Kimberly Wiggins & Khandra Smalley
Dalih Suchet & Norman Quirion
leadership middle tennessee
BUDDY BENCH
Story & Photography by Tony Centonze Members of Leadership Clarksville and Leadership Middle Tennessee (LMT) gathered recently to work on the Buddy Bench anti-bullying project, starting with colorful benches that will be located at elementary schools throughout Montgomery County. Tara Quirion & O’Neal Wiggins
LMT President Lee Rucks was leading the Saturday morning effort. “We have built the benches and we’re painting them today,” Rucks said. “They are going to be placed at 24 elementary schools all across Clarksville, and throughout Montgomery County. This idea came from a couple of our 2018 Leadership graduates who wanted to give back. They saw a need for kids that were being bullied in schools, and thought of this as a way to help combat that.”
Lee Rucks & Ginna Holleman
Benches will be placed at playgrounds and outside lunch rooms, then student leaders will join the cause.
Khandra Smalley & Norman Quirion
Kenon Williams & Briana Dawson
“We are going to have a curriculum for our Buddy Bench Lead with Kindness program,” Rucks said. “We’ll have volunteers at the schools to train these young leaders, and show them how these benches should be used. We’re also getting corporate sponsorships. Local businesses can have their logos on the bench for a 3-year term. We’re excited, and thankful for all our volunteers and sponsors.”
Dan Perrone
Ellen & Lee Rucks
Charlie Koon & Ginna Holleman
Matt Rucks
THE REAL ESTATE ISSUE & CLASS OF 2020 SENIOR SALUTE • 15
