South Tattnall Middle School (STMS) Jr. Beta Club’s National Champions in Marketing and Communications awed the Glennville Rotarians this past Wednesday at their Wednesday, August 28, 2024, meeting. They presented their winning project, “Remember, Honor, and Celebrate,” which was designed to encourage pride in the various military branches and educate the public about the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Glennville, one of only two veterans cemeteries in Georgia. They had previously placed second in state Jr. Beta competition, but this dynamic group of girls aced nationals.
Their preparation, presentation, and obvious genuine commitment to this project in promoting education and awareness of the Veterans Cemetery garnered them this national distinction.
These students are eighth graders Kaylan Bragg, daughter of Chris and Laine Bragg; Kaylee Mobley, daughter of Jonathan Mobley and Vicky Allen; Hallie Dutton, daughter of Bryan and Jessica Dutton; Anna Poole, daughter of William Poole and Melissa Poole; and Rilee Dubberly, daughter of Lee and Jessica Dubberly.
Two other national award winners were ClaraJane Cowart, STMS seventh grader and daughter of Ernie and Tammy Cowart, who placed third in Color Photography; and fourth place in Scrapbook, which was a club competition. ClaraJane’s photograph was of an old home on Jones Street in downtown Savannah, Georgia.
Special recognitions went also to Sydney Morgan and Hadley Todd, who were Dance Competition Golden Ticket Winners. They were invited and participated as Premier Performers at the national competition.
The students were introduced by teacher Kerry Waters, STMS Jr. Beta Club Sponsor for over 20 years, who accompanied these students and several others competing at nationals, along with fellow Jr. Beta Club sponsors Teresa Thompson, and her daughter, Brooke Thompson, STMS teacher. Jordyn Sapwell and Jennifer Holloway will be joining Mrs. Waters and Ms. Thompson as club sponsors this year.
The Junior Marketing and Communications competition allows three to five students to demonstrate creativity, communication skills, and marketing strategies. The students were instructed to develop a campaign to promote an attraction in their community that could use further publicity. Their project also involved their ability to collaborate, problem solve, and think critically to develop an effective presentation. Their presentation was not to exceed two minutes, and then they were questioned by the judges.
In the Marketing and Communications Junior Beta top ten national winners, first place winner STMS was one of only three Georgia schools that placed; and other schools in the top ten were from Kentucky, Louisiana, and Tennessee.
Also, in the Jr. Beta Club’s Service Learning Showcase, by placing third in the Georgia State Jr. Beta Competition, STMS Jr. Beta received an invitation to compete at Nationals this past June, where they placed ninth. However, out of the top ten winners, STMS Jr. Beta Club was the ONLY school in Georgia to place in this category. The Service Learning Showcase involved their creativity and teamwork to create a tri-fold display showcasing the club’s service projects.
Others STMS Jr. Beta Club students who competed at Nationals were Emmie Claire Parker, Eli Bland, Cameron Paul, Emmalin Eason, and Kaylee and Allison Santos.
A highlight at the Rotary Club meeting was the video shown of STMS Jr. Beta, “Beta is an Adventure,” prepared by Reid Zeigler.
“Our club is about service, leading by serving others, and we are always looking for ways to serve our community,” said Kerry Waters.
Past service projects of the STMS Jr. Beta Club include: Promise of Hope; Peggy’s Pet Rescue; Tattnall County C.A.R.E.S. (Cancer Assistance Relief, Effort, and Support); Hydrating our Heroes ( Tattnall County Sheriff’s Office); C.U.R.E. Savannah (Childhood Cancer Fundraiser); ministering to the homeless in Nashville, Tennessee, at a National Beta Convention; Ronald McDonald House in Savannah; Friends of the Glennwanis Hotel (Rock-a-Thon); Trunk or Treat at elementary school; Valentine’s cards for Glenvue Health and Rehabilitation residents; canned food drives for the local food pantry; and Tattnall County veterans.
“Beta is an organization designed to promote the ideals of academic achievement, character, service, and leadership among elementary and secondary school students. Students are required to have a 93 or above average when leaving the elementary school to be in the Beta Club at the middle school level. Through Beta, we prepare young people for life and empowering them to be successful. We help to develop these students as leaders of tomorrow. We do more than just talk service, we demonstrate our motto of Let Us Lead by Serving Others,” said Waters.
Waters mentioned that Sarah Roessler, the daughter of Rotarian Chris Roessler, was the first Glennville middle school Jr. Beta Club member to compete nationally, and that year the competition was held in Nashville, Tennessee.
This past summer’s National Junior Beta Convention was held in Savannah in June. The Georgia Junior Beta Convention will be held in Savannah December 5-7, 2024. The National Junior Beta Convention will be held in Orlando, Florida, June 30-July 3, 2025.
Waters mentioned that funds are always needed for these competitions, even more so when they are held out of state. For those who may be interested in making a donation to the STMS Jr. Beta Club for these expenses, contact Kerry Waters at 912-536-6508 or kerrywaters@tattnall.k12.ga.us.
Glennville Rotary Club meetings are held each Wednesday from 12 noon to 1 p.m. at the Glennville Garden Club Center. If you would like to attend a meeting or are interested in joining the club, please call Club Membership Chair Pam Waters at 912-237-0248 or Club President Lisa Barry at 912-505-0063.
