Meet Ella Kate Brannon! Ella Kate is an amazing young lady! I had the pleasure of sitting down with her at Barista Alley Coffee to learn more about her and her passions. Ella Kate is a Senior at Greer High School and is the reigning Miss Greer High School. She has created “Blessing Boxes” for those in need in our community as well as a workday for Rebuild Upstate to renovate a home in Greenville. In college, she is planning to study Construction Science and Management. She is fully of energy and has a passion for helping others. She is also a huge Disney fan, like myself! We are so thankful to have Ella Kate #hereinGreer!
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
A: I have lived in Greer my whole life. My parents, Kenna and Van, both grew up in Greer. I have a younger brother, Hudson, who is a sophomore at Greer High School. We are a close family and love to laugh and make jokes. We have two dogs, Lilly and Brenda, and a cat named Bear.
Q: Please share some of your accomplishments and school involvement.
A: Beta Club, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish National Honor society and this year, I am the editor of the school yearbook.
Q: Tell us about your community projects.
A: I am participating in the upcoming Miss South Carolina pageant and for my personal platform, I decided to build “Blessing Boxes”. My dad and I built one after seeing the one the Mr. and Mrs. Lynch had. Ms. Edwards also had one that we are using. The boxes are filled with canned foods and other non- perishable items such as plastic eating utensils and travel size toiletries. There is one located at the First Baptist Church and one at the Memorial Baptist Church. The idea is “take what you need, give what you can and above all else be blessed”. I check the boxes every couple of days to keep them stocked and am planning a food drive in the near future. (If you want to support the blessing boxes, you can place donations directly into the boxes.)
On September 12, I am hosting a workday for Rebuild Upstate. I will be assigned a home in Greenville to make renovations to make it more livable. I will have nine volunteers helping me with this project. I learned home renovation/repair skills while attending Camp Salkehatchie.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
A: Wild Ace Pizza, Texas Roadhouse, and Tipsy Taco
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
A: Ms. Lewis. She was a student teacher when I was in the 1st grade then I had her for 2nd and 3rd grade. She is an amazing woman. She is the most loving with the biggest heart.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: Greece. It looks so beautiful! I would love to walk on the beaches and see the scenery.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
A: When I have downtime, I binge watch Netflix. I like the New Girl. My favorite movie is LaLaLand.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
A: I love Justin Timberlake. He is a great performer and I saw him in concert for my 16th birthday.
Q: What is your favorite thing about our community? What makes you feel most nostalgic about our community?
A: Just being downtown and the community feeling. It is so special. Everywhere you turn there is a friendly face. I remember watching the homecoming parades and now I get to be in them.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative: with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
A: Saddie Robertson (Huff) from Duck Dynasty. She is such an inspiration. She has a strong faith and a sweet and bubbly personality. She is helping young woman navigate in today’s world. I would take her to the Tropical Smoothy cafe on Pelham Road.
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: I play tennis on the high school tennis team.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
A: Disney’s private island, Castaway Key.
Q: What is your favorite month? holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
A: October– I like Fall and Halloween- school starts to pick up and there are fun things to do; Christmas – I love the feeling of Christmas, cuddling up with hot chocolate, watching Christmas movies, making cookies and looking at the lights with my family; Day after Thanksgiving – We get our Christmas tree and put it up.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
A: My family. They push me to do my best and to reach for the stars. They help me get from point A to point B.
Q: Finally, what are 3 words that come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: Family, Comfort and Support
