Kate Brady, Wren High School freshman, won the Oratory Competition at the National Beta Club Convention in Greensboro, NC. Brady won first place in the senior division competing against 24 other high school students from across the nation.
Prior to winning the national competition, Ms. Brady competed in the Oratory Competition at the state level in February and placed first, qualifying her to compete at the national convention held June 27-30 in Greensboro.
“It was an honor to represent Wren High School and to represent South Carolina at the National Beta Club Convention,” Brady said. “The speech was about South Carolina, but it is also was about hope. I just want to thank all of the people who encouraged, supported and helped me prepare for the competition.”
Karen Key, English teacher at Wren High School and Beta Club sponsor, said, “Her speech contained the right mix of humor, narrative, and motivational link to the Beta theme – “Betas, Start Your Engines.” In her speech, Kate related experiences from a “county trip” with her family, during which time she visited all 46 counties in South Carolina. Her message to fellow Betas was to accept the challenge of the Beta motto of leadership by being bearers of hope.”
Key continued, “To place first at the national level as a rising sophomore is a significant accomplishment. Kate is an amazing young person with strong leadership potential. We look forward to the contributions she will undoubtedly make to Wren’s Beta Club and student body. I feel sure that Betas across the state will know the name Kate Brady.”
“We are very proud of this tremendous accomplishment from Kate,” stated Principal of Wren High Robbie Binnicker. “To be recognized as the national winner in the Beta Oratory Competition is remarkable – especially considering that Kate is only a rising sophomore. She is such a talented young lady in so many areas and I know we have many years of additional accomplishments to come.”
Brady has been involved in Beta Club since attending Wren Middle School. She has embraced the mission of Beta Club through her service and leadership skills. She is active in the student council and was elected to serve as the sophomore class president at Wren High for the 2012-2013 school year.
The National Beta Club is the nation’s largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization. Their goal is to recognize and promote high academic achievement, reward and nurture worthy character, foster leadership skills and encourage service to others. The National Beta Club has worked with over six million young people in grades 5-9 (Junior Beta Club) and grades 9-12 (Senior Beta Club). There are now more than 420,000 active members and more than 8,000 clubs nationally and internationally.
Wren High has a 9th/10th grade Beta Club and an 11th/12th grade Beta Club. The Beta Club is open to students who maintain a GPA of 3.8 and meet the standards for membership which include good character, leadership, service, and attendance. Members participate in a variety of service projects throughout the year. Faculty Sponsors are Mrs. Julie Bolton and Mrs. Karen Key, teachers at Wren High.
