8th grader Ethan Martin is the D.W.S. Junior Beta nominee for the John W. Harris award. His nomination has been submitted to the National Jr. Beta Club for consideration. Only twenty-five students across the nation are selected for the Beta Club’s top trophy. Martin, the son of Dewayne and Stacy Martin, has been in Junior Beta since his 5th grade year. His brother, Zack Martin, won the Harris award when he was at DWS.
The Harris award is given to students who exemplify the qualities of leadership and service. Ethan has maintained Honor Roll grades while staying busy with sports, academic fairs, and community events.
He has volunteered for the DeKalb County Fair where he helps prepare the grounds for the annual event. The last years he has also worked the entrance gates almost every night for a few hours. Martin shows his creative side as well with the Christian puppet ministry at his church that travels to other congregations to entertain children and adults. “This is something I think is very fun to do, and I feel it is a good way to express and share my Christian beliefs,” Martin said.
Martin also helps organize and monitor activities for the kids at Vacation Bible School. He lends a hand packing food bags for those who need a little extra help with charitable causes like the DWS Backpack program. Previously, Martin has helped with the City of Alexandria’s annual Halloween celebration, dressing up and handing out candy or walking the streets to greet the kids.
“This year was especially fun and a little hard,” he admits. “I was a wolf and had to walk on small crutches humped over all night, but the reactions from the crowd were worth it.”
Martin recently initiated a project to benefit a variety of charities, and he is leading other Beta members in accomplishing the task. Boxes have been set up in churches to collect items each month to send to the Nashville Rescue Mission or other worthy organizations.
“I always try to volunteer my services when they are needed, while keeping my grades up to a high average,” Martin said in an essay he wrote for the Harris award.
The National Beta Club office will announce the winners of the Harris award later this year.
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