On Friday, February 9th to the the 11th, the Chapin High Senior Beta Club attended the South Carolina State Convention in Myrtle Beach taking home five awards.

Eighteen students left Friday morning with Beta Club Sponsor, Janis Morgan, and two additional chaporones. Shortly after arriving, several students competed in various competitions in subjects such as Special Talent, Photography, Advertising, and Multi-Media Art.

Katie Gandy, a senior who competed in the Special Talent category, sang a melody before the judges and collective student body while playing her guitar and foot tambourine at the prelims. When asked about her experience she said, “I’m a little salty about the casualties” referring to not placing in the top five for the Special Talent division, “but it was one of the most fun things I have done in a while.” Katie received a 20-point deduction after her performance ran a few moments overtime.

At the opening ceremony, candidates running for state offices spoke about their campaign. No students from Chapin High School ran in this year’s election. Competitions continued  into Saturday, covering subjects such as Social Studies, Mathematics, Spanish, and Quiz Bowl. Students not competing supported other members through attending the events.

At the final ceremony, the top five from the Special Talents, Group Talents, and Show Choir performed. The 2017-2018 State Beta Club offices for the Secretary, Vice President, and President positions, which were chosen through electronic voting, were also announced. With several students competing, Chapin came home with five awards:

• Language Arts, Division II, 3rd place, Sara Fuller
• Photography, Division II, 1st place, Tyler Hatchell
• Quiz Bowl, 3rd place, Abby Kibler, Lakin Luoma, Hunter Meredith, Braden Staub
• Social Studies, Division II, 1st place, Abby Kibler
• Technology Video Entry, 1st place, Sara Dietrich, Lauren Turner View Video Here

Having placed 1st-3rd place in the state completion, these students are eligible to compete at the National Beta Convention in Savannah, Georgia on June 17th-20th. Additionally, CHS Beta officers Clay Bellinger, Sara Fuller, Whitley Leviner, and Braden Staub placed 1st in the “Lead Outside the Box” competition during a leadership summit in October, earning a “golden ticket” to compete at Nationals as well. Chapin’s Senior Beta Club has placed at State and National competitions for the past 12 years.

Janis Morgan, a teacher and sponsor of the Senior Beta Club, thanked parent chaperone Ginny Kanski and English teacher Maurice Thomas, “…for their leadership and encouragement during the convention and to our fabulous Beta Club parents for the countless hours and support of our fabulous Beta students. Our students are not only great competitors, they are generous, service-oriented students as well.”

Whitely Levier, a senior who has attended the convention for two years, said “My last convention was the best one yet…because everyone was happy and glad to be there and [to] be together…even though we didn’t place in every event I still had fun competing and hangout with everyone.”

For information about joining Beta Club next year or to learn how to participate in next years convention, visit or contact Janis Morgan: jmorgan@lexrich5.org