I am born and raised in Western North Carolina, and I feel lucky to still call this wonderful place my home. I grew up visiting my Grandparent's cabin in Saluda, which is where my family still calls home to this day. Some of my earliest memories are playing with my brother Grayson in Joel's Creek, walking the train tracks, and having cheerwine on Main Street. I even learned the Pledge of Allegiance from my grandmother on a Coon Dog Day weekend! After leaving WNC to study in Korea and Washington DC, I returned to WNC and have called Saluda home ever since.

What makes Ellie qualified for this role?

As a young person, I have a lot at stake when it comes to seeing change, good and bad, come to Saluda. I want to be engaged in local government so that by the time I have grandchildren, they'll be able to enjoy the same town I did growing up.

I'm involved.

I have worked at some of our local businesses and regularly volunteer in the community. I worked at Green River BBQ and at the Saluda Inn. I also have given Train Tales lectures at the Saluda Depot Museum on Saluda's railroad history, and help maintain trails with the Saluda Community Land Trust. My brother Grayson and I have put on the annual Coon Dog Day poster fundraiser to raise funds for McCreeery Park and Historic Saluda Inc. I serve on the board of Historic Saluda Inc. and am engaged in several research projects on Saluda's rich history.

Work experience

I am currently serving as a Project Conserve member with the Saluda Community Land Trust. I also teach English Language Acquisition and Workplace Literacy courses at Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College, and teach business English to Korean professionals with the Ringle Education Company.

In college, I had Internships with the Library of Congress and the Korean Defense Veterans Association. I am also an Eagle Scout!

Education

I attended public schools in Asheville and they served me well!

I recieved the National Secutiry Language Inituative Scholarship from the U.S. Department of State and studied abroad in Seoul, South Korea for a year at Deawon Foriegn Language Highschool before going to college.

I gradutated from the George Washington University with a BA in Korean Language & Literature with a double minor in History and Sociology.