The fundraising to get them there has begun after a bunch of Nansemond River High School Beta Club members were invited to attend the organization’s upcoming National Senior Convention in Tennessee.

After placing first, second or third, several members qualified for invitation to the nationals when the state convention was held in Richmond on March 20-21.

“We usually do well, especially in the arts and talent competitions,” said Amy Hatfield, Nansemond River’s social studies chair, who co-sponsors the club with history teacher Jenna Silvio.
“This year, we did really well with some of the academic competitions. We only took 50 to compete, because that’s all we could afford.”

Beta Club at Nansemond River has about 150 members, Hatfield said, including sophomores, juniors and seniors. To participate, students must maintain a grade point average above 3.5.

Nansemond River scored yet another honor at the state convention when 11th-grader Christopher Lyles Jr. was elected as state vice president.

“He now serves on the executive committee for the state, and he will help plan next year’s convention and help select the state service project for next year,” Hatfield said.

Meanwhile, as a result of the strong performance by its members, the NRHS club took second place in the Scholastic Sweepstakes.

The National Senior Convention will be held at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville from June 29 to July 2 — right after the National Junior Convention is held there.

“We already have close to 20 that have committed, and we are just trying to raise the funds right now, with all kinds of fundraisers,” Hatfield said. Students don’t necessarily have to be formally invited to attend and compete, she explained.

Driver Cornhole will host a competition later this month to help the students on their way, Hatfield said, while candy sales and other fundraisers are under way or planned.

“Smithfield and Windsor (high schools) also have Beta clubs, and sometimes we can merge together and share some of the costs,” Hatfield said.

The Nansemond River Beta Club was charted when John Yeates was still a high school. The charter transferred to Nansemond River when that school opened to replace Yeates as the high school serving that part of the city. Hatfield said she’s been involved for 10 years.

“It challenges them to focus on academics and scholastic achievement,” she said of the benefits for members. “There’s also a service component they’re required to participate in — at least 10 activities per year.”

Service projects this year, Hatfield said, have included supporting the fight against juvenile diabetes, and supporting Suffolk’s Triple T Sports Center.

Students cleaned up at Driver Elementary School, Hatfield added, and they’re planning something similar for Nansemond Parkway Elementary.

“Wherever we are needed, we will go and serve,” she said.

May 15 is the deadline to register for the nationals, Hatfield said, adding they’re in “desperate need for assistance with transportation.”

Anyone who would like to offer assistance can contact Amy Hatfield at 923-4101.

Hatfield reported the following results from the State Convention, for students who placed in their competitions and were invited to attend the National Convention:

• Large group talent, for their musical and dance performance — first place
• Cody Edwards — first place, on-site colored pencil
• Logan O’Leary — second place, Division 2 agriculture
• Kim Hopper — third place, Division 1 English
• Stephanie Galarza — second place, Division 2 Spanish
• Savannah Miller — first place, Division 1 spelling

The following students competed in a variety of arts and crafts competitions:

• Darian Dean — second place, charcoal art
• Cody Edwards — second place, colored pastel art
• Maia (Maya) Micou — third place, oil painting
• Courtney DeLucia — second place, jewelry making
• Kim Hopper — third place, sculpture
• Jordan Stockman — second place, woodworking