Belton Educational Foundation
Our People
MEET THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Belton Educational Foundation Executive Director, Sonja Abdelgawad
Sonja is an innovative educator and civic leader, who brings 20 years of experience working in education to the Foundation. Sonja holds undergraduate and master’s degrees from UMKC, and most recently earned an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership. Sonja has worked in the Belton School District since 2005. Throughout her career, she has served as teacher, parent educator, instructional coach and district curriculum facilitator. She has also served as a member of the Raymore City Council since 2012.
“Sonja brings with her not only a passion for supporting public education, but also has strength and experience as a community leader in Belton and surrounding areas”, said Foundation president, Joye Conklin. “Her dedication, enthusiasm and leadership are a great asset to the organization and the students of the Belton School District.”
“I look forward to the opportunity to blend my knowledge and passion for education with the joy of connecting with people in the community,” said Abdelgawad. “Supporting the teachers, students, and families in the Belton School District was an integral part of my work as an instructional coach and curriculum facilitator. As Executive Director of the Belton Educational Foundation, this opportunity increases exponentially. Working with the community, we will strengthen our progress toward the mission of the Foundation, to enrich educational opportunities and encourage innovation to maximize the learning potential for all students in the Belton School District."
MEET THE BEF Foundation Assistant
The Belton Educational Foundation Assistant, Jennifer Mata
As a proud Belton High School alumna, Jennifer has deep roots in the Belton community and a lifelong passion for supporting students and schools. Over the years, she has served on multiple Parent-Teacher Organizations (PTOs).
Her commitment to education and student success runs deep, and she’s grateful to serve in a role that allows her to give back to the same district that shaped her own journey. Jennifer brings enthusiasm, community spirit, and a genuine love for Belton’s students to everything she does. She considers it a privilege to work for the Belton Educational Foundation, where her passion and purpose align every day.
Go Pirates!
MEET THE BEF Office Assistant
The Belton Educational Foundation Office Assistant, Tyler Fulton
Tyler Fulton, a 2023 BHS Graduate, is a creative force in the world of live entertainment, community engagement, and design. As the founder and driving vision behind RNR Productions LLC, Tyler produces large-scale, high-energy concert experiences that celebrate the timeless sound of 1950s–1970s rock ’n’ roll. His productions blend classic hits, powerhouse musicianship, and nostalgic storytelling to transport audiences back to the golden age of rockabilly, swing, and early rock.
In addition to his entertainment ventures, Tyler serves as the Office Assistant at the Belton Educational Foundation, where he uses his expertise in branding, videography, graphic design, and event production to support education and inspire community involvement. From managing sponsorship campaigns and gala productions to crafting storytelling videos, his work helps connect people to causes that make a lasting impact. Also in the Belton School District, Tyler acts as one of two Technical Directors for the Belton High School Pirate Theatre Program.
A performer and musician at heart, Tyler is also a drummer, singer, and show producer, blending his love of music and vintage culture into everything he creates. Known for his attention to detail, dynamic creativity, and ability to bring bold ideas to life, Tyler continues to build a legacy of entertainment that unites generations—one show, one story, and one unforgettable moment at a time.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
![photo of Kathy Muder]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1702412414/beltonschoolsorg/weeadfpd053tzfoy7zel/10.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1702412414/beltonschoolsorg/weeadfpd053tzfoy7zel/10.png","width":400}])
President - Fred Yonker
Fred is a Financial Advisor and Accredited Asset Management Specialist with Edward Jones Investments. He has a passion for community and long history of holding leadership positions in civic organizations around the City of Belton.
![BEF logo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1719407143/beltonschoolsorg/qnnmogegweyscwj124vv/MichelleWilson.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1719407143/beltonschoolsorg/qnnmogegweyscwj124vv/MichelleWilson.jpg","width":400}])
Vice President - Michelle Wilson
Michelle is a 1997 graduate of Belton High School. She has enjoyed serving the community previously with Belton CARES and You Matter Belton.
![Second Vice President - Dennis Schnell]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1721241860/beltonschoolsorg/kyp8nxgull36s5ale933/Websitephotos.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1721241860/beltonschoolsorg/kyp8nxgull36s5ale933/Websitephotos.jpg","width":400}])
Second Vice President - Dennis Schnell
Dennis retired as a business manager from a manufacturing firm located in town in 2020. He enjoys outdoor activities, yard work, and volunteering locally. He considers the opportunity to give back in support of the Belton School District (graduated in '74) a special privilege.
![photo of Nick Boeth]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1702412797/beltonschoolsorg/xzuhtz4662wlxv2hm5lg/2.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1702412797/beltonschoolsorg/xzuhtz4662wlxv2hm5lg/2.png","width":400}])
Treasurer - Nick Boeth
Nick is a 2010 Belton High School and Rockhurst University graduate. Working in public accounting as a CPA, he's made his way back to Belton to work in real estate. He enjoys being outdoors, giving back to the community, and spending time with family and friends.
![photo of Joye Conklin]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1702412892/beltonschoolsorg/srf57m4ref3gazci0ngr/4.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1702412892/beltonschoolsorg/srf57m4ref3gazci0ngr/4.png","width":400}])
Past President - Joye Conklin
Joye Conklin is the President/CEO at R-G Federal Credit Union in Belton and a 1974 graduate of Belton High School. She joined the Board of Trustees in 2015.
![LaTrece Newsome-Bandy]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1739554675/beltonschoolsorg/b0ovo6gs1obd5kxwio3s/Websitephotos4.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1739554675/beltonschoolsorg/b0ovo6gs1obd5kxwio3s/Websitephotos4.jpg","width":400}])
LaTrece Newsome-Bandy
A long-time Belton resident and community member, LaTrece Bandy joined the Belton Educational Foundation Board of Trustees in July 2024. LaTrece works in the Real Estate industry in Kansas and Missouri. In her spare time LaTrece supports Belton athletics and volunteering in the schools and community.
![photo of Charlotte Bradley]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1738687478/beltonschoolsorg/gllqhoa7jkhfktbonrhv/Websitephotos1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1738687478/beltonschoolsorg/gllqhoa7jkhfktbonrhv/Websitephotos1.jpg","width":400}])
Charlotte Bradley
Charlotte Bradley is a long-time Belton resident and currently works for the Belton School District as a Learning Mentor. She joined the Belton Educational Foundation Board of Trustees in 2018.
![Theresa Cervantes - BSD School Board Rep]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1745936095/beltonschoolsorg/wfoq8oxtnd6jqqzarvp8/Websitephotos_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1745936095/beltonschoolsorg/wfoq8oxtnd6jqqzarvp8/Websitephotos_1.jpg","width":400}])
Theresa Cervantes - BSD School Board Rep
Theresa Cervantes is a 1999 BHS graduate, longtime Belton resident, and proud mom of four—three Belton grads. She’s served on various educational and athletic boards, including the BSD Board of Education since 2017. Theresa co-owns TNT Partners, serving local families through real estate.
![photo of Stephanie Davidson]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1702413164/beltonschoolsorg/athw1zp4risscheiy8zn/71.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1702413164/beltonschoolsorg/athw1zp4risscheiy8zn/71.png","width":400}])
Stephanie Davidson
Stephanie is Director of a local product development unit at InComm Payments, a company based in Atlanta, Georgia. She's a Belton native, prior Belton City Council member (2018-21) and longtime community volunteer.
![photo of Kathy Morton]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1702413272/beltonschoolsorg/bdwommaffyjeffazqf4f/13.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1702413272/beltonschoolsorg/bdwommaffyjeffazqf4f/13.png","width":400}])
Kathy Morton
A long-time Belton resident and community member, Kathy Morton joined the Belton Educational Foundation Board of Trustees in December 2018.
![photo of Kathy Muder]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1738687395/beltonschoolsorg/vwkqcfih9oyc04fax5ae/Websitephotos.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1738687395/beltonschoolsorg/vwkqcfih9oyc04fax5ae/Websitephotos.jpg","width":400}])
Kathy Muder
Long-time Belton resident and graduate, Kathy Muder joined the Foundation board in 2017. She taught for 40 years, retiring in 2017 from the Belton School District after 35 years. She serves now as a specialty substitute in the district.
![photo of Tom]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1702414672/beltonschoolsorg/ilyzlae7r1c9cjjqp4ee/151.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1702414672/beltonschoolsorg/ilyzlae7r1c9cjjqp4ee/151.png","width":400}])
Tom O'Connor
Tom has been a long-time figure in the Belton business community -- Tom's passion is connecting people and serving. Tom brings leadership experience from serving on several other community boards.
![photo of Torrence Allen]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760974987/beltonschoolsorg/cdanr28mguciox7szded/TrtY7Irw_400x400.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1760974987/beltonschoolsorg/cdanr28mguciox7szded/TrtY7Irw_400x400.jpg","width":400}])
Torrence Allen
Ex-Officio Member Torrence Allen currently serves Finance & Support Services for Belton School District #124. He joined the Board of Trustees as an ex-officio member in 2025.
![Dr. Andy Underwood]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1738687695/beltonschoolsorg/jhbneywkmhryoeoble9p/Websitephotos3.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1738687695/beltonschoolsorg/jhbneywkmhryoeoble9p/Websitephotos3.jpg","width":400}])
Dr. Andrew Underwood
Ex-Officio Member Dr. Andrew Underwood is the current Superintendent of the Belton School District #124. He has his Doctorate in Educational Leadership and has been in the field of education since 1996.
![Marsha Vest Photo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1705694370/beltonschoolsorg/j16zwggojmoe32avwe5y/Marsha.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1705694370/beltonschoolsorg/j16zwggojmoe32avwe5y/Marsha.png","width":400}])
Marsha Vest
Marsha joined the board in 2022. Retiring from a teaching career after 34 years in the classroom, education is a life-long passion of hers. Marsha is also a Belton High School alumni.
![photo of Vickie Peters]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1702414587/beltonschoolsorg/b5gei39hofvngl52hu29/14.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1702414587/beltonschoolsorg/b5gei39hofvngl52hu29/14.png","width":400}])
Vickie Peters
Vickie Peters is a long-time Belton resident and a Belton graduate. She brings 35+ years of corporate pharmaceutical experience and has a passion to empower our students, educators, and community.
![photo of Kathy Muder]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1753728129/beltonschoolsorg/qo7xvxxs9jprmwniu71q/Websitephotos_2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1753728129/beltonschoolsorg/qo7xvxxs9jprmwniu71q/Websitephotos_2.jpg","width":400}])
Teresa Deaton
Teresa Deaton owns the American Family Insurance Agency in Belton and is an active member of the community. She is passionate about caring for students and children, and serves with several organizations that provide support for them. Teresa is proud to serve on the board of the Belton Educational Foundation.