From June 16-19 students from both Barren County and Glasgow Independent schools traveled to Savannah, Georgia, to compete at the National Beta Convention. BCHS Junior Grant Harper was one of 13 presidential candidates. He was elected as Kentucky Beta president in March and was trying to win the national president position. He was announced as the winner before the convention's close on June 19. He will serve both as Kentucky and National Beta president. Photo courtesy of Barren County Schools.
By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
For three days in June hundreds of students from across the United States traveled to Savannah, Georgia, to compete at Beta’s National Senior Convention. Two of the competing groups were students from Glasgow Independent and Barren County schools; both of which placed in many categories, and a Barren County High School student clinched the top executive office.
Barren County junior Grant Harper, who was recently elected Kentucky Senior Beta president, was announced on June 19 as the National Senior Beta president.
“This doesn’t feel real if I’m honest,” Harper said. “I’ve been dreaming of running for national office since the fourth grade. I’m just ready to get started.”
Despite his national victory, Harper will also maintain his position as Kentucky Beta president, and all the responsibilities and duties it comes with. As national president Harper will travel to other state conventions, deliver keynote addresses, help next year’s candidates and do “anything the national organization asks [him] to do.”
“My big thank you [is] to Glasgow,” Harper said. “I’ve just gotten so much support not just from my teachers…but people I don’t even know. It’s just really nice to live in a town where everyone’s so supportive.”
“To my knowledge he is the first national officer we’ve had at Barren County High School,” said Stephanie Esters, Barren County and state Beta sponsor.
Other than Harper’s victory, numerous students — from both Barren County and Glasgow schools — placed in national competitions.
Barren County Schools had a total of 28 students that made the roughly eight-and-a-half hour journey to Savannah, Georgia, and Glasgow Independent Schools had 18 students that attended.
Barren County High School placed in the Top 10 in 11 areas.
Mollie Webb finished sixth in twelfth grade agriscience, Abigail Coleman placed first in eleventh grade agriscience and seventh place in 2D recyclable art, Adeline Coleman also finished first in ninth grade agriscience, Tyler Carnes-Christie finished ninth in twelfth grade social studies, fifth place in technology went to Madyson Coots, third place in “solo, dua, trio variety act” went to Lane Schlafke and Isaac Gentry. The group also placed sixth in show choir and had two dancers as premier performers, Tinsley Neagle and Emma Smith, as well as three vocalist premier performers, which were Anna Kate Alexander, Abby Carter and Madyson Coots.
According to the National Beta Club, more than 800 clubs participated in the multi-day convention.
Ellie Ball finished fifth in Division 2 mixed media, Rudra Chaudhary placed third in eleventh grade social studies, Audrey Crain placed third in Division 3 poetry, Josue Lopez finished sixth in ninth grade mathematics and the GIS show choir was a runner up, for Glasgow schools.
“I’m always proud of our students; they work hard preparing for convention but Beta is first and foremost a service organix=zation…so asa sponsor, a teacher and a mom I’m most proud that they have found ways to give back to the community,” Esters said. “The competitions are just added bonuses but they definitely feel incredible to compete and be so successful at the national level.”
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