On Saturday, April 12, NSHSS welcomed members and their families to Clemson, South Carolina, for a Member Event at Clemson University!
This one-day event included a networking breakfast, helpful information sessions from Clemson students and staff members, a College and Career Fair, and educational sessions. Members learned about the culture, traditions, and opportunities at this Carnegie R1 public research institution. The event ended with the NSHSS Member Recognition Ceremony, during which each member in attendance was honored and received an NSHSS medallion for their academic achievements!
Attendees will checked in with a digital or printed copy of their tickets and received their name badges.
Attendees gathered information from College & Career Fair exhibitors. NSHSS provided a catered continental breakfast for all event participants to enjoy while they spoke to exhibitors and other members!
NSHSS welcomed attendees to campus, and Clemson Undergraduate Admissions representatives guided students through an informative presentation about the university and admissions!
Horton Test Prep presented the changes with the new digital exams, when to start the test prep journey, and how high scores can help earn full tuition and other merit-based scholarships! Because it’s not just about getting into your dream school; it’s about being able to pay for it.
HelloCollege guided attendees through the process of deciding their best-fit school!
Helpful information from the Clemson Center for Career & Professional Development!
Attendees had the chance to gather information from College & Career Fair exhibitors, further explore the Clemson University campus, and visit nearby eateries for lunch on their own.
We heard from a panel of regional universities discussing their academics, campus life, admissions process, and what makes their school stand out, with live Q&A! Featuring representatives from Winthrop University, University of South Carolina, University of North Carolina Charlotte - Levine Scholars Program, and Regent University!
Attendees learned about different education abroad opportunities that Clemson offers!
The National Student Leadership Conference welcomed attendees to campus and shared information about their exciting summer programs! The NSLC hosts career-focused leadership development conferences each summer for outstanding middle and high school students from all over the world. We provide opportunities to test drive a future career, develop critical leadership skills, hear from distinguished professionals, and experience life on a prestigious college campus in the US, Canada, and the UK, preparing students for their next steps in life while making new friends from across the globe.
NSHSS Members heard from Clemson University students about navigating campus life, choosing an appropriate major, and other general information about Clemson University.
From community service to career success! NSHSS Fellows VP of Communication and Joseph R. Biden Lifetime Achievement Award & Presidential Volunteer Service Award recipient Tony Betton, Jr. took us on a journey through his impactful volunteer experiences—from working with top organizations to turning service into valuable opportunities. Attendees learned how volunteering can open doors, strengthen your college and job applications, and position you as a leader in your community.
Members heard congratulatory remarks and received their own NSHSS honor medallion.
Founder and Managing Director, HelloCollege
"The Four Most Important Factors of College Selection"
For over 20 years, HelloCollege Founder and Northwestern University graduate Kevin Krebs has mentored high school students to improve their college planning outcomes and maximize potential. His dynamic college planning workshops help thousands of families across the nation each year.
Director of Scholarships & Partnerships, National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC)
"Make the Most of Your Summer Vacation with NSLC"
Patty Hester has spent her entire career working with youth from all over the world through sports and education. She attended the University of Tennessee for her Bachelor's in Political Science and then went on to receive her Master's in International Conflict Resolution from Georgetown University. She worked on the Empowering Women and Girls through Sport Initiative from the US Department of State which brought women and girls from around the world to the US to develop action plans to help women achieve quality in their countries using sport as the tool. Patty then joined the National Student Leadership Conference in 2014. She is now the Director of Operations for programs at American University and the University of Oxford. She is also the Director of Scholarships and Partnerships as well as the Assistant Director of International Admissions. In addition, Patty attended the NSLC on International Diplomacy after her sophomore year of high school!
The NSLC hosts career-focused leadership development conferences each summer for outstanding middle and high school students from all over the world. We provide opportunities to test drive a future career, develop critical leadership skills, hear from distinguished professionals, and experience life on a prestigious college campus in the US, Canada, and the UK, preparing students for their next steps in life while making new friends from across the globe.
Assistant Director for Recruitment, Clemson University
"Welcome to Clemson!"
Amanda Poore has worked at Clemson in Undergraduate Admissions since 2018. She currently works as the Assistant Director for Recruitment. Amanda earned her Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications from Lander University in 2017 and her Master of Public Administration from Clemson University in 2022. In her free time, Amanda enjoys exercising, being outside, and spending time with her husband and two-year-old son.
Education Abroad Coordinator, Clemson University
"Exploring Education Abroad at Clemson!"
Tyson Takeuchi is an Education Abroad Coordinator at Clemson University in the Pam Hendrix Center for Education Abroad. He supports students that are in the Colleges of Education; Behavioral, Social, and Health Sciences; Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences; and students that are currently undeclared in their major. Tyson studied abroad in Japan during college and also worked and taught in Japan for eight years prior to starting this position.
Director of Career Development, Clemson University Center for Career & Professional Development
Discovering Your Career Path
Julie Biggers is the Director of Career Development for the Clemson Center for Career & Professional Development. Julie has an undergraduate degree from Catawba College in Kinesiotherapy and a Master’s in Community Agency Counseling from Clemson University. She has worked with Clemson’s Center for Career and Professional Development Office for over 34 years.
Event Emcee & VP of Communications, NSHSS Fellows Executive Board
Talk Show Host for 21Alive (WPTA-TV)
The Impact & Importance of Volunteerism
Tony Betton Jr. is a Talk Show Host & Executive Producer of INsight on 21Alive in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Tony joined NSHSS in 2013 as a junior in high school. He was nominated by Usher’s New Look and hit the ground running after joining. After becoming a lifetime member, he joined the ambassador program and interned in the Atlanta HQ for 3 summer mailing campaigns. He has also traveled to multiple D.C. & Atlanta Scholars Day events to speak and be a panelist and emcee. Tony has received several NSHSS scholarships, including the Aflac scholarship, and currently serves as the VP of Communications on the Fellows board.
Tony is a native of Atlanta, GA, and graduated from Georgia State University ('19), where he studied broadcast journalism, public relations, and entertainment media management. He then went on to become a weekday morning news anchor and special projects reporter for 21Alive in Fort Wayne, IN. In addition to his current talk show host role, he is a Gray Television ambassador and the On-Court Emcee for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (NBA G League).
He serves on the planning committee for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana’s Black Business Card Party. He is an alumnus of the Usher’s New Look Foundation, having just celebrated ten years in the program. He is also a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and the founder of his own media company, The REP Zone.
Before 21Alive, Tony was a studio production intern for ABC News' Good Morning America in NYC and completed internships with Channel 2 Action News (WSB-TV), the Boys and Girls Clubs of America Headquarters, Ryan Seacrest Studios, & FOX 5 Atlanta (WAGA).
When he is not reporting, you may find Tony volunteering in the community, hosting special events, public speaking, finding more ways to build his brand, and hanging out with friends and family. He also loves to inspire others to find their passions and follow their dreams. #LitJournalist
Tony was also recently awarded the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award & Volunteer Service Award Medal in 2023!
During the event, students learned more about Clemson University from the Clemson Office of Undergraduate Admissions, the Clemson Center for Career & Professional Development, the Clemson Center for Education Abroad, and current Clemson University students!
