Twelve National Beta members from Silo participated in the Texas Leadership Summit October 20-21. They qualified for nationals in the following challenges: Collaboration Connection and Leadership Representative.

Beta Club includes students who excel in academics, leadership, service, and character. They complete service projects locally and compete in a state convention in academic areas. Silo has had a High School Beta Club for 13 years, but the Junior High Club just formed this year for students in grades 6-8 who have a GPA of 3.5 and higher.

National Beta Leadership Summits bring together students from multiple states for 1-2 day events. During that time, students work with interactive speakers who engage members through introspective exercises and team-building activities. Clubs can also participate in team-based leadership challenges which test their communication, critical thinking, creativity, presentation, and collaboration skills.

Six junior Beta members and six high school members attended the summit. Both clubs competed in the Collaboration Connection Challenge, in which they did a series of timed teamwork challenges. They both qualified to compete in nationals in this event.

Additionally, Silo seventh-grader Brody Roberts interviewed for the position of Leadership Representative, which he won. He will now deliver a speech at next year’s leadership summit, and have the opportunity to run for national leadership representative. Roberts is the Silo Junior Beta Club president.

“I was really happy that I won, but also surprised, because the other students’ had well thought answers, too,” Roberts said.

Silo seventh-grader Maddix Sander also attended the summit. She was elected state Junior Beta secretary at last year’s state convention.

Silo High School Beta Club sponsor Liz Sullivan said her six students had a great time bonding with one another, learning about Beta Club, and getting inspirational leadership messages from two speakers.

“The leadership summit was a neat experience for our kids,” Sullivan said. “The speakers really made them think about what their goals are and what they want to get out of Beta.”

With more than 500,000 active members and 8,750 clubs nationally and internationally, National Beta has become the nation’s largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization. 

Captions: Silo Junior Beta members who attended a Beta Leadership Summit at Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Texas (from front to back): Brody Roberts, Trinity Ford, Jace Hastings, Shaylee Davis, Maddix Sander, and Anna Mauck

Silo High School Beta members who attended a Beta Leadership Summit at Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Texas (from left to right): Denver McBride, John Poling, Evan Hammond, Gracey Gatlin, Shawn Weaver, and Claire Mauck