrollment in courses placed in the McGraw-Hill poster contest as well as being of interest to enrollment officers on campus.
While attending the Texas Honors Institute, Sarah was excited to hear her name called out. She said, “I knew I was up against a lot of amazing young men and women all competing for this scholarship. Although I was hopeful, there was still a nugget of self-doubt when thinking about my chances of winning. I am over the moon ecstatic to be counted amongst the winners of this scholarship. Winning the Athena Hayes Star Scholarship means so much more to me than just financial support. It is a validation of all my hard work and dedication. I am so incredibly blessed and thankful for this opportunity to continue to pursue my academic path, and can't wait to give back one day."
Including the four winners this year, 30 NTCC students have won prestigious Texas Star Scholarships.
Previous recipients of Texas Regional Star Scholarships include (2023) Michelle Calderon, Aubrey Watkins; (2022) Jordan Chapin, Raul Leija; (2021) Aaliyeh Avellanda, Maxime Risner (2020) Elizabeth Lively, Hannah Barnes, Jalyn English, Maritza Quinones; (2019): Tonya Hammonds, Courtney Baldwin, Jacob Lambie, Jazmin Garcia, Verania Leyva-Garza; (2018) Hannah Dickson, Rhylie Anderson; (2017) Rachel Jordan, Brenda Godoy; (2016) Emmalea Shaw; (2015) Angelica Fuentes; (2014) Kayleah Cumpian, Tyler Reynolds; (2013) Stephen Milburn; (2012) Cory Myers; (2011) John Herron.
To learn more about Phi Theta Kappa visit www.ptk.org. To learn more about the Alpha Mu Chi Chapter at NTCC visit the chapter’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/alphamuchi/ Chapter meetings are held every Monday at 12:30 in SUB 101 and all interested individuals are welcome to attend.
