5 minute read
Provisional Testimonials
T e s ti m o n i a l s PROVISIONAL
EMERIE ECK GENTRY
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Where are you from?
I was born in Longview, Texas, but raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. I am a graduate of Northwood High School, Bossier Parish Community College, and Louisiana Tech University.
Tell us about your family.
I am a mother of two boys, Ethan and Trevor. I am recently engaged to Jason Holtzclaw and will be a bonus mom to his children, Beaux and Kallyn.
What do you do for a living?
I am the owner of a public relations, integrated marketing, and event planning agency called Lagniappe P.R.I.M.E., LLC. I enjoy working with local businesses and organizations to help them achieve success with their marketing efforts and event goals.
Why did you join the JLSB?
For many years I have enjoyed serving our community through various organizations. When the opportunity to join the Junior League was presented to me, I thought it was a great way to give back to the community and connect with other like-minded women in the area.
What are you looking forward to in the League?
I am really looking forward to participating with the King Cake Classic and Designer Bag Bingo in the near future and seeing what other opportunities are presented through the League thereafter.
What has the JLSB meant to you?
I love giving back to our community, but when I opened my business, my time to serve became more limited. By joining Junior League, I am able to utilize my time in several placement areas, I am able to join forces with other women to serve our community in the most needed ways.
What do you do for a living?
I am Executive Director of the Renzi Education & Art Center.
Why did you join the JLSB?
As a life-long resident of Shreveport-Bossier, I have always known about and admired the work that the ladies of the Junior League do. However, it was not until recently that I made the decision to join the League. After changing career paths from teaching to non-profit management, I came to know more about how the League makes an impact by supporting some of the awesome non-profit organizations in Shreveport-Bossier and the good work they do. I wanted to be a part of something larger than myself and I wanted to connect with the non-profits in the community.
CASSIE KEY
As a single lady, I have the spare time to spend volunteering and learning about some of the different non-profits in the area and how the League supports them. This has been especially helpful in my role as Executive Director at Renzi. Learning about other organizations has greatly impacted my vision for the Renzi Center and how our programming can better support the families we serve.
How has your experience been so far as a Provisional member?
I have so enjoyed getting to know everyone in my Provisional Class. They are such a diverse group of incredible women and I know each one of them will change the world for the better in some way! My experience as a Provisional Member has been so fun and uplifting, I am excited for my future in the JLSB! I am looking forward to getting to know the other members and continuing the good work of the Junior League!
What do you do for a living?
I am Program Coordinator (Office of Student Life) at Bossier Parish Community College
What is your biggest accomplishment so far career-wise?
I would say that my biggest accomplishment to date is being able to serve the students that I work with on a daily basis and watching them grow and succeed. Working in the Office of Student Life and serving as the advisor for the Student Government Association, I have had the opportunity to get to know many of my students on a personal level. Some students come in ready to take on the world, and others arrive with no idea of what they want to do. Seeing them get involved, take on leadership positions, and learn how to navigate the world is a truly amazing sight. I have been at BPCC for six years now, and every year is better than the last! Words cannot explain the feeling of pride that I have when I see a student transform into the person that they were meant to be and accomplish their goals along the way!
Why did you join the JLSB?
I made the decision to join JLSB because I wanted to meet other women who were passionate about serving our community and making a difference in the lives of others. I was also drawn to the League’s mission of developing the potential of women and creating trained volunteers. I have always had a heart for serving others and I thought what a great way to sharpen the skills that I already have along with learning new ones that would allow me to become a better leader in my career field and in my community!
Do you have any goals for future League years? I am excited to grow as a leader and volunteer! I would love to serve as a Provisional Advisor, on the membership engagement team, and eventually serve as a head volunteer for a community placement one day. Overall, my main goal is the be the best member that I can be while looking for opportunities to grow and share my knowledge with others.
Participating in the JLSB is going to help me expand my network, allow me to work with women from different backgrounds, and learn to better serve my community around me. I am eager to take what I learn and put that into action with my students and in my field. I am also looking forward to building my confidence as a leader and inspiring others around me to serve with an open heart.
