The Center Middle School Beta Club (academic honors club with strong
emphasis on community service) proudly represented Center ISD when they
competed in the State Beta Convention on February 14-15, 2014.  The group, consisting of 16 students, placed in three events including Living
Literature, Art (Oil/Acrylics), and Spotlight Your Club.

Placing at the state convention earned the students the opportunity to
participate in the 18th Annual National Beta Convention in Richmond, VA, on June 21st through June 24, 2014.  Fourteen students from CMS attended the convention and competed in all three events.  This is the largest group to participate at the national level from Center ISD to date.

At the convention, students attended general sessions, where keynote
speakers, guest speakers, and guest performers addressed the group.
Students also experienced life lessons by participating in a campaign rally where candidates vying for a national office delivered their agenda, and students voted on the candidates they felt would best lead the Beta organization through service, leadership, and academics to create positive changes in our communities and our world.  A celebration dance was also held to provide an opportunity for the entire group (1,500 students in attendance) to socialize and meet other Beta’s from the many states participating in the national convention.

While in Virginia, CMS students visited Colonial Williamsburg for an
educational excursion, where they toured the Governor’s Palace,
kitchen/scullery, and palace gardens/boxwood maze.  They played colonial
games at the Benjamin Powell House and drew water from an 18th century
water well.  The group also visited Anderson’s Blacksmith Shop and Public
Armoury, Wigmaker, and assisted the colonials in pressing mud with their
feet to make bricks.  Finally, the group enjoyed a colonial meal at the
King’s Arms Tavern.  This was truly an educational experience that all
students enjoyed.

The CMS Beta Club would like to express their sincere appreciation to the
Center ISD School Board Members, Dr. James Hockenberry, Superintendent, and the following businesses/community members for their generous support in making this trip of a lifetime available to our students.

Ben Wulf

Farmers State Bank

Shelby Savings Bank

J & D Construction

WesTech – Wesley Metcalf

David Shields, ASE Auto Inc.

Ken Boles – Boles Feed

Mettauer Law Firm

Toledo Finance

Ace Hardware of East Texas

East Texas Poultry Supply

McAdams Propane

Gatherings – Carolyn Lamb

Pizzeria

Don and Susan Bush

JD Portable Cooling Sales

General Shelters

Steptoe Real Estate

Texas Glacier Ice

Double K Glass

Paul Pustka

The Balcony

Dance Furniture

Kevin Jones

Monco Motor Company

State Farm Insurance – Chris Mayfield

Ken Muckelroy

Bounds Insurance

Dr. Keith Miller

Fred Wulf

State Farm Insurance – Sandy Wheeler