Reigning Miss American Samoa Anneliese Sword (center) celebrates with her twin cousins Lottie (left) and Anneliese (right) Haleck following the spring 2015 ASCC PTK induction ceremony in late February. Lottie is a new member of the prestigious honor society, for which her sister Anneliese currently serves as president. Both Annelieses are named after Miss Sword's grandmother and the Haleck twins' great aunt, the late Anneliese Haleck Sword. (Photo: J. Kneubuhl)
ASCC PTK advisors Kuki Tuiasosopo and Toa'iva Fiame-Tago (center) relax with new and existing PTK members following the prestigious honor society's spring 2015 induction ceremony in late February. 13 of the "best and brightest" ASCC students were inducted into the PTK this semester. (Photo: J. Kneubuhl)
13 ASCC students take the oath of allegiance into the PTK honor society during its spring 2015 induction ceremony in late February. Membership in the prestigious honor society provides both academic support for its members, as well as access to many scholarship opportunities. (Photo: J. Kneubuhl)
Reigning Miss American Samoa Anneliese Sword (center) celebrates with her twin cousins Lottie (left) and Anneliese (right) Haleck following the spring 2015 ASCC PTK induction ceremony in late February. Lottie is a new member of the prestigious honor society, for which her sister Anneliese currently serves as president. Both Annelieses are named after Miss Sword's grandmother and the Haleck twins' great aunt, the late Anneliese Haleck Sword. (Photo: J. Kneubuhl)
Reigning Miss American Samoa Anneliese Sword (center) celebrates with her twin cousins Lottie (left) and Anneliese (right) Haleck following the spring 2015 ASCC PTK induction ceremony in late February. Lottie is a new member of the prestigious honor society, for which her sister Anneliese currently serves as president. Both Annelieses are named after Miss Sword's grandmother and the Haleck twins' great aunt, the late Anneliese Haleck Sword. (Photo: J. Kneubuhl)
ASCC Phi Theta Kappa Inducts New Members for Spring 2015
March 6, 2015
By James Kneubuhl, ASCC Press Officer
The Alpha Epsilon Mu Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) held its spring 2015 induction ceremony on Friday, February 27th, to welcome its new members for this semester. Family and friends of the new and current PTK members joined ASCC administrators and faculty for an intimate ceremony in the College’s lecture hall to induct 13 of the College’s “best and brightest” into the prestigious Honor Society.
With “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page,” as the evening’s theme, the keynote speaker, reigning Miss American Samoa Anneliese Sword further explored the aligned concepts of reading and travel by suggesting how the literary elements of a good story (plot, character, setting, conflict and resolution) can serve as pathways to our own increased self-knowledge and positive resolutions. Miss Sword, a former Miss ASCC and now a faculty member at South Pacific Academy, also shared with the audience that part of her platform as Miss American Samoa is to promote increased literacy. Following Miss Sword’s speech, the 13 inductees took the oath to uphold the values of the PTK, and performed the ceremonial lighting of candles representing the mythical Greek “flame of knowledge”.
Phi Theta Kappa recognizes and encourages excellence in scholarship among associate degree students. The Greek words Phi Theta Kappa mean wisdom (Phi), aspiration (Theta) and purity (Kappa). The society bases its programs on its four hallmarks: scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship. The society provides more than $35 million worth of scholarships annually to students nationwide. Each member is automatically nominated for inclusion in the prestigious National Dean’s List, and is also enrolled in the PTK Transfer Database, which links senior institutions across the nation offering scholarships to PTK members.
Every semester, PTK advisors Toa’iva Fiame-Tago and Kuki Tuiasosopo, along with honorary advisor Evelyn V. Fruean, review the ASCC Dean’s List and other relevant data to determine which students qualify for the membership in the Society. Candidates must have taken at least 12 credits, passed their English 150, English 151 and Math 90 classes, and have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Qualifying students receive an invitation to join PTK, and most of those invited readily accept the offer.
This semester’s inductees into the PTK are Auauna Teoni, Barry B. Patane, Christopher A. Hadley, Eleni Dororthy Fanene, Ellen Amber Ropeti, Emily Johnson, Gavin Seumalo, Ilena Georgia Williams, Josephine Yandall, Kimberly Iosefo, Lottie S. Haleck, Maria Seumalo and Miracle Ma’ae.
Incumbent members are Anneliese Haleck (President), Mau Brown Jr. (Vice President), Fa’ala’a Launia (Secretary), Fred Thomas Jr. (Treasurer), Bernadine Ott (Secretary), Jane Lang, Jilliane Clemens, Jeremiah Fale, Poutasi Seiuli, Easther Kim, Arona To'alepai. Zachary Faulkner, Qwendolyn Jeeyeon Choe, Carl Peretania, Tristan Taumua, Tamianna Vollrath, Tamarinna Vollrath, Sefilina Skelton, Adolf Petaia, Chastity Tuiolosega, Anthony Tuiolosega, Anna Sewell, Grace Taumotoi, Siuila Uele, Gilbert Fiaui, and Malaea McFall. For more information about the nationwide activities of Phi Theta Kappa, visit their website at: www.ptk.org.