BEEBE — School districts often take pride when their alumni make names for themselves. English teachers may point to successful authors and say, “I read his stories way back when and knew he would do something great.” Science teachers may look to the skies and think of their former students manning the International Space Station.
The Beebe School District has a lot to be proud of, and for the first time in the state’s history, the leaders in both bodies of the Arkansas Legislature are Beebe High School graduates.
In the Arkansas House of Representatives, Rep. Jeremy Gillam, R-Judsonia, is serving as speaker of the house. Similarly, Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Beebe, is serving as president pro tempore in the Arkansas Senate.
“We saw them grow up through our school district, and they were successful students, and it does make us very proud that both of them graduated from Beebe High School,” said Belinda Shook, Beebe School District superintendent. “They’re just good guys. I think it shows in their leadership that they are interested in trying to do better things in our state.”
On Feb. 10, members of the White County community came together for an informal reception to thank Gillam and Dismang for their service. The event was hosted by the Arkansas Association of Counties at its offices in Little Rock.
“We are very fortunate to have two great leaders, both of them graduated from Beebe High School in our county,” said Gary Laney, Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce chairman. “This has never happened before — to have the president pro tem and the speaker of the house — and it might not ever happen again.”
Dismang has served in the Legislature since the beginning of the 2009 regular session. He represents District 28, which includes Prairie County and parts of Arkansas, Lonoke, Monroe, White and Woodruff counties. He is chairman of the Special Language Committee of the Joint Budget Committee and is involved in numerous other committees.
After graduating from Beebe High School, Dismang went to Harding University in Searcy, where he completed degrees in accounting and economics. He is the chief financial officer with Whitwell & Ryles Real Estate Investments, LLC, and owner and president of Dismang Consulting Services, LLC.
“I look around this room, and I guess about half of this room has raised me in some way,” he said at the reception. “I’m proud of where we come from, our roots in White County, and also proud of what we’re able to do for the state.”
Gillam is serving his third term in the Arkansas House of Representatives. He represents District 45, which encompasses part of White County. He has served on many committees, including the House Judiciary Committee; the Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee; and the Arkansas Legislative Council; and as chair of the House Management Committee.
After graduating from Beebe High School, Gillam attended Arkansas State University-Beebe and went on to earn degrees in criminology and psychology from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. He is a farmer in Judsonia and is active with the White County Farm Bureau and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Fruit and Vegetable Advisory Board.
“You have all played a vital role in my life up to this point,” Gillam said to a crowd of White County residents. “Really and truly, your roles that you have played and my colleagues here are the reason we have looked so good and have been successful. Never for a second do I dismiss that or even have a moment in the day where I don’t realize that.”
Staff writer Angela Spencer can be reached at (501) 244-4307 or aspencer@arkansasonline.com.