NASHVILLE — Martin County Middle School Beta Club students brought home national honors from the 2026 National Beta Convention, held June 21–26 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville.

Eight Martin County Middle School students qualified for the national convention after advancing through state competition. They competed in Living Literature, seventh-grade English language arts, eighth-grade English language arts and digitally enhanced photography.

Seventh-grader Olivia Maynard placed seventh in the nation in the seventh-grade English language arts academic competition.

Eighth-grader Kennedy Mills finished third in the nation in the eighth-grade English language arts academic competition.

Martin County Middle School’s Living Literature team also earned third place in the nation. Team members were Hunter Phelps, Kenadi Todd, Gunner Broaddus, Davis Wilson, Serenity Hart and Kami Fletcher.

Hunter Phelps also represented Martin County Middle School in digitally enhanced photography after qualifying to compete at the national level.

“We are incredibly proud of these students and the way they represented Martin County Middle School, our community and the state of Kentucky,” the Beta Club sponsors said. “Their hard work, commitment and perseverance took them to one of the biggest stages in the nation, and their accomplishments reflect the support of their families, teachers and community.”

The National Beta Convention brings together thousands of students from across the United States to compete in academic, leadership, fine arts and performing arts events.

Martin County Middle School congratulates all its National Beta participants on their accomplishments and on representing their school and community well at the national convention.