The Berkeley High School BETA Club earned a ticket to Disney World after clinching first place in the South Carolina Senior BETA Club Convention held in Myrtle Beach Feb. 10-11.
For the second year in a row, the Stags ousted schools across the state in academic categories including creative writing, oratory, social studies and Spanish, earning them a bid to the National Convention which is set for June in Orlando.
Club Co-sponsor Katherine Bates commended her hardworking and dedicated students who were recognized by Moncks Corner Mayor Michael A. Lockliear council members at the town's Feb. 21 council meeting.
“We began practicing in December. When the students returned in January, we practiced every day, some days before and after school,” Bates said. “They have been so dedicated, it’s amazing to see their hard work pay off.”
Bates said the organization has blossomed from its beginnings five years go. A club that started with 40 students now boasts 200, sending 146 students to Myrtle Beach and 120 to Florida in June.
“We’ve been building on the talent that we have with our students,” Bates said, adding that the school sends qualified students letters of interest as a means of increasing membership.
Nationally, the 80-year-old organization serves as a nonprofit that promotes academic excellence and leadership skills. Berkeley’s BETA members maintain an A/B average and feature a host of talents that include playing instruments and performing dance.
Berkeley placed first in the group talent category, second in the campaign skit and trading pin categories, and third in the show choir. Below is a list of the students who placed in other respective categories.
Damariz Bautista, First Place Spanish (Div. II)
Sierra Stewart, First Place Social Studies (Div. II)
Robert Lamprecht, Second Place Agriculture (Div. II)
Jordan Willey, First Place Oratory (Div. I)
Haylee Wilkerson, First Place Creative Writing (Div. I)
