Beta members have been exchanging information, photos and interests with the Cleveland Elementary School kids this school year through pen pal letters. But English teachers and club sponsors Christina Cracchiolo and Angela Haskell decided to take the program to the next level—Beta decided to give back with not only words, but with their actions.
On Dec. 15, 53 members of the beta club left for Cleveland Elementary School with a variety of presents and pastries. After introductions and reading a book to the kids, Beta members lead the class in a project to make New Year’s cards for troops overseas. The kids received their surprise gift bags and got to feast on cookies provided by culinary students.
They prepared a week earlier by filling gift bags with pencils, candies and cards for each elementary student and sorting five dollar gift cards that would be handed out to the fourth and fifth grade students. As the bus pulled into the school, kids stared in anxious wonder as the high school students filed off the bus and set up for the Christmas show. Senior chorus and Beta members Kristin Calligan, John Merryman and Carson Klopf set up equipment on the small courtyard as teachers brought out their students to sit and watch them perform. They sang “Frosty the Snowman,” “Jingle Bells” and “Tonight Tonight” by Hot Chelle Rae along with a Christmas skit of the twelve days of Christmas.
Beta members spread throughout the crowd of kids intermingling with them during the show. Kids clapped and sang along to the all too familiar songs. Once the performance was over the students went back to their classes as Beta members picked out books to read to the classes and set up treats for the schools’ teachers. Two or three beta members broke out throughout the entire school, pre-k to fifth grade, and read to the kids.
After the Beta members finished directing the kids in the classrooms they were introduced to their pen pals for the first time.
One fifth grader Markeia found a common interest with her pen pal, senior Bianca Nguyen—both have a passion for painting. “She likes to paint and I like to finger paint. She’s extra smart because she’s in Beta and that’s cool,” said Markeia.
Senior Josie Econom had the chance to meet her pen pal, 5th grader Jessenya.
“I felt like maybe she’d be nervous. It was hard for me to get her to talk but when I met her the second time to give her the gift she talked a lot,” said Econom. She loved seeing how enthusiastic the kids were about receiving the cards. The class she taught “freaked out” when they were told they had gift cards.
The most special moments were the kids’ expressions finally meeting their pen pals, a memory and moment that neither the kids nor Beta members will ever forget.
Erica Everett / Centerspread Editor
