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East Bladen High School Senior Beta Club members loaded the bus on Thursday, January 26, to attend the 81st Annual Senior Beta State Convention. The clubbers competed in different categories throughout the weekend at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro.

Jair McElveen, a junior at East Bladen, ran for NC Beta Club State President and won the title. He had hundreds of Betas, “Jumping in the Air for Jair.” His fellow East Bladen Betas also performed a convincing skit and won third place for their efforts.

“It has been amazing,” McElveen stated.

McElveen is the son of Freddy and Ilka McElveen of Elizabethtown.

Abigail Franzeo took her final year at the State Convention seriously and brought home the first-place award in Fiber Arts Division II. She had numerous hours invested in her wardrobe project and said she was happy to end her high school career with a first-place award.

A Golden Ticket was given to freshman Danyelle Cotten for her solo performance. Cotten has been asked to perform and compete at the National Convention. She also placed 5th in the Performing Arts Solo, Duo, Trio-Vocalist Division.

East Bladen Betas placed fifth in Show Choir by performing a choreographed rendition of I’m a Survivor.

Beta Club’s mission is to promote the ideals of academic achievement, character, service, and leadership among elementary and secondary school students. They teach students four pillars to success:

• Honoring high academic achievement
• Showing great character
• Developing leadership skills
• Demonstrating service to communities

East Bladen Betas took the club’s motto, Let Us Lead by Serving Others, to heart and donated food, toys, and other items to the local animal shelter Monday before they left for the convention.

East Bladen Principal, Ms. Georgia Spaulding, drove the bus for the Beta Club to compete at the State level. She displayed her support for the students throughout the weekend. Then, on Monday, Spaulding recognized the school’s Beta Club members at a pep rally.

East Bladen Beta Sponsors Mrs. Cheryl West, Mrs. Anita Willington, and Ms. Sabra Ludlum are planning some fundraising events to help the East Bladen Betas travel to Louisville, Kentucky, in June to compete at the Beta national level.