Honorable Mention Winner
Lee Palmer
St. Petersburg Junior College
Sophomore in Finance
3.43 GPA
     "Over the past two years at St. Petersburg Junior College, I’ve made a difference not only with the lives of the students, but with the faculty," says Peter Lee Palmer, 21. "I believe anyone can do anything with some persistence."
     As president of Phi Theta Kappa, Eta Nu Chapter, the No.1 chapter in Florida, Palmer oversees and coordinates all scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship activities. He also leads meetings and works to increase member involvement. Palmer also serves as treasurer of Circle K International, gives tours to new collegians as a student ambassador, and finds time for SGA as a representative. "In all my leadership roles, I try to make things more interesting and fun for everyone," Palmer says. "I want everyone involved, and for them to stay active."
     Steve Meier, Phi Theta Kappa advisor, says that Palmer is "quick to the task" and dependable. "Whenever something needs to be done, I need look no further than Lee," he says. "Time and time again this has been the case."
     Provost Charles Roberts says that Palmer provides "visionary and effective" leadership. "He demonstrates great skill in working with others to achieve a goal and at the same time, to instill pride of accomplishment to all involved," he says. "This unique strength in Lee has earned the admiration and respect of his colleagues."
     Palmer helped add to the school’s curriculum, too. "The most important difference that I’ve made at SPJC was to help acquire funding for a ‘Leadership Skills’ class to be taught here," Palmer says. With the help of his advisor, Palmer met with school administrators and persuaded them to start the class because students expressed a strong interest in it. Palmer also spread the word about the class and all it had to offer leaders. "I mainly used a word-of-mouth technique, but I also passed out some flyers," Palmer says. As a result, 18 of the 21 seats available filled up, meeting Palmer’s personal goal of having at least 60 percent of the class occupied.
     In addition to campus activities, Palmer also is involved with the community. "I’ve recognized a need for helping hands in local organizations," he says. "I’m fortunate to be able to give back to the community, and I feel that anyone in my position would do the same if they had the time to." Palmer plans and participates in events for Habitat for Humanity, Horses for Handicapped, and the Ronald McDonald House. "The families that stay at the Ronald McDonald House have more pressing issues to attend to," Palmer says. "It was a heart-felt time in everyone’s mind to see all of the parents and siblings of the children coming in from their long hospital night’s stay, not willing to leave their child’s bedside." For that project, Palmer helped cook and serve lunch and dinner for the sick children and their visiting parents. "When I saw them take the plates full of food and smile, that in itself was recognition enough for me," he says.
     For Horses for Handicapped, a program Circle K sponsors for disabled kids, Palmer spent six hours escorting handicapped children on pony rides. "I helped them get on and off the horses and it was great to see them so happy," Palmer says. "I was glad I got to help them do something that they don’t always get to do."
     Palmer supports himself with scholarships and two part-time jobs.
Contact Palmer at PLPalmer80@hotmail.com.