Four Students Named Leaders of Promise

Four Walters State students have been named Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise. From left are Dr. Lisa Eccles, professor of biology and PTK advisor at the college; Gerardo Castillo-Ruiz; Payton Jett; Ay-La Boschee; Margaret Henderson; and Dr. Brock Fisher, vice president for academic affairs at Walters State.

Four Students Named Leaders of Promise

In a first for Walters State, four sophomores have been named Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholars.

Honorees are Gerardo Castillo-Ruiz, a pre-engineering major from Greeneville; Payton Jett, a chemistry major from Sevierville; Ay-La Boschee, a psychology major form Greeneville; and Margaret Henderson, a pre-nursing major from Morristown. These students are among 200 nationwide chosen for the honor from 1,500 applicants.

“Walters State is always proud to have a student be named a Coca-Cola Leader of Promise as it is one of the highest honors given to community college students,” said Dr. Tony Miksa, president of Walters State. “We have never had four students named to the list in a single year. I commend Gerardo, Payton, Ay-La and Margaret on their achievements.”

The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Program is sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, the international honors society for community students. Students are selected based on scholastic achievement, community service and leadership potential. Each receives a $1,000 scholarship provided by the Coca-Cola Foundation. The funds are provided by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.  This award is designed to help new members defray educational expenses while enrolled in associate degree programs. 

“The Leaders of Promise Scholarships recognize students for what they have achieved already and assure that financial need isn’t an obstacle to achieving their academic goals,” said Dr. Monica Marlowe, executive director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation.