New Kent students share state, national Beta Club wins; senior performs during board meeting

Dr. Nichols opened the March 17 meeting with a school spotlight that highlighted dozens of student accomplishments from New Kent Elementary and New Kent Middle School.

At New Kent Middle School, students described how Beta Club participation sharpened leadership and public‑speaking skills. Sophie Terry, an eighth‑grade Beta member, presented the board with Beta pins and said the club taught members to “achieve higher, lead better, and serve more effectively.” Teen participants recounted state‑level competition placements and national convention experiences.

Jamie Collins, a Middle School Beta sponsor, and Amy Carr, the elementary sponsor, told the board that hundreds of students participated in Beta activities this year. Carr said the elementary club had 67 active members and sent 54 students to the state convention; many qualified for nationals. She singled out Benjamin Layton, noting his top state and national placements in social studies.

Students and sponsors described a range of competitive successes across academic and arts categories: robotics, Songfest, digital portfolios, visual arts, and academic contests. The middle school's engineering team placed third at state with a tower project and several students qualified individually for the national convention. Staff emphasized that Beta’s service component included holiday gift drives and ongoing partnerships with organizations such as Ronald McDonald House.

The board also recognized student athletes and seniors. Ryan Griffith and Ethan Johnson were acknowledged as athletes of the month for track and gymnastics achievements. Addison Hofstead, New Kent High School’s senior of the month, performed “Poor Unfortunate Souls” from The Little Mermaid for the board.

The board recessed briefly following the presentations and then resumed regular business.