Former Miss American Samoa Lupe Kenape Aumavae, herself a PTK alumnus, provided the keynote speech for the occasion.  Ms Aumavae based her speech on a poem by world renown South African freedom champion Nelson Mandela titled “Powerful Beyond Measure,” an idea which also provided the theme for the evening’s ceremonies. Mandela originally read the poem in 1994 as part of a speech to a country struggling to overcome a legacy of apartheid (forced racial segregation), but as Ms. Aumavae explained, Mandela’s ideas about human potential could just as easily apply to individuals anywhere struggling to bring out the very best in themselves. To quote the first three lines: “Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate/ Our greatest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure/ It is our light not our darkness that frightens us.” At the conclusion of the poem, Mandela encourages his listeners to overcome their own apprehensions and shyness  with the thought, “As we are liberated from our own fear/ Our presence automatically liberates others.”

With these inspiring thoughts still fresh in the audience’s mind, the PTK officers announced this semester’s new members:

FALL 2006 INDUCTEES: Aileen A. Fa’afili, Henry Fa’alolo, Le’aniva Fanene, Crystal Ho Ching, Eti Lauatua’a, Alex A. Lin, Ningjin Miao, Annastasha Oloaga, Fiatagata Pulou, Tupou Sia, Delores Tautolo-Galea’i, Catherine Tautolo-Fa’agogo, Iliganoa Tuiolosega, Noelani Tuu, and Fialoa Elisara.

PRESENT MEMBERS: Fa’amoana Roe (President), Tammy Emmsley (Vice President), Herrieta Molesi (Secretary/Treasurer), Edna Maetaanoa (Representative),  Aoatoa Afuola, Jonathan Crichton, Rosita Esene, Deidre Estron, Radiant Fuimaono, Deidre Harrington, Eleanor Hisatake, Christopher Ibasco, Shinar Ieti, Selaima Larkin, Josephine Lees, Annie Ma’ae, Tuloto Mamea, David Matautia, Faiane  Miller, Annamalia Roche, and Foaga Sasagi.

Phi Theta Kappa recognizes and encourages excellence in scholarship among associate degree students.  The Greek words Phi Theta Kappa mean wisdom (Phi), aspiration (Theta) and purity (Kappa).  The society bases its programs on four Hallmarks: Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Fellowship.  The society provides more than $35 million worth of scholarships annually to students nationwide. Each member is automatically nominated for inclusion in the prestigious National Dean’s List, and is also enrolled in the PTK Transfer Database, which links senior institutions across the nation offering scholarships to PTK members. 

Every semester, PTK advisors Jim Sutherland, Tafaimamao Mamea and Penelope Utu review the ASCC Dean’s List and other relevant data to determine which students qualify for the membership in the Society.  Candidates must have taken at least 12 credits, passed their English 150, English 151 and Math 90 classes, and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher.  Qualifying students receive an invitation to join PTK, and most of those invited readily accept the offer.

For more information about the nationwide activities of Phi Theta Kappa, visit their website at: www.ptk.org.

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