THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 19, 1996 TAG: 9606180102
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LINDA McNATT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WINDSOR LENGTH: 55 lines
The BETA Club, a national honor society for students with good grades, good citizenship and a reputation for always doing their best, has been a fixture for years in local high schools.
But recently, the Junior BETA Club became part of day-to-day life for nearly 50 students at Windsor Middle School.
The membership, with recommendations from teachers, represent more than 15 percent of the school's approximately 300 rising seventh- and eighth-graders.
``The BETA Club is a national organization to honor students with high academic standards, good citizenship and leadership ability,'' said Ann Wolfe, a seventh grade math teacher and one of the club's three sponsors.
The other sponsors are teachers Jo Anne Jones and Denise Kahan.
``We decided last year we wanted to bring BETA into Windsor Middle School because it honors students with the right qualifications,'' Wolfe said.
And it's not just a ``Look at me. I'm a smart kid,'' kind of club, she said.
``It's as much a service club as an academic honors organization,'' Wolfe said. ``Next year, we'll be doing things like `Teacher Appreciation Day,' food drives, doing things to help the elderly. We're also talking about community-type service projects and perhaps some tutoring projects.''
Junior BETA is fast spreading to middle schools, Wolfe said. It helps the students prepare for high school, and it also sets standards for them to continue to meet throughout their years in secondary education.
The first Junior BETA Club at Windsor Middle School already has elected officers. And by the end of the school year last week, the new club was holding meetings and making plans for next year. Wolfe said new members, rising seventh-graders, will be inducted into membership next spring.
Students eligible for membership must have an overall academic average of at least 90. They must also display the qualities required for membership, and must be recommended by teachers.
``We've gone through the bylaws; we're ready for next year,'' Wolfe said. ``All of the members are enthusiastic. They've never really been in an organization like this before. As long as they maintain the grades, they'll be eligible for membership in BETA once they get to high school as well.''
Officers elected in Windsor Middle School's new Junior BETA Club are: Ashley Saunders, president; Jessica Ballinger, vice president; Rebecca Bradshaw, secretary; Marie Battle, treasurer; Keith Baker, publicity chairman; Marissa Beale, program chairman; Jeri Rawls, entertainment committee chairman; Neil Robinson, Nathan O'Berry, special appointments to executive committee.
Other members are: Angela Albright, LaToya Ashburn, Sonya Briggs, Adrienne Brown, David Carroll, Dana Cobb, Katrina Conway, Courtney Elam, Victoria Evans, Jessica Fowler, Elizabeth Hawkinson, Kara leSueur, Courtney March, Natasha Massey, Doug Nabors, Jessica Nance, Erin Twine, Jessie Whitley, Chantae White, Jessica Andreski, Shannon Arney, Anna Butler, Amanda Crocker, Craig Fillmore, Jennifer Groves, Annie Jones, Rebecca Leinard, Phifer Powley, Jennifer Smith, Bonnie Tominack, James Uzzle, Bret Herrala, Chris Howell, Lee Jones, Jonathan Josephs, Crystal Lyle, Jennifer Meadows, Desiree Pitman. by CNB