By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–First, Sarah Del Valle and Sara Ullrich made their mark in the Beta Club state-level competition.
Now, the Union City High School students have carved their names on the list of national winners.
Del Valle, a freshman last year, claimed first place in her grade group in science, while Ullrich finished seventh in the 11th-grade language arts division of the National Beta Club competition held in Orlando this summer.
The two UCHS students completed virtually in their respective categories and were part of a contingent of more than 17,000 youths who took part in the competition. The Top 10 finishers in each category were recognized with trophies/plaques.
Del Valle and Ullrich took multiple-choice tests as both academic and speech categories were held and judged online. Several other competitions were held in person.
“It’s a testament of how academic-minded we are at Union City Schools — to perform so well in our first venture in the national competition,” club sponsor Ashley Martin said.
“We really just looked at it as a trial run. For these two girls and the other students who did so well at the state level to perform so well, it’s amazing. I commend them all.”
In all, six Union City High School students earned the right to compete on the national level with Top 5 finishes in the Tennessee state competition. Joining Del Valle (first place) and Ullrich (fourth place) were Chloe Meade (fourth place, 10th-grade social studies), Leah Wisener (fourth place, 12th-grade mathematics), Lucas Greer (fifth place, 9th-grade language arts), and Tammy Huynyh (fifth place, Division II speech).
The UCHS Beta Club has 98 members who must adhere to several criteria to remain part of the group.
Those on the traditional academic track must maintain a 93-or-better average while having no ‘D’s or ‘F’s’. Students in the Union City Schools Magnet program must keep an 88-or-above average in their classes with no ‘D’s or ‘F’s.