Members of Catawba College’s Helen Foil Beard Women’s Society and the Cheerleading Squad teamed up to help out at the March 21th Spring Fling Prom at the Hefner Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Salisbury.
These students, who used the occasion as a community service project, dressed up and were on hand to dance with the retired servicemen and help entertain them. Catawba senior Quashona Smith of Atlantic City, N.J., sang the National Anthem to conclude the event.
Smith, who also serves as secretary of the Helen Foil Beard Women’s Society, explained her role like this: “Being able to give back to those Veterans who served was a blessing I cannot explain. Seeing the joy on their faces, the love in their eyes, I will never get those out of my mind. Being able to sing for them truly touched my heart! It was so humbling. It is an experience I will never forget and will cherish in my heart forever.”
Helen Foil Beard Sponsor and Cheerleading Coach Andie Overbeck ’06 learned about the event thanks to Catawba graduate and V.A. Hospital employee, Terri Boyd Gilbeau ’06. Both Overbeck and Gilbeau were members of the Helen Foil Beard Women’s Society while they were students at Catawba.
"I think that dancing with these heroes is the least that our young women can do to show them how much we appreciate the sacrifices they made so we are able to do what we do today. The women in both the Helen Foil Beard Society and the members of the Cheerleading team were so honored to be able to give back to these servicemen and women. A lot of happy tears were shed,” Overbeck said.
Helen Foil Beard Vice President Ellen Stout of Statesville echoed Overbeck’s sentiments. “Working with the Veterans on Saturday was a chance to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Seeing the smiles on their faces when we were talking and dancing with them is something I’ll never forget. It was a very humbling experience, and I am so glad that I was able to spend my evening with such great men and women.”
Catawba’s Helen Foil Beard Women’s Society is an all-female service organization on campus that encourages the exploration and celebration of the accomplishments of women. The society sponsors events on campus to help promote Breast Cancer Awareness and hosts Catawba’s annual WinterFest dance that is open to all students.
Catawba Cheerleading is a co-ed club sport that promotes school spirit during athletic events.
