Betty Thompson, Miss Oklahoma 2011, is senior Elementary Education major at Oklahoma State University. She is a member of the Dairy Farmers Spokesperson Network as well as a Dairy Max Classroom Educator. Betty dances with the world known McTeggart Irish Dancers and represented the USA at the World Irish Dance Championships for 4 years as well as the All-Ireland Irish Dance Championships for 5 years where she was the first Oklahoman to medal. In 2010 she was on the Oklahoma State University President’s Honor roll and the Dean’s Honor roll in 2011.
In 2007, Betty graduated Valedictorian from Davenport High School. While in high school, she was active in 4-H, FFA, Student Council, Pep Club, McTeggart Irish Dancers, Oak Grove Youth Ministries and FCA. Betty served as class president all 4 years of high school as well as Northeast District 4-H President her senior year.
Betty began Irish dance at the age of 11 and quickly realized it was her passion. She spent many summers in Dallas, Houston and Denver training with certified Irish dance instructors from Ireland, Northern Ireland and England. She has performed with the Chieftains; Riverdance fiddler, Eileen Ivers; and Natalie McMasters. Betty was the first Oklahoman to reach the open championship level of Irish dance (highest level). In 2009 she was 1st runner up at the Southern Region Oireachtas Irish Dance Championships. Betty began teaching private lessons in 2007 and eventually dance classes in Tulsa and Sapulpa in 2009.
Betty became involved with the Miss Oklahoma Organization in the fall of 2008 when she competed for and won the title of Miss Oklahoma State University. She was in the top 10 her first year at Miss Oklahoma in 2009. The following year, Betty was first runner up to Miss Oklahoma 2010. Her third year at Miss Oklahoma, she received the preliminary interview and swimsuit awards as well as the title of Miss Oklahoma 2011.
Betty’s platform, Milk It Really Does a Body Good, is inspired by growing up on a small Jersey dairy farm near Davenport, Oklahoma. Betty encourages students to develop healthy eating choices and habits at a young age by having three servings of dairy every day. She is also part of the “New Look of Milk” campaign that focuses on schools switching to plastic bottles instead of paper cartons. Betty is also active with Fuel Up To Play 60, which encourages students to fuel up their bodies with healthy nutritious meals and be active for 60 minutes every day.
Betty is the daughter of Robert and Janine Thompson. She has 3 brothers, 1 sister, 2 sister-in-laws, one brother-in-law and is the aunt to 6 beautiful nieces and 2 nephews.
Click HERE to read Betty Thompson’s Blog.
Follow Betty on Twitter @bjtdancer