By Ben Lawson
ben@seymourherald.com
Seymour Middle School eighth grader Clayton Ogle will represent Seymour at the state Beta Club convention in Nashville later this month.  
Reaching this goal was not an easy feat, but one he intends to repeat in the future.
Just qualifying to join the Beta Club, which requires a 90 grade average, can be trying for students.  For Ogle, it was the first step.  Chosen by his fellow club members to represent the school in the state club, Ogle had to campaign for state office, which included a skit and speech.
“At first I was nervous about it,” he said.  “But after you finish taking, you feel like you know the audience.”
With his campaign slogan “Go Ogle” a take on “Google,” he beat out the competition to be elected state vice president.  His responsibilities include implementing changes to the club; in Oct., he attended a meeting in Nashville where it was decided to hold more club competitions to allow showcase a wider variety of talents.
Back home, Ogle joins the club for community service projects like “Coats for the Cold” and the “Toys for Tots” program.
“When we do service projects, it’s fun to help people in need,” he said.
When the SMS club heads to Nashville for the state convention Nov. 21 – 23, Ogle will not have to run for election himself, though classmate Ryan Louallen is running for state secretary, although Ogle is not allowed to officially campaign for him.  His own campaigning days are not over yet, however.  While he wouldn’t commit to running for an office as high as President of the United States, he did indicate that he will be aiming for vice president again in high school.
“It’s fun to meet new people and talk in front of them,” he said.

… read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.

... read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.