The Beta Convention Experience

By Grace Thurman 

Beta Convention is the most well-awaited, exciting event for multiple Beta members throughout Kentucky. It is also an amazing opportunity to demonstrate skills and talents for members to compete for their very own school. To kick off the new year, this upcoming event was held January 17th through 19th virtually for Beta students and, most importantly, BGHS Beta members. Events to achieve the goal of demonstrating Bowling Green High School values included: Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Academic Testing, S.T.E.M. Competitions, and State Office Positions. 

Where competition and companionship meet, Beta holds office positions for the state of Kentucky that students can run for and against other students to support their school, and most importantly, the entire Kentucky State Beta Club. Roles students can run for are Senior President, Senior Vice President, and Senior Secretary in high school. To learn more about Beta office positions, I interviewed Elek Olson, who is the BGHS Beta president here at our school, and is running for its overall state position of vice president. 

As a start, being a Beta president is a lot of work. Elek explains how there are multiple plans to set up, such as shirts, skits, and your very own speech. To help him through the preparation for becoming Beta vice president, Elek says he receives “overwhelming support" from all Beta members willing to help him with his campaign.

 But, for those who wish to achieve this role one day, how do you qualify to run for a state office position? Elek explains that there are different requirements for each school within Kentucky, but at Bowling Green High School “you just need to be an upcoming junior or senior, and be seen as a leader within the club.”  

Usually at Beta Convention, members who are in events like Visual Arts display their work within a secluded area where judges and fellow members can walk past and view them all collectively. However, this year, Google forms and virtual folders are set up for students to submit their artwork for the Kentucky Beta judges to view. These Google forms and folders will be set up in February for students to insert their photos and videos of their artwork, creations, plays, skits, and dances for the Kentucky State Beta judges. 

Another difference is the meeting of fellow judges, State Office members, and fellow Beta students all around Kentucky. One of the most important experiences of Beta convention is the making of newfound friendships with fellow members, getting to share past experiences with Beta club, life at your own school, and various other activities with peers that you'll accompany through the rest of your time at the state convention. 

Sadly, this aspect of Beta is left behind because of the convention going virtual this year, but multiple Kentucky State Office members and Beta staff are utilizing social media to communicate with Kentucky students in new and improved ways. 

Through past years, the Kentucky State Beta Convention has been held at the Central Bank Center in Lexington, Kentucky, utilizing all the rooms, stages, and space available to the Beta Clubs. However, due to winter weather, the convention will now be held virtually for Beta members from their homes and schools. This sudden change for the Beta convention leaves many members bummed that they can’t meet fellow peers, display their work, and perform on stage, but with the reassurance of State Office members and the National Beta Club staff online, Beta students have hope that this convention will still be a great event this year.