Honey Queen & Ambassador Program

Carolyne Savage, 2019-2020 East Texas Beekeepers Association Honey Queen

Carolyne Savage is the 2019-2020 Ambassador for Bees. She became involved in beekeeping in the fall of 2019 through the East Texas Beekeeping Association’s scholarship program. As a first-generation beekeeper, she had a lot to learn about honey bees. Beekeeping seemed pretty straight-forward in theory, but no amount of training could have prepared her for the reality of it. After a year with a struggling and aggressive hive, Carolyne decided moving forward was the only option. She added two new hives on her family’s property, and was relieved that they were calm and, more importantly, healthy. She was able to extract one hundred and twenty pounds of honey from her three hives in the summer of 2020.

She and her grandfather are now looking to the future, with aspirations of making splits in the spring and starting a honey industry.

In addition to beekeeping, Carolyne is heavily involved in her community through her 4-H club, of which she is president. Through 4-H, Carolyne participates in projects such as Agriculture and Livestock, Natural Resources, and Public Speaking. She is a resident of LaRue, TX where she lives with her parents and sisters and is a member of Rock Hill Baptist Church in Brownsboro. More than anything else, Carolyne strives to live in a manner that brings glory to Christ and shows His saving love through every area of her life.

Will you be our next Ambassador?

The ETBA is looking for a youth or two who would like to take up the adventure of serving the East Texas Beekeepers Association. Most of the service is in areas of speaking to schools and organizations about bees and beekeeping.

It will give you skills in public speaking, leadership, and being a role model to others.

To apply, we ask that you and/or your parents be a member of the East Texas Beekeepers Association and to speak to one of the designated officers in the club. You could also contact the ETBA at the email address below.

We look forward to hearing from interested candidates.

For information about the ETBA Honey Queen & Ambassador program you can email the ETBA Royal Court at ETBAroyalcourt@gmail.com.

You can lend your support to this excellent and important program by making a tax free donation. Every penny goes directly to support the Queen and Ambassador in completing their duties and assignments. Please send your check to: ETBA Mary Jo Brantley Honey Queen Fund, PO Box 9662, Tyler, TX 75711.

$10 tax deductible donation to Mary Jo Brantley Honey Queen Fund You can lend your support to this program by making a tax deductible donation.

The goal of the ETBA Honey Queen & Ambassador Program is to encourage young people in our community to take an interest in the honey bee and it’s important function in our environment. The Honey Queen and Ambassador are responsible for representing the ETBA at social functions and events, teaching the public about the honey bee, its role in pollination of many food crops, and our role in protecting it from extinction. The Honey Queen and Ambassador travel extensively. The Queen has the opportunity to compete on a state wide level for the Texas Honey Queen, a post which comes with a substantial scholarship for higher education. Being a Honey Queen or Ambassador provides invaluable experience in public speaking, organizing and dealing with the public (all ages) as well cultivating a healthy concern for the environment.

Mary Jo Brantley Honey Queen Fund

Mary Jo Brantley, always with her husband Stanford, was a strong supporter of the ETBA Honey Queen Program. She provided strong financial support at auctions and other activities. She was a friend, encourager, mentor, and role model to all ETBA and TBA Queens and Princesses. She gave personal attention to each of our young ladies, lifting their self-esteem, giving emotional support, and encouraging them to do their best. She had a hug and a smile that said I love you for everyone. Mary Jo went to meet her heavenly Father in December, 2011, but she will always be a part of us. In appreciation of Mary Jo’s support and service to the Honey Queen program, the ETBA Board and Membership named the program fund in her honor.