Vicksburg Warren students recognized for state Beta Club finishes; River City student praises program

Board members recognized elementary and junior Beta Club students who placed at the state convention in Biloxi and will attend the national convention in Orlando this summer.

Mr. West, a sixth-grade teacher and Beta Club sponsor at Warren Central Intermediate, introduced the students and said the group advances the district’s aims for academic achievement and leadership. Trista Stewart, the junior Beta Club president at Warren Center Intermediate, told the board the students competed in academic categories including ELA, spelling, computer science and quiz bowl.

Mr. West listed state convention placements and named students who advanced to nationals. Among those he named were Frederick Cole, Carter Galloway (team captain), Kate Cable and D’Kard Clark (quiz bowl, third place); Dakari Clark, Frederick Cole, Anastasia Colon and Derek Allen (book battle, third place); Drashonna Funches (fourth-grade math quiz bowl, fourth place); Kevin Scott (fourth-grade science, second place); and Giovanna Stewart (fifth-grade spelling champion, first place). He also named sixth-grade individual placers including Talia Atlas (spelling), Tristan Stewart (ELA, fourth place), Rush Suds (U.S. history, second place), Ella Watkins (computer science, first place) and Jonathan Robinson (health and physical education, fifth place).

Later in the meeting, a River City Early College student addressed the board during public comment to thank the district for allowing RCEC to operate. The student described participation in honor societies and acceptance to the Mississippi Governor's School. “River City has given me such an academic journey that I would never get anywhere else,” the student said, and praised teachers and staff including Ms. Richardson and Dr. Ezey for classroom and personal support.

The board accepted the recognition and the student’s comments without vote.