CAMDEN, S.C. — Students at Camden Middle School have found a way to not only excel in their classes but also give back to their community in a big way - so significant that they were recently recognized at the national level.
In total, the students clocked in an average of 95 service hours each - more than 19,000 hours in total.
"For us, it wasn't the hours it was the experience because we aren't always going to get these days back," said eighth grader, Laken Iseman.
The Camden Middle Beta Club has completed projects like collecting shoes for local organizations, writing letters to soldiers, and creating care packages for soldiers.
That led to them receiving the 2023 National Beta MVP Service Award for the roughly 19,605 hours of service they have put into the community.
They're one of only 40 schools in the nation to win the award this year.
"I feel honored and it's something I'll remember for a while," said seventh grader Kalyson McIntyre.
The accomplishment and the reaction of these selfless students have left staff at a loss for words and a sense of pride.
"I can't even begin to describe - proud isn't even good enough," said teacher Tyler Steel.