10 Most-Beautiful Finalist: Becky Cameron

Age: 56

Occupation: Interior Designer

Background: Becky is originally from West Plains, but she has been living in Springfield since 1970, when she came to attend Southwest Missouri State. She has a husband, Walt Cameron, and four kids: Justin Johnson, Josh Johnson, Joel Johnson and Jessica Johnson-Murray.

Tell us why you love 417-land.

I love the people who call Springfield their home. When I graduated from college in 1974, I decided to make Springfield my permanent home. I think Springfield is the perfect place to raise a family. It has a lot of opportunity without a lot of the negativity that comes with raising children in metropolitan areas.

Also, the central location of Springfield makes it more accessible to other parts of the country when traveling, and it’s not too far from my hometown of West Plains.

I also love the four distinct seasons we have in Springfield, especially the warmer ones.

Tell us about your community involvement and volunteering. (Please tell us what organizations you’re involved in, what you do to participate and how long you’ve been doing it.)

I was a member of the Junior League of Springfield in the 1980s. In my 10-year involvement, I served on different committees, such as Sassafrass Cookbook, and presented to students in the public schools.

I have been serving in the house committee at Highland Springs Country Club for the past three years. We act as liaisons between the members and the

Highland Springs Board of Directors. We give recommendations for menu changes, plan the year’s functions and encourage feedback from the members as well as recommendations.

What makes your community involvement worthwhile?

I think staying involved in our community is very important. Springfield has grown so much in every capacity over the past 30 years that staying involved with the community as it changes has kept me very connected to it. In a way, I feel like I “grew up” with Springfield. I think staying connected to our community as it grows is exciting and always leads to new opportunities for personal growth, as well as community involvement.

Hobbies (Go ahead; list them all! And tell us why you love them.)

In the spring months, I love digging in the dirt and planting. I guess being raised on a ranch, planting things and watching them grow is just in my blood.

I also love to sew. I am an expert seamstress, but I have little time for that luxury these days.

I love long walks, especially in the spring and summer months when everything is starting to bloom.

I also love having all my family together. My four children have busy lives, and one of them lives in Little Rock, Arkansas, so I try to have them all together at my house as often as I can. I am a big believer in keeping my family all connected.

Are you involved in any professional organizations? (What are they, what’s your role, and how long have you been doing it?)

I’m involved with the SMMA, and have been for the past 25 years. I served as president for my personal art group for the years of 2002–2005.

What’s something that might surprise us about you? (Or a story you love to tell.)

I was born on a ranch in Sweetwater, Texas.

I once put super glue in my eye instead of contact lens solution.

I am left-handed, as is my mother and oldest son.

I was an SMS cheerleader from 1971–1973.

I have a degree in interior design & textiles.

I am somewhat acrophobic (fear of heights).

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