Kiara Ivory, Hocking College Early Childhood Education student, was selected as the Most Distinguished Member of Phi Theta Kappa in Ohio at the Phi Theta Kappa Ohio Region Hallmark Convention in Canton, Ohio on March 21 and 22, 2014.

Ivory was initially recognized for leadership excellence as a part of Ohio's Order of the Torch. She was then awarded the title of Most Distinguished Member of Phi Theta Kappa in Ohio. Her Hallmark entry was written by Business Management and Entrepreneurship student Jeff Adams. Together they received a $300 Hallmark Award prize for the chapter to reduce traveling expenses to the International Convention in Orlando, Florida in April.

Accompanying Ivory and Adams at the Hallmark Convention was Sharon Disbennett and Mary Sanders of the Alpha Mu Delta Chapter on main campus and Paul Gurzynski of the Beta Sigma Omega chapter at Logan Campus.

Both Hocking College chapters were recognized for achieving a two-star chapter rating for 2013. The star rating is an improvement for the Alpha Mu Delta chapter and a new chapter record for the Beta Sigma Omega chapter.

Ivory and Adams will continue to compete internationally within their nominated Hallmark categories at the Phi Theta Kappa International Convention. All five Hocking students have a remaining fundraising goal of more than $400, to be able to attend the convention. Donations for the students' trips can be submitted to the Hocking College Foundation.

For more information about Phi Theta Kappa at Hocking College, contact July Cohara at coharaj@hocking.edu.