The National Beta Club has awarded three Fayette County middle schools and two Fayette County high schools National Beta School of Merit status for offering National Beta to all eligible grades on their campuses.

J.C. Booth Middle, Rising Starr Middle, Whitewater Middle, Starr’s Mill High, and Whitewater High earned the award for 2016, reflecting their dedication to academic excellence, leadership development, and commitment to celebrating their student’s achievements.

The schools were recognized for the honor in June at the 2016 National Beta Convention in New Orleans.

The National Beta Club is the largest independent, nonprofit, educational youth organization in America, and has prepared today’s students to be tomorrow’s leaders for more than 80 years.