Betsy Sturgis
Elisabeth “Betsey” Sturgis joined Tri Kappa in 2021, smack dab in the middle of the Covid pandemic.
“We got initiated in someone’s backyard,” Betsey says. “My first year was online, so I didn’t really get to see how Tri Kappa works. There were no social gatherings or conventions. The social aspects just weren’t happening.”
Betsey is, however, glad she stuck it out.
“(Sponsor) Ellen Rodney worked at Oliver Winery with my husband,” Betsey says. “I think she was drawn to me because I know a lot of people and am very social.
“She started out telling me about the 10-year commitment. I’m guessing that’s the hardest selling point for Tri Kappa. That just made me laugh.”
Because she is so social, Betsey has found it easy to fit in with the Alpha chapter. She has been co-chairman of the Cheeseball Committee two years in a row and volunteers as much as possible for the other work done by the local chapter.
Betsey is a townie, born and raised in Bloomington. She was graduated from North High School in 1999 and attended Indiana University, where she was an education major. She also earned her master’s degree in education and technology from IUPUI.
“I am on the cusp of Millennials and Gen Z,” Betsey laughs. “I’m kinda feral. I like to tell my students that I’m older than Google.”
Betsey presently teaches kindergarten at Clear Creek Elementary School. Fellow Tri Kappa sister Karen McCain taught with her there for a couple of years. She has been employed by other school corporations and did a stint in real estate with Andrea Cockerham’s husband, Chris, when her daughters were little.
“My goal was to go back to teaching once my kids were both in public school,” Betsey says. “I did some online teaching, also, but I really missed being physically in a classroom.”
Betsey and her husband, Brandon, have two daughters, Emma and Charlotte. Betsey is seven years older than her husband, which makes for a funny story.
“He likes to tell me that he was in high school when I was already a teacher,” Betsey says. “We actually worked together on a junior high play. He was in audio-visual, and I was directing the play. I wasn’t very impressed with him!”
That said, they grew to be friends and soon fell in love.
All in all, Betsey knows joining Tri Kappa was a good move on her part.
“I didn’t have an outlet to help in the community,” Betsey says. “I didn’t want to volunteer for just one thing. I like how we help a lot of people in the community, especially women.
“It’s a nice way to give back, that’s always been my favorite part. But the sisterhood is also so nice. I’m actually eye-balling a couple of women (for membership). I have sown a few seeds of interest!”
More About Betsy:
Has “Roman” toes
Can still do the splits
Makes really good lasagna
Loves puzzles
Is a master at voices and accents – her dream job is to be a voice actor