Cadmus named Arts Council Ambassador of Month

Press release from Arts Council Menifee:

Arts Council Menifee has chosen one of its own, Betti Cadmus, as Ambassador of the Month for January, 2022.

Betti is a founding member of ACM and was an active trustee for more than 11 years before her resignation last fall. ACM recognizes and appreciates the time and energy Betti has devoted to the Council and all that she has done to promote arts in the community. She is highly deserving of this honor.

Betti was primarily raised in Glendale, except for a five-year period in New York early in her childhood. In the third grade, Betti had an inspirational and beloved teacher, Miss Poier. She kept a guitar and autoharp in the classroom and piqued the interest of Betti in all the stringed instruments.

That year, Betti began playing the violin. As she progressed, she made her way to first chair in the middle school orchestra. During lunch breaks many of the students would meet in a practice room, swapping a bass for a viola, a violin for a cello, to experience all the different stringed instruments. Betti started playing the guitar at this time, as well as the mandolin.

Like Miss Poier, her original musical inspiration and mentor, she also got an autoharp. These people and experiences intensified Betti's interest and appreciation of music and the arts in general.

In 1991, Betti and her husband, John, moved to Menifee and stayed to raise their two daughters, Carlyn and Natalie. Betti became a band mom helping to raise funds for Bell Mountain Middle School and Paloma Valley High School. As a PTA member, she promoted the arts through the annual Reflections program. Reflections provides a theme and students enter works in writing, drawing, painting, photography, video, dance, ceramic and other disciplines. The winners can advance to regional, state, and national PTA recognition.

Betti is currently the Public Information Officer for the Menifee Union School District, a position she has held for the last 10 years. She often helps showcase the works of the district students for all in the community to enjoy. For example, her Partners Education Network engaged students from Callie Kirkpatrick and Freedom Crest elementary schools to create tile murals that pay homage to the military. These murals are on display at the Stater Brothers located at Newport & Menifee Road.

In addition, Betti has encouraged and facilitated collaboration between MUSD and ACM. She has connected the local schools with artists and events sponsored by the Council. One such partnership allowed ACM to use Hans Christensen Middle School for the annual Menifee’s Got Talent. This event features local performers from under 10 to 90 years old and gives them the opportunity to entertain the citizens of Menifee.

Colleen Ackerman, ACM trustee and longtime friend, had this to say about Betti:

"Betti's positive energy, determined spirit and selflessness have always been an inspiration to the Council. Her supportive and encouraging personality, attention to detail, and competency have been instrumental in the growth and success of ACM. Even though she is no longer a Trustee of ACM, I know we can count on her support and involvement as a citizen of Menifee. Thank you, Betti!"

It is with extreme gratitude that ACM acknowledges Betti Cadmus as the January 2022 Ambassador of the Month. She has personified ACM's mission statement, "Bringing Arts to Menifee and Local Artists to the Public"!