Each week, we will highlight an East Cooper Breakfast Rotarian in the Member Spotlight section of the newsletter. Its a way to get to know more about your fellow members.

This week, we’re learning more about Stephanie Bates.

Where are you from originally?

Originally I am from a small farming community in Tennessee. Although it may surprise most but I do know how to drive a John Deere Tractor.

Tell us about your family (single, married, children, grandchildren, pets)

After graduating from The Citadel’s graduate program, I decided to stay in the Mount Pleasant area, while most of my family lives in Tennessee. My niece, Isabelle, is my life, and spitting image of myself ( personality and all). My sincere apologies to my sister, Melanie.

What’s your occupation?

I work as a Branch manager for First Federal soon to be South State Bank. Banking has been in my family for years, and I enjoy getting to help people.

What is your favorite thing about Rotary?

For me, Rotary is about the people. I love working with and being a part of an organization with people that have the same goal of community and service. Rotary is made up of all kinds of interesting and wonderful people who desire to give back. I am glad to be a part of that.

Where did you go to school?

Since I grew up in Tennessee, I attended high school there until 2001. If you can imagine, my high school class only had 32 students. Let’s just say we all still know each other. For my undergraduate, I went to Brevard College in the Western North Carolina Mountains. What brought me to Charleston was the graduate program at The Citadel, where I graduated in 2009.

What did you think you wanted to be (as a child) when you grew up?

Mariah Carey.. I wanted to be her so bad. I used to practice everyday after school with a microphone on my front porch. When I go home, I am still told of stories of people driving by and seeing me sing with my pink Barbie microphone. How embarrassing!? But when you a child and someone hands you a pink Barbie microphone and matching costume (oh yes!), you feel like anything is possible.

What’s your favorite leisure time activity?

Recently I started a blog singlegirlcharleston.com on life for girls in Charleston, which has quickly become my favorite hobby. I enjoy connecting with people and getting involved wherever I can in our community.

Name your favorite city and why.

Nashville TN. Nashville, to me, embodies everything I love about the south. Do not get me wrong, Charleston is amazing, but Tennessee people cannot be found just anywhere( I realize I am biased here). From the moment I step off the plane in Nashville, someone says how ya doing? Or welcome. It’s just a great city where country music can be heard at noon while you eat some good ole country cooking and everyone talks to everyone.

What the weirdest thing you’ve eaten?

Mountain oysters..  Enough said

Tell us something unique about you that we might not know.

As I mentioned before I am a country girl at heart, and I still keep a cup of bacon grease to cook with on my kitchen counter. My grandma would be so proud.  Yes I know it will kill me, but if my grandparents could live into the 90s eating it then I might as well try.