spacer High School Students Embrace Foreign Languages at PC

Approximately 200 high school students throughout the Valley will reveal their foreign language skills during the 21st Annual High School Foreign Language Competition on Saturday, April 10, 2010 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Phoenix College, 1202 W. Thomas Rd.

Since 1989, the Phoenix College Language Department has hosted the High School Foreign Language Competition as a community outreach activity that allows students to compete in prose recitals, poetry readings and skit presentations in Spanish, French and Navajo. In addition, prior to the event, students will submit short stories and original video commercials to be judged in advance. Winners in all categories are announced at the event.

“Knowing how to speak a second language is beneficial, and these students are gaining a marketable skill,” said Phoenix College Foreign Language Department Chair and Spanish Instructor Delia Escalante. “Not only do they know a second language, but they have also improved their understanding of other people and cultures—language and culture go hand-in-hand.”

This event is free, and the community is invited to join Valley high school students as they celebrate foreign languages through script, poetry and literature at the 20th Annual Foreign Language Competition.

“The competition brings the best out of these students, and they bring enthusiasm and energy with them,” said Escalante. “They have worked hard to get here and are eager to showcase their second language proficiency and skill.”

For more information, contact the Phoenix College Foreign Language Department at (602) 285-7170.

Phoenix College Phi Theta Kappa Announces Its Newest Members

The Rho Pi Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society at Phoenix College held its Induction Ceremony Wednesday, March 31, 2010 to announce its newest members and officers for the Spring 2010 semester. With inspiring thoughts from Phoenix College President Dr. Anna Solley, college administrators and Phi Theta Kappa advisors, family and friends celebrated an intimate ceremony to induct 55new members into the prestigious International Honor Society for two-year colleges.

Spring 2010 Inductees:
Bianca Aispuro Perez
Nathan Anderson
Sasha Ariane Arambula
Cindy Arias
James A. Boeye Sr.
Roxann Cardenas
Valerie Carrasco
Jacinda M. Chapa
Heath Church
Francis Edith Corral
Richard-Patrick Daniel Cromwell
Tenille Cutler
LeAndria DeBrum
Autumn M. DeLao
Brandi Donahou
Kristin Marie Epperson
Daniel A. Estrada
Erika Fehr
Stacey Fisk
Heather Floch
Julie Ann Foster-Burt-Holmen
Desiree Marie Frausto
Michael R. Fresenius
Jose Armando Garcia Jr.
Enedina Gaxiola
Gary Gilbert
Christina Grafakos
Myranda Michelle-Marie Harrison
Daniel Jensen
Tracy Renee Judkins
Angela Celes Kabasan
Sandra Laizola
Rosemary Lake
Leslie Landa
Yvonne Lewis
Kelly Loehnis
Sandy Mackinder
Debra Mata
Laura Mercado
Patrice E. Nipape
Sherylyn Rasmussen
Tiffany Marie Rosenblatt
Joaquin Santecchia
Kimberly Swanson
Jennifer Tantoco
Jahzeel Maria Tapia-Ortiz
Michael Christian Track
Gricelda Vazquez
Cinthya Villegas
James Widboom
Michael Williams
Annette R. Williamson
Staci Wilson
Angela Woodward
Jacob H. Zeibig

Fall 2009-2010 Officers:
President, Jonathan Bruce
Vice President of Scholarship, Jeremy Stegall
Vice President of Service, Loren Brock
Vice President of Fellowship, Marie Monroe
Public Relations Officer, Sarah Albinda
Treasureer, Jacob Clark

Co-Advisors:
Eileen Archibald
Diana Mitchell
Micaela Rios

About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa recognizes and encourages excellence in scholarship among two-year community college students. The Greek words Phi Theta Kappa mean wisdom (Phi), aspiration (Theta) and purity (Kappa). The Society provides opportunity for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars, and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence.

Those interested in becoming Phi Theta Kappa members at Phoenix College must have taken at least 12 credits and obtain a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or higher.

For more information about Phoenix College Phi Theta Kappa, Rho Pi Chapter, visit www.phoenixcollege.edu/ptk. For more information about Phi Theta Kappa scholarships and nationwide activities, visit www.ptk.org.

Writers' Conference to Feature Les Edgerton

What:
The Maricopa Community Colleges Creative Writing Programs are proud to present the Microburst 2010 writers’ conference on April 17, 2010. Hosted by Phoenix College, this year’s event is designed to give participants the tools to create riveting stories and scripts.

Microburst 2010 will feature Les Edgerton, author of screenplays, fiction, and books on writing. Edgerton will demonstrate how analyzing film structure can enhance the fiction writer’s work. Participants will be taken through a step-by-step analysis of Callie Khouri’s award-winning screenplay for Thelma & Louise as they watch the movie.

When:
Saturday, April 17, 2010
9:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

Where:
Phoenix College – Dome Conference Room
1202 W. Thomas Rd.

Admission:
$20.00

Registration:
Call (602) 285-7347 to register

PC's Innovative Digital Schedule eZine Receives National Recognition

Phoenix College received two National Paragon Awards.  One for the Digital Schedule e-Zine and one for the 2009 College Report to the Community. Award winning entries were recognized for their creativity, originality and unique approach to problem solving. Entries from 260 two-year colleges were judged by panels composed of nearly 80 professionals in their respective fields, including marketing personnel from four-year universities and advertising agencies.

The gold award-winning Schedule e-Zine, a digital magazine, was designed as an interactive and cost-effective supplement to the Maricopa Community College District ( MCCD ) online schedule. The Schedule e-Zine provides students with enhanced search features, interactive content, and a practical approach to flip through classes offered at Phoenix College.

The e-Zine is readable on most mobile devices, allowing students to browse for classes while riding the Light Rail or chatting at a coffee shop. The e-Zine also gives students a live news feed from the PC news blog, and lets them connect directly to college Facebook Pages and other social networks

“The e-Zine experience is more interactive and involved than the traditional printed schedule,” said Director of Institutional Advancement Eileen Archibald. “The use of interactive content allows us to provide more information to students, giving them a real sense of experiencing the college—venues our students are looking for.

The schedule e-Zine also served as a cost-saving approach toward implementing green initiatives into the college’s marketing plan and was named 2010 Phoenix College Innovation of the Year.

The bronze award-winning 2008-2009 College Annual Report highlighted Phoenix College’s operations and achievements. The marketing department approached the design and content using attractive vibrant colors and images that captured the college’s culture, tradition, values and mission.

We were extremely excited to receive a Paragon award for one of our most collaborative efforts,” said Archibald. “Each person on the marketing and public relations team shared their unique talents in the creation of both submissions.