Hello!

Hello all! I hope everyone's year is off to a good start and that you are looking forward to an exciting convention this March. About a month ago, 70+ kids and sponsors traveled to Van Buren to the 2nd Annual Leadership Academy. Thomas Dismukes was our presenter again, and as usual, he did a fantastic job. I enjoyed getting to spend time with two of your state officers, Zach and Brandon. (Ben had another committment and was unable to attend. We missed you Ben!) I definitely appreciated the support from all the sponsors attending, but especially the Junior State Sponsor Jennie Whisnant, the Junior State Sponsor Elect Shaughn Doyel, and my club co-sponsor Terri Rowden.

On a state convention note, please remember that the Radisson is still the convention hotel (all academic tests will take place there) but we will be using the Tri-Lakes Center for our theater. Unfortunately it isn't within walking distance but we had outgrown the Andy Williams. Because the Tri-Lakes is a theater, Betas will still have the opportunity to perform on a real stage.

If you need anything from me, please don't hesitate to email me. I am much better at emailing than I am with blogging! :)

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!!!!!!!!!!!

Let the good times roll!!!!!!!! Happy Mardi Gras everybody! Don't you all think that at least just once we should have this phrase as a Beta Convention theme?!!! How fun would that be!! While of course N'awleans is concider the 'daddy of 'em all' when it comes to Mardi Gras celebrations. Those of us who attendend the 2005 National Beta Convention that was held in New Orleans know this all to well. However, do you know who claims the second largest North American Mardi Gras celebration??? Look no further than right here at home. St. Louis is second only to New Orleans in the size and scope of Mardi Gras celebrating. I learned that first hand last Saturday when I join nearly 500,000 other revelers in downtown St. Louis for the Mardi Gras parade. Of course I behaved as any good Beta would.....but I think I was the only one! I like to think of it as my respite before the task of getting our Convention together gets under full steam. With that now behind me, I am looking forward so much to this year's convention. We all have had to contend with so many issues in just these few weeks of 2009 already. This will be my last convention as State Sponsor and I am planning to go out with a bang!!!!!! See you in Branson!

Everything works out!

As many of our clubs are just now getting back to something resembling normal, we are gearing up for our State Convention. It appears that we will have even more clubs participating since last year's convention. West Plains Senior Betas and the Senior Betas from the Ava Victory Academy will be in attendance this year and adding to the competition participation. We welcome all first timers to Branson this year and we know you will be back because Missouri Beta is contagious and you'll want to participate every year! Make your plans now for Branson and join in the fun!!

1939-2009

What a year!!!!!! 2009 promises to be one of the best years in Beta since 1934. Show-Me Betas have a lot to celebrate. For the past 70 years, Missouri schools have been creating new Beta Clubs at a rate that equals more than 2 new clubs each year. Missouri currently has about 146 clubs at the Junior and Senior levels. This is tremendous growth from our first Missouri club beginning in 1939. Just last month we added a new Senior Club.....shout out to the new West Plains Senior Beta Club, and next month we will have a Beta Rally at the Cole R-12 Middle School to start a new Junior Beta club there. Welcome to the family!!!!!!!!