With so many changes this school year, it is hard for clubs to make decisions in advance. Because of this, this year's North Augusta High School Beta Club plans for the rest of the year are a little different. When asked about their service project, Annelise Baxley, a junior at North Augusta High School, stated “Well, usually the beta club does things like making pies for thanksgiving, selling bread, and making cards for the elderly. But this year already so many of those things have been changed or cancelled. The service projects are now more corona safe, like an outdoor carwash for the staff at the high school.” Cassady Fortson, also a junior at NAHS, said “Most years, beta club does many different service projects so that every student will have an opportunity to sign up for one. A few of the ones that we normally do are helping Grace UMC make pumpkin pies, serve food, etc. But because of the coronavirus, we can’t do those this year.” The Beta club will still be doing some projects. Mrs. Amanda Wilson, the Beta Club sponsor and teacher at North Augusta High School, stated that the Beta Club will be doing “Christmas Child, Blessings Bags for the homeless, Christmas cards for the nursing homes and soldiers. We will once again be making goody bags for law enforcement appreciation as well as provide for our teachers during Teacher appreciation week. Hopefully there will be more as the year progresses.”
Another big activity the North Augusta High School Beta Club does every year is go to state convention. When asked about their plans for that this year, Fortson said, “I am pretty sure the convention will still go on this year. If we do go, we will all have to wear masks during the day and throughout activities, and room with someone that we have already been in close contact with.” Baxley expressed those same feelings when asked also about the plan for convention. She said, “I think we are still projected to go but with a limited number of people in order to be socially distanced, but I am not completely sure.” Mrs. Wilson, however, stated “We will be participating in convention this year, but from home. South Carolina Beta has decided to hold convention virtually. Nationals were held virtually last year and were competed in several events. It is actually a really cool way to hold these events.”
Betas posing for a picture at the Beta Club State Convention last year which was held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Pictured here: Beta Club Members and Chaperones that went to state convention.
With the ongoing pandemic, there are a lot of changes, and it is leaving a lot of people concerned and confused about what lies ahead for Beta Club. Baxley shared her concerns, saying “I'm concerned about gaining enough volunteer hours for beta club. It is hard to volunteer places due to the pandemic. Because of churches being closed, and places where I normally volunteer are not accepting outside volunteers.” There's definitely a lot of concerns from North Augusta High School students right now, but it is obvious that Beta Club is trying to work it out the best they can.
Because of the pandemic, many people are taking new precautions and extra steps to keep everyone safe. For the North Augusta High School Beta Club, Baxley stated, “Yes absolutely. Beta club prides itself on being a club that honors the school, so it's only fitting that the betas are taking precautions.” The Beta Club is also taking many precautions with their service projects. Explained by Fortson, “Beta club is taking extra precaution with the health and safety measures due to most of our service projects being with the elderly.” Mrs. Wilson explained more, saying “They are absolutely different due to COVID. This year, the pumpkin pie making with Grace was cancelled. The trunk or treats were cancelled. So far, many events and service opportunities have been cancelled and unfortunately, I don't see this changing as we go forward with the year. Hopefully, we will find things to provide service to others in new ways.”
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