Welcome to the inaugural post of the newly formed MoBeta Blog!
Let me introduce myself...Hello, my name is Hollee Ellis. I am the current State Sponsor of the best state in the Beta Club world - Missouri! It is an honor that I am humbled to have and a position that I am thrilled to fulfill. I knew early in my professional career that my purpose is to help others achieve their full potential. Being a Beta Club sponsor has done just that. I have had the opportunity to serve as the lead sponsor of the Ash Grove High School Beta Club for 11 years. I've been privileged to have some of the best Betas in the state in my club. However, my involvement in Beta Club started over 25 years ago as both a member and a state officer. I guess it is fair to say that Beta is in my blood!
I've been a Communication Arts teacher at Ash Grove for 13 years. I currently teach English II, Speech/Theatre, Mass Media and English IV. In addition, to sponsoring Beta Club, I direct the high school Theatre Department and I'm the editor for the school newspaper. As I'm sure many of you know, in a small school, educators wear many hats. Another hat I wear is that of a part-time Reference Librarian for the Springfield-Greene County Library District. It's the perfect part-time job for a teacher!
However my most important hat is that of mother and wife. I have two sons that are my pride, joy, love and laughter. Gunnar served as the 2011-12 Missouri State Beta Club President and is a National Beta Club Scholar. Currently he is a student at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he is studying Political Science, Public Policy & Leadership. Gunnar is a graduate of the MU Chancellor's Leadership Class of 2013, as well as Mizzou 2012 Leadership Academy. He serves as the Director of Student Services for Missouri Students Association (student government) and is an Alternative Spring Break site leader. He is a campus liaison for Community 360, team leader for the Truman Leadership Project and the recruitment chair for Delta Chi fraternity. AND...he works part time at the Missouri Attorney General's office. Needless to say, he is a busy guy that is making his mother proud.
Garren is a recent graduate of Ash Grove High School where he served as Student Body Vice-President and FBLA President. Garren was Captain of the AGHS Football Pirates, where he was the started Defensive End. He was named All-Conference and All-Area in that position. He was also the Captain of the AGHS Varsity Baseball Pirates. He pitched some, but mostly played outfield. In that position, he was named first team All-Conference, All-District and All-Area - unanimously! That success has led to a much-appreciated scholarship at Central Methodist University where he'll be a member of the Eagle Baseball team in the fall. Garren is highly involved in Soulfire Ministries and will be serving as a group leader for the Souled Out Winter Conference in Asheville, NC. Needless to say, he is also a busy guy that is making his mother proud.
My husband, Jerry, and I are adjusting to the empty nest and being the Missouri State Beta Club Sponsor could not have come at a better time. Since he has served as my club's bus driver for years, Beta is in Jerry's blood as well. He is just as excited about this opportunity to serve as a I am. He is committed to the ideals of Beta Club and fully supports my endeavors to make Missouri Beta better than ever.
SO...that's me in a nut-shell! The most important thing to remember from this blog post is that I am here to serve the sponsors and Betas in Missouri. I welcome concerns, comments and suggestions. I'm eager to work with each of you to make MoBeta the absolute best it can be. Please check back as I'll try to update this blog, as well as the Facebook page and emails with any news! It is going to be a great year for Missouri Beta and I thank each of you for your part in that future success!
All the Beta Best,
Hollee Ellis, MO State Sponsor
