WCMS, MCES Beta Clubs have successful state convention

The Jr. Beta Clubs at Mossy Creek Elementary School and White County Middle School have qualified for nationals after bringing home some serious hardware from the state conventions last week in Savannah.

MCES took 28 students, and had five students place, said Deticia Chambers, the Jr. Beta Club co-sponsor. Amanda Nix is the other co-sponsor for the club. The students received first place in apparel design (Nyomi Clayton and Jovie Montgomery), third place in academics math for fourth grade (Hunter Moyers), third place academics math for fifth grade (Zachary Godfrey), third place for campaign skit (entire club) and fifth place for Academics social studies (Brody Kelley). Olivia Solmon also ran for state president.

“In the apparel design, the one that placed first, those girls, that was over a two hour interview,” Chambers said. “Ms. Nix, (who) is in the front office, she was with them and they had to sit outside the entire time while they were being interviewed and there were so many people competing that it took them over 2½ hours to interview each group of applicants. So for them to have placed first we were very, very happy.”

Because these students placed in the top five, they qualified for nationals, which will be held June 19-22 in Fort Worth, Texas. She said they are planning to attend nationals, and are now looking at the cost and fundraising ideas to help pay for the trip.

Another award MCES received was the Golden Key award for having at least a 10 percent growth in convention attendance, Chambers said.

“All of the students who attended conference represented our school and community well in and out of competition,” said MCES Principal Allison Funk. “These students displayed courage and bravery as they competed against thousands from across the state. They are able to persevere through challenges without giving up, and as a result their performances landed them on top in many areas. The students worked really hard to achieve incredible things, and I could not be more proud of them and their accomplishments.”

The White County Middle School Jr. Beta Club had 52 students at their convention last week too, said Jack Fullerton, one of the club sponsors.

“This is our third year going,” Fullerton said. “The first year we didn’t win anything, it was just kind of a learning experience. Last year, I think we came home with two awards and this year we came home with nine awards.”

WCMS received the following awards: fifth place in seventh grade math (Sarah Seabolt), fifth place in technology, fourth place in eighth grade math (Brynn Howe), fourth place in 3-D, fourth place in recyclable art (Trevor Butler), first place in sixth grade science (Addisson Shaffer), second place in sixth grade ELA (Allyssa Harkins), second place in trading pin (Hanna Grace Alexander) and first place in group talent (Navy: Alex Freeman, Haleigh Bennett, Ansley Russell and Matthew Heeren. Army: Kate Blair, Leah Smith, Ollie Freeman and Sarah Blair. Marines: Linsey Burke, Mattie Browning, AutumnSky Heeren, Rylee Ann Nix and Nealy Webster. Air Force: Emilee Jones, Karissa Dymek, Cali Jolly and Ella Figueroa. Coast Guard: Trevor Butler, BilliKayl Allison, Brynn Howe and Kate Sartain.)

WCMS also received the Golden Key award for having 10 percent more people attend the convention compared to last year

During the convention, eighth-grader Tristyn Le, who is the state vice president, had to give a speech during one of the sessions and presided over another session, Fullerton said.

On the second day, during the general session, because the group performance placed in the top five the day on Thursday, they performed that day too, said Janelle Biesterfeld, one of the sponsors. Their performance on the second day was in front of 3,000 people and WCMS students received first place for the piece.

The students also qualified for nationals in Fort Worth, and Fullerton said they will try to go. They’ve got some fundraisers planned, including a Bingo fundraiser in January.

Fullerton said he loves seeing the kids support each other in Jr. Beta Club.

“I love the fact that he kids are stepping out of their comfort zone and actually doing something on their own and just kind of stepping out of the box,” Biesterfeld said.

“I am so very proud of all the WCMS Beta students,” said WCMS Principal Kristi Gerrells. “They have worked very hard preparing for the state conference, and all their hard work has paid off. Mr. Fullerton does an outstanding job encouraging and supporting these students.”

White County School System Superintendent Dr. Laurie Burkett was happy for all the students.

“I am so proud of our students and our club sponsors,” she said. “They all did an amazing job representing Mossy Creek, the middle school and our entire community. We really have some incredible students.”