Phi Theta Kappa nominates Jones, Kellerman for All-USA

INA, Ill. (Dec. 10, 2015) - Two Rend Lake College sophomores have been selected as the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-USA nominees for Rend Lake College’s Rho Xi chapter this year.

Katie Jones of Thompsonville and Jaqueline Kellerman of Oakdale will attend a banquet on April 19 at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield where PTK officials will announce which All-Illinois finalists have been selected for the PTK All-USA Community College Academic Team.

Jones, who doubles as an outfielder on the RLC Softball team, said she is excited to be nominated and is looking forward to attending the banquet in April. The Southern Illinois native highlighted her involvement with USSA (United Special Sportsman Alliance) as her favorite way to give back to her community.

“I’m involved with the USSA, which is an organization that takes disabled and critical kids hunting or to do outdoor sporting events,” said Jones. “I’ve been involved with them for about five years. My brother had cancer and had a lot of fun with the USSA. There’s a fishing event at the [Rend Lake] Resort and a hunting event every year in Harrisburg that I attend.”

Kellerman said her volunteer work aligned closely with her church, St. Mary Magdalen, located just north of Pinckneyville in Todds Mill. There, she regularly volunteers with fundraisers and other church functions. She too expressed interest in attending the banquet next spring.

Every year, two outstanding PTK students from RLC are selected for the nomination, based on a number of factors, which can include participation in PTK and other on-campus activities, grade point average, volunteerism, leadership qualities, and much more.

Jena Jensik, Director of Academic Advisement and PTK Advisor, said both Jones and Kellerman exemplify what it means to be involved with Phi Theta Kappa and serve both the RLC community and their local communities.

“Both Katie and Jaqueline are great examples of high-caliber students and true Warriors. Before officially becoming Rend Lake College students, they both participated in the dual credit program with their local high schools, and at this time, both have received all As during their time on campus,” said Jensik.

She added, “The application process to be nominated for All-USA is strenuous, and requires assessments of their academics, leadership abilities, community and student involvement, and much more. Both of these high achieving students completed all the necessary steps and were chosen to represent the college. I look forward to hearing about their future success.”

Students from across the country will be selected for membership on the PTK All-USA Community College Academic Team. Each selectee receives a $2,500 stipend and medallion as recognition as an outstanding two-year college student.

PTK Honor Society serves to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and provide opportunities for individual growth and development through honors, leadership and service programming, according to its website. It is estimated that 150,000 students participate in PTK programs each year.