Staff
Tuesday, July 8, 2014 12:14 pm

TONY STINNETT, Courier Sports Editor

We already knew Cannon County’s Senior Beta was the most talented in the state of Tennessee.

That much was established when the ultra talented group won the competition for group talent at the State Convention in Nashville last November.

They proved to be the best America when performing on the national state, too.

Cannon County’s Senior Beta Club finished first in the nation for group talent during the Senior Beta National Convention in Richmond, Va., last week.

“It was an awesome experience,” said Jeffery Northcutt, one of 13 seniors who gave up much of their summer to continuing to practice for the National Convention. “We performed well. We had a great routine and felt we had a chance to win, but it’s a great feeling to hear your name called.”

Kyler Walker, another CCHS graduate who held a key role with his performance of Elvis’ classic “Hound Dog,” said the longer judges went without calling Cannon County’s name, the better he felt.
“When it got down to the top three and we still had not been called I knew we were at least going to be top three in the nation because we had a strong performance,” Walker said. “We worked hard on it and everyone got along. It was important. We represented Cannon County well.”

It marked Cannon County’s first national win for team competition. The CCHS’ Senior Beta Club has produced a strong list of individual national winners, but this was the first national title for group competition.

Veteran Beta Club sponsor Norma Lewis is to be commended for her diligence and time according to club members.

“She gives so much time and she loves it,” Walker said. “This was a big win for Cannon County but it was a special win for Mrs. Lewis. She deserves it.”

Cannon County competed against 24 other teams to win the talent competition which included a slowed-down blues version of “Hit The Road Jack,” Elvis’ “Hound Dog,” and closed the show with a strong rendition of “Johnny B. Goode.

Cannon County’s talented performers combined singing, playing instruments and dancing to wow judges.