RCSJ Students Named Coca-Cola Leaders Of Promise Scholars

Deptford Township – For two Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) students—Candice Giunta of Williamstown and Paige Starr of Franklinville—being awarded the 2019 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship is the “real thing” when it comes to acknowledging that the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) officers are thinking globally and acting locally as community leaders.

Giunta and Starrserve as chapter president and executive vice president, respectively, ofRCSJ’s Alpha Psi Phi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, a premier honor societyrecognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-grantingcolleges. Funded by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, nearly 900 applicationswere received, with 207 students selected based on scholastic achievement,community service and leadership potential. Giunta and Starr each received a$1,000 scholarship to aid with college expenses.

“My experience in PTKhas taught me a great amount. I have learned to work with various people, aswell as become more than just a member of the team; I have learned to lead,”said Giunta, a wife and mother of three who juggles being involved in her church,mentoring individuals recovering from drug dependency and participating in PTKand other community activities, all while maintaining a 3.88 grade pointaverage (GPA). “This experience has brought me an abundance of newly foundskills within myself such as soft skills, public speaking and time management.The road has not been easy for me, but it has taught me so much in such a shortperiod of time and has molded me into a better version of myself in which Icannot be more proud.”

Starr, therecipient of four RCSJ scholarships, echoes Giunta’s sentiments, finding thechallenges of being a leader an experience that is well worth the effort. With a4.0 GPA and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Elementary and SpecialEducation at Rowan University, Starr is motivated by the opportunity to bringabout positive change as a leader and as a teacher.

“To be seen as aleader from such an established platform gives me a sense of pride I never knewI could feel for myself,” admitted Starr. “Within this past year specifically,I have worked harder than ever before in my classes to not only be successfulon paper, but to also have complete understanding of the content I am receiving,to be able to be the best possible teacher I can be at the end of my colligatejourney. Receiving this award means that all of my hard work has beenrecognized, and that I have yet again been challenged to continue to be aleader both academically and socially.”

“I am very proudof both students for being awarded this scholarship opportunity. Candiceand Paige demonstrate great leadership ability and possess the determination,passion and commitment necessary to achieve any goal they desire,” said PhiTheta Kappa Advisor Shawn Rutter. “The Alpha Psi Pi chapter and the Collegecommend them both for their academic excellence as members of Phi Theta Kappaand recipients of this scholarship.”

“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long historyof providing financial assistance to outstanding students at communitycolleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, president of the Coca-Cola ScholarsFoundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa, make it possible formore deserving students to achieve their educational goals, and supporttomorrow’s leaders of the global community.”

“It is mypassion to see others succeed and grow and help my community in any andeveryway possible. PTK has taught me to ‘think globally and act locally’ andthat’s exactly how I plan to change the world one step at a time,” said Giunta.

“As a future educator, I recognize the importance ofbeing a leader and that everyone has the opportunity to be a leader, sometimesthey just need someone to believe in them enough,” added Starr.

PTK, aninternational honor society for two-year colleges that also includes associatedegree-granting programs offered by four-year colleges, celebrated its 100thanniversary in 2018 and is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly1,300 chapters in 11 nations.

For moreinformation about Rowan College of South Jersey’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society,visit RCSJ.edu/PTK.