Know Before You Go

FIRST GENERAL SESSION
January 20, 2026
3:00 PM

Presiding: Tucker Newsom | Junior President
Pledge Of Allegiance
National Anthem
Welcome & Introductions: Tucker Newsom | Junior President
Greetings from State Sponsor: Ashley Farley| State Sponsor
Council Introductions: Jerry Newton| Council Chair
Keynote Address: Ben Moss | Vice President
Campaign Rally
Songfest Finals (Top 5) Elementary
Songfest Finals (Top 5) Junior
Awards Presentation – Academics
Adjournment: Tucker Newsom | Junior President

SECOND GENERAL SESSION
January 20, 2026
7:30 PM

Presiding: Ben Moss | Junior Vice President
Keynote Address: Parker Bussell | Elementary Vice President
Keynote Address:  Peyton Arnold | Junior Secretary
Introduction of Candidates
Voting – 1 Hour
Performing Arts Finals – Solo, Duo, Trio – Elementary (Top 3)
Performing Arts Finals – Solo, Duo, Trio – Junior (Top 3)
Awards Presentation |Individual
Adjournment: Ben Moss | Junior Vice President

THIRD GENERAL SESSION
January 21, 2026
12:30 PM

Presiding: Peyton Arnold | Junior Secretary
Keynote Address: Landon Scroggins | Elementary President
Keynote Address: Tucker Newsom | Junior President
Installation of New State Officers
Charge from the Council: Jerry Newton | Council Chair
Performing Arts Finals – Group – Elementary (Top 3)
Performing Arts Finals – Group – Junior (Top 3)
Awards Presentation – Team and Club
Adjournment: Newly Elected President

The facility is fully cashless accepting Apple Pay, tap to pay & credit/debit cards.

*No outside food from other vendors are allowed in the Convention

Tuesday, January 20:

7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Wednesday, January 21:

7:00 AM – 12:30 PM; 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

• Docks A & B (Living Literature/Engineering/Robotics) Please make arrangements to remove Living Literature Props from the Competition Room upon Completion of Living Literature to make space for Robotics and Engineering Competition.)  (If your school is dropped off and do not have a vehicle to store your props, please move them to Horner Hall and utilize the space next to the walls upon completion of Living Literature.)
• Docks C & D (Visual Arts)  (If your school is dropped off and do not have a vehicle to store your props, please move them to Horner Hall and utilize the space next to the walls upon completion of Visual Arts.)
• Docks C, D & Annex Roll-up Doors are accessible for (Stage Props)

Coming Soon

Concessions

Below you’ll find a Concession Menu prepared by the team at the Hot Springs Convention Center. These options will be available for your students during the duration of Convention.

Cash, credit, phone tap, Apple Pay are all accepted.

In addition:

• The Convention Center no longer has water stations. However, the building now has complimentary touchless refill stations for water bottles at all water fountains throughout the facility. Encourage your students to bring a water bottle to take advantage of these touchless stations.
• All beverage machines are available 24/7.They accept cash, credit cards and Apple/tap to pay.
• The Hot Springs Convention Center does not allow any outside vendor foods. (EX. Domino’s Pizza & Chick-fil-a)  Those types of foods must be consumed outside of the Convention Center. 
  * However, students with packed lunches from home or school will be allowed to bring those inside of the Convention Center for lunch. 

CONCESSIONS HOURS

First General Session
Thursday, January 22, 2026
2:30 PM

Presiding: Dylan Mercer | President
Pledge of Allegiance
National Anthem
Greetings from State Sponsor: Joyce Foster
Council Introductions: Jerry Newton | Council Chair
Performing Arts Finals – Solo, Duo, Trio (top 3)
Keynote Address: Andrea McDaniel | Secretary
Awards Presentation – Academics
Adjournment: Dylan Mercer | President

Second General Session
Thursday, January 22, 2026
7:30 PM

Presiding: D.W. Stephens | Vice President
Keynote Address: Dylan Mercer | President
Campaign Rally
Show Choir Finals (Top 3)
Awards Presentation – Visual Arts & Individual
Adjournment: D.W. Stephens | Vice President

Third General Session
Friday, January 23, 2026
12:30 PM

Presiding: Andrea McDaniel | Secretary
Installation of New State Officers
Keynote Address: D.W. Stephens | Vice President
Performing Arts Finals – Group (Top 3)
Awards Presentation – Club & Team
Adjournment: Newly Elected President

The facility is fully cashless accepting Apple Pay, tap to pay & credit/debit cards.

*No outside food from other vendors are allowed in the Convention

Thursday, January 22:

7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Friday, January 23:

7:00 AM – 12:30 PM; 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

• Docks A & B (Living Literature/Engineering/Robotics) Please make arrangements to remove Living Literature Props from the Competition Room upon Completion of Living Literature to make space for Robotics and Engineering Competition.)  (If your school is dropped off and do not have a vehicle to store your props, please move them to Horner Hall and utilize the space next to the walls upon completion of Living Literature.)
• Docks C & D (Visual Arts)  (If your school is dropped off and do not have a vehicle to store your props, please move them to Horner Hall and utilize the space next to the walls upon completion of Visual Arts.)
• Docks C, D & Annex Roll-up Doors are accessible for (Stage Props)

Stage props: must be stored at all times in Hall E, which is located directly behind the stage. When storing your props, please be mindful and condense them against the wall. This will help prevent any obstruction for Betas entering or exiting the room. Additionally, please ensure that the arena area remains free of any props.

Living Literature/Engineering/Robotics/ Prop Storage: will be in Hall A.  Please condense your props in a small pile away from the competition area/squares.

Luggage Storage is not specified.  Please condense your Luggage against the wall and out of walkways.  National Beta, nor the Convention Center will not be responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged items of Luggage.  Please store them at your own risk.

Student Holding Area:  Please feel free to utilize the seating areas along the concourse and the arena. This space is provided for students to sit, relax, and eat. We highly discourage students from sitting on the floor along the concourse.  This will help to keep the Convention area free-flowing, and the floor free from food.

Coming Soon

Below you’ll find a Concession Menu prepared by the team at the Hot Springs Convention Center. These options will be available for your students during the duration of Convention.

Cashless facility accepting credit, phone tap, and Apple Pay.

In addition:

• The Convention Center no longer has water stations. However, the building now has complimentary touchless refill stations for water bottles at all water fountains throughout the facility. Encourage your students to bring a water bottle to take advantage of these touchless stations.
• All beverage machines are available 24/7.They accept cash, credit cards and Apple/tap to pay.
• The Hot Springs Convention Center does not allow any outside vendor foods. (EX. Domino’s Pizza & Chick-fil-a)  Those types of foods must be consumed outside of the Convention Center. 
  * However, students with packed lunches from home or school will be allowed to bring those inside of the Convention Center for lunch. 

CONCESSIONS HOURS

🌟 Arkansas Beta State Service Project: Supporting Breakthrough T1D 🌟

We’re excited to announce this year’s Arkansas Beta State Service Project — promoting diabetes awareness and raising funds for Breakthrough T1D!

Because exercise is important for those living with diabetes, our officers suggested walk-a-thons—but we know cold weather and holiday schedules might make that tricky. So, we’re encouraging each club to get creative and support the project in your own way!

💡 How Your Club Can Participate

Fundraise:
Host a fun DIY event — Dodgeball or Kickball tournaments, Ice Cream Socials, Car Washes, or “Put a Cap on Diabetes” Days!

Volunteer:
Join Breakthrough T1D events:

·        Community Summit – Feb. 7, Camp Aldersgate

·        Little Rock Gala – Mar. 14

·        NWA Gala – Apr. 25

Raise Awareness:
Share T1D facts and stories in announcements, newsletters, or bulletin boards. Invite a local speaker to talk about living with Type 1 Diabetes.

📸 Share Your Impact!

Send donations directly to Breakthrough T1D (Arkansas website launches soon at www.breakthrought1d.org/arkansas).

Please email your photos and videos to joyce.foster@starcityschools.org so we can feature your club in a slideshow at convention!

Let’s join together to support T1D research and show the power of Beta service! 💙

Coming Soon