National Junior Beta Club
Mission Statement
The purpose of the National Beta Club shall be to promote the ideals of character, service and leadership among elementary and secondary school students, to reward meritorious achievement and to encourage and assist students in continuing their education after high school.
Vision Statement
The National Beta Club, a student-centered organization, continually develops and nurtures individuals by providing opportunities and experiences enabling them to demonstrate the ideals of character, achievement, service and leadership in a global community.
The National Beta Club History- 1934 2009 Celebrating 75 years
1934 . . . a year that saw many exciting events and changes throughout the world . . .
The Dionne sisters (the first quintuplets to survive birth) were born in Canada, The St. Louis
Cardinals defeated the Detroit Lions for the World Series, Henrik Dam discovered Vitamin K, a
first class stamp cost $0.03 and The National Beta Club was formed in Spartanburg, S.C. The
National Beta Club began as the dream of Dr. John W. Harris, a professor at Wofford College in
Spartanburg, S.C. Dr. Harris conceived an organization that would recognize academic achievement
among high school students. The organization would also help promote leadership and
character, and get students involved in service work. Thus, at Landrum High School in
Landrum, S.C., the first chapter of The National Beta Club was chartered with 15 members.
Formation of the club at Landrum was followed by the chartering of eight others in
South Carolina before the end of 1934. By the end of the following year, there were 75 Beta
Clubs in four states. Endorsements continued to flow, and the Beta Club continued to expand.
Dr. Harris had hit upon an idea whose time had come and acceptance of The National Beta
Club was little short of phenomenal.
Part of the success of The National Beta Club can be attributed to the fact that members
were given a forum for their activities and a chance to actually come together as a group to
practice leadership skills and display their academic achievements as well. One forum is The
Beta Journal, which began as our student magazine in September 1934. As expansion progressed,
state (and sometimes regional) conventions were held. At Beta Club conventions, students
ran for office, performed skits, competed in academic competitions and, of course, socialized
with students from other areas of the country. This tradition continues today with 36 conventions
held throughout the United States.
When World War II came in 1941, local Beta Clubs began to make a vital contribution
to the allied victory. There were countless patriotic activities. At least one fighter aircraft flew
with Beta Club on its fuselage. There was little lessening of growth during this crucial period.
From this point onward, the history of The National Beta Club is mainly one of continued
growth.
The Beta Reporter, a publication for sponsors, was started in 1950, and in 1957 The
National Beta Club began compilation of a College Facts Chart.
Another year that saw many interesting happenings was 1961 . . . the U.S. broke diplomatic
relations with Cuba, Patsy Cline released “I Fall to Pieces” and “Crazy,” Ty Cobb passed
away, a first class stamp cost $0.04, and The National Beta Club Senate authorized the institution
of the Junior Division of The National Beta Club on July 22, 1961. This new organization
was officially named the “National Junior Beta Club” and was established to function organizationally
as a separate division of The National Beta Club program. It provided an incentive
program of scholastic and character excellence for students in their formative years.
The membership of The National Junior Beta Club is composed of students from the
fifth grade to ninth grade. The Board of Directors approved the addition of the fifth grade in the
summer of 1988. On August 17, 1961, the first Junior Beta Club chapter was chartered at
Millsap Junior High School in Millsap, TX.
Currently, The National Beta Club proudly exists in 44 states and seven territories/
foreign countries. More than 75 years after Dr. Harris’s dream became a reality, we are still promoting
his original ideals of Character, Service, Achievement and Leadership. We truly posess
a proud past and look forward to a promising future.
Mission Statement
The purpose of the National Beta Club shall be to promote the ideals of character, service and leadership among elementary and secondary school students, to reward meritorious achievement and to encourage and assist students in continuing their education after high school.
Vision Statement
The National Beta Club, a student-centered organization, continually develops and nurtures individuals by providing opportunities and experiences enabling them to demonstrate the ideals of character, achievement, service and leadership in a global community.
The National Beta Club History- 1934 2009 Celebrating 75 years
1934 . . . a year that saw many exciting events and changes throughout the world . . .
The Dionne sisters (the first quintuplets to survive birth) were born in Canada, The St. Louis
Cardinals defeated the Detroit Lions for the World Series, Henrik Dam discovered Vitamin K, a
first class stamp cost $0.03 and The National Beta Club was formed in Spartanburg, S.C. The
National Beta Club began as the dream of Dr. John W. Harris, a professor at Wofford College in
Spartanburg, S.C. Dr. Harris conceived an organization that would recognize academic achievement
among high school students. The organization would also help promote leadership and
character, and get students involved in service work. Thus, at Landrum High School in
Landrum, S.C., the first chapter of The National Beta Club was chartered with 15 members.
Formation of the club at Landrum was followed by the chartering of eight others in
South Carolina before the end of 1934. By the end of the following year, there were 75 Beta
Clubs in four states. Endorsements continued to flow, and the Beta Club continued to expand.
Dr. Harris had hit upon an idea whose time had come and acceptance of The National Beta
Club was little short of phenomenal.
Part of the success of The National Beta Club can be attributed to the fact that members
were given a forum for their activities and a chance to actually come together as a group to
practice leadership skills and display their academic achievements as well. One forum is The
Beta Journal, which began as our student magazine in September 1934. As expansion progressed,
state (and sometimes regional) conventions were held. At Beta Club conventions, students
ran for office, performed skits, competed in academic competitions and, of course, socialized
with students from other areas of the country. This tradition continues today with 36 conventions
held throughout the United States.
When World War II came in 1941, local Beta Clubs began to make a vital contribution
to the allied victory. There were countless patriotic activities. At least one fighter aircraft flew
with Beta Club on its fuselage. There was little lessening of growth during this crucial period.
From this point onward, the history of The National Beta Club is mainly one of continued
growth.
The Beta Reporter, a publication for sponsors, was started in 1950, and in 1957 The
National Beta Club began compilation of a College Facts Chart.
Another year that saw many interesting happenings was 1961 . . . the U.S. broke diplomatic
relations with Cuba, Patsy Cline released “I Fall to Pieces” and “Crazy,” Ty Cobb passed
away, a first class stamp cost $0.04, and The National Beta Club Senate authorized the institution
of the Junior Division of The National Beta Club on July 22, 1961. This new organization
was officially named the “National Junior Beta Club” and was established to function organizationally
as a separate division of The National Beta Club program. It provided an incentive
program of scholastic and character excellence for students in their formative years.
The membership of The National Junior Beta Club is composed of students from the
fifth grade to ninth grade. The Board of Directors approved the addition of the fifth grade in the
summer of 1988. On August 17, 1961, the first Junior Beta Club chapter was chartered at
Millsap Junior High School in Millsap, TX.
Currently, The National Beta Club proudly exists in 44 states and seven territories/
foreign countries. More than 75 years after Dr. Harris’s dream became a reality, we are still promoting
his original ideals of Character, Service, Achievement and Leadership. We truly posess
a proud past and look forward to a promising future.