Epsilon Beta is a new club that started this year at Fair Grove School’s at which members read books and compete in competitions.
Epsilon Beta is different from normal book clubs. Lacey White, middle school and high school librarian and advisor for Epsilon Beta, said, “This club has reading requirements, state competitions, and connections with the other Epsilon Beta clubs in Missouri.”
The students that join this club are required to read specific books. White stated that the students will read one or two books that are on the Gateway Award Nominees list from this year.
The members of Epsilon Beta have different reasons that they joined the club. Kaylee Kolb (11) said, “I wanted to join because I love reading. Most books I love aren’t talked about in school so it’s fun to have somewhere to talk about them.”
Another member of Epsilon Beta, Christa Chumbley (11), said, “I joined Epsilon Beta club, because I really enjoy reading when I have the chance. This club also gives me an opportunity to venture out to different types of genres. It is also another school activity that is not stressful and super fun. It is not just about reading but also about creating ways on how to make reading fun with creative art pieces.”
The members have high hopes for the future of Epsilon Beta. Chumbley stated that she wants to grow the club and cultivate interest in reading more books within students in a fun and different way.
Kolb expressed that she wanted to get a greater understanding of the authors that she reads and also seek out new and interesting genres that she would not have read without the club.
Epsilon Beta has a theme of books that they read for competitions. White said, “The theme is “Books to Movies,” Attendees will participate in games and contests and enjoy a literary-inspired field trip, engage with the Missouri Gateway Readers, and meet other student readers from across the state.”
As a new club the members have hope of how the club will be. Chumbley said, “I feel like this club will be fun and not stressful. I feel this club is a place to get away from your stress and use your creative imagination while reading a book.”
Kolb stated that she has enjoyed the club so far. She expressed that she wanted the club to be bigger because it is a club that is underrated and will be a fun time.
The Epsilon Beta state conference will be hosted by Strafford High School on Friday, December 12 this year.
