LANCASTER, S.C. — Buford High School students Makaylah Oakley and Sarah Crawford won awards during the 86th annual South Carolina Senior Beta Convention in North Myrtle Beach last month.
Oakley placed third in 10th-grade French and Crawford placed second in Onsite Art Division II for the community service-based club.
“I felt proud of myself,” Oakley said. “I didn’t think I could ever achieve something like that in a foreign language that I didn’t even understand until last year.”
One highlight of the convention was the onsite competitions, which Crawford took part in.
Crawford has painted since middle school, getting the chance to work in a painting studio.
In two hours, Crawford and the other onsite competitors had to paint an image on the theme “Behind the Mask.”
Crawford painted a welder, winning second place with her creation.
“I felt extremely surprised and happy,” Crawford said. “There were so many amazing entries; I was surprised mine got picked.”
She was inspired by Beta sponsors Juline Wieland and Brandy Richardson to compete.
“Without them, I do not think I would have known how to enter, where to go, or what to do,” Crawford said.
Before the convention, students were able to take online tests, with the top three scorers being awarded at the event.
During the singing competitions in the convention, Oakley was talking to Buford High Beta Club president Selvin Jenkins when Buford High Beta Club member Naomi Robinson told Oakley she had placed in the French competition, but she didn’t learn her ranking until the awards ceremony.
Oakley became interested in French at a young age.
“I watched French-themed movies when I was younger,” Oakley said. “I’ve always liked the scenery around Paris and their culture.”
Someone who had a large impact on her appreciation of French was Buford High French teacher Dana Wilson, Oakley said.
“I showed her the award and she was really happy about it,” Oakley said.
The Feb. 9-10 convention featured over 50 schools from around the state, whose students competed for academic and artistic awards and performed.
“There were so many talented students there and it was so cool to see them perform and show off their talents,” Crawford said.
The event also bonded the Buford High Betas, Oakley said.
“At the convention, we all sort of became close for those couple of days we were there,” she said. “I liked that.”
With the wins at the state convention, Buford High students are eligible to attend the National Senior Beta Convention in Savannah, Ga., on June 16-19.
“I want to be able to showcase all that stuff I’m capable of in helping the community,” Oakley said.
