Pasco-Hernando State College graduate, Iman Bhyat’s original artwork for her short story, Florida Gothic, has been selected by Phi Theta Kappa to be included in the 30th edition of the honor society’s honor anthology, Nota Bene.
Out of over 4,500 entries, Bhyat’s piece was one of 20 to 30 final pieces selected to be included in the anthology after going through multiple rounds of judging by PTK advisors, advisor emeriti, and the official Nota Bene editorial board. The Nota Bene recognizes the exceptional writing and art of PTK members, showcasing to the public the academic excellence college students commit themselves to.
“The most important thing and the thing I'm most grateful for with education is that I get to be exposed to tons of different kinds of writing and art. As a writer, you're always looking for experiences. I like to say that the cover of the story is what I make up, but everything that's within it, the core of it—the actual meaning, is based on what I've seen and experienced. These honor societies, institutions and colleges give me positive experiences to draw from. I've met so many kinds of people from the honor society that have really inspired my craft,” said Bhyat.
Bhyat graduated in December 2024 as an English major who also served as the vice president of PTK at the Porter Campus chapter. When writing the piece, Florida Gothic, Bhyat was inspired by the experiences and challenges she faced growing up in the United States, as a second-generation immigrant.
“Iman plays a pivotal role in the Beta Phi Epsilon Chapter as Vice President, where she helped plan impactful chapter events and lead the collegewide PTK research team for last year’s Honors in Action project. It’s truly a privilege to collaborate with such a talented, dedicated, and creative student who consistently strives for excellence in everything she undertakes,” said Phi Theta Kappa Faculty Advisor and Professor of Accounting, Misty Price, Ph.D.
The full video about Bhyat’s story and experience can be found at on PHSC's YouTube Channel and the 30th Edition of the Nota Bene by Phi Theta Kappa.