This past summer, 11-year-old Jillian Davis competed at National Junior Beta Convention at Walt Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin Hotel and Resort in Orlando, Florida. She earned the right to compete at this level by placing third at the state level in the Elementary Division’s Painting category with her original work, “Shadows of the Sea,” earlier this year.
Once registered for nationals, Davis was asked to bring her painting and a summary of why she chose to paint that specific depiction as well as what the work meant to her.
Davis says she was excited to represent her school, David Emanuel Academy, at the highest level. (The 2-day event being held at Disney was a plus, of course.) While there, she met a number of other students from other states, 50 or 60 of which were her competitors.
Although she didn’t place, she had fun admiring the artwork of so many other talented Junior Beta members.
“It was an experience I will not forget, and I enjoyed every minute of it,” Davis said. “I’m so glad that Ms. Laura [Moore] encouraged us.”
Davis’ mother adds that she is extremely proud of how hard her daughter, then in the fifth grade, worked on the project and how positive she remained throughout the process—both of which remain true of her sixth grader today.
In addition to the competition aspect of the trip to Florida, Davis and her family shared in other memory-making activities. Some of these included creating personalized Beta candy at M&M world, visiting Beta-themed day at LegoLand, and going to Beta Nights at Universal.
Her parents are Jed and Shaye Davis of Swainsboro.