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(Eift Aiiuancg The ADVANCE, August 25, 2021/Page 13A Chat continued from page 11A ball. I coached my kids. As they grew up playing ball, I was right there with them.” When the COVID-19 pan demic hit, his hobby was put on hold. However, as the world returns to some sense of normalcy, Benny hopes to start coaching again in the future. When asked about his hopes for the future, Benny McLendon expressed his firm trust in those who will take over McLendon Enterprises in his stead. “I have a family meeting with all my kids and nephews once every quarter, and this is my first question. ‘Do y’all want to keep do ing this kind of work? There are easier ways of making a living.’ But they all say ‘yes.’ They all love what they do. I love what I do. My vaca tion is my vocation. I look forward to each Monday morning.” He chuckles at the fact, and recognizes it as the rare blessing that it is. Benny said that his bat tle with leukemia gave him “a lot of time to think about a lot of stuff. It made me delegate better and realize that other people could do things. It ultimately helped with the business.” As his kids and nephews gradu ally take over the details of running the family busi ness, Benny says his goal is “to not be responsible for anything,” to focus on the parts of the business he enjoys most, and to get back out on the sidelines of a football field, investing in the kids of his community. Benny McLendon didn’t really want to sit down and chat about him self, his life, as he isn’t one to enjoy being the center of attention. In fact, dur ing our chat, he was more eager to praise his wife and her accomplishments than his own, affirming the phrase that “behind every successful man, there is a strong woman.” I believe that it is his humility that has made him not only a good son, husband, father, and business owner, but also a valued and steadfast pillar in our community. COACH MCLENDON—"I don't hunt, I don't fish. Coaching kids has always been my hobby," McLendon said. He hopes to be back out on the sidelines soon. GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON—Pictured here are Robert Toombs Christian Acad emy's alumnus, Benny McLendon, and his grandson, Luke Hollis when he was a student at his grandfather's alma mater. New Director of the Academic Success Center for Brewton-Parker College GO DAWGS—Father Ben Dallas, a former priest at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and a dear friend of the family, joined Benny McLendon and sons at the 2018 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. MCLENDON ENTERPRISES-- When asked about his hopes for the future, Benny McLen don expressed his firm trust in those who will take over McLendon Enterprises in his stead, (L to R): Front Row: SGA Advisor LaRee Findley, Marli McCranie, Caroline Thompson, □lie Graham, Kate Kennedy, Back Row: Andrew Tuck, Dawson Pinckard, Meredith Dur den, Madison Williams, Hannah Meek, and Jackson Newton. RTCA Announces SGA Officers By Evan Riekhof BPC Marketing Coordinator Brewton-Parker Col lege (BPC) recently an nounced Dr. Frank Sharpe of Laurens County as the Director of the Academic Success Center (ASC). As the Director, Dr. Sharpe will facilitate educational support and tutoring ser vices to BPC students and plans to expand the online tutoring services. The ASC also offers specialized help with student papers at the Writing Center. Before accepting this position, Dr. Sharpe taught full-time last fall and taught remote classes in BPC's prison and Youth Challenge programs in the spring. Prior to join ing BPC, Dr. Sharpe was a Junior Fellow with the Blount Program at the Uni versity of Alabama. Educa tion has always been a pri ority for Dr. Sharpe as both of his parents and his older brother are teachers. Dr. Robert Brian, BPC’s Provost, shared his enthusiasm by saying, “I am very excited that Dr. Frank Sharpe will be join ing us this fall in the key role of ASC Director. Over the spring and summer, we have strengthened our capacity for spotting stu dents showing early signs of disengagement or those Dr. Frank Sharpe who just need more aca demic support. Dr. Sharpe will be leading a team of tu tors, advisors, and mentors charged with making stu dent success an attainable goal for all Barons.” Dr. Sharpe under stands some of the chal lenges that come with being a college student. “Students are already in a new environment with high expectations.” He sees the services provided by the ASC as a way to be more actively engaged in the success of students and meeting those expecta tions. Dr. Sharpe hopes to see growth in the number of students progressing in their classes and success fully making it to gradua tion. “I want them to know we're on their side. Com bine that with the chance to help people on a per sonal level and then I think we'll really have something to feel good about.” The work of the ASC is valuable to both stu dents and BPC according to Dr. Sharpe. “Your time in college is valuable, not just because of tuition, but because you will only be here for so long. These four years will go by before you know it, so do the best you can without looking for shortcuts.” He believes we need to provide a strong support system for stu dents who are struggling, stating, “This is important to both our success as an institution and the morale of the students.” Dr. Sharpe said his fa vorite Bible verse is, “In the world you have tribu lation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b). Regarding Servant Leadership, Dr. Sharpe stated, “Service is one of the most meaning ful things we can do in our world. And I think servant leadership is leadership with its heart in the right place.” In his new position as Director of Academic Success, Dr. Sharpe looks forward to seeing Brewton- Parker grow and prosper while staying true to its mission and core values. “It’s just an honor to be a part of that.” Robert Toombs Chris tian Academy’s Student Government Association has officially elected the 2021-2022 officers. After student and teacher votes were counted and teacher recommendations were factored into the equation, the following is a list of stu dents nominated: SGA Executive Officers: SGA President: Elbe Graham, SGA Vice-Pres ident: Madison Williams, SGA Secretary: Kate Ken nedy, SGA Treasurer: Jack- son Newton, SGA Projects Chairman: Marli McCra nie. SGA Class Officers: Seniors: Grade Chair: Hannah Meek, Class Rep resentative: Morgan New- some. Juniors: Grade Chair: Andrew Tuck, Class Rep resentative: Dawson Pinckard. Sophomores: Grade Chair: Caroline Thomp son. Freshmen: Grade Chair: Meredith Durden.