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Students from across our district recently demonstrated their talent, dedication, and school pride on a national stage at the 2025 National Beta Convention, competing in the Elementary, Junior, and Senior divisions. Our Beta Club members brought home an impressive 20 top-ten national awards across a wide range of academic and enrichment categories.

From academic subjects to the arts, our students showcased their creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking in competitions such as Living Literature, Robotics, Small Group Performance, Cake Decorating, Onsite Drawing, Quilling, and more. Their hard work and commitment were evident in every category, and the results speak volumes about the caliber of our students and the support of our educators and families.

Participation in National Beta Club events builds character, fosters academic achievement, and strengthens leadership skills—all of which were on full display during this year’s convention. We applaud the students, sponsors, and families who made this opportunity possible and congratulate all participants for their achievements and dedication.

Below is a list of school recognitions:

Chinquapin Elementary School

10th Place Science 5th Grade - Weylan Hatcher 

Duplin Early College High School

1st Place in Social Studies 11th Grade - Jenli Chilel Gonzalez

2nd Place in Science 11th Grade - Ximena Rodriguez Sanchez

6th Place in Health & Physical Education - Zuri Balderas Garcia

East Duplin High  School

3rd Place Cake Decorating Division I - Zoe Thigpen

James Kenan High  School 

5th Place Onsite Drawing Division - Zitlali Castro-Ramirez 

North Duplin Elementary School

1st Place Onsite Painting- Katherine Wolfe

4th Place Pottery- Addie Katherine Kornegay

3rd Place Club Trading Pin- Entered as NDE, created by Myra Belle Shields

8th Place Book Battle - Ella James Lambert, Addie Katherine Kornegay, & Eli Grady

Wallace Elementary School

2nd place Robotics- Thomas Bizzell, Kameron Carr, Tatum Smith, Aydan Kenan, and Caleb Medina

3rd Place Create and Animate - Aubree McKoy, Walt Phillips, De’Andre Phillips, and Isabell Mazareigos 

2nd place Fiber Arts - Aubree McKoy

7th place Small Group - Massey Cassell, Lydia Davis, Allie Henderson, Savannah Rivenbark,

Hollis Skidmore, Ella Turner 

Wallace-Rose Hill High School 

$15,000 Beta Scholarship- Elier Marquez

1st place 12th grade Spanish- Elier Marquez

2nd place Book Battle - Jonathan Medina, Geovana Herrera, Ammoryah Morrison

5th Place Speech Division II- Joshua James

8th Place Math 11th Grade - Nathaniel Crockrell

Warsaw Elementary School

8th Place Quilling - Azariah Robinson

 

Superintendent Green's Visit 24-25 

Wallace, NC - March 31, 2025 - The NC State Superintendent, Mo Green, recently visited Duplin County Schools at Wallace Elementary for an up-close look at STEAMA in action. Greeted with enthusiasm by student ambassadors, staff, and Board Chairman, Brent Davis, and Vice-Chairman, Reginald Kenan, he embarked on a student-led tour that highlighted the dynamic and hands-on learning experiences shaping the future of education. From classrooms to outdoor spaces, the visit showcased how science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics, and agriculture are seamlessly woven together to inspire curiosity, creativity, and real-world problem-solving.

The first stop was to a 2nd-grade classroom, where students engaged in an Open Court phonics lesson on vowel blends, followed by a hands-on pollination experiment demonstrating how bees transfer pollen through a collaborative activity. Students eagerly asked the State Superintendent questions, including how he plans to ensure school safety. He emphasized the importance of hiring great teachers and leaders, providing schools with safety resources, and teaching students to be proactive in school safety.

Next, the tour continued with a captivating showcase by the BETA students, whose Living Literature display brought stories to life through creativity and dedication, reflecting the passion and talent of our county’s students. Superintendent Green then engaged with Drama Club members in a meaningful conversation about the transformative power of cultural arts in education, emphasizing how theatre, music, and performance help students build confidence, express themselves, and develop a deeper appreciation for the arts.

At the school's outdoor learning area, Superintendent Green witnessed experiential learning in action as students engaged in an integrated literacy and math lesson, demonstrating how education extends beyond the classroom walls. The visit continued with the AG Club, where students proudly showcased their hands-on work in planting, fertilizing, and caring for their thriving flock of chickens. One enthusiastic student provided a fascinating explanation of the intricate process of candling eggs, illustrating the club’s commitment to agricultural science. The Superintendent also learned how students take ownership of their program by selling farm-fresh eggs, ensuring sustainability and real-world financial literacy in their agricultural endeavors.

Inside the STEAMA classroom, Superintendent Green observed the exciting intersection of technology and creativity as a student proudly demonstrated a coding project replicating Tetris, showcasing problem-solving and computational thinking in action. The tour continued with an impressive presentation from the Robotics Club, where students shared their latest innovations and demonstrated the hands-on skills they are developing for the future. Rounding out the visit, the energetic Bullpup Bouncers took center stage, highlighting the importance of physical wellness through movement, proving that STEAMA education extends beyond academics to foster well-rounded, healthy students.

Enhancing the visit with a real-world career exploration opportunity, journalism students took on the role of reporters, skillfully documenting the day's events. Through interviews, photography, and storytelling, they captured the excitement and impact of Superintendent Green’s visit, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in media and communications.

Reflecting on the visit, Duplin County Schools Superintendent Dr. Austin Obasohan shared his appreciation for the engaging and innovative learning experiences showcased throughout the day. "I am incredibly proud of our students and staff for their dedication to innovation and excellence. The engaging learning experiences showcased today are a reflection of the work happening across our district every day. Through STEAMA, our students are gaining the critical thinking, creativity, and hands-on skills they need to compete on a global scale. It is inspiring to see our educators fostering a culture of curiosity and preparing students for success in an ever-evolving world. On behalf of our Board of Education and entire school family, we thank Superintendent Green, Dr. Metcalf and their staff for taking time out of their busy schedules to visit Duplin County Schools.  Special thanks to Superintendent Green for giving Chairman Davis and Vice-Chairman Kenan the opportunity to share with him some concerns impacting students, educators, and the educational system. We are grateful for the support of NCDPI and look forward to our continued partnership ensuring student success," stated Dr. Obasohan.