Leadership, Service, and Scholarship Shine at LDHS Beta Club Induction
March 24, 2025
On March 20, 2025, the Laurens District 55 High School (LDHS) held the National Beta Club Pillar Induction Ceremony. The LDHS Beta Club has been inducting members since 1992. However, the club has not inducted members in the last three years. The comeback of the organization at LDHS came with a bang, with thirty-six student members from the 9th grade, thirty-four student members from the 10th grade, and thirty-five students from the 11th grade, about 70 percent of which attended the ceremony.
Parvathi Etha, LDHS Science Teacher and 2023-2024 LDHS Teacher of the Year is the new Beta Club Sponsor. Mrs. Etha welcomed the guests and shared her task of guiding the students to grow as leaders who focus on the National Beta Club’s pillars of achievement, character, leadership, and service.
The National Beta Club was established in 1934 by Dr. John W. Harris. It is a unique club because it combines scholarship, leadership, and service. It provides a holistic experience, preparing students for personal and academic success. Today, there are approximately 14,000 clubs nationally and internationally with over 500,000 members. Students invited to be part of the National Beta Club maintain a 4.0 grade point average, complete 40 hours of community service, and maintain exemplary conduct, inside and outside the classroom.
Weston Coggins, a 10th-grader, was one of the inductees. He is a member of the LDHS Tennis Team, serves as the LDHS Student Government Sophomore President, the Laurens Chapter President of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), and works part-time at the Big Air in Laurens. He said, “I wanted to become part of the Beta Club because I want to make a change in my school by helping build a 5-star culture of excellence. I also hope to successfully promote the Pillars of the National Beta Club.”
Ressa Moates, an 11th-grader, was also an inductee. She is currently in the LDHS Student Government, LDHS Cheerleading Team, and the LDHS Concert Choir. “I’ve always been passionate about making a difference in the community and helping others. Being part of a group that celebrates academic excellence and community service is like a dream come true for me. I love the idea of surrounding myself with individuals who are just as driven and motivated to make a positive impact.”
Mrs. Etha later said, “Reestablishing the National Beta Club at Laurens District 55 High School fosters academic excellence, leadership, and community service. The club encourages high achievement, character development, and civic responsibility while providing students with opportunities for scholarships, leadership training, and participation in state and national conventions.”
Administrators from the district and school levels are excited about the return of the LDHS Beta Club. Present at the ceremony were Laurens County School District 55 Superintendent Dr. Jody Penland, Director of Teaching and Learning Wendy Burgess, Coordinator of Communications Faye Colley, LDHS Principal Lewis Compton, and LDHS Assistant Principal Jonathan Schwalbe. LDHS Staff members who support the program include LDHS Master Teacher Danette McClinton and LDHS Social Studies Teacher Brooke Yarbrough.
Many families came to support the inductees. Kearston Moates, Rhonda Thompson, and Michael Thompson came to support Ressa Moates. Ressa’s mother Kearston Moates said, “I am very excited for Ressa to be part of the Beta Club. It is a wonderful opportunity to further encourage her academic goals, promote her character development and service to others, as well as to foster her leadership skills.”
Ressa’s aunt and uncle drove from Simpsonville to show how much they believe in Ressa and the value of the National Beta Club. Rhonda Thompson said, “It was a privilege to witness her being inducted into the National Beta Club. Being a Beta Club member is a reflection of her accomplishments, dedication to her academics, and willingness to serve others.”
Ashley Coggins, Weston Coggins’s mother, also expressed how delighted she is to have the National Beta Club at LDHS and for her son to be part of it. “I support Weston in becoming a National Beta Club member because it is a positive thing for our school, and I want him to be part of that. I am excited to see how the club helps Weston grow in the areas of leadership and service,” shared Ashley Coggins.
LCSD 55 congratulates the new members of the LDHS Beta Club. Administrators, staff, and parents look forward to the growth of the newly-inducted Beta Club members and seeing their involvement in service leadership initiatives.
