Polk State’s PTK Xi Pi Chapter named top in Florida and 3rd in world, brings home 15 awards

Polk State College’s Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society chapters took home a slew of recognitions at this year’s international conference, including the Xi Pi Chapter being named the top in Florida, third in world, and bringing home 15 awards.

The Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Catalyst Convention was held in April at Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando. Over four days, the Polk State Xi Pi and Beta Upsilon Upsilon chapters had the opportunity to celebrate their successes and network with other chapters from across the world.

“The connection we felt with the other chapters was great,” said Madison DeSoto, President of Polk State’s Xi Pi Chapter. “It was great to see everyone there. It’s cool getting to meet so many new people.”

Both Xi Pi and Beta Upsilon Upsilon were recognized as Five-Star Chapters – the highest possible. Xi Pi’s 15 total regional and international awards included the Most Distinguished Chapter Award, making it the top chapter in the Florida Region for the sixth time in eight years.

“Even bigger than the award itself was the collective scream you heard from our chapter when we won,” said Rebecca Pace, Xi Pi Vice President of Scholarship. “To see our name on the screen was amazing.”

The chapter also won a position on the 2024-25 Regional Officer Team for Regional Scholarship Chapter. Xi Pi won the regional and international award for Distinguished Officer, Officer Team, and Distinguished Chapter. Internationally, it ranked third in the world, marking the fourth appearance in the top 10 over the last eight years.

“I think it shocked us,” said Cole Johnson, Xi Pi Vice President of Leadership. “We figured we would do well, but we thought this was more of a build-up year. Doing well is an incentive to get first next year.”

The Florida Region, which contains both Polk State’s Xi Pi and Beta Upsilon Upsilon chapters was recognized with the Regional Award of Excellence for Service, Regional Award of Excellence for Transfer Readiness, and Distinguished Regional Officer and Officer Team, which included DeSoto, the Xi Pi Chapter President, and Beta Upsilon Upsilon’s Chapter President Hannah Honaker.

“The most rewarding thing (about PTK) is the community,” Pace, 20, noted. “We were up late working on the writing part for the awards. It made all the hard work not seem like work.”

Several Xi Pi members were recognized individually, including DeSoto, who won the regional and international awards for Distinguished Officer as well as the Florida Region Art Award. Isaias Santiago won the regional award as Distinguished Member while Eduardo Vergara Munoz was recognized internationally as the Distinguished Regional Officer.

Professor Anthony Cornett, Xi Pi Chapter Advisor and Florida’s Associate Regional Coordinator, won his fifth regional and international award for Continued Excellence in Advising.

“Seeing how we can branch out even past the College really stood out,” Johnson, 20, said. “I found out I’m not limited to events just at Polk State. That was awesome.”

Founded in 1918, PTK encompasses more than 1,300 worldwide chapters today. To qualify for PTK, students must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.5 and have completed 12 credit hours toward an associate or bachelor’s degree.

“When you get to know everyone in your chapter, you become a family,” DeSoto, 20, said. “I would recommend PTK to anyone with the GPA and drive. What you put into this is what you get out. I’ve grown so much. It’s a fantastic opportunity to go the extra mile.”

Polk State has PTK chapters based on each of its two campuses. Beta Upsilon Upsilon is Polk State’s Lakeland-based chapter and advised by Professor Penny Morris. Xi Pi is based on Polk State’s Winter Haven Campus and advised by Cornett.

“I was looking for a club during club rush and started talking to Professor Cornett,” Johnson noted. “I liked him and wanted to be part of it. I don’t know if my experience in PTK would have been the same without him. I love PTK for the bond we have that you don’t just find anywhere else.”

DeSoto was originally slated to graduate with her Associate in Arts last year, but said returning to Polk State and Xi Pi was something of a blessing in disguise. After graduating last week, she is headed to the University of Central Florida to study anthropology.

“I decided to step up more with PTK and ended up being chapter president,” she explained. “Getting together a new team was an adventure because I was one of the only ones left (from last year). Winning the way we did was just amazing. It really was a group effort. Scholarships are a big part of PTK, but the connections you make is one of the biggest benefits.”