214 organizations B a l a n c e Students involved with Pied Pipers, a group that traveled and performed for children, all had at least one thing in common. They all had a passion for reaching out to the children they performed for. But two members of the group, married couple Brian and Sadie Bullard, held a unique position. Not only did the couple share their lives and talents with the children of other people, they were parents themselves. Sadie and Brian, senior English and kinesiology majors, first met at Camp Wyldewood in Searcy. “Brian and I camped together at Camp Wyldewood when we were little, but we didn’t really know each other well,” Sadie said. “When I was a senior in high school, I volunteered at camp the session he camped, and we got reacquainted. We ran into each other that winter at another youth rally and have talked every day since.” Six days after Sadie’s 19th birthday, the couple was married. “We were married on July 29, 2006,” Sadie said. “We had a medieval [themed] wedding at Camp Wyldewood.” Before and after getting married, Sadie and Brian both said they enjoyed being in Pied Pipers. “Pied Pipers is a great way to see and experience the love of God,” Brian said. “Children have an amazing ability to show unconditional love, and that is something we should take of; it’s tons of fun.” Being a Piper also fit in with Sadie’s interest in performing and reaching out to kids. “I’ve always been interested in theater, and this is a great way to inspire young children to be creative,” Sadie said. “Also many of the children we see do not get the attention they need at home, so we have a chance to give them positive attention and the opportunity to use their imaginations.” In the midst of balancing life as students, a married couple and active members of Pipers, the Bullards happily embraced a new addition to their family on Feb. 13, when their daughter, June Violet Bullard, was born. From then on, “Junie” became the number one priority in the Bullards’ lives. “No matter how much stuff we have due or how many minutes we have until we are going to be late for class, Junie will always come before school, work and Pipers,” Brian said. “Although we have to make sacrifices for her and for each other, it is all worth it. Junie brightens up our lives and is a great gift from God.” Sadie agreed that things changed once Junie came into the picture, but they both enjoyed the new dimension to their lives that being parents brought. “We have to plan things ahead of time now, but we still have fun,” Sadie said. “If we want to go out, we have to find a sitter or take Junie with us, but Junie is such a well-mannered baby that we don’t mind [taking] her with us. She likes to go to the movies, and we like to show her off.” Even after having Junie, the couple continued to be active and participate in Pied Pipers. Unlike other members of the group, they just had to make sure that their little girl was taken care of before going to meetings. “We only have Piper practice two nights a week, and friends and family baby-sit for us on those nights,” Brian said. “Also, we go on tours that can be up to a week long, and when we go on a tour, Junie stays with her grandparents.” Despite the new challenges, the Bullards continued to make the best of each day. “Even though things are pretty hectic with being married, having a kid, going to school, working and being in Pied Pipers,” Brian said, “life is good and we are making it just fine.” Rebecca Harrell Row 1: K. Dolinger, A. Gates, C. Myer. Row 2: K. Rogers, J. LaFevers, J. Rousseau, M. Ellis (Sponsor). Campus Players Pied Pipers Row 1: D. Frye (Sponsor), J. Pittard, A. Williams, S. Bullard, M. West. Row 2: B. Bullard, K. Fisher, D. Tucker, S. Bowden, K. Hollingsworth, A Frye. Students Juggle School With Marriage, Parenthood And Pied Pipers
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==