Nine Arnett Beta members along with their sponsor, Jena Burcham and chaperones, Bill Burcham, Brandon and Shala Knowles, and John & Amy Miller attended the National Senior Beta Convention held June 16th-20th in Louisville, Kentucky at the Kentucky International Convention Center. Eight thousand 9th-12th grade students participated in competitions held for academics, STEM, speech, performing arts, and visual arts held for Beta members across the nation. Students had to qualify at the state level to participate in competitions at the national level.
The Arnett Senior Beta Club competed in 19 different events at the National level. Some of these events were submitted virtually while other competitions were performed in Louisville onsite at convention. Alyssa Smith and Jenna Thomas took online academic tests, with Landree Parsons and Alyssa Smith completing online Poetry and Creative Writing Prompts as well. Emma Knowles, Jenna Thomas, Ashton Suthers, and Anna Hope Sant’Anna collaborated to take an online Musicology test prior to attending the convention.
Landry Bayless, Baxter Brown, and Landree Parsons also submitted their Technology video virtually. The Character Performance group made up of Emma Knowles, Jenna Thomas, Breclyn Suthers, Landree Parsons, and Landry Bayless filmed their skit for a virtual submission, along with the Marketing and Communications team, which included Talara Brown, Sara Wayland, Alyson Friesen, Landry Bayless, and Landree Parsons. With some Beta members unable to attend the National Convention in person, virtual events are a great way to still be able to compete.
In the arts categories, Arnett Senior Betas entered 5 items in the Visual Arts Expo. Brianna Marenco competed in Fiber Arts, Baxter Brown entered Recyclable Art Division I while Canon Hardin entered Recyclable Art Division II, and Anna Hope Sant’Anna had submissions in Quilling and Mixed Media.
For the team events, Anna Hope Sant’Anna, Alyson Friesen, Sara Wayland, and Ashton Suthers entered their Service Learning Showcase and Apparel Design. Talara Brown submitted her Three Dimensional Design, and Brianna Marenco entered Two Dimensional Design. The Living Literature cast consisted of Anna Hope Sant’Anna, Sara Wayland, Ashton Suthers, Aly Friesen, and Emma Knowles, while Talara Brown, Brianna Marenco, Landry Bayless, and Canon Hardin formed the Collaboration Connection team.
The Arnett Senior Beta Club ended the convention with one Top 10 National placing and two Top 5 National placings. The Character Performance of “Beta the Builder” enacted by Jenna Thomas, Landree Parsons, Breclyn Suthers, Emma Knowles, and Landry Bayless received 7th Place. The Living Literature representation of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea placed 5th in the Nation, and Aly Friesen, Anna Sant’Anna, Ashton Suthers, and Sara Wayland earned 4th in the Nation with their Service Learning Showcase.
While in Louisville, the Senior Betas and their chaperones had the opportunity to visit the Kentucky Derby Museum and enjoy a guided tour of Churchill Downs. They also toured the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory and visited the Ark Encounter in Williamstown. The National Beta Club is an honor society, and all the students are to be commended on their exceptional grades, hard work, and leadership abilities. They represented Arnett extremely well at the National Convention this year.
Nine Arnett Sr. Beta members attended National Convention in Louisville, KY: Emma Knowles, Ashton Suthers, Landry Bayless, Sara Wayland, Alyson Friesen, Anna Hope Sant’Anna, Talara Brown, Brianna Marenco, and Canon Hardin
Six sponsors chaperoned the Arnett Beta Club: Mrs. Jena Burcham, Coach Bill Burcham, Mrs. Shala Knowles, Brandon Knowles, Mrs. Amy Miller, and John Miller
Character Performance participants recorded and submitted their skit virtually: Emma Knowles, Jenna Thomas, Landry Bayless, Landree Parsons, & Breclyn Suthers
Character Performance placed 7th at the National Beta Convention. Emma Knowles & Landry Bayless accepted the award.
The Service Learning Showcase board displays the Arnett Beta Club’s service projects throughout the year.
Sara Wayland, Alyson Friesen, Anna Hope Sant’Anna, and Ashton Suthers received 4th place in the nation for their Service Learning Showcase.
Arnett Beta Club’s living literature entry was 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
Sara Wayland, Ashton Suthers, Emma Knowles, Anna Hope Sant’Anna, and Alyson Friesen placed 5th at the National Beta Convention in Living Literature.
Talara Brown entered her Three Dimensional Design.
Brianna Marenco entered her Two Dimensional Design.
Canon Hardin entered his Recyclable Art.
