Each semester, eligible WCC students are invited to join the international honor society if they have at least a 3.5 grade point average in the required number of semester hours for degree, diploma, and certificate programs. Members must commit themselves to scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship to guide their academic journey.
Phi Theta Kappa provides inductees with lifelong membership and benefits such as scholarship opportunities, professional development courses, and discounts with partnering companies.
Eric Trinidad was the ceremony’s guest speaker. Trinidad is the co-owner of Kidnetix NC, an indoor playground in Goldsboro, and he spoke to WCC’s Phi Theta Kappa inductees about his leadership journey.
Trinidad shared about the struggles and adversity he faced in his childhood and how he eventually learned to grow from them. “One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that leaders are not always people who have had the easiest path,” he said. “Often, leaders are the people who had to fight the hardest to create a better future for themselves.”
Trinidad encouraged the inductees to be resilient and persevere through life’s challenges to become stronger leaders. “The struggles we go through can either hold us back, or they can prepare us to help others who face similar challenges,” he said. “True leadership is not about standing above others; it’s about walking alongside people.”
Certain elements of the honor society were highlighted during the ceremony, like the torch of knowledge, the rose of blossoming intellect, and the symbols on the Phi Theta Kappa key.
The inductees and their programs, listed by city of residence, are:
Angier
Kelly Barajas Sanchez, Accounting and Finance
Cary
Athanasios Pournaras, Accounting and Finance
Clayton
Timothy Dillon, Aviation Systems Technology
Ashlyn Parker, Associate in Science
Dudley
Vanessa Morales-Sanchez, Emergency Management
Fremont
Morgan Bruton, Associate in Science
Goldsboro
Kathy Ann Alvarado, Early Childhood Education Career Track
Charity Anderson, Mechatronics Engineering Technology
Annick Arose, Associate in Arts
Janis Batts, Social and Human Services
Jada Brown, Medical Office Administration
Tyian Butler, Mechanical Engineering Technology
Alan De Leon Najera, Associate in Science
Hannah Dubois, Business Administration
Kaylee Ekberg, Associate in Arts
Jennifer Gallo, Criminal Justice Technology/Forensic Science
Xander Garrou, Associate in Arts
China Hall, Automotive Systems Technology (GM-ASEP)
Dana Head, Social and Human Services
Jerrica Hinson, Associate in General Education – Nursing
Saige Leggette, Industrial Systems Technology
Mya Mason, Associate in Science
Isabella Munday, Associate in Arts
Peyton Mursch, Associate in Science
Jasmine Paez Deleon, Associate in Arts
Amarillis Panagiotou, Associate in Arts
Hashida Prince, Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology
Stephen Richard, Associate in Science
Chiquita Rodgers, Risk Management and Insurance
Hagen Rogers, Welding Technology
Jasmine Rogers, Cybersecurity
Dynasty Smith, Business Administration
Chloe Sullivan, Associate in Arts
Abigail Thompson, Early Childhood Education Licensure Transfer Track
Carlee Waddell, Associate in Arts
Evelyn Wall, Associate in Arts
Shepard Whitfield, Automotive Systems Technology (ATEP)
Mylee Wiggs, Associate in Arts
Alexander Williford, Forest Management Technology
Gabrielle Young, Associate in General Education – Nursing
Sheylin Zunun Santos, Associate in Arts
Kenly
Arianna Schutten, Associate in Arts
Crystal Williams, Emergency Management
Kinston
Diamond Simmons, Associate in Science
La Grange
Elizabeth Currie, Office Management
Allison Piner, Medical Office Administration
Pikeville
Cora Crawford, Associate in Arts
Olivia Lancaster, Associate in Science
Kimberly Royal, Business Administration
Andres Sagastume, Accounting and Finance
Pink Hill
Harmony Rizor, Automotive Systems Technology (ATEP)
Seven Springs
Selina Perez Giron, Criminal Justice Technology
Wake Forest
Nicole Olivier, Forest Management Technology
Wilson
Beverly Whitley, Office Management
