8 Iowa Lakes Students Named to 2021 All-Iowa Academic Team

(Estherville, Iowa) Eight Iowa Lakes students have achieved All-Iowa Academic Team status for the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society, which recognizes outstanding academic achievement, intellectual rigor, leadership, and civic growth. Iowa Lakes Community College hosted the 2021 All-Iowa Academic Team celebration at the Janice K. Lund Performing Arts Center on March 8.

The keynote speaker was Stacey Benson, an Assistant Professor in Agriculture Technology at Iowa Lakes. Benson knows Iowa Lakes as a student, advisor, and instructor. During her time as a student at Iowa Lakes, Benson was a Presidential Scholar, a Phi Theta Kappa member, and an All-Iowa Academic Team recipient.

The eight Iowa Lakes PTK students named to the 2021 All-Iowa Academic Team are:

• Brea Bendlin, an Associate in Arts and Biology Transfer Major from Royal, and plans to transfer to Buena Vista University to obtain a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences before enrolling in a Physician Assistant program. Bendlin’s honors and awards include Presidential Honors Program, Phi Theta Kappa Member, President’s Honor List, and All-Iowa Academic Team.
• Amy Bents, a Business Transfer Major from Rushmore, Minn., plans to transfer to Buena Vista University to pursue a bachelor’s in business administration and marketing. Bents’ honors include Massage Therapy Diploma – Magna Cum Laude (2015), Dean’s Honor List, Phi Theta Kappa Member, and All-Iowa Academic Team.
• Emma Kral, a Criminal Justice and Associate in Arts student from Graettinger, plans to transfer to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota with a major in criminal justice. Kral’s honors include President’s Honor List, ICCAC Academic All-Region First Team, Phi Theta Kappa Member, and Student Senate Member.
• Ethan Marth, an Associate in Arts major from Estherville, plans to transfer to Arizona State University to obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Studies. Marth’s honors include Dean’s Honor List (1 semester), President’s Honor List (4 consecutive semesters), Presidential Honors Program, Phi Theta Kappa Member, and All-Iowa Academic Team.
• Kayla Scharnberg, an Associate in Applied Science and Associate in Arts student from Indianapolis, Ind., intends to transfer to a university to continue her education. Scharnberg’s honors include Student Senate Member, Student Ambassador, Iowa Lakes and TRIO-SSS Tutor, Phi Theta Kappa Member, and Dean’s Honor List.
• Darnell Shortland, an Associate in Science student from London, United Kingdom, plans to continue his education to obtain a bachelor’s degree in biomedicine then pursue a Doctorate in Medicine. Shortland’s honors include Phi Theta Kappa Member and All-Iowa Academic Team.
• Val Trussov, a Business Transfer Major from Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan, graduated from Iowa City West High School. Trussov plans to transfer to a university to obtain a bachelor’s degree and then to pursue a Master of Business Administration. Trussov’s honors include Phi Theta Kappa Member and All-Iowa Academic Team.
• Kelly Winter, an Associate in Arts and Biology Transfer Major from Earlville, plans to transfer to another college to further her education. Winter’s honors include President’s Honor List, Presidential Honors Program, Phi Theta Kappa Member, All-Iowa Academic Team, 2020-2021 Golf Team Captain, and ICCAC Academic All-Region First Team.

PTK is the world’s largest and most prestigious honor society for two-year college students. The highest academic achievers in Iowa’s 15 community colleges are recognized in a ceremony every year. This year each community college celebrated their PTK All-Iowa Academic Team members on their own campuses to maintain COVID-19 safety measures.

For More Information: Professor and Phi Theta Kappa Advisor Joe Steele at 712-852-5327 or jsteele@iowalakes.educreate new email