Barton Community College students Paige Mink and Ivanilda Semedo were named to the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Kansas All-State Academic Team for their outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and service.
Mink is a Dodge City High School graduate studying Park Management and Conservation. Semedo hails from Portugal and is majoring in Liberal Arts. Both honorees attend the Barton County Campus and were recognized alongside fellow scholars from across the state during a luncheon on April 11 in Topeka.
The All-State Academic Team recognizes high-achieving community college students who demonstrate academic excellence, intellectual rigor, leadership, and service. Students are nominated by their college administrators based on their academic performance and community involvement. Director of Student Academic Development and Barton PTK sponsor Nolan Esfeld said Mink and Semedo demonstrated what it means to be leaders both in and out of the classroom.
“We are incredibly proud of Paige and Ivanilda for earning a place on the Kansas All-State Academic Team,” he said. “Their dedication to academic excellence and leadership embodies the spirit of Barton and Phi Theta Kappa. We are excited to see all the great things they will accomplish moving forward.”
Mink said being at the luncheon and seeing how much PTK and Barton care about rewarding students’ efforts was inspiring.
“Being named to the Academic Team and recognized for my success alongside other community college students across the state was an honor,” she said. “It provided encouragement that the time and energy I have poured into myself was not for nothing, and that I was not the only one who noticed it.”
In addition to her All-State recognition, Mink was named a Coca-Cola Silver Scholar. This prestigious national award includes a $1,250 scholarship funded by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.
Mink said her experiences at Barton helped her develop leadership skills, and winning the scholarship has motivated her for future opportunities to lead.
“As I became active in clubs and organizations, I had opportunities to pour my time and energy into these communities,” she said. “More often than not, I found that simply being a friend to my peers was the best way to lead and serve them.”
During National Community College Month, the success of Mink and Semedo serves as a reminder of the role community colleges play in shaping student success and opening doors to future opportunities. Both students have plans to continue their education after Barton. Mink will transfer to Kansas State University to pursue her bachelor’s degree, while Semedo plans to study Civil Engineering at the University of Miami.
