May 5, 2025
Seven students from 91福利 have been named to the Phi Theta Kappa All-Mississippi Academic and Workforce Teams for 2024-25.
Students selected from the Iota Mu chapter on the Poplarville campus for the Academic Team are Sahil Ajmera of Carriere and Naomi Williamson of Wiggins. Justin Friloux of Matthews, LA, and Gabrielle White of Carnes were named to the All-Mississippi Workforce Team.
Students selected for the Academic Team from the Beta Tau Gamma chapter, located at the Forrest County Campus in Hattiesburg, are sophomores Makayla Herberger of Purvis and Kyrstin Korbe of Hattiesburg. Rebecca Heffner of Picayune was named to the All-Mississippi Workforce Team.
Beta Tau Gamma Members
Herberger鈥檚 major is nursing. She currently serves as President for PTK, Secretary of History and Humanities, Vice President of Mu Alpha Theta, science club and travel club member, and member of the Dr. Williams Honors Institute.
鈥淚 am grateful for this award,鈥� said Herberger. 鈥淚t feels truly inspiring to be surrounded by such a dedicated and passionate group of individuals who are committed to academic excellence, leadership and community service.鈥�
Herberger, 19, plans to become a nurse practitioner with a Doctor of Nursing degree (DNP) and eventually become a nurse educator.
鈥淪ome things that excite me about being a student at PRCC are all of the amazing relationships I have made along the way and how many opportunities I have had to grow into a better person and leader,鈥� said Herberger.
Herberger also received the $5000 Guistwhite Scholarship. The Guistwhite Scholarship recognizes Phi Theta Kappa members for engagement and participation in chapter activities and societal programs, as well as for exhibiting leadership accomplishments and outstanding academic achievement while pursuing a bachelor鈥檚 degree.
Korbe, 19, plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi and major in social work. She currently serves as vice president of scholarship in Phi Theta Kappa and is a member of the Dr. William Lewis Honors Institute.
鈥淭his award and being a part of (PTK鈥檚) most distinguished chapter feels empowering,鈥� said Korbe. 鈥淚n my time at PRCC, being a part of Beta Tau Gamma, I have learned that experiencing the fullness of what鈥檚 available to us is our choice.
鈥淭he advisory board over the Honor鈥檚 Society has lived out what it means to maximize the time you are given, and to live in the fullness of what鈥檚 available to you.鈥�
Korbe also won a spot on the Coca-Cola Academic Team, which recognizes high-achieving college students who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service. Students can win a bronze, silver, or gold award. Kyrstin received a silver prize worth $1250.
Dr. Terri Ruckel, Beta Tau Gamma advisor, says the students on the PRCC All-Mississippi Academic Team are outstanding from every perspective. 鈥淭hey are diligent, dedicated to serving our college and our community, and they always present themselves as Wildcats with pride, respect, class, and character,鈥� said Dr. Ruckel. 鈥淚 have been honored to work with them.鈥�
Heffner is studying Dental Assisting Technology. She plans to continue her education and work as an Orthodontic Assistant. When she is not at school, Heffner volunteers with local churches for community projects along with being a Toys for Tots volunteer.
鈥淚 am deeply grateful for being selected because it reflects the hard work and dedication that I have put into my academic and personal growth,鈥� said Heffner. 鈥淭he recognition motivates me to continue striving for excellence.
鈥淚 am thankful for the scholarship opportunities that help ease the financial burden of college and allow me to focus fully on my education and goals. It is an honor to be acknowledged among such talented individuals across the state.鈥�
Iota Mu Chapter Members
Ajmera is a Middle College student concurrently earning his Associate of Arts degree while still enrolled at Pearl River Central High School. At PRCC, he serves as President of the Honors Institute, Vice President of Scholarship for Iota Mu Chapter, and is a member of the STEM Club.
He is still active at his high school and is currently President of the Student Council, Mississippi Beta Club State President, and 2024-2025 student representative of the Pearl River Central School District Board. He recently retired from Commanding Officer of NJROTC.
After graduation, Ajmera plans to attend the University of Mississippi to study Public Policy Leadership as part of the Trent Lott Leadership Institute. He intends to double major in math and continue his education at the graduate level. His career goal includes becoming an economic analyst working either in government or politics.
鈥淚 am thankful for being selected as I feel it demonstrates a benefit of an outward effort into self and community improvement, allowing me to strive to be the version of myself,鈥� said Ajmera.
Williamson is majoring in pre-law and legal studies with plans to attend the University of Mississippi for a Bachelor of Science in Law Studies followed by a Juris Doctorate. She desires to become a criminal prosecuting attorney.
On the Poplarville Campus, she is President of the Iota Mu Chapter, Sophomore Representative of the Honors Institute, and a member of Sigma Kappa Delta.
鈥淏eing nominated by my outstanding advisors and selected as an All-MS Academic Team member is a true honor and has shown me that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to,鈥� said Williamson. 鈥淐oming to PRCC after being homeschooled, I never imagined I would be offered such opportunities. However, I鈥檝e learned that determination, combined with encouragement from instructors and advisors who genuinely want to see you succeed, can lead to incredible achievements.鈥�
Kira Arthurs, Advisor for the Iota Mu Chapter, shared that each student is outstanding. 鈥淧TK programming is very demanding and requires a lot of time and energy,鈥� said Arthurs. 鈥淭he dedication they show in their leadership and service pursuits, combined with all of the demands of their coursework, is admirable. We are proud of these deserving students.鈥�
Friloux is in the Automation and Controls program. He has worked part-time for Premier Controls this semester and will move to full-time upon graduation in May. His job takes him to the west Texas oilfield, performing maintenance and troubleshooting for crude oil wastewater filtration plants.
鈥淚 am thankful for being selected because it means a lot to me,鈥� said Friloux. 鈥淎ll my hard work has paid off.鈥�
White is a nursing major with plans to work in labor and delivery. She has one more year in the program.
鈥淚 am thankful for being selected and it is truly an honor to receive this award,鈥� said White. 鈥淚 am excited that I was chosen as one of the students on this team, and to be recognized for the hard work I have put forth in everything. This award motivates me to keep going, and I am grateful for the opportunity.鈥�
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Article by Chuck Abadie and Laura O’Neill. Photography by Laura O’Neill and River Roderick.
