Phi Theta Kappa's Zeta Gamma Chapter Presdient Brandy Garrett (seated) and Shane Pfeil (left) both received a $250 scholarship presented by VC President Tom Butler (right).

Two Victoria College student members of the Zeta Gamma Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society have each been awarded a $250 scholarship.

Each year, VC President Dr. Tom Butler challenges VC students to apply for and submit an essay to the “USA Today” All USA/All State Academic Team. To encourage students to complete the application process, Butler established a $250 scholarship for students who apply and complete an essay.

VC’s Zeta Gamma Chapter President Brandy Garrett and Shane Pfeil were each awarded the $250 scholarship from VC for completing the application process. Garrett will graduate from VC in July with both an Associate of Arts degree and an Associate of Science degree and plans to transfer to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Pfeil also won the Maverick All Team All-Academic Team Scholarship to the University of Texas-Arlington, worth $20,000 per year. The scholarship is related to the “USA Today” All-USA/All-State Academic Team Scholarship program administered by the PTK.

Pfeil will graduate from VC this month with an Associate of Science degree. The 20-year-old Victoria native said he’s looking forward to moving to Arlington in August to begin working toward his degree in marketing. He also intends to pursue a master’s degree.

In his essay, Pfeil detailed how life didn’t turn out the way he thought it would, starting with his junior year at St. Joseph High School. As a football player, he saw his educational opportunities and his social life revolving around being part of the team.

“But then I dislocated my shoulder and I couldn’t play football for the entire season,” said Pfeil. “It was hard seeing all my friends living the life I thought I was going to lead.”

But rather than let that get him down, he focused more of his attention on academic and student activities. Throughout his last two years of high school, Pfeil served as vice president and then president of student council. He also joined the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and worked as a student ambassador.  Even though he couldn’t play football, he still went to practice and traveled with his team.

“I didn’t let it get me down, and I couldn’t have imagined this is how things would turn out, but I’m very grateful and excited to be going to school in Arlington,” said Pfeil.

posted on Thursday, May 3, 2012 by Katy Long