Beauchamp receives Community Cornerstone Award

CornerBank has announced Mike Beauchamp is the Community Cornerstone Award recipient for February. In recognition of his service, CornerBank will contribute $100 to the non-profit organization of Mike’s choice. He has selected Ark City High School (ACHS) After Prom to receive the contribution. A reception honoring Mike’s service will be at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, March 10, in the CornerBank community room, 125 N. Summit. The public is invited to attend the reception.

Mike is rarely seen without his trusty camera around his neck. He has donated thousands of hours photographing and recording school and community events. His passion for capturing moments has grown throughout the years and now he rarely misses an opportunity to offer his services.

His photographic volunteerism has extended from C-4 Elementary School, where he started taking photos in 1980, to Ark City High School and numerous student activities. He travels at his own expense to capture pictures of multiple activities, elementary through high school, and various competitions. He also has taken photos for Cowley College, the Sgt. Jerry Mills Jr. Fishing Derby, Daddy/Daughter Dance, Ponca City Playhouse, Ark City Community Band, Bridges of Cowley County, Denton Art Center/Ark City Arts Council, Arkalalah and numerous other community activities and events.

Mike has attended Random Road Chapel since 1992, where he served as Deacon from approximately 1995 through 2006. He also served as an adult leader for the Boy Scouts of America from 1994 to 1999.

Other honors include being named an honorary Patriot Guard member in 2007, receiving volunteer awards from the Ark City Arts Council (2003) and the Sgt. Jerry Mills Jr. Fishing Derby (2010) and being named certified staff member of the month for the school district in 2000.

Mike was born to Joe and Sue Beauchamp in Sendai, Japan, where his father was stationed in the Army. They relocated to Ellsworth around 1960. His parents owned and operated a Japanese/American restaurant in the 1960s. Mike graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1974. He continued his education at Pratt Community College and Emporia State University, where he majored in elementary education. He married his wife, Marti, in 1979 and they relocated to Arkansas City later that summer.

Mike began his first year of teaching in the gymnasium because his classroom was still being constructed. He taught second grade for four years then moved to third grade, where he taught 22 years, all at C-4 Elementary. In 2005, he accepted the opportunity to teach in the gifted program. His last years of teaching were at ACHS.

Mike was selected for the award by the Community Cornerstone Award selection committee, which includes Arleta Rice, Judy Reedy, Karl Faidley, Curt Freeland and Brenda Combs. All are previous recipients of the Cornerstone Award. Volunteers are the cornerstones of healthy communities. They’re on your corner – the people next door. They’re in your corner – helping make our community stronger. The Community Cornerstone Award recognizes the time and effort of volunteers dedicated to serving people and enhancing the quality of life in Cowley County. If you know of a Cowley County resident who has shown servant leadership in community service, contact Joyce McArtor at 442-6500 or joycem@cornerbanks.com for nomination guidelines.