The Beginning Of
Beats 'N Eats Written By Vivian Pham and Trang Ly
Despite distance learning, we can’t forget about Oak Grove’s wildly popular Beats ‘N Eats! To refresh everyone’s memory, our Fall Beats ‘N Eats occurred in early October 2020. With the traditional event transitioning to its virtual state, The Eagle Eye was curious about how Beats ‘N Eats began in the first place. We were able to get connected with Oak Grover’s alumni, Joseph Le, who was the creator of the Beats ‘N Eats title!
The original idea of Beats ‘N Eats was inspired by food truck events that took place around 2014-16 by organizations such as Moveable Feast and Off the Grid. As food trucks grew in popularity it was infused into the culture of this event and this concept has grown ever since. The idea of an outdoor rally that showcased student talent with the bonus of delicious food “seemed like the perfect event-- entertainment, food, and we could make money for our school!”
Former activities director, Mr. Greg Brazil had an amazing relationship with the ASB and leadership teams. He approved students to host the first-ever Beats ‘N Eats! The collaborative effort made by ASB, student leadership teams, and volunteers brought Beats ‘N Eats to life. The ASB team worked on entertainment to include both student and public artists, which led to Oak Grove showcasing a performance from Jeremy Passion! Upcoming Beats ‘N Eats traditions came with a trial and error process, but paid off for future attendees. At the time, hosting Beats ‘N Eats was a challenge because the organizers were high schoolers without any prior experience. $20 was made from the whole event, which was actually a food truck donation. Looking back, Oak Grove has come a long way to create and grow our traditions. Beats ‘N Eats has now shifted into a virtual event due to COVID-19, but its legacy will be kept on!
When I left Oak Grove though, it definitely far exceeded my expectations for it. I didn't expect it to become an event for the community. -Joseph Le
