Meramec PTK Chapter Captures Regional, International Honors

Xi Lambda, the Phi Theta Kappa chapter at St. Louis Community College-Meramec, earned several awards at the recent Missouri PTK Regional Convention.

The chapter received Five Star Status. Member Lily Polley finished second in the extemporaneous speech competition. Chapter adviser Emily Neal, Ph.D., received the Horizon Award, presented to the region’s outstanding advisers.

Polley will graduate in May with an associate degree and will attend Metropolitan State University of Denver in the fall. She added a first-place finish at the 2019 Catalyst Scholar Bowl during the PTK International Convention.

“Something I've learned through my capstone project and in other moments is that a passion does not always make the best profession,” she said. “Chef Jeff Henderson addressed this in his speech at Catalyst 2019. He noted that what we might care deeply about and be passionate for may not be where our talent lies when it comes to a career.”

Additionally, two Meramec students were named to the All-Missouri Academic Teams. Alexandra Medler was named to the all-Missouri Academic Second Team. Colleen Messerly was named to the third team.

Medler is the vice president of the Student Governance Council at Meramec, vice president of Film and Photography Enthusiasts, communications officer of Student Honors Council, and a member of International Club. She will graduate in May as an Honors Program Scholar with an associate degree in general transfer studies. In the fall, Medler plans to enter a degree path that combines her interests in international relations, media and film, and philosophy. In the future, she hopes to use her skills to fight for humans rights around the world.

Messerly will graduate in May with an associate in arts degree. She will transfer to the University of Kentucky or the University of Missouri-Kansas City to complete pre-pharmaceutical studies and will start a PharmD program in fall 2020. Messerly is involved as the Honors Program Intern, the president of Student Honors Council, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and is a student worker in the accounting and legal studies department.