PTK

Two HCC student leaders receive PTK scholarships

Hagerstown Community College students Haley Himes, of Keedysville, and Brynn Lietuvnikas, of Clear Spring, each received a scholarship through their involvement with Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for associate degree-granting colleges. Both are officers of the Pi Theta Chapter of PTK at Hagerstown Community College.

Himes, an early education major, will receive the 2024 Hites Transfer Scholarship, with $7,500 toward her baccalaureate studies. The Hites Transfer Scholarship is the largest PTK awards to its members. Himes was selected as one of 10 awardees from 3,000 applicants nationwide. She plans to attend Frostburg State University to complete a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and elementary education, with the ultimate goal to complete a doctorate and teach in Washington County.

“This scholarship will almost completely cover a semester and because of this, I will have saved and earned enough scholarship money to have my bachelor's degree completely paid for without needing loans,” Himes said. “To be able to have this gift, it's truly incredible."

Lietuvnikas, an arts and sciences major, has been named a 2024 Coca-Cola Academic Team Bronze Scholar, through a partnership with PTK. She will receive a $1,000 scholarship to further her studies when she transfers to Hood College to pursue a nursing degree, with the ultimate goal to become a nurse practitioner.

“I am so thankful for this scholarship and for all the other opportunities PTK has given me!” Lietuvnikas said. “Nursing degrees can be expensive, and this scholarship will be incredibly helpful towards my lofty goal of coming away from my education debt-free.”

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at www.ptk.org.

(March 18, 2024)