OCTC's Jones Earns National Honor

Early College student that also attends Apollo High School

by Bernie Hale

Owensboro, KY (03/15/2021) — Kailee Jones, an Owensboro Community & Technical College (OCTC)-Early College student, who also attends Apollo High School, has been named as a 2021 Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar. Jones attends OCTC full-time and will graduate simultaneously, with her high school diploma and her Associate in Science degree.

Selection for this prestigious honor includes a $1,250 scholarship and was based on scores Jones earned in the All-USA Academic Team competition, for which more than 2,000 applications were received this year. Students are nominated for the All-USA Academic Team by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community service.

This program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and is administered by Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society, the international honor society for two-year colleges. Jones is a member of OCTC's Alpha Xi Gamma Chapter of PTK, the faculty advisor for the club is Dr. Tim Dick.

After graduating from OCTC with an Associate in Science degree, Jones plans to transfer to Kentucky Wesleyan College and work toward a pre-med major. Her long rang plans include optometry.

"I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and for the scholarship. The Early College program is giving me a jump start on my future. I'll transfer to KWC as a junior. The professors and advisors at OCTC made my experience wonderful" added Jones.

Dr. Scott Williams, OCTC President commented, "We are so proud of Kailee and happy to be able to recognize all her achievements. This is a great honor, and she is very deserving. Her work with PTK is outstanding."

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver, and 50 Bronze Scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion.

"The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges," said Jane Hale Hopkins, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. "We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa and make it possible for deserving students to achieve their educational goals."

Coca-Cola Academic Team members will be recognized in both local and statewide ceremonies and will also be recognized internationally during Phi Theta Kappa's annual convention, PTK Catalyst, to be held virtually April 8-10, 2021.

"We thank the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for recognizing these student leaders and for investing in their futures," said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. "Scholarships like these are integral to the success of these students in reaching their educational and career goals."

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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 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation's colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.

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