The air is energized and crisp with anticipation for the new school year. For children and adults, new school schedules and supplies ignite a sense of clean excitement - sometimes fear, but mostly (hopefully) a sense of beginning.

Recently, I sat down with Christine McClenahan, the 2007-08 president of Prairie State College's Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. This international honors society of junior colleges is built on the four hallmarks of leadership, scholarship, service and fellowship. This year's organization at Prairie State College has goals to highlight and capture the spirit of camaraderie and education for all PSC students.

This year's internationally recognized theme is "Gods, Gold and Glory: The Global Dynamics of Power," with PSC's specific theme asking, "How do we access it?" McClenahan and her cabinet invite the entire body of Prairie State College to attend general meetings and participate in activities.

Topics such as local and national government will play heavily in this election year, with forums and open invitations to local and national government officials who would like to participate in these discussion groups. Additionally, Phi Theta Kappa will look at environmental issues.

They will also look at education and empowerment of students with regard to financial and organizational issues such as the use and abuse of credit cards and the financing of education. In this regard, McClenahan said, "Coming to Prairie State College has attracted many intelligent people looking for excellence in undergraduate, junior college studies at nearly one-third the average four-year college cost."

Phi Theta Kappa involvement includes Earth Day clean-up in conjunction with the city of Chicago Heights; Relay for Life; Jennifer S. Fallick Cancer Support Center's Walk of Hope, collaboration with the League of Women Voters to get out the vote and the Chicago Heights Kiwanis Club Peanut Days and pancake breakfast.

McClenahan said her cabinet has tremendous energy. "Every club has their own personality and identity. These leaders are very positive, very curious and very committed to a deeper understanding of the world in general, as well as in their individual pursuits." Officers include Nicholas Fedora and Eric Marshall, vice presidents of scholarship; Brian Katzenberger, vice president of service; Liz Venegas, club secretary; Diane Gudowski, club historian; Kathleen Hazelett, operations manager; Pamela Koch and Ivy Green, club press corps.

McClenahan said, "We have so appreciated the support of school president, Dr. Paul McCarthy, and Dean of Student Affairs Mary Reeves. We sincerely appreciate our current acting adviser, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, Ms. Angela Winters-Harmon for her guidance, support and dedication to the development of culture and leadership at Prairie State College. We are most grateful to Helen Manley, Student Government adviser, who works so tirelessly on behalf of all clubs and students at Prairie State College."

For more information, call (708) 709-3635.

The opinions are solely those of the writer.