Beta club traveled to Hot Springs to participate in their biggest event of the year. Beta convention is held every year for Beta members across the state.

This year’s convention had a variety of competitions for members to compete in to show off their talent, such as academic tests, talent competitions, scrapbook, banner, and skit competitions.


“I competed in the Science Competitor; that’s why convention was so stressful. I had to take a test I couldn’t study for,” said senior Olivia Morton. “But I still had a lot of fun! I got to reunite with some friends I met at Arkansas Governor’s School.”


This year was junior Alexis Sterling’s first time to participate and she won second place in the pencil drawing competition.


“My overall experience was great. I loved getting recognized for something I truly love doing,” she said.

Beta club is sponsored by English teacher Trisha White and world history teacher Catie Holman. They give priority to the seniors to go to convention, so not many juniors get to travel with them.


“I like to give all the seniors a chance to go, even if they went their junior year. If a junior goes with us, it means that we see how talented they are or how much they really want to go,” said White.


Sterling was one of the many juniors that go to participate.


“I participated in the quizbowl competition. It was my first time playing quizbowl, but it was a great experience,” said junior, Tucker Windley.


Junior Hayley Raia got to compete with Windley in the quiz bowl competition.


“It was great getting to compete outside of the high school team,” she said.


Along with Sterling, junior Emily Parker competed in the pencil drawing competition.


“I didn’t place, but I really enjoyed getting to compete with my friends,” said Parker.
Most of the seniors that went this year have been to convention before.


“Last year, I participated in an academic test, but this year I got compete in the banner competition with three of my close friends,” said senior Carlie Tacker.


According to Tacker, her and her friends went last year and it was wonderful to do it all over again this year.

“Convention is not just about competitions, it is also a chance to have fun with friends and get to know them better. Every year, we go to the mall and shop and we go to Starbucks and a local Mexican restaurant, La Hacienda, between competitions,” she said. “It was so much fun to compete with my friends and enjoy some leisure time before we all leave for college,” she said.

To graduate with a Beta club cord, each member has to raise 1,000 points, which can by done by participating in all the events Beta does.
“Beta convention is a total of 200 points; if you go your junior and senior year, that totals up to 400 points. That’s almost half, so it’s not near as much work to do,” said Holman.

That amount of points is what drove most students to participate in convention.


“I was driven by my need of points. Since I went last year, I’m done for the rest of this year and I am graduating with 1,200 points,” said senior Kaleigh Ramey.


With so many people going, friends are also a reason people compete.


“I need the 200 points, but since all my friends were going, I thought I might as well go,” said junior Hunter Brasel. “It was a good experience to learn from too.”


The seniors that traveled and competed in convention are very excited to see what happens next year with all the juniors and the sophomores that are coming in next year.

“Beta convention is great place to go compete, have fun, and possibly bring back awards. I think it’s a great experience and I recommend all members to go next year,” said Morton.