IWCS Beta Students Earn National Honors as Division Named District of Distinction
Isle of Wight County Schools recognized among just 95 National Beta Districts of Distinction nationwide
ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY, Va. — Isle of Wight County Schools is celebrating an exceptional year for its National Beta program, with students earning numerous top placements at the 2026 National Beta Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, while the division itself was recognized as a National Beta District of Distinction.
The District of Distinction honor places IWCS among just 95 school districts and 543 Beta clubs nationwide recognized for their commitment to academic excellence, leadership development, character and service.
The recognition reflects the collective efforts of Beta students, sponsors, principals and schools across the division and highlights the strength of a program built around the four pillars of National Beta: achievement, character, leadership and service.
That commitment was on full display this summer at the 2026 National Beta Convention, where IWCS students from six schools competed against Beta members from across the country in academic, creative and leadership competitions.
IWCS Students Shine on the National Stage
Following months of preparation and dedication, IWCS students earned numerous top-ten finishes, including five national first- and second-place finishes across academic and competitive events.
Windsor Elementary School
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Grayson Seward — 8th Place, Mixed Media
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Ryan Gray — 6th Place, Sculpture
Hardy Elementary School
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Lucy Poje — 1st Place, 4th Grade Spanish
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Ruby Brown, Malcolm Hughes, Lucy Poje and John Peavy — 7th Place, Meeting of the Minds
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Hardy Elementary Beta Club — 7th Place, Club Trading Pin
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Caroline Joyner and Margaret Peavy were selected as Premier Performers and invited to help open the National Beta Convention by performing three dances.
Carrsville Elementary School
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Nola Maye — 8th Place, Digitally Enhanced Photography
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Simon Lewis — 5th Place, Drawing
Westside Elementary School
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Bryce Parsons — 6th Place, Math
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Jared Blount — 2nd Place, Speech
Smithfield Middle School
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Orion Brown — 1st Place, 7th Grade Science
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Carter Hickerson — 9th Place, 8th Grade U.S. History
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Sylas Sciarrotta — 10th Place, 8th Grade Social Studies
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Orion Brown, Olivia Peavy, Sylas Sciarrotta, Allie Thompson, Lexi Campbell and Gabrielle Major — 1st Place, Onsite Scavenger Hunt
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Tatum McClain, Evalan Skinner, Allie Thompson, Alice Thomsen, Carter Hickerson and Sylas Sciarrotta — 4th Place, Candidate Skit
Windsor High School
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Jacob Moore — 8th Place, Sculpture
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Brock Rodgers — 2nd Place, 12th Grade Agriscience
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Braedon Harris — 2nd Place, 11th Grade Social Studies
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Dayana Gonzalez-Amaya — 7th Place, 10th Grade Spanish
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Jake Nolan — 3rd Place, 10th Grade Health & Physical Education
The National Beta Convention, themed “Wired for Success,” brought together thousands of Beta members from across the country. The annual convention gives students in grades 4–12 opportunities to demonstrate academic achievement, creativity, leadership and talent through individual and team competitions, service initiatives, educational programming and leadership experiences.
A Division-Wide Commitment to Excellence
The District of Distinction recognition represents more than the accomplishments of individual students. It recognizes the sustained work taking place across IWCS schools to provide students with opportunities to develop academically, grow as leaders and put character and service into action.
The eight IWCS schools with National Beta clubs recognized as part of the division's District of Distinction are:
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Carrsville Elementary School — Principal Tara Outland; Beta Sponsors Sonja Bradshaw and Erin Seward
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Hardy Elementary School — Principal Shante Denson; Beta Sponsors Heather Stafford, Morgan McGrath, Jasmine Sabean and Annmarie Worrell
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Westside Elementary School — Principal Matt Johnson; Beta Sponsors Shea Wilde and Meredith Hilliard
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Windsor Elementary School — Principal Dr. Kristen Wilkins; Beta Sponsors Kris Ann Hardison and Emily Bradshaw
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Georgie Tyler Middle School — Principal Erin Luck; Beta Sponsor April Griffith
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Smithfield Middle School — Principal Dr. Chelsea Kulp; Beta Sponsors Amanda Browder, Ryon Nance, Elizabeth Tisdel, Jackie Stephenson and Rebecca Cox
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Smithfield High School — Principal Aston Williams; Beta Sponsor Zachary Kempf
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Windsor High School — Principal Dawn Carroll; Beta Sponsor Jennifer Davis
“We are incredibly proud of the accomplishments of our Beta students and the educators who make these opportunities possible,” said Dr. Christopher Coleman, Superintendent of Isle of Wight County Schools. “Being recognized as a District of Distinction while seeing our students succeed at the national level is a tremendous reflection of the culture our schools are building. These students are demonstrating what it means to achieve, lead, serve and represent Isle of Wight County with distinction.”
The accomplishments of IWCS Beta students at the national convention, coupled with the division's District of Distinction recognition, reflect a shared commitment to creating opportunities for students to Inspire, Succeed, Lead and Empower.
Isle of Wight County Schools congratulates all of the students, sponsors, principals and school communities whose dedication contributed to these outstanding achievements.