Polly Cowan, a middle schooler at Olmstead, was selected as the Junior Beta Club state secretary during the annual conference held Feb. 28 through March 2 at the International Convention Center in Louisville.

Polly competed for the position along with other Junior Beta members from all over the state. A two-minute speech in front of 4,200 other middle schoolers sealed her win before votes came back electing Polly as secretary. “I was nervous at first,” said the exceptional student, “but after I got up there to speak it just flowed.”

The position of state secretary wasn't an easy one to obtain. Polly had to have letters of recommendation and her name was placed on a ballot. She had to write a speech and memorize it to perfection. In her speech, Polly had to convince fellow members that she was the one for the job. She used a creative comparison between the country music industry and the Beta program.

Polly is the daughter of Mark and Amy Cowan of Adairville at Dot. She has one sister, Kaylyn, who is in the fourth grade at Olmstead. The Cowans are extremely proud of their daughter, who will be attending a leadership conference in South Carolina this summer to learn more about the position.

Polly isn't through climbing the Beta ladder yet and will be trying for National Beta Club secretary in June at the National Conference to be held in Nashville, Tenn.

Polly said she can't thank her parents enough for all their support and all the others who helped her obtain this position. Olmstead teacher Susan Walker helped Polly write her speech, and Logan County High School teacher Sharon Dockins helped her prepare for presenting it. Gayla Martin is Polly's sponsor and is also very supportive.

It was Olmstead teacher Jeri Taylor who approached Polly about the position, telling her she had good speaking skills and should try. Polly said she loves to write and was glad she did.

Polly is the granddaughter of Jeff and Rita Osborne, Kenneth Cowan and Dafnel Fulcher.