New legacy for club: Our garden is now growing!
The 2020-21 Beta Club committees wanted to leave a permanent legacy for Harris Road Middle School in the form of a garden that all can enjoy. That vision has become a reality. On June 1, the first plants went into the soil of the massive new garden facing the car-rider line. As the plants grow this summer, the garden should be spectacular when students return to school. And it's not done! There's still a lot of room for more shrubs, perennials, annuals - and even some vegetables.
1,200 hours & up: Betas serve during pandemic
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In a typical year, the club produces more than 2,000 service hours making a difference in the community. This year of COVID blunted our ability to match that effort. However, as of the end of the school year, the club is proud of its members for exceeding the 1,200-hour mark! That's a lot of folks (and animals) whose lives have been made slightly merrier during these difficult times.
What have the students being doing lately? One, many filmed themselves reading picture books and posted those on FlipGrid, allowing the kindergartners at nearby Odell Primary School to view them. In the past (as you can see down below on this page), we'd visit the school in person and read to the little ones. Second, we're helping out at local food banks, to assist those folks who have become food insecure during this rough year. Third, we're volunteering at Share the Harvest Farm, where planting has begun for a new year of crops to feed the needy. And the list goes on. Betas have also been showing their academic and artistic chops. In February, our members competed in the North Carolina Beta Convention, which was held virtually. We cleaned up in many competitions. Here's the list: Book Battle: First place (Carson Verburg, Aubri Oyopero, Addison Berg); Digital Art 3rd place: Zanna Negami; 7th grade Language Arts: 4th place: Tanvi Appani; 8th grade Math: 1st place: Ram Petluri; Quiz Bowl: 4th place (Carson Verburg, Kaylee Geolingo, Saanvi Majji, Anushka Kagade); 7th grade science: 1st place: Akhilesh Karthik; 8th grade science: 1st place: Edward Zhang; 7th grade social studies: 2nd place: Carson Verburg; 8th grade social studies: 1st place: Neel Date. Rock and roll, Betas! |
A chilly winter doesn't keep down the club!
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The Harris Road Beta Club has been hindered somewhat from its usual engagement with the community because of the pandemic. However, that doesn't mean our members are locked inside and doing nothing to make lives better for our neighbors. In advance of Christmas, our members made more than 150 cards that were delivered to Taylor Glen Retirement Village to show their residents how much we care. In addition, members decorated a tree outside the facility, and some sang Christmas carols. Check out the accompanying slideshow.
Of course, the pandemic is hitting people hard in the wallet. For many, that means struggling to keep their families fed. As a result, food banks are busier than ever. Many of our members helped out at Second Harvest Food Bank (see the photos). They were busy on other fronts as well. Some donated to organizations such as Goodwill. Some participated in a Girl Scout food drive or packed meals at Servants with a Heart (see photos). Others packed lunches for the homeless in their homes and delivered them (photos). Several also made table toppers that will lend a festive atmosphere at the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte (great photos here). Our members showed their service in ways too numerous to count, and they are committed to pushing forward with new ventures into the spring. |
Fall brings out the best in Betas
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October is a great month for the Beta Club. Most years, we host the Harris Road Harvest, which brings in thousands of dollars for regional charities. This year, the pandemic eliminated that possibility. However, Betas came out in force to make a difference in their community anyway. More than forty Betas carved pumpkins to deliver to Taylor Glen Life Plan Community, where a fantastic pumpkin patch was set up. The idea was the brainchild of member Addison Berg.
The response from Taylor Glen was sensational. April Weddington, who oversees resident entertainment, said, "The pumpkin patch has been absolutely wonderful. Everyone has loved it and has been so excited for it." In addition, many members took part in a Halloween costume parade outside Taylor Glen on Oct. 30. The HRMS Beta relationship with Taylor Glen dates back six years, and we're proud of our continuing association. During this challenging time, other members stepped up to the plate in many ways. Some joined student council to collect canned foods on Oct. 30 & 31. Others helped clean up Harris Road, which was quite a mess (we filled about 20 large garbage bags). Other great efforts included participating in a backpack drive for homeless students, designing positivity posters which were posted around HRMS, volunteering at a puppy rescue, and much more. And that's just October. Check out the collection of photos that show off a busy month for Betas! |
Betas back in action digging sweet potatoes!
Our club members showed up in force on Saturday, Oct. 9, to dig sweet potatoes for the Share the Harvest Farm! Check out the video for more info!
Beta brings smiles during difficult time
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Beta Club member (and current 7th-grader) Kripa Bhat has not let these strange, homebound times get to her during the pandemic. In fact, she aims to brighten everyone's day and put smiles on their faces by making banners with special messages.
She created "Banners for Positivity" in early April, spread the word through social media, and has been receiving more orders than she can keep up with. She had to take a break to wait for a new batch of supplies to arrive, but is excited about the response this project has generated. Check out the gallery to see Kripa at work as well as her final products, which definitely will not go out of style even after the pandemic ends, |
Betas take awards in academic
competitions at State Convention
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Your Beta Club attended the annual State Convention in Greensboro, N.C., on Feb. 4 and 5. A great time was had by all, networking with others and experienced the huge amount of talent from clubs all over the state. We had great success as well in the academic competitions. Our biggest winner? Lalit Julapalli finished first in Math and is eligible to compete at the National Convention this summer. Among the others who placed: Amelia Black took fourth place in Language Arts; Dustin Hall took fifth place in Science; and Ram Petluri took fifth place in Social Studies. Check out the photos from the big event!
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Our charities benefit from our hard work
The Harris Road Harvest raised $10,000 for its charities at the October 11 event. Our two local beneficiaries received a great surprise on Monday, Dec. 9, when each was given a $4,000 check. Ms. Becky Hughes represented Prayers for Elijah Foundation. She told the emotional story of her late son, Elijah, who battled a rare form of childhood cancer. Ms. Liz Kreitzer talked about the work her nonprofit Kreitzers Critter Coral and Puppy Rescue does in providing dogs with a forever home. She encouraged members to volunteer for the great work they do. Afterward, both Ms. Hughes (top photo) and Ms. Kreitzer (bottom photo) received their check and posed with our members. It was a great, moving day for all Betas!
A huge weekend of service in November
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Betas support Special Olympians, veterans, homeless children, and seniors in busy service day November 16
The Beta Club was making a difference in many places on Saturday, November 16. Special Olympics 3-on-3 basketball came to the Harris Road gym, and many members were there to setup the event and cheer on the athletes. At Bright Blessings, our members made packages for homeless children as we head into the holiday season. At Taylor Glens Retirement Village, members were there to play bingo with the residents as part of our twice-monthly visits. A member made signs for and ran a stand for food donations to be given to military veterans in need. Check out these fantastic images!
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Starting the day with the little ones
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Forty-four members of the club made their way to Odell Primary School before school on Friday, Nov. 1. For thirty minutes, our members read to an excited, engaged audience of kindergartners. This was the club's sixth visit to Odell in a continuing association. Check out these images and videos!
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Harris Road Harvest is a huge hit!
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The Beta Club and the students and parents of Harris Road Middle School turned out in droves to make the 2019 Harris Road Harvest a huge hit. An estimated crowd of more than 800 played games, enjoyed great food, met sweet puppies, and watched live entertainment as we raised thousands of dollars for three fantastic local charities. Our charities: The Prayers for Elijah Foundation, Kreitzers Puppy Rescue, and Dave Thomas Foundation, will receive $10,000 altogether.
Enjoy these images from the event. They come to us from GameTruck, which provided video games on demand and laser tag, as well as our own club photographer. |
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We served during summer break
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Betas don't go entirely on vacation during summer vacation. From June through August 2019, members were making a difference in all kinds of ways. They visited seniors, packed (and unpacked) food for the needy, taught at summer camps, and had a fantastic time during the process.
Additionally, more than a third of the club volunteered on August 14 for Harris Road's B - 4 - 6 Summer camp, which helps orient incoming sixth-graders to what's ahead. Hundreds of tykes, fresh off the secure confines of elementary school, came for the day, which was broken into a pair of 2.5-hour sessions. Check out the photo gallery for a partial look at some of the members' escapades this summer. |
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We Made a Difference in March!
From about 1,000 canned goods on March 4-8, 2018, to loose change that added up to hundreds of dollars for the Leukemia and Lymphoma
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Betas are making a difference in young children's lives as well. We made the little ones at Odell Primary smile and laugh on a cold February morning!
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Harris Road Harvest has biggest success yet!
The 3rd annual Harris Road Harvest took place Oct. 19, 2018, and about 600 students and families attended. From game trucks to puppies up for adoption to a chili cookoff, dodgeball, other games, and great vendors, this year's event raised more than $8,000 for three worthy, local charities. Check out the slideshow on the Harris Road Harvest page.
These adorable puppies were among many who visited the Harvest. They were brought by Kreitzer's Critter Corral Puppy Rescue, which will receive some of the event's proceeds to help their wonderful work with orphaned or abandoned pups!
Harvest photos by Roshan Ragu
Harvest photos by Roshan Ragu
Our Betas read to the little ones at Odell Primary School on Oct. 26, 2018! Check out the slideshow
A Beta's work is never done. From visiting senior citizens, to helping out around school, to touching lives in the community, this slideshow is a sample of the work and the camaraderie that our members have experienced lately. Check out these images:
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Watch the members testimonials to figure out why people LOVE Beta Club!
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2019 State Convention in Greensboro!
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Last year we got a landslide of a victory in the Quiz Bowl in the State Convention. This year we returned as veterans and brought a whole new sense of creativity to the competition over February 5-6.
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Our club in the community ....
Community service is a huge part of Beta club. We do everything to help our community and make the world a better place. As a requirement of membership, Betas visit retirement homes, animal shelters, soup kitchens, food banks, and many other locations to make a difference in others' lives. We have adopted a highway that we clean twice yearly. We hold the Harris Road Harvest in the fall, and sponsor fundraisers in school and beyond, including winter coat, children's books, and DVD drives. Since 2015, our members have performed roughly 2,000 hours of community service.
Spending time with retirees at Taylor Glens! (9/23/17)
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... and learning leadership
We go on the road to learn leadership skills and network with other Betas. Our members have the option to participate in the National Beta's Club one-day Leadership Summit at Great Wolf Lodge (above, as we did last October) and the two-day State Junior Beta Convention in Greensboro (below, as we did this February).
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Members And Counting!!!
Click the link below to see our Tweets!
Click the link below to see our Tweets!