I have always considered myself a person that enjoys learning. Despite having few friends as a child and in adolescence, I knew I could always rely on academics. I could have been deemed as one of those students, an overachiever with high success in all subjects. Many individuals outside of my family wondered why I chose community college over the four-year universities my peers were attending. The simple answer is, in both an emotional and financial sense, I could not afford it.

In high school, my grandfather passed away and my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. Following my graduation, I lost health insurance at age 18. As I started community college, my feeling of loneliness expanded as I became a fully online student. It was a difficult adjustment— I remained a stellar student, but I yearned for a group that I could feel included in and belong to for once. After my first semester, I was offered, and accepted, membership into Phi Theta Kappa. Since then, I always wanted to be an officer for our college’s chapter, Alpha Iota Chi, and I am fortunate to now serve as Vice President of Scholarship. I cannot wait for the events of this upcoming academic year.

- Abby Fanning (She/Her)

Nearly ten years ago, I developed an interest in reading economics books, hungry to read anything I could find on the subject. As the years passed, my enthusiasm for economics only grew. I quickly realized that economics would be my career field. In the fall of my senior year of high school, I began taking college classes at Northeast State Community College with an aspiration to earn my A.S. in Economics. As I prepare for my last semester at NESCC, I am excited to transfer to East Tennessee State University, majoring in financial economics and minoring in applied mathematics. Upon completing my bachelor’s degree at ETSU, I hope to attend law school, exploring the many facets of business law. After spending several years working as a financial planner or business consultant, I plan on returning to college, seeking my master’s in business administration. Along the way, I aim to build a large business network. This network will become the customer base of my private business consulting company. After retiring, I desire to teach an economics or math course at a post-secondary education facility.

My honors journey began in the office of Shelby McKenzie, my high school dual-enrollment advisor at NESCC. I walked into her office intent on taking Composition 1 and Microeconomics. I walked out of her office registered to take Honors Composition 1 and Microeconomics. I was apprehensive about taking an honors writing class with no college experience (I am a math-minded student not a writer), but after the encouragement of Shelby McKenzie I decided to accept the challenge. After I finished the honors writing class, I never looked back. I took all the honors classes that were available to me. These classes fostered a desire to explore concepts outside of the classroom, learn from the ideas and insights of other students, and pursue new opportunities. This led me to apply for the Phi Theta Kappa Alpha Iota Chi Treasurer position at NESCC. Despite only being a PTK officer for a short time, I recognize the opportunity that PTK has given me to grow my presentation skills, teamwork, idea generation, and researching abilities. In addition, I am excited for the value that our team will bring to the Tri-cities community with this year’s honors in action project.

- Drew Farmer (He/Him)
Alpha Iota Chi PTK Treasurer

Coming out of middle school I struggled with finding any enjoyment in school. After 2 years of regular high school, I transferred to an online school in hopes of doing more of the things I enjoyed when I wasn’t in school. Going into my junior year I got an email from my school about a middle college program. I was hesitant as a high schooler who didn’t enjoy school very much but decided to try the program out anyway. I had always been smart academically and could quit the program if need be. My first semester was fully online, I struggled at first but began to take an interest in some of my classes. I started to enjoy school at the college level.

Before the start of my second semester, a teacher sent me an email about his honors class and again I was hesitant. I was a high schooler who was just beginning to take an interest in school; why would I jump into an honors course? I decided the honors course couldn’t be that much harder or confusing so I enrolled. This led me to enroll in two other classes of mine that had an honors course. The honors courses weren’t any harder than the regular ones and ended up furthering my interest in college. Since I was an honors student now I felt I should join Phi Theta Kappa. I decided to take what looked like the steeper path over and over and found that I was climbing the same mountain the whole time. I am now going into my senior year of high school as a proud member of Phi Theta Kappa and the co-vice president of communications.

- Griffin Sutton (He/Him)

During high school, I never planned on going to college. I maintained good grades, kept my nose clean, and had what the philosopher Dr. John Dewey called the "desire to be important," but I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. I enrolled at TCAT's technical school in a CAD program, solely because I didn't want to lose my Tennessee Promise scholarship, but I was so uninterested in it that I don't think I ever logged back in to confirm enrollment after orientation. After a conversation with some family friends and an extensive amount of research (about two hours one afternoon) I was convinced to give college a try. With only three days left until graduation, I walked into my counselor’s office, who was slightly shocked and concerned about nearing the deadline, and changed my major to engineering.

Since coming to Northeast State, I have met many wonderful professors and advisors who have encouraged me to challenge myself, meet new people, and learn all that I can. I also joined clubs like Phi Theta Kappa and Toastmasters which have helped me to develop skills in leadership, communication, and research. If I could give any advice, it would be to try new and challenging things, especially if they’re intimidating, and give it your best shot. You’d be surprised at what you can find in life simply by taking that first step.

- Jon Williams (He/Him)

For myself, I had always dreamed of going to college. I grew up in a family with zero college graduates and very few high school graduates, and so it was par for the course that I would also drop out of high school at 16. I struggled for years with my self- worth and my mental health, however I had always known I was destined for more. At 23 I would finally sought treatment, got my GED, and found my purpose in art. At 25, I began my time as a student at Northeast State, studying studio art and art history. I never wanted to feel pressured to overwhelm myself and I also never saw myself as an honors student, but I pushed to be the best version of myself that I could be and to my pleasant surprise I did end up as an honors student. Not only that but I have been a mentor, I am student worker, I am on track to graduate with two honors associates of art degrees, and now I have been given the wonderful opportunity to act as the college project chair for PTK. I have experienced times in my past in which I never imagined that I would even live a happy life, yet now every day I find pride and joy in all that I have been able to accomplish for myself, and all the things that I will do as I push for the future that I had always dreamed of.

- Kymber Hooven (She/They)

Candid vulnerability has never been my strongest suit so, I’ll start with a fact: “Less than 3% of youth who age out of foster care will earn a college degree.” There are a plethora of similarly dismal statistics that exist for people like me. I was convinced from a young age that I was destined to fail, that the odds against me were stacked far too high to try, that there was simply no escape from circumstances like mine. I could see no value in myself, no hope for my future. One day someone told me that “nothing changes if nothing changes.” It’s a phrase that really stuck with me. I didn’t grow up with an excess of stability or support in my life and I want better for my own children. I decided positive change had to start with me. Nearly two decades had passed since I dropped out of high school and the idea of going back to school was scary. Regardless, I knew it was time to pursue higher education.

I had very little idea what to expect from college. After my first semester, I received an invitation to join PTK. I have aspirations of transfer and distant dreams of a doctorate, so I thought “sure, what the heck.” At the very least, membership will be solid resume padding and maybe I’ll get a scholarship opportunity out of the deal. The reality of what I’ve found has been greater than my expectations. I’ve discovered camaraderie, acceptance, and purpose through participation in PTK, the Honors Program, TRiO, and the Scholars Foundation. These groups are designed to assist, inspire, uplift, and allow people to become the best versions of themselves. I’ve rarely felt like I belonged anywhere, but I know I belong in PTK. We all do, including you!

- Shanna Holt (She/Her)

When I graduated high school at 16 with my GED, I told myself I would never go to college. I hated most subjects and disliked social settings so I planned on going into a trade or something similar. After deciding on a career path at 17 I came to the conclusion I would have to get my degree. Only a couple months after moving across the country to Tennessee I started at Northeast State. I felt alienated and out of place, especially because I had been homeschooled my entire life. I really wanted to be involved in a club and admired the PTK students, but I was convinced it would never be possible for me to get good enough grades to be admitted. In my second semester, my partner and advisor encouraged and supported me while I pushed myself to raise my GPA through full-time classes and a part-time job. 

I am now on track to be the first in my family with a science degree and a proud Alpha Iota Chi chapter officer. Being in PTK has led me to develop better leadership and academic skills, as well as connecting me with a beautiful community of dedicated individuals. I think it’s important as college students to remember that our backgrounds and high school experiences don’t define what we can accomplish today. 

- Sol Hosburgh (She/They)

I never had imagined myself saying I would be included in an honors society anywhere. To be quite honest, I did not even see myself lasting through my first year of college. I graduated high school in 2014 and had no intentions on going back to school. I had spent my ten years out of high school at Burger King, and had even made it to store management. I quickly realized it was not for me. I knew there was more I could do with my life than a basic 9-5 job. I went into Northeast with a positive mind and attitude and it was not long after my first semester I received the invite to PTK. 

My mom and boyfriend convinced me to join saying it would be good for me, and it would look great on my transfer to LMU. I worked tirelessly and relentlessly on my grades to be invited in to our Alpha Iota Chi Chapter. I knew I wanted to do more so I applied for an officer position not thinking I could even get something like this. I am now the Co-Vice President of Communications, and having a blast! It started with just wanting something to look good for universities, but turned into so much more down the road. Just because it was not a realistic goal for you before does not mean it can't be now! Everyone has the potential to do anything they set their mind to as long as they are willing to work for it!   

- Stephanie Bolden (She/Her/Whatever)

After Highschool, I thought my future would be stuck in a call center, chained to the grind of blue-collar work. But then, one day, I took a chance and accepted a job in healthcare. It was there that I discovered my passion for helping and healing others. Unfortunately, despite my dedication, I was passed over for a promotion due to poor management. Frustrated and wanting to prove myself, I applied for college. If I was good enough to get accepted, maybe I could really make something of myself. My first semester, I avoided everyone and kept to myself. Then, I received an email from Jane Honeycutt telling me I was eligible for the honors program. I couldn't believe it! I saw myself as a broken, non-traditional student raising my nine-year-old niece, who never even got an A in high school.

Jane convinced me to give the honors program a try, and it was a game-changer. The classes were more engaging, with smaller sizes and more freedom to express myself. This was the turning point for me, both in college and in life. Then, Tabitha Garman encouraged me to join Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the honor society. That was the beginning of an amazing journey and the start of me coming out of my shell. I used to be someone who stayed in the shadows, not wanting to make any waves. Now, I strive for success in everything I do. Somehow, I've become someone people look up to, and I even became president of Alpha Iota Chi, the NESCC chapter of PTK. What started as a tentative step into college turned into a profound transformation, showing me that with determination and support, anyone can achieve great things.

- Timothy Vanfossen (He/Him)
Alpha Iota Chi PTK President

I started going to Northeast State while I was in high school, still doubting my academic abilities and fighting with social anxiety. I assumed I would never make any friends, I certainly wasn’t planning on joining any clubs, and my largest goal at the time was just to get good grades and go unnoticed by everyone. After I graduated high school, I began attending Northeast State full-time. I was making good grades, but I began to feel like something was missing. One day while I was up in the Honor’s Institute, I noticed a group of students in the meeting room. I had heard about PTK from being in Honors, and I told myself, “I’m going to be seated at that table someday.” I worked extra hard to keep my GPA up, and a few months later I got a letter stating I was invited to join PTK. I ran into the kitchen to tell my family, and then promptly went on the website to register. 

Just as I had told myself, I finally took my seat at the officer team’s table as the Vice President of Scholarship. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was somewhere that I truly belonged, with people who really understood me for who I was. My fears regarding my grades and social skills began to disappear, and I found confidence in myself through the support of the officer team and my wonderful advisors.  All the friendships, connections, shared laughs, and even shared sorrows have helped me grow so much, and my time spent in PTK has fostered a newfound love for research. I don’t think I would be the student, tutor, mentor, and leader that I am today if it wasn’t for PTK. After I transfer to Tennessee Tech in the fall to continue my education, I may no longer be an active officer, but I will always be a proud member of PTK. 

- Xander Pike (They/Them)