March 6-7, Epsilon Beta, the Learning Commons-sponsored club, attended the Epsilon Beta State Convention hosted in Jefferson City. Students were able to meet face-to-face with members of other similar clubs throughout the state and learn new skills while doing so.

“This was the culminating event of the year,” Media Specialist Tara Willens said. “Students were able to meet with students from other schools and see what they’re doing to help make their Epsilon Beta clubs better.”

While the students were at the convention, they participated in an array of activities varying from costume competitions to mind-stimulating, yet fun Kahoots. The club participated in a quiz bowl, winning third place. They also placed first in the scrapbook competition where students design portfolios to record the history of the club at their individual schools. Chapter president 

“I really enjoyed watching the kids get to mingle with others,” Media Specialist Angie Davis said. “They don’t always realize that there are other kids out there that do things like them, so it’s nice to see them get to meet up and interact.”

The group also took a tour of Lincoln College and the Missouri State Penitentiary which is no longer in operation. The former prison is home to many stories claiming that it is haunted by guards and inmates of the past.

Attendees also planned for next year’s meetup, looking to be based in Hannibal. The group would take a tour of Hannibal-LaGrange University along with Mark Twain’s former home.

The Media Specialists and students also took the time to reflect on the memories that they’ve made with the club. Due to budget cuts, many school-sponsored clubs are facing the axe. The 2015-2016 school year will be the last year that this club is available to students.

“I almost cried,” Davis said. “I was thinking ‘How could this really be our last year?’ It really is heartbreaking that we can’t offer this experience to students in the years to come.”