Top: The Clemson Army ROTC “Fightin’ Tiger Battalion” escorts the United States Flag during dedication ceremonies for the Sheriff National Guard Memorial Flag Plaza at Southern Wesleyan University. Above: U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks at the dedication, held on Veterans Day last week.

SWU dedicates new flag plaza

CENTRAL — What began as an effort to place flags at Southern Wesleyan University’s new athletic facilities grew into a tribute to those who have served and continue to serve in our military.

The plaza, located near the campus entrance, was dedicated on Veterans Day to the late Col. Jimmy D. Sheriff and his widow, Gwen Anne Campbell Sheriff, and to the soldiers and spouses of the S.C. National Guard, Battery C, 2nd Battalion (AW) (SP) 263rd ADA.

Col. Sheriff served in the Clemson “Charlie Battery” from 1959-1977. Col. Sheriff graduated from SWU with an A.B. degree. Also a SWU graduate, Anne is a retired educator who founded the Faith Clayton Family Research Center at Southern

Report Card

COUNTY — The School District of Pickens County received a score of Excellent, the highest possible rating, on the 2014 South Carolina School Report Card.

The district also received a growth rating of Good.

“It takes a team effort between staff, administrators, students and families to earn this rating, and we have a great team here in Pickens County,” superintendent Dr. Danny Merck said.

The South Carolina School Report card recognizes five ratings: Excellent, Good, Average, Below Average and At-Risk.

Southern Wesleyan University students unveiled a bench dedicated to the memory of student Krystal Pearce during a ceremony Oct. 20 on the flag plaza at the university’s Central campus. Pictured, from left are students Gavin Potter of Central and Kirsten Cosgrove of Delaware, as well as Heather Pearce, Krystal’s mother.

Bench at flag plaza a memorial to SWU student

CENTRAL — When Krystal Pearce entered Southern Wesleyan University as a freshman in August 2013, few could have realized the impact that she would have during the brief period of time she was a student.

On her way back to her home in Delaware for Fall Break, Krystal died in a tragic accident along Interstate 85. More than a year later, Krystal’s influence continues to be felt among her classmates and teammates.

On Oct. 20, Southern Wesleyan dedicated a bench on its new flag plaza to Krystal’s memory.

“On this beautiful day, we come to celebrate the memory of a beautiful person,” university chaplain Ken Dill said. Dill remarked that they had run out of programs as a large crowd of students, faculty and staff gathered — a testament to the many individuals Krystal impacted within the campus community.

Students who knew Krystal shared stories of how she demonstrated Christian love and compassion toward her classmates.

Gavin Potter of Central, who is also the Student Government Association president, recalled how Krystal prayed that members of the track team would grow closer to Christ and added that — though she was on the tennis team, Krystal would also work out with the track team and considered them as “family.”

“To know this was a life defined by God and His Word, I think it’s truly an inspiration to us all,” Potter said. “This bench dedication is in memory of a woman who was not necessarily defined by her great deeds, but by her great God.”

“When Krystal prayed for the track team that night, I don’t think anyone knew the magnitude of the effects that it would have,” said Olivia Bush of Indian Rocks Beach, Fla., who befriended Krystal at orientation when both were new students.

Bush, who runs on the university’s track team and became a Christian this past spring, recalled how Krystal drew others toward her with her “warm and bubbly” personality and how her prayers had an impact that continues.

“There once was a super perky 18-year-old girl that was absolutely terrified to go around and talk to people about how much God loves them,” said Heather Pearce, Krystal’s mother. “Can you imagine if she didn’t go out and talk to each of you?”

Heather paused to pick up some landscaping pebbles in the plaza, then continued to speak about her daughter’s life and influence.

“Our words may be a pebble in our minds,” Heather said as she held up a pebble. “We may think of this as our word — it may start out as a small stone as you throw it, but there’s a ripple effect. The ripple grows ever bigger as it goes along. In order to have this effect, we first have to have the courage to pick this up and have faith that God will use this and have a ripple effect.

“A year ago, my Krystal picked up a stone, and her impossible prayer she committed to God was for the track team. She prayed every day; I know this; she told me. She took courage and shared her story and love for God, and now she has a front row seat. She’s with Jesus and she’s watching this great ripple effect.”

In addition to the dedicated bench at Southern Wesleyan University, a memorial scholarship has been endowed bearing Krystal Brooke Pearce’s name. Her positive impact will ripple in perpetuity in many ways.

Emily Wright/Courier

Lifelong Pickens resident and World War II veteran Zig Boroughs held a book signing for his latest book, “The 508th Connection,” at Nestfeathers in Pickens on Saturday. The book is Boroughs’ third published book. Above, Boroughs signs a book for local resident John R. Brewer. For more information, or to reserve your copy of Boroughs’ book, call (864) 878-4060.