SADLER -- Cara Lavender, a 2009 graduate from S&S High School, won first place in the individual talent competition at the National Beta Convention in Orlando, Fla. June 16-20. She took the top spot after competing with 13 other students from 13 different states.

Beta sponsor, Karen Gracy, explained that a student must place first at the state level in order to compete at nationals. Lavender won first place at the state competition in Austin, competing against 27 students from across Texas.

Lavender has been a student of the piano for about five years. She took first place with her piano solo performance of a compilation of 'Ol Polichinello" by Villa Lobos and "Doctor Gradus ad Paenassum" by DeBussy.

She is the daughter of Clem and Jeannie Lavender of Sherman. Her grandparents are Vernon and Marie Pollock of Sherman, Dovie Morales of Collinsville, the late Clem N. Lavender Senior, formerly of Greenwood, and Dupont Bonner Plumlee, formerly of Sherman and Gainesville. In the fall, she will attend Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport to pursue a double major of pre-medicine and music. She was awarded several scholarships including a music scholarship from Centenary totaling more than $70,000.

The Beta Club is an academic and service organization that spans across the United States. Membership is by invitation only. To be eligible to join, a student must maintain a 92 average, perform the required hours of community service, maintain good attendance, and a good discipline record.