GCCC’s Phi Theta Kappa Earns Multiple Awards at Heartland Regional Convention
[Garden City, KS] April 1, 2026 -- Garden City Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society celebrated a successful showing at the Heartland Regional Convention held February 19–21, 2026. The Heartland Region includes PTK chapters from Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri, and the convention recognizes chapters and members for outstanding service, innovative projects, and artistic achievement.
GCCC’s PTK chapter earned top honors in several categories:
- Heartland Region Phi Theta Kappa Service Award – 1st Place
- The award recognizes exceptional service projects carried out by chapters benefiting both the college and the community. GCCC’s PTK chapter received 1st place for its impactful service initiatives over the past year.
- Heartland Region Phi Theta Kappa Great Idea Award – 2nd Place
- This award honors creative and successfully implemented new ideas for events, projects, or promotions. GCCC’s PTK chapter placed 2nd for its innovative chapter activities.
In addition to chapter awards, individual PTK members were recognized for their artistic achievements through the Achievement in the Arts Awards:
Photography
- Emily Dryden – 1st Place
- Paslie Werth – 3rd Place
- Emily Shelton – 4th Place
Painting/Drawing
- Paslie Werth – 3rd Place
Sculpture/Ceramics
- Paslie Werth – 4th Place
Polymaterial
- Paslie Werth – 1st Place
- Alexa Escobedo – 3rd Place
“These awards highlight the dedication, creativity, and service-oriented spirit of our PTK students,” said Winsom Lamb, GCCC PTK Sponsor. “We are proud of the chapter’s continued excellence and the outstanding achievements of our individual members.”
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is the national honor society of the two-year college. Students must have at least a 3.5 GPA or better to be accepted to the organization. The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa is the promotion of scholarship, the development of leadership and service, and the cultivation of fellowship among qualified students. For more information about Phi Theta Kappa, visit www.ptk.org.
For more information, contact GCCC PTK sponsors Winsom Lamb at winsom.lamb@gcccks.edu or Jaime McVey at jaime.mcvey@gcccks.edu.
Left to right: GCCC PTK Students Macie Knoll, Paslie Werth, Alexa Escobedo, Emily Shelton, and Emily Dryden.
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Garden City Community College exists to produce positive contributors to the economic and social well-being of society.
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