(by Don Meador, Allen County Schools, July 27, 2020)
Allen County-Scottsville High
School rising sophomore Aidan Davis is a national champion. Davis recently
placed first in Ninth Grade Social Studies during the National Beta Virtual
Convention.
“I was surprised more than anything,” Davis said. “I didn’t expect to get into the top 10.”
Davis took top state honors at the Kentucky State
Beta Convention in January while AC-SH rising senior Katherine Foster placed
second in 11th Grade Social Studies. The results qualified Davis and Foster for
the National Beta Convention competition, June 15-18, in Fort Worth, Texas.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the National Convention to be cancelled
due to health and safety concerns. However, over 12,000 Junior Beta (grades
4-8) and Senior Beta (grades 9-12) students were able to represent their
schools in the first National Beta Virtual Convention.
“I was disappointed to not get to go to Texas,” Davis admitted. “I mainly take the state test to try to get the opportunity to go to Nationals. I wanted to make the trip.”
Davis---who has been to the national convention in previous years in
venues such as Oklahoma City and Charlestown South Carolina---candidly admitted
that the national convention involves a lot of students and activities, but
also gives the participants the opportunity to see the sights.
“The convention center is always crowded and loud,” Davis said. “You actually spend about one day competing and then you get to go places and do things. My great grandmothers’ sister lives in Texas and I was going to get to meet her. Honestly, I was glad to compete virtually, but it was not the same.”
The test itself was relativity simple---50 multiple choice social studies questions. Davis---whose father taught ninth grade civics for years before entering administration---notes that having a dad with a social studies background "probally didn't hurt."
Looking ahead, Davis realizes that the accomplishment will help him in the
future.
“It will look good on my college applications” Davis added.
Foster also competed in the National Virtual competition in the 11th
Grade division but did not place in the Top Ten.
Davis is the 14-year old son of Shane and Natalie Davis. He is undecided
about his future plans.
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. National Beta promotes the ideals of academic achievement, character, service and leadership among elementary and secondary school students. National Junior Beta includes grades 4-8 and National Senior Beta includes grades 9-12. Visit betaclub.org for
more information.