ALUMNI OF THE YEAR

During the early years, Becky served the family primarily as a homemaker and then later as the co-founder of their business. Brett has had an extensive career in business with both private, corporate, and ministry organizations including Roes Rigging, Kraft Foods, Bryan College, The Chick-fil-a WinShape Foundation, and The Church at Northside. Today, Brett and Becky are the owners of Eagle Christian Tours, a motorcoach company that specializes in custom transportation for the education, tourism, and entertainment industry.

Brett and Becky have been happily married for 33 years. They currently reside in Rome, GA, and are the proud parents of five children and six grandchildren.

Justin ’11 and Laura (Newport) ’07 Smith grew up within a few miles of each other in Spring City and Grandview, TN respectively. Both graduated from Rhea County High School before attending Bryan College. While at Bryan, both Justin and Laura stayed heavily involved in local youth ministries and their churches. Justin had the opportunity to attend Focus Leadership Institute for a semester in Colorado Springs through Focus on the Family. The two were married in May of 2010.

Laura graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and taught at Spring City Elementary for 6 years. After their first child was born, she began her career as a stay-at-home mom. Justin graduated from Bryan with a degree in Exercise and Health Science with K-12 teaching licensure and a minor in Bible. He went on to earn his Master of Education from Bethel University.

Justin has taught in the Rhea County School system for 10 years. He leads the soccer program at Rhea County High School as head coach of the men’s team and as an assistant for the women’s team. Justin and Laura have been able to use teaching and coaching to help develop students into men and women of character. Through the avenue of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), they are able to share explicitly about the hope they have found in Christ. Justin was recently awarded the Jim Sattler Leadership Award for the 2020-21 school year, the top award for coaches in the Chattanooga FCA region.

The Smiths are thankful to God for the work he has done in their lives and will continue to do. They are currently involved in foster care and serve at New Union Baptist Church in multiple roles. More than anything, they hope for God’s glory to be known in Rhea County and the world. The Smiths currently reside in Dayton, TN with their children: Macy Rae (8), Asher (6), Kaden (4), and foster son, Matthew (1).