Skip to main content

Betty Braden Receives Paul Morris Community Service Award '21 MSBA


Posted Date: 11/16/2021

Betty Braden Receives Paul Morris Community Service Award '21 MSBA
Betty Braden, a former member of the Sparta R-III Board of Education, is the recipient of the 2021 Paul Morris Community Service Award presented by FutureBuilders, the education foundation of the Missouri School Boards’ Association. The award is designed to recognize individuals who have provided leadership to their communities through school board service as well as other community service activities. The award honors the memory of Paul Morris, a school board member from Mt. Vernon, who was serving as President of MSBA when he passed away in 2009. Paul devoted countless hours strengthening his community and improving its schools through his volunteer work. 
 
Braden served on the Sparta R-III Board of Education for 36 years, and for 30 of those years served as board secretary. Beyond her school board service, Braden played a key role in establishing the local PTA. She also was the key organizer of the school district’s All School Reunion held each fall. Her other activities have included 4-H, the Sparta Sports League Board and the Ozark and Nixa Chambers of Commerce. Her motto is, “Volunteerism is the rent we pay for an abundant life!” 
 
Braden was recognized on Saturday, November 6, during the 2021 MSBA Annual Conference in Kansas City. She is pictured above with Stifel Managing Director Joe Kinder and MSBA Immediate Past President Linda Daugherty.