. , • Families change lifestyle for a H.arding education -- Just how strong an attraction does a Christian school hold? Each year students corne from many patjs of the United States and the world to attend Harding, A few, however, come to Searcy as a part of a family move. Junior Kathy Cannon, who moved with the rest of her family to Searcy in 1973 from Oklahoma said, "The timing was absolutely perfect. It was like a new start in my life. I was beginning the ninth grade and thought I was really grown up. For me to be with Christians was just what I needed." She added, "The friends I made at the Academy are still my really good friends." Sophomore Lee Ann Berry, whose family moved to Searcy from Louisiana in 1970, said, "I can remember when we first moved here. I had heard that Harding was a sheltered community, and I hated leaving all my friends. I wouldn't trade it now for anything, though, because a lot of the friends 1 grew up with are divorced, and one has had two abortions." Ben Berry, Lee Ann's father, is a sales representative for International Paper Company and also owns World Travel Agency in Searcy. Berry said that in 1970 he held a management position with International Paper but wanted to move to Searcy. Since there was no branch in Searcy, he figured he would have to resign. Instead, the company offered him the chance to move to Searcy and establish a new sales territory . Swimming Coach John "Jack" Boustead moved to Searcy in 1978 from Detroit, where he taught in the public schools for 21 years. He took a cut in pay and resigned his position as elder in order to move here. Daughters Cyndi and Pam attend Harding, and two other children are in the Academy. Cyndi, a sophomore nursing major, said, "I like it a whole lot better at Harding. llike the SWIMMING Coach Jack BOl/stead and his wife Billie relax ill their home with their childrell Pam. Michael. Cynthia and Sarah.
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