Alpha Mu Chi, ’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa set a new chapter record at the recent Texas Regional Convention held in Houston, coming away with 37 awards. “With a strong officer team and an amazing set of co-advisors this year, I knew that we would do well,“ said lead advisor Dr. Melissa Fulgham. “However, they exceeded even my high hopes and expectations and set a new chapter record. Considering that there are over 90 Phi Theta Kappa chapters in Texas, to know that our small, rural college chapter performed so well is a testament to the hard work ethic, creativity, and brilliance of the students who come to . These students took full advantage of the opportunities provided to them through the Phi Theta Kappa chapter on campus, had fun with their projects, served the community, and were recognized for their efforts!”
Chapter awards won include being recognized for their College Project, a student club and organization fair. The entire chapter helped put together the project, which was primarily overseen by advisor Athena Hayes and chapter vice-president Noah Pettey. The chapter’s Honors in Action project, a “Folk-tober” celebration and collection of unique northeast Texas folktales, won its category (Theme 8: Fables, Folktales, and Fairytales) as well as being recognized as the best overall Honors in Action project in the state, regardless of theme. The entire chapter helped put together the “Folk-tober” events which included a performance by the Choctaw Tribal Dancers and Storytellers, a presentation by Linda Alford and Chuck Johns from the East Texas Rural Heritage and Ezekiel Airship Museum, and MK Hayes sharing stories that served as the research basis for his novels Son of the Mountain and The Two Fathers of Walter Red Blanket. MJ Hayes, who participated in the “Folk-tober” celebration as well as helping in past projects, received a Friend of Texas award for his ongoing contributions. Chapter research for the folktale project included chapter members having fun attending the Annual Texas Bigfoot Convention in Jefferson, Texas, paid for by a Mellon Foundation Grant. The chapter also received a Humanities Texas grant to put together a mini-documentary of the various folktales collected. Emily Hodson, chapter vice-president and owner of Clarity photography, is overseeing that undertaking with the assistance of award-winning film scholar Skylar Hodson, who also serves as a chapter vice-president.
In addition to being recognized as a five-star chapter for its efforts, the Alpha Mu Chi chapter was recognized as a “Top Chapter” for Phi Theta Kappa within the state of Texas.
The chapter also won the Outstanding Officer Team Award. A testament to their hard work and effective teamwork, the entire team received a plaque. Individual members of that team also receive medallions. The Outstanding Team members include Alison Majors (chapter president), Vanessajane Bayna (chapter vice-president), Mary-Faith Wilson (chapter secretary), Sarah Dierflinger (vice-president of leadership), Noah Pettey (vice-president of college project), Emily Hamlin (vice-president of honors in action), Skylar Hodson (vice-president of fellowship), Tristan Dierflinger (vice-president of recruitment), Lochlan Scott (vice-president of service), Gabin Desplats (sports liaison), Miriam Simmons (treasurer), and Monse Rivero-Sanchez (international officer).
Each chapter can nominate up to two officers for the outstanding officer award. This year, for the first time ever, both chapter nominees were inducted into the Texas Region Hall of Honor for Outstanding Officers: Skylar Hodson and Mary-Faith Wilson.
Each chapter can also nominate one member for the outstanding member award. In addition to the two officer nominees winning this year, the chapter member nominee also won: Sarah Hamlin. Sarah was inducted into the Texas Region Hall of Honor for Outstanding Members. This is the first time that all three individuals (two officers and one member) nominated by the chapter in a given year have been recognized at the state level.
The chapter also received the award for Outstanding Service Project. Under the guidance of advisor Dr. Svirska-Otero, chapter members volunteered as translators for the Winnsboro Fire Department Christmas Project. As a result of the efforts of translators, families in the area who would otherwise have not been helped, due to language barriers, received help and the joy of Christmas.
Dr. Maryna Svirska-Otero, who also serves as Professor of Spanish at the college, was inducted into the Texas Region Hall of Fame for Advisors.
Melody Mott, who has been a vital contributor and leader in several chapter undertakings for the past few years, currently serves as a College Liaison and has been instrumental in encouraging dual credit students to join and apply for scholarships. A former chapter officer herself, she was inducted into the Texas Region Hall of Fame for Alumni.
Dr. Melissa Fulgham received a Continued Excellence Award in recognition for her outstanding efforts in guiding and leading the chapter, overseeing and coordinating all the various projects and activities undertaken by the entire chapter, including the successful Mellon Foundation and Humanities Texas grant proposals.
is in District III of the Texas Region for Phi Theta Kappa. District III includes fifteen colleges, such as Texarkana College, Paris College, Kilgore College, Tyler Junior College, and others. Members who contribute significantly within their chapter and attend district meetings are eligible for the District III Hall of Honor, as long as they have not previously been inducted into the District Hall of Honor. Members inducted into the District III Hall of Honor at the 2025 Texas Regional Convention were Alison Majors, Vanessajane Bayna, Skylar Hodson, Noah Pettey, Sarah Dierflinger, Tristan Dierflinger, Emily Hamlin, Mary-Faith Wilson, Sarah Hamlin, and Kristian Anderson.
The chapter also successfully ran for the District III Vice-President position. Isabel Tresidder will be stepping into that position, representing the Texas Region at the upcoming international Phi Theta Kappa convention, known as Catalyst, to be held in Kansas City, Missouri April 3 – 6.
The chapter also won an unofficial award, given by the event photographer: “Best Hair Chapter.”
The three-day conference, held in the Houston Westin Galleria, March 6 – 8, included guest speakers Jay Oberndorf, Ben Hoyer, and Dr. Mari Ann Callais, fellowship opportunities such as games and a dance, a college fair, a speech competition, and more.
“The Texas Regional PTK Convention was, without a doubt, an inspiring and empowering event that we’ll cherish for years to come!” commented Dr. Maryna Svirska-Otero. “The Texas Regional PTK Convention was a remarkable experience for me as a new co-advisor! The opportunity to connect with familiar faces from other chapters and colleges, while forming new friendships, was abundant and truly enriching. For our chapter, this convention was especially memorable, as our students were honored with a record number of recognitions and awards.”
"I am so proud of our students and what they have accomplished. Being such a decorated chapter is reflective of how hardworking and determined our students really are. It is so fulfilling as a professor to assist with their projects,” noted Athena Hayes.
For more information about Alpha Mu Chi, ’s award-winning chapter, check out the chapter’s Facebook page at or email mfulgham@ntcc.edu or msvirskaotero@ntcc.edu or ahayes@ntcc.edu .
Founded in 1918, 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 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 220,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.
