- National Beta Club
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Logo of the National Beta Club
The National Beta Club is an organization for 5th-12th graders in the United States, recognizing academic achievement, leadership, character and service.[1]
It was founded in 1934 by Dr. John W. Harris, a Wofford College professor. The organization is headquartered in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The National Beta Club currently has more than 8,400 clubs in 42 states and 8 territories. There are more than 430,000 active Betas in the Senior and Junior divisions and over 6,000,000 alumni. Its motto is "Let Us Lead By Serving Others." Beta is an academic honors program with a strong emphasis on community service. Traditionally, students are awarded membership based on their GPA and character traits. Each individual school chooses what items they will look at for their chapter's member qualifications.
The Junior Division of The National Beta Club began in 1961 and is for students in 5th-9th grade. The Senior Division of Beta is for 9th-12th graders.[2]
Some famous former Betas include U.S. President Bill Clinton, Miss America 2000 Heather French and 2004 Ericka Dunlap, Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller, anchorwoman Diane Sawyer, Heisman Trophy recipient Herschel Walker, and country superstar Trisha Yearwood.[3] As well as Diana DeGarmo and Jake Delhomme former quarterback for the Carolina Panthers.[4]
Contents
Conventions
Every year students from around the east coast have the privilege to compete in academic and talent competitions such as Quiz Bowl, Creative Writing, Social Studies, and even Spelling Competitions. In order to compete at the national level, a participant must place at the state level. This also includes those candidates running for office. The first National Beta Club convention was held in June 1981, at the Sheraton Twin Towers in Orlando, Florida.[5] Each year there is a new theme, and a new site for the national convention.
The state conventions are slightly different than the national conventions. State conventions are held by the state sponsor and the state sponsor elect which are elected to the position by other sponsors from the state. The state has the authority to create or deny competitions from happening in their own state. For the Junior convention most competitions are the same except for the campaign for state office. At the Senior level there are three positions, however, at the Junior level there are five.The states that host conventions at the state level are: AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MO, MS, NC, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WV.[6]
The purpose of The National Beta Club
To promote the ideals of academic achievement, character, leadership and service among elementary and secondary school students.
Motto
Let Us Lead By Serving Others
See also
References
- ^ National Beta Club official website
- ^ National Beta Club student member website
- ^ National Beta Club alumni website
- ^ National Beta Club Sponsor website
- ^ The National Beta Club: The Spirit of Beta
- ^ Convention Schedule
Categories:- Student societies in the United States
- Organizations established in 1934
- Youth organizations based in South Carolina
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