National Beta Club - South Carolina Encyclopedia (2024)

He knew achievers made A and B grades, and subsequently chose Beta (or B) for the organization’s name. He asked principals and superintendents for permission to present his plan to local literary societies and sponsors.

The National Beta Club was founded January 8, 1934, at Landrum High School by Dr. John West Harris, faculty member at Wofford College. Reared on a farm and aware of the privations of his day, Harris worked to develop youth for effective leadership and achievement. His high standards and goals were fashioned after Phi Beta Kappa and the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs. He knew achievers made A and B grades, and subsequently chose Beta (or B) for the organization’s name. He asked principals and superintendents for permission to present his plan to local literary societies and sponsors.

The Landrum High School Literary Society (fifteen members) and sponsor Helen Prince were the first to apply for membership. Before the school year ended, eight other literary societies had become Beta Clubs. By the end of the following year there were seventy-five chapters in four states.

National dues are paid by members, and an endowed foundation supports the organization and its programs. The Student Loan Program assisted fifteen hundred worthy students before it became a Scholarship Program, supported by many national corporations and philanthropists.

Annual Assemblies are held for members and sponsors at the state level, and delegates are elected to an International Convention. Each member receives a membership pin and a certificate, subscription to the Beta Club Journal, subscription to Beta Web network, a membership card, and a diploma seal for graduating seniors. Junior Beta Clubs began in junior high schools in 1961.

As of 2005 the National Beta Club, headquartered in Spartanburg, had more than 417,000 members in the United States, the Bahamas, Germany, Guam, Puerto Rico, Russia, and the Virgin Islands. Among the nearly five million former members are Erika Dunlap, Miss America 2004; NFL quarterback Jake Delhomme; former president Bill Clinton; the television journalist Diane Sawyer; and Millard Fuller, the founder of Habitat for Humanity.

National Beta Club - South Carolina Encyclopedia (2024)

FAQs

Is National Beta Club a big deal? ›

Foremost, National Beta is a nationally recognized honor society to celebrate students' academic achievements. building activities at the Beta Leadership Events held every summer, as well as opportunities to attend Student Leadership Summits held throughout the year.

Does National Beta Club look good on college applications? ›

As with National Honor Society, colleges do not care if you are in junior Beta club or Beta club. As Beta club is a function of your GPA and your volunteer efforts, colleges do not need this distinction to evaluate your application.

Is National Beta Club an honor? ›

National Beta School of Distinction Award is an honor for Beta clubs striving towards academic achievement, exemplary character, demonstrated leadership and service to others.

What GPA do you need for Beta Club? ›

Members are expected to lead by example and must follow all rules set in the Beta Club by-laws. unweighted GPA of 3.5 or higher. Members who do not maintain the minimum required GPA throughout the year will be dismissed from the club.

Do colleges care about NHS? ›

While being a member of National Honors Society (NHS) can show that you're a dedicated student who values scholarship, leadership, service, and character, it's not an automatic game-changer for college admissions.

Is it worth it to join Beta Club? ›

Many Beta Club members get scholarship offers even when they haven't applied for college yet. This is because colleges keep note of successful high school students. Beta Club members are, by default, exemplary students and colleges know this.

What grade is National Beta Club? ›

There are three National Beta divisions:

Elementary Beta: 4th-5th grade. Junior Beta: 6th-8th grade. Senior Beta: 9th-12th grade.

Does National Beta Club give scholarships? ›

Awards Offered: National Beta is proud to offer a range of scholarships to deserving students as part of the National Beta Scholarship Program. Scholarships are awarded based on the applicant's achievements, contributions, and commitment to the ideals of National Beta.

How do you get invited into Beta Club? ›

Students must be working on or above grade level, show exemplary academic achievement and high moral character for membership consideration. The membership of National Beta Club shall be comprised of clubs of those students who qualify for membership according to the Constitution and Bylaws of the National Beta Club.

What is the purpose of National Beta Club? ›

The National Beta Club (often called "Beta Club" or simply "Beta") is an organization for 4th through 12th grade students in the United States. Its purpose is "to promote the ideals of academic achievement, character, leadership and service among elementary and secondary school students.".

How does Beta Club help students? ›

Beta is an academic honors recognition program; Beta holds convention for students where they can compete in all sorts of academic areas for awards, scholarship, and monetary gifts; Beta is a service organization that encourages high moral character; Beta provides some of the best student leadership training offered; ...

Is Beta Club an extracurricular activity? ›

Some examples of leadership activities are:

National Beta Club. School-sponsored peer leadership group. Student Council. Any club or sport where you served in a leadership position.

How much does it cost to join the National Beta Club? ›

The per student membership fee into the Elementary Beta Club is sixteen dollars for entry into Division I (Grades 4-5) and twenty-four dollars into the Junior Beta Club (Grades 6-8). The per student membership fee into the Senior Beta Club (Grades 9-12) is thirty-two dollars.

What happens if you get kicked out of Beta Club? ›

Upon meeting the requirements, the member can be reinstated to the club. If the requirements are not met, the student will be dismissed from the club for one calendar year and will have to meet new member eligibility requirements to rejoin the beta club.

Why is it called Beta Club? ›

He knew achievers made A and B grades, and subsequently chose Beta (or B) for the organization's name. He asked principals and superintendents for permission to present his plan to local literary societies and sponsors. The National Beta Club was founded January 8, 1934, at Landrum High School by Dr.

Why National Beta Club is important? ›

Impacting Students and Empowering Communities

As the largest, independent, educational youth organization in America, National Beta emphasizes our four pillars by providing opportunities and experiences to impact our members, their schools, and communities across the world.

What do National Beta Club members do? ›

As a member of National Beta you will find everything you do—from local events at your school to our various state and national events—is designed to help you grow in our four pillars: achievement, character, leadership, and service. There are three National Beta divisions: Elementary Beta: 4th-5th grade.

How are you chosen for Beta Club? ›

Students must be working on or above grade level , show exemplary academic achievement and high moral character for membership consideration. The membership of National Beta Club shall be comprised of clubs of those students who qualify for membership according to the Constitution and Bylaws of the National Beta Club.

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