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LCMS Beta students bring home trophy from national convention
Front row (l to r):  Kasey Ray-Stokes (head sponsor), Mackenzie Spurgeon, Antonio Ricks II, and Teri Martin (sponsor).  Back row:  Annlee Wells, Elizabeth Smiley, Annabelle Hurley, and Madison Spurgeon  at the National Convention.{
Front row (l to r): Kasey Ray-Stokes (head sponsor), Mackenzie Spurgeon, Antonio Ricks II, and Teri Martin (sponsor). Back row: Annlee Wells, Elizabeth Smiley, Annabelle Hurley, and Madison Spurgeon at the National Convention.

Four students from Long County Middle School (LCMS) brought home a big win from the National Beta Convention. In a pool of 188 contestants across the U.S., they took home a 10th-place trophy.

Elizabeth Smiley, Annlee Wells, Annabelle Hurley, and Madison Spurgeon–all rising 8th graders–competed in the Lead Outside the Box category where they were given a prompt: “If you had a budget of $15,000, how would you honor Hometown Heroes in your community?”

The girls had two days to create a plan, collaborate to make a presentation, and present their proposal to a panel of judges. They chose to spotlight their Long County military and first-responder neighbors who have given so much to the community.

“Our military neighbors and first responders have given our community an opportunity to expand beyond a one-light town by bringing in unique world views, diverse communities, and a deep understanding of what sacrifice looks like in action. Our Beta students represent the best of LCMS, and they made their community proud today and every day,” said Kasey Ray-Stokes, head sponsor for the LCMS Jr. Beta Club.

The students’ plan included ideas to create scholarships for classmates who have a parent who has died in the line of duty, to host a benefit concert to support veteran neighbors who don’t have a home, and to expand Friendship Park to include a memorial garden for Long County first responders who lost their lives in the line of duty.

In all, 13 students from Long County Middle School qualified to compete at the Jr. Beta National Convention.

In November 2023 at the Jr. Beta State Convention in Savannah, Rilyn Williams won 4th place for Onsite Painting, which qualified her to compete at nationals. Also, Annlee Wells and Elizabeth Smiley competed in the Performing Arts Solo, Duo, Trio Dance competition and were selected as “Premiere Performers.” Because of this distinction, the pair was invited to join other states’ Premiere Performers to perform a kickoff dance routine in the opening ceremony for this year’s Jr. Beta National Convention.

In March 2024, LCMS Jr. Beta students attended the Georgia Jr. Beta Leadership Summit on Jekyll Island and qualified for nationals in three team competitions:  Lead Outside the Box, Collaboration Connection, and Project Proposal. Also, LCMS won the Outstanding Leadership Award and the Certificate of Merit Award for the 2023-24 school year.

The following students qualified for and attended the Jr. Beta National Convention: Antonio Ricks II, Yulianna Garcia, Demi Wasdin, Madison Spurgeon, Annlee Wells, Elizabeth Smiley, Rilyn Williams, Mackenzie Spurgeon, and Annabelle Hurley.