It all started on an elevator, believe it or not. The young Sydney Bueter was working for her uncle, a lawyer in Little Rock's Lyon Building in the summer of 1997 when Bentley Blackmon came on the scene.
"I only got on the elevator because she was on it," he says. The two struck up a conversation and the rest is, well . . . history. Bentley and Sydney celebrated 15 years of marriage in September. The couple has two children - Ben, a 3rd grader, and Griffin, who is in Kindergarten. Both boys attend Episcopal Collegiate School.
The Blackmons are enjoying this stage of life and parenting. They can often be found on campus, mostly in the Lower School where their boys are, helping with school events and projects. Bentley likes to volunteer in the library, helping students check out books.
Sydney actively supports the school as well, having served as a room mother since 2011 and volunteer for the annual Lower School Wildcat Roundup for five years. She will take on the significant role of co-chair of next year's school auction, the largest event the school holds.
The Blackmons give that extra time and support to Episcopal, they say, because they see the impact the school is having on their children.
"Every teacher they have seems sincerely interested in our children," says Sydney. "They take the time to get to know them. It's pretty special," agrees Bentley.
"They are happy and well rounded," Sydney says of her young boys. "They get the best of everything at Episcopal and have a great peer group. It's the whole package."
Bentley, who works for Stephens, Inc. in the Private Client Group, is a native of DeQueen, AR and attended public school. Sydney is a Little Rock native and attended Mount St. Mary Academy.
While Sydney went on to the University of Arkansas, Bentley attended Ouachita Baptist University and triple majored in accounting, business, and economics. Philanthropy, particularly in education, started with Bentley's father and other family members, who were generous supporters of OBU.
"I liked that my family cared enough to give to the community," said Bentley. "That made an impression on me."
In the fall of 2015, the Blackmons began a conversation with the school regarding their decision to make a major gift. Sydney and Bentley wanted to make a gift that would have an impact on students, and one that would endure. One of the areas of need discussed was the need for the Lower School playgrounds to be upgraded and enhanced. Through their generosity, the school was able to surface both Lower School playgrounds with a poured-in-place rubber material and add much needed additional equipment, which includes a new theater stage and climbing/play house.
"The renovation of the Early Childhood playground has greatly improved our students play experience," said Cole Lester, Head of the Lower School. "Our students have more and better opportunities for gross motor development, creative expression, and cooperative play. The new surface that replaced the mulch is also safer and aesthetically pleasing. The students and teachers cannot express enough how much the new playground has enhanced their overall experience at recess."
"We are thankful to the Blackmons for their enduring support of Episcopal Collegiate," said Matt Radtke, Director of Institutional Advancement. "Their commitment to the school through their time and support not only has a direct impact on our students, but leads the way in sharing with the community the importance of getting involved."
Photo (l to r) Sydney, Ben, Bentley and Griffin Blackmon outside the Lower School Science Lab named in their honor – now the Sydney and Bentley Blackmon Lower School Science Lab.