What? You didn't know there was a National Junior Beta Club? Yes, there is and Ocracoke School's chapter is very healthy! Junior Beta Club Division 2 is for middle grades, 6–8. Junior Beta Club at Ocracoke School began with the 2013–14 school year.
National Beta Club was created in 1934 in South Carolina by Dr. John Harris. The name comes from Beta, the second letter in the Greek alphabet and the fact that B represents BIOS, the Greek word for life. Dr. Harris felt it was important for the members to learn how to make a life for themselves.
Every Beta chapter must have a sponsor and the sponsor is usually an employee of the school. The Ocracoke Junior Beta club's sponsor is Sabrina Lynn King-Bowen. Sabrina is the middle school math teacher. Beta Club membership is by invitation only. The students who were invited to join Junior Beta Club must maintain a 3.25 grade point average, have a teacher recommendation, uphold the moral and ethical standards set forth by the club and be willing to do at least 10 hours of community service. Sabrina said these students have had no problem with the service requirement and have actually gone above the 10 hour minimum.
The club meets once a month and the members decide what their service projects will be. Membership fees help with the projects. Last year the Junior Beta club chose the Wounded Warriors as the recipients of their fundraising efforts. A barbecue was held at Jason's restaurant that raised $963 for the Wounded Warriors! Sabrina's husband, Jimmy, is one of the owners of Jason's and he and Jason do amazing things for people and groups on the island and off. If you ever have an opportunity to attend a fundraiser at Jason's, be sure to go. The food is outstanding!
Every member of the group receives a certificate, membership card and pin. There are college scholarships available to Beta Club members. It also looks great on those college applications!
Congratulations to the new inductees!
Colby Austin, Hannah Belch, John Brodisch, Dylan Esham, Mason Fuller, Cole Gilbert, Teresa Hadley, Kenzie Novak, Alexander O'Neal, Kalai Samick, and Russell Stevens
Congratulations as well to the previous inductees who performed the candle lighting ceremony and led the new members in the pledge:
Alston Belch, Ingrid Contreras, Sam Evans, Taylor Fuller, Mackenzie O'Neal, Mila Ortiz, Cody Pinter, and Samantha Sutton
Traditionally, their projects have been the American Red Cross Blood Drives, Litter sweeps (try to do 2x/year) and helping the librarian with the Book Fairs. One year they did a food drive and have done the Halloween Spook Walk. They also helped with the recent plant sale along with the Junior Betas.
The criteria for Senior Beta Club is the same as the Junior Beta Club with the idea of maintaining good integrity and high academic standards.
The Senior Beta Club members are as follows:
Seniors: Katie O'Neal, Samantha Styron, Lucy O'Neal,
Juniors: Josie Winstead, Ariana Trejo, Caroline Temple, Deana Seitz, Kevin Perez, Dalton Kalna, Evin Caswell
Sophomores: Kyle Tillett, Dylan Sutton, Karla Perez, Karen Perez, Stacey O'Neal, Carson O'Neal, Matteus Gilbert, Spencer Gaskins, Sydney Austin
Newly inducted members include: sophomore Jordi Perez, freshmen Liam Caswell and Mac Kalna
You can find more information at www.betaclub.org
National Jr. Beta Club Pledge
I hereby declare that I shall always strive To be honest and truthful at all times;
To maintain a creditable scholastic record;
To be of service to my teachers and fellowmen; To conduct myself in a manner to reflect credit upon my school and community.