By Jeffery Laux
A premier event for Beta students all across the nation that takes place each year is the National Convention. This get together of intelligent and diverse souls marks a highlight in the calendar for all Beta students. Every student that is present at the event is required to partake in challenging topics or talents, as there are categories of interest for every student to compete in, from math to sculpturing.
Apopka High School’s National Beta Club organization, sponsored by Tracey Hough and Rochelle Conyers, has become a staple name to award winners at Florida’s convention over these past couple of years. Many students are excited about the potential of the clubs success at the convention this year, as Marc Javier believes this will be the year Apopka’s Beta Club “takes over” the convention. This convention takes place January 11th – 13th in 2018.
Last year, Beta students racked up awards as Carlos Flechilla won 1st place in the English category (two years in a row, impressively). Carlos himself believes that the convention is a highlight of his years in high school. He is aiming to win 1st place three years in a row, which would set a record for the Florida Convention for the English category. Rumors have circulated that Beta will now perform as a show choir to embrace the talented Blue Darter singers. This has never been done before in the history of Beta, and Apopka students are excited about being able to rock the house on the 11th with either a musical theatre piece or a pop classic.
The National Beta Club Convention is a special time for many members of Beta. Students get excited about the opportunity to meet new kids from various schools across Florida, while other students become eager to challenge and better themselves in each competition for the ultimate reward of having their name announced onstage with a plaque engraved just for them. During the weekend, many students are able to room with their best friends in a suite that contains a jacuzzi, kitchen, showers, and fluffy beds. Outside there are sports bars, arcades, swimming pools, and a load of wonderful students from across the sunshine state. Former club members from last year’s convention “couldn’t have had a better time” while staying up late night, eating pizza and sushi, and having a social frenzy in their luxurious suite.
Sponsors Tracey Hough and Rochelle Conyers have taken this club to the next level with their outstanding leadership and commitment to the bettering of each and every student that is able to be called a Beta member. There have been more than 30 kids that have placed in competitions after theses past conventions. Hough recalls the previous years of the convention as “a blast” due to being able to see many of her kids receive awards among the 20-30 other schools present. “It feels good to know that these kids will be able to carry these memories forever,” says Conyers.