Limestone, metal benches placed downtown
By Melinda L. Lucas
Six more benches have been placed in Albany’s downtown block this week as part of a local graduate’s “Roots and Rest” project, and there are plans to add more in the future.
Seth Hale, a 2020 Albany High School senior, has been working on the venture for over a year, following his selection in May 2019 as one of 10 Ford Leadership Scholars through the Texas FFA.
After developing the concept for a required community service project, Hale approached the Albany city council in November, presenting the idea of replacing aging wooden benches in town with powder-coated low maintenance metal benches that have limestone slab seats.
He had already had a prototype bench produced by artist Joe Barrington, and he showed council members several photos of the piece, suggesting that the brand of the sponsor be used on the back support, or, in lieu of a brand, that there be a small memorial plaque on the back.
That prototype bench was later placed on the east sidewalk of the downtown block. It was joined on Tuesday afternoon by seven similar pieces, making a total of eight benches along Main Street and in the Bank Park.
All bear the brands of their financial sponsors, which to date include John Caldwell, George and Prissy Harvick, Stan and Greta Liles, Jamie and Cheryl Nail, Sam and Mary Anna Snyder, Cliff and Lynne Teinert, and Hale’s parents, Ben and Aimee Hale.
Also thanked for helping with the undertaking were Albany mayor Susan Montgomery, along with Mary Beth Jones and Tisha Wilkins.
A seventh bench has been purchased in memory of a local citizen, and it should be built in the near future.
In fact, the project could be ongoing for several years, because Hale’s younger siblings, Jake and Abi Grace, are taking responsibility for it if someone wishes to sponsor a bench.
Ford Scholars
The Ford Leadership Scholars program is a result of the Texas FFA Foundation and Texas Ford Dealers partnership to enhance the leadership opportunities of Texas FFA members.
Each year, 10 FFA members from across the entire state of Texas as Ford Leadership Scholars.
Hale was one of 22 finalists selected to participate in a day-long interview conducted by a panel of six judges in Austin May 24, 2019, and at the end of the day, Hale was announced as one of the 10 winners.
The purpose of the program is to: 1) Identify students who exhibit high levels of leadership at the FFA chapter level. 2) Engage these identified students in a leadership development program created to enhance those qualities of leadership. 3) Recognize the Scholars to build a remarkable legacy for the future of the state and nation.
The criteria for selection of the winners is based upon the six leadership characteristics of action, relationships, vision, character, awareness, and continuous improvement.
