During the 2020-21 School Year, five members of the PCHS Sr. Beta Club competed and won merit awards and scholarships from the Virginia Beta Club and the National Beta Club.
The National Beta Club awards over two hundred merit scholarships to 12′ Grade Members that are in good standing each year. These scholarships range in monetary increments ofS1,000 to $15,000. Applications for this scholarship usually open in November of each year and usually close in December of the same year.
National Beta Club Scholarship applicants are judged based on their academic achievement (GPA, SAT/ACT scores, etc.), their leadership activities, and their service (volunteer) history. Both Kelsey Gunter and Caleb Murphy competed for the National Beta Scholarship this year, and each student won a $1,000 merit scholarship from the National Beta Club.
Additionally, Kelsey Gunter also competed for, and won, a similar merit scholarship awarded by the Virginia Beta Club. The Virginia Beta Club awards three $500 merit scholarships each year. Applicants are selected based on their academics, service, and leadership histories along with their participation in Virginia Beta events.
Due to the lockdowns this year, the Sr. Beta Club held its annual state convention and competition virtually during the 2020-21 School Year. Ten Members of the PCHS Sr. Beta Club competed at Virtual Virginia Sr. Beta Convention this year. Three of these PCHS competitors won, showed, or placed in academic or artistic competitions.
Kali Craig competed in the Digital Art Competition at Virtual Virginia Sr. Beta Convention this year. She earned first place in the Digital Art competition. Conner Campbell competed in the Science competition at Virtual Virginia Convention this year, and he earned second place in the Science Competition. Samantha Tankersley competed in the Poetry Competition at Virginia Virtual Sr. Beta Convention this year, and she earned third placed in the poetry competition.
Current members of the PCHS High School Sr. Beta Club are eligible to compete in the National Sr. Beta Convention and Competition. Additionally, these current PCHS Sr. Beta Club members that are interested in competing at the National Convention should see the PCHS Sr. Beta Club 2020-21 Google classroom and contact their club sponsors.
The National Beta Club also awarded Patrick County High School the honor of being recognized as a Beta School of Merit. Only 29 percent of US high schools with Beta Clubs were recognized as Beta Schools of merit for 2020-21 School Year.