Brandon, Fla. – Soda can in hand, vibrant blue “PTK” shirt on, and bright smile in place, Ebonee Carpenter, the executive vice president of the Phi Theta Kappa Alpha Lambda Alpha (Brandon campus) chapter, volunteer at the Science Olympiad on Feb. 1, at the HCC Brandon Campus.

  Carpenter and other officers and members from the club were there to lend a helping hand to the many participants of the event. As busy as it was, she insisted taking half an hour from her schedule to answer a few questions about the club would not be a problem. “Anything to spread the word about the club!” Carpenter said.

  According to the official club website, PTK was officially founded in 1918. The purpose behind the club is to present students of two-year colleges with scholarship, community service and college admittance opportunities. Members build on their leadership and service skills through these activities.

  Having previously been president of the Alpha Lambda Alpha chapter, Carpenter is an amazing source of information for any student eager to join the PTK ranks. She explains the club is an honor society among community colleges, and invitation to join requires a 3.5 GPA. However, any student that might not yet be at that goal but shows great leadership potential and exceptional community service skills are welcome to apply. In fact, leadership is one of the many important qualities Carpenter emphasizes in her members and officers.

  Many ask, how is the Alpha Lambda Alpha chapter different from the others? Carpenter prides her club on their strong participation skills. She says, “We are very much into the community, and one of the things we’re trying to do now is bridge that gap between other chapters so that we’re all on the same playing fields, so that we’re all representing the college the same way.” Some of the ways PTK involves itself with other clubs and campuses is by partnering with the Student Government Association.

  Working with SGA has aided the club in funding by creating events and working together on them. Anything from welcome back bashes to selling candy, PTK pairing up with SGA has not only expanded the club exponentially, but strengthened the relationships between members as a whole. Working together, these club members gain respect and friendship with each other.

  PTK offers a program for members called Competitive Edge (a five star online workshop) which allows members to come together for a period of time and work on activities focused on building leadership skills. “I think the workshops are great because it puts a lot of people together that may not be able to do it on their own,” Carpenter says. Working together and developing a sense of fellowship and friendship is something all of the PTK officers strive for in their club. Carpenter is a strong supporter of the five star workshop and notes, “We’ve found that when you do things as a group, you have that sense of fellowship.”

  To top it off, PTK has access to many scholarships and financial resources for all of its members. That is one of the things the club is most known for providing. Along with Competitive Edge, members also gain access to Collegefish.org, a site where students create profiles and are matched to schools and scholarships that are best matched for their needs. This way, students are able to transfer to four-year universities with ease.

  PTK is a club that hosts all sorts of personalities and people. For example, Carpenter describes herself as clumsy, goofy and always in heels. “I feel like I’m a genuine person,” she says. “I generally just kind of care about people and I want to be able to encourage and empower and motivate people.” Whether you are extremely shy or bubbly and outgoing, PTK is a beneficial club for you. Carpenter and her team of officers prove it.

  “I think this is great that we have the opportunity to highlight such a great organization, and such a great club that’s doing so much for the school,” Carpenter said.

  For more information, visit the official PTK website: www.ptk.org.