The Shadow
LOW MOOR, Va. (VR) —Alleghany High School’s Beta Club has been honored nationally for its continued growth and community work.
The club was named a National Beta School of Distinction for the 2023-24 school year.
As the largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization in America, National Beta is dedicated to developing student leaders who serve others. The club focuses on four pillars — academic achievement, character, leadership, and service.
Part of the Alleghany High School Beta Club’s honor comes from the continued growth of the club. During the 2023-2024 school year, the club’s membership grew by 10 percent.
This year, only 22 percent of Beta Clubs across the country are receiving the School of Distinction Award. As of September 2024, the National Beta Club had more than 9,600 clubs and over 445,000 active members nationally and internationally.
AHS will receive a National Beta School of Distinction Banner for public display.
“This award speaks highly of your commitment to academic excellence and illustrates your dedication to preparing students for their future,” said National Beta chief executive officer Bobby Hart in a congratulatory letter to AHS.
Ella Hicks, an AHS senior, is the president of this year’s club and she is proud of the honor.
“Being Beta Club president is an awesome opportunity and I’m so grateful to have been selected. I love supporting our community and helping organizations get what they need to thrive,” Hicks said.
The AHS Beta Club has participated in several school and community service programs.
The Beta Club motto is: “Let us lead by serving others.”
Beta Club members volunteer numerous hours with area elementary schools, especially for holiday events such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. They also contribute their time and energy to school book fairs and family reading nights and conduct tutoring sessions.
Members of the Beta Club also participate in summer camps and visit skilled nursing and long-term care facilities in the Alleghany Highlands along with many other activities and occasions needing creative ideas and involving donations.
“We are honored to have the opportunity to work with the AHS Beta Club members. They have the chance to make an impact by working with both the youngest and young-at-heart members of our community and, hopefully, the act of working with and for others will have a lasting impression on everyone involved,” said Karen L. Johnson Hopkins, who is a co- sponsor of the Beta Club with Alania Lowman.
A ceremony was held at AHS on Tuesday, Nov. 19, to induct new members into the Beta Club for the 2024-2025 school year. AHPS Superintendent Kim Halterman and AHS Principal Derek Cantrell delivered brief remarks during the ceremony. The new members are Cadiz Marshall, Kenny Sprouse, Elijah Halterman, Brianna Terrell, Logan Walton, and Isabella Ward.
Returning Beta Club members are Ella Hicks, Brooklynn Hicks, Sophia Mundy, Laken Cantrell, Charity Craft, Evelyn Jessee, Kaitlyn Petrero, Tyra Rose, James Conner, Kayden Jack, Bryce Leitch, Amia Riddick, Isaiah Thomas, Joowon Chung, Faith Holt, Michael King, Owen Hicks, Kathryn Johnson, and Reagan Paitsel.
AHPS serves approximately 2,700 students. Alleghany County and the City of Covington jointly fund the school division.
AHPS news and events are updated regularly on Facebook at AHPublicSchools and Instagram at ahpublicschools. Information is also available at www.ahps.k12.va.us.
