What happens when hundreds of student leaders from across Texas come together for three days of learning, networking, and a friendly competition? You get the Texas Honors Institute. From July 11 through 13, members from Phi Theta Kappa Texas Chapters gathered at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin to hear from expert speakers, participate in hands-on workshops, and leave with the kind of inspiration that sticks with you long after you head home.

A team of Riverbats represented Austin Community College District (ACC) at the event this year, including current students Lorali Bookout, Apollo Fisher, Ronald Ngamby, Asmaa Kajjaj, Tiffany Yap, Alexis Candiani, Joshua Sendigikoshi, Serena Rangel, and Maureen Daloia; ACC alum Carter Ibrahim; and some dedicated ACC faculty and staff, Mary Kohls and Jon-Mikel Pearson, Troy Jefferson, and Jaren Murphy.

For Bookout, a 19-year-old electrical engineering major and member of ACC’s Phi Theta Kappa Alpha Gamma Pi chapter, it was an experience to remember. 

“Each day started with thought-provoking speakers,” says Bookout. “Their stories opened my eyes to new perspectives. As an athlete, hearing Tricia Downing’s keynote changed how I see perseverance and passion. She shared her struggles overcoming an accident where she lost the ability to participate in bicycling, but through perseverance, she found a new way to achieve and love her sport. It reminded me there’s always another way to keep doing what you love.”

Between speeches from Downing and others, the students tackled group discussions, attended high-energy panels, and even led their own sessions. ACC’s Alpha Gamma Pi Chapter hosted a workshop called “Time and Project Management” — the second most attended of the conference.

By the end of the weekend, students left with notebooks full of ideas and a vision for how they can make a difference at their colleges and in their communities.

“This conference opens conversations between schools across the state to discuss how our communities are different and similar,” reflects Bookout. “Now, we each have an opportunity to explore our own issues in a deeper way and find ways to make it better.”

For more information about the Phi Theta Kappa Alpha Gamma Pi chapter, visit sites.austincc.edu/ptk or follow the chapter on Instagram: @_alphagammapi.