Beta Theta Omicron (BOO) officers made a presentation to the Board of Trustees at the October 22 meeting. Everyone present commented on the professionalism of the officers and the quality of their presentation. Involvement in Phi Theta Kappa encourages members to grow as scholars and servant-leaders. The officers highlighted accomplishments since the chapter was chartered in 1999 and reported on their current projects. The Skyline College BOO chapter has earned five-star status, the highest ranking awarded by Phi Theta Kappa, every year. This ranking required that Chapter officers submit written reports on their Honors in Action and College Projects.
The written reports are judged, and scores are ranked against the 1400 other chapters. Beta Theta Omicron is currently the highest ranked chapter in the Nevada/California Region and one of the 10 distinguished chapters in the world. BOO members have won nearly one million dollars in scholarships, and every year, two chapter members have earned the All-California Academic team scholarship.
The Honors in Action project must address a question in the annual Honors Study Topic, which involves academic research and a service project. The Chapter’s 2014 winning Honors in Action project involved doing original scientific research on Cape Ivy, an invasive plant on the Skyline College campus. Members investigated both the effects and the biology of this plant – information that is not available in the literature. Members and non-members from a variety of majors were involved in mapping, field collecting, and laboratory research.
For the service component of the current Honors Study Topic, members are teaching senior citizens how to use their laptops, tablets, and smartphones. The current College Project is teaching science laboratories at local middle schools.
Since 2003, USA Today has sponsored a Case Study Challenge on the Honors Study Topic. Chapter members develop the essay, study questions and future implications to address an issue within the Honors Study Topic. Beta Theta Omicron has won the Case Study Challenge eight times.
Shown in the photo, from left: Christian Galang, Livius D, Jaimelynn Alvarez, Susan Wu, Aulani Saizon, Regina Stanback Stroud, Christine Case
Article by Christine Case | Photo by Sarah Perkins
