IRMO – Members of the Dutch Fork High School National Beta Club are celebrating an outstanding performance at the South Carolina Senior Beta State Convention, held February 6–7, 2026, in Myrtle Beach.
The annual convention gives students the opportunity to compete in a wide range of academic, artistic, and team events. State winners advance to the National Beta Convention, which will be held this summer at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
Dutch Fork students earned first place in 17 competitions and placed in 27 events overall, competing against more than 35 schools statewide.
“Our students’ success would not be possible without the incredible support of their parents and families, who consistently encourage service, leadership and academic excellence,” said Kelly Eckstrom, Beta Club advisor at Dutch Fork High School. “I was extremely proud of our students for earning first place in 17 competitions and placing in 27 events. Beyond the awards, these students are well-rounded citizens who lead with integrity, serve their communities and represent Dutch Fork High School with distinction.”
Individual Competition Results
9th Grade
- Math: Bryan Zamcho – 1st place
- Science: Suzannah “Rosie” Newman-Norlund – 3rd place
10th Grade
- Biomedical Health Science: Grace Ma – 1st place
- Health and Physical Education: Krish Patel – 1st place
- Language Arts: Malaya Flores – 1st place
- Math: Maddox Nie – 1st place
- Science: Mustafa Azhar – 1st place
- Social Studies: Michael Wang – 1st place
11th Grade
- Biomedical Health Science: Caroline Petruzzi – 1st place
- Health and Physical Education: Meagan Evans – 1st place
- Math: Tram Nguyen – 1st place
- Social Studies: Madison Washington – 1st place
- Creative Writing: Ayden Robinson – 5th place
12th Grade
- Agriscience: Hunter Taylor – 1st place
- Biomedical Health Science: Alexander Kichukov – 4th place
- Language Arts: Hewaud “Ace” Khan – 1st place
- Math: Max Nie – 1st place
- Psychology: Prabhav Gudapati – 1st place
- Science: Thomas McKinney – 4th place
- Social Studies: Daniel Leuthner-Barrineau – 5th place
- U.S. History: Conner Thatch – 1st place
Visual and Performing Arts
- Hand Drawn Anime Division 2: Gracie Hu – 3rd place
- Fiber Arts Division 1: Grace Ma – 2nd place
- Drawing Division 1: Malaya Flores – 5th place
Team Competitions
- Musicology: Thomas McKinney, Max Nie, Maddox Nie, Malaya Flores – 3rd place
- Book Battle: Prabhav Gudapati, Hewaud “Ace” Khan, Alexander Kichukov, Conner Thatch – 1st place
- Robotics Showcase: Michael Wang, Mustafa Azhar, Daniel Leuthner-Barrineau, Thomas McKinney – 3rd place
“I am extremely proud of how our students performed at the State Beta Club Convention and look forward to seeing that same level of excellence as we prepare for nationals,” said Daniel Leuthner-Barrineau, president of the Dutch Fork High School Beta Club.
Leslie Barrineau, convention chaperone and Daniel’s mother, added, “Beta Club provides meaningful opportunities for students to develop leadership skills while serving their school and community.”
The Dutch Fork High School Beta Club is one of the largest and most active chapters in the state, with 310 student members. The club has been sponsored by Eckstrom for 11 years and emphasizes leadership, academic excellence and community service.
Throughout the year, members participate in service initiatives including the Buddy Walk for Family Connection of South Carolina, which supports individuals with Down syndrome; the Fort Motte African American History Community Project; Adopt-a-Family programs through Mount Zion Baptist Church; and March of Dimes fundraising efforts. Members also partner with elementary schools across the district to assist with literacy nights, fall festivals and other outreach events.
With more than 500,000 active members and 14,000 clubs nationally and internationally, National Beta is the nation’s largest independent nonprofit educational youth organization. The organization promotes academic achievement, character, service and leadership among students in grades 4–12.
For more information, visit betaclub.org.
