More than 1,300 attend Junior Beta Club convention in Poplar Bluff

The cheering grew louder and louder in an immense display of school pride, as about 35 middle schools throughout the state were introduced by their representatives.

More than 1,300 attendees participated in the seventh annual Missouri Junior Beta Club Convention held at the Black River Coliseum on Friday.

"You are part of the greatest youth organization in America, bar none," stated Glenn Stribling, assistant executive director of the National Beta Club, headquartered in South Carolina.

In addition to an opportunity to network, the top students of their respective grades were competing both academically and artistically for placement in the national convention to be held in Louisville, Ky. during the summer.

Jerry Hobbs, state chair of the council that oversees the Betas, said he considers the speeches and performances "leadership training" that can one day be applied beyond the classroom.

"You may be the king of the hill at your school, but you're just another fish in the pond among hundreds of other kids here," Hobbs said. "It makes for great character building."

Besides a talent show, Betas vie for five state offices during the convention.

The only Beta guaranteed a seat this year was Emily Walls, a seventh grader of Poplar Bluff Junior High, who was running unopposed for secretary.

Since she was not informed ahead of time that there would be no competition for the post, she still delivered her campaign speech while her classmates rallied to gain votes on her behalf.

Walls vowed to set an example as she fulfills the Beta motto, to "lead by serving others." Afterward, her cheerleaders marched upon the stage singing a cadence as they wore camouflage T-shirts that read: "Duty calls, vote Walls."

Meanwhile Breck Campbell of the Missouri School for the Blind in St. Louis was running against Bernie student Caleb Ellenburg for the state position of chaplain. With a campaign platform that centered around Christianity, Ellenburg was able to amplify his message when the song "Pray" by MC Hammer suddenly burst from the stereo system.

His opponent delivered her speech while her classmates, each of whom are legally blind, performed a swinging baseball bat routine, chanting the slogan: "Get on deck with Breck."

The outgoing state Beta vice president who was also from Campbell's school.

Michael Babusa was born with albinism and he is practically a celebrity among Junior Betas, said to Shaughn Doyel, the School of the Blind sponsor.

"It never crosses their mind that they can't do something, even though they are mostly going off of hearing," said Doyel, who is also a sponsor-elect for the state council.

Babusa still has some vision but has to wear special sunglasses to protect his eyes.

"His hair may have won him some votes last year among the little girls," Doyel said. Babusa's light blonde hair hangs beyond his shoulders.

Missouri is one of 14 states with a Beta convention. In order to have one, a state needs to have 50 Beta Clubs in an age group, or 2,500 members.

To be a Beta, students are required to maintain a B- average, practice good citizenship and engage in community service.

Dr. Tim Hager, who is principal of Doniphan, said he just started bringing his school's Junior Beta Club to Poplar Bluff last year.

"They got the good grades and did the service work for a chance to compete," said Hager, also vice chair of the state council. "This is the fun part."