HC Early College students earn awards at National Senior Beta Convention

Published 4:02 pm Friday, September 23, 2022

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AHOSKIE – Four students at Hertford County Early College High School competed in the Quiz Bowl competition at the National Beta Convention on July 1 – 4 in Nashville, Tennessee.

The group of four won 2nd place in the Written Quiz Bowl competition and 3rd place in the Oral Quiz Bowl competition.

Hertford County Early College High School students competing in the competed in the Quiz Bowl competition at the National Beta Convention were, from left, Marc Joel Cepe Lequin, Christian Smith, Melanie Rodgers, and James Brown. Contributed Photo

The participants were Marc Joel Cepe Lequin, the son of Joel Quirante and Julia Lequin, of Ahoskie; Christian Smith, the grandson of Wallace and Susan Jordan of Murfreesboro; Melanie Rodgers, the daughter of Nicole Fennell of Aulander and Oris Hall, Jr. of Winton; and James Brown, the son of James and Rhonda Brown of Gatesville.

Prior to the National Convention, the ECHS Beta members attended the NC State Convention on Jan. 27-29 in Greensboro. Students placed in the following competitions: James Brown, 1st Place – 12th Grade Social Studies; Melanie Rodgers, 1st Place – Speech; Zhaniya Leary, 1st Place – Onsite Painting; Tejas Juikar, 2nd Place – 10th Grade Social Studies; Teresita Bojas-Ortiz, 5th Place – 11th Grade Spanish; and Dakota Long, 5th Place – 11th Grade Social Studies.

The Senior Beta co-sponsor Kenyatta Moore-Ward stated, “I am elated that children from Northeastern NC are just as prepared as students from around the nation. You would have to be present to see the excitement on their faces as they exited the competition. I am reassured that we can do anything we set our minds to, and teamwork is paramount in our living and successes.”

Co-sponsor Pamela Scott added, “It amazed me how intelligent and confident our early college students were. Prior to the competition, they did not seem nervous nor intimidated. Their success was indicative of the knowledge, experience, and exposure they gained during their four years at HCECHS.”

Lyndsay Burns Britt, ECHS principal stated, “The BETA students at ECHS have worked hard to compete and win National titles over the past several years. They are a true representation of the Beta Pillars: service, character, leadership, and achievement. I continue to be impressed by the talents of the youth that attend ECHS and know we will continue to see great success in the future.”

These Beta students will truly be missed, for they have begun their first semesters at UNC Chapel Hill (Marc and James), Elon University (Melanie), and the North Carolina A & T State University (Christian).