National Beta members from Isle of Wight County Schools (IWCS) recently earned national accolades for their exceptional accomplishments at the 2025 National Beta Convention, held in Orlando, FL this summer. After months of preparation and dedication, students from the following schools were awarded top honors in their competitions.
Dylan Fuson captured first place in the Junior Performing Arts Solo, Duo, Trio category with a powerful piano performance of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata (Third Movement). Carter Hickerson secured a top-ten finish in U.S. History, earning tenth place for his efforts. Rylee Lawrence, representing Georgie Tyler Middle School, was recognized for his strong showing in Eighth Grade Science, where he finished ninth overall.
Windsor Elementary’s Camden Seward impressed judges with his woodworking skills, taking home fifth place for his entry. Westside Elementary also had a standout presence at the National Beta Convention. Rylee Joslin earned a tenth-place award in fifth grade Creative Writing, while Max Christenson matched that finish in fifth grade Social Studies. Max joined teammates Ivy Kole, Radha Flaherty-Cross, and AnnieKate Hickerson in the Convention Invention category, where their collaboration led to a sixth-place ranking. Ori Brown shined in sixth grade Science, earning a third-place award.
In addition to his academic success, Max Christenson was selected as a Premier Performer and showcased his vocal talent during the opening of the Elementary convention. Alice Thomsen received the same honor, serving as a Premier Performer vocalist at the start of the Junior convention.
These honors follow their success at the Virginia State Beta Convention, where they first qualified to compete at the national level. The National Convention drew thousands of Beta members from across the country. This year’s event welcomed over 3,000 Elementary (grades 4–5), 5,100 Junior (grades 6–8), and 6,900 Senior (grades 9–12) students, making it the largest National Convention gathering in National Beta history.
With more than 500,000 active members and over 8,750 clubs nationally and internationally, National Beta is the largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization in the U.S. Grounded in the four pillars of achievement, character, leadership, and service, National Beta continues to shape tomorrow’s leaders through active community engagement and academic excellence.