GCMS Jr BETA Celebrates 40 years by helping 2 of their own
Snow Hill – On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, students and staff at Greene County Middle School celebrated their Jr. Beta Clubs' 40th Anniversary by serving two of their own. Recently 2 members of the GCMS family underwent Kidney Transplant Surgery, one gaining a second chance at life through a transplant and one giving the gift of life to someone. Mrs. Keyasia Tatum, 6th-grade ELA teacher, recently received the gift of life through a kidney transplant. Dr. Yolanda Moore, whose family faces the continued struggle with Kidney Disease, donated a living kidney to help share the gift of life.
In light of this, Jr BETA Club officers and Sponsors Dakaria Carlton, Allison Crowder, and Matthew Duval decided to hold a walk-a-thon to help raise money for both staff members. For $10, students could spend the end of their school day walking for Mrs. Tatum and Dr. Moore. “We wanted to find a way to help Dr. Moore and Mrs. Tatum, and through creative conversation, we decided to try a walk-a-thon.” Mrs. Carlton shared. Mrs. Crowder added,” The fact that it all fell in the same week of our club’s 40th Anniversary just seemed perfect that we were serving 2 of our own.
Not expecting a huge crowd with it being so close to spring break, the sponsors were amazed when almost 200 students showed up, money in hand, to help raise money. When the total amount was counted, the total came up to $1901.75. To add to the funds raised by students, staff members donated additional funds to make up the difference, with a grand total of $2100 being the grand total raised for both teachers.
According to a post from Mrs. Tatum on Facebook, she shared her gratitude, stating, “I’m struggling to find the right words, but my heart is so full of gratitude. I’m incredibly thankful to be part of such a supportive school and surrounded by truly amazing colleagues. The tears just keep coming.
Thank you so much, Mrs. Crowder, Mrs. Carlton, and Mr. Duval, for thinking of us during this time—it means more than I could ever fully express”.
Dr. Moore also shared her heartfelt thanks on Facebook to her school family, stating, “ Thank you to my GCMS RAMILY for surprising me today. Y’all are truly amazing, and I couldn’t ask for a better team of colleagues or a more loving group of students, my babies.”
Long-time former GCMS JR BETA Sponsor, Matt Lococo, shared, “Helping our family is what we do here at Greene County Middle School. Having our students develop a sense of giving to those who impact them when they are in need is our ultimate goal as educators. I could not be prouder of the students and the student leaders who put this event together, supported by Mrs. Crowder, Mrs. Carlton, and Mr. Dual”.
Mrs. Carlton wrapped up the conversation simply by sharing, “This year's theme at GCMS is Stronger Together and what better way to show it than supporting people who pour into students every day in their time of need.”
