Have you ever been inspired by someone? Have you ever seen an ordinary person do something that was amazing or just simply a good thing to do and said, "That's really great."

Sure, we've all been inspired by great people like Mother Teresa or Martin Luther King, Jr. But what about an ordinary person just like you or me - a neighbor, co-worker or friend? Now take it a step further. You were inspired enough to actual do something really great yourself!

That's what makes the difference, when we allow ourselves to be inspired to the point of action. Instead of simply saying, "Wow! What they did was really great," and then just walking away.

This is exactly what happened to Ron Beal. He was inspired by an ordinary young man that just happened to be younger than him by several decades. And he was so inspired that he began to question himself, "If a young man can do something as great as this, surely I can do something, too." And that is how the Beal Scholarship program began; one man, inspired by another, to do something good and give back to his hometown.Taylor Baker was the young, Hayesville High School student that inspired Beal to begin the Beal Scholarship which includes a 4-year, $40,000 scholarship for one HHS Senior. Beal recently shared how he became re-acquainted with his almamater after being gone from Clay County for many years.

Beal said that he received a letter from Baker who was working on putting together a history of football at HHS for his senior project. Baker's project would span four years, culminating his senior year in a published historical account of the HHS football program and the players. In addition, Baker began a scholarship fund for all HHS graduating seniors who were members of the football team. At graduation Baker's senior year, each of the players received a $500 scholarship. The football scholarship program begun by Baker continues today through the efforts of players with donations of alumni, players and local businesses. Every year since Baker began the scholarship, all graduating seniors who are members of the Yellow Jacket Football team and plan to attend college receive a $500 scholarship.

"I was terribly impressed," Beal said when he first learned of Baker's project and saw the book that he had put together. "This took a lot of time and initiative. He did something really great."Beal said he asked himself why he couldn't do something similar to what these young men had done. "I have just been really impressed with the students," Beal commented of Baker, and the other students including Baker's cousins Clay Woody and Tyler Benson who kept the football scholarship program going after Baker's graduation. "I have never met them personally, but I have been so amazed at what they have done." Beal said when he saw what these kids had done he questioned, "Why can't those of us who went through school here do something?""He (Baker) was my inspiration," Beal responded to the question of how the idea came about to start a scholarship for Hayesville graduates. And after living in Tennessee for many years and coming home on occasion to visit family still living in the area, Beal said the book published by Baker peaked his interest about his old school and he began to pay attention and started keeping up with what was going on in Clay County."I began to see that neat things were happening here and the good things I remembered as a student were still here," Beal commented. "I was very impressed with the school and what was going on."

Beal said when he first began to consider the possibility of setting up a scholarship he wasn't even sure if it was needed or what would be involved. So he simply made a call.

"I wasn't familiar with scholarships and wasn't sure what would be involved," he said. But to his surprise it was really an easy thing to do and the school was glad to lend a hand and educate him on the ins and outs of setting up a scholarship.Beal said that Dr. Gail Criss, HHS Principal, was very excited about his initial call and did a tremendous job helping him come up with a detailed plan for how the scholarships would work.Beal said that he has received great support from members of the HHS Faculty

Scholarship Committee and also thanked members of the community who agreed to serve on the Beal Scholarship Selection Committee including Dr. Criss, former Clay County School Board Chairman Jane Hindsman, and family members Kyle Beal and Michelle Grindstaff .

Of setting up the scholarship, Beal said it was a painless process and has been a very rewarding experience. And one of the greatest rewards, Beal admitted, will be later this month when the first recipients of the Beal Scholarships are announced. Thanks to Beal's generosity, six HHS seniors will be awarded a total of $50,000 in scholarships on May 21st at the Senior Awards banquet.

"I feel very privileged and honored to be a small part of the good things that are going on here at HHS," Beal stated.

Beal said he initially made a four year commitment for the Beal Scholarship program, however, Beal said the plans are to eventually make it permanent. Beal is currently President and CEO of Orgill, Inc., a $1 billion hardware distribution company based in Memphis, TN.

Beal and his wife, Becky, a native of Hiawassee, Ga., met while in high school and later married. Beal is a graduate of Georgia Tech and also holds an MBA from The University of North Florida.Beal said that he first began working in the hardware distribution industry while attending Georgia Tech simply because he needed a job and the hardware distribution center was within walking distance of the Tech campus. However, what was just a job later became a wonderful career, and today Beal is President of a hardware distribution company that has office in countries across the globe.

Of his success, Beal said it was certainly not planned, but today he is in his third year as CEO of a major company. And to fellow Hayesville High School graduates, Beal would say that coming from a small town and attending a school like Hayesville is a positive, not a negative, in reaching your goals and being successful."One thing I have learned over the years is that graduating from Hayesville is a tremendous advantage, in no way is it a hindrance. Growing up in the wonderful environment that Clay County provides and having a great school.if they think for a minute it's a disadvantage they are wrong," Beal stressed.

"We are very privileged," Beal said of the right to be called Hayesville High School graduates and residents of the Clay County.

Other Stories With Comments:
Article	Comments
Land transfer tax-- let the voters decide	1