The Smarts

Cape Girardeau has many assets. Topping the list are the talented people who live and work in our community. Jack and Beverly Smart are two such individuals.

Jack Smart has worked at Teen Challenge for nearly 31 years, 20 of those years as the organization's executive director. His strong leadership abilities and heart for the organization has led to his promotion with Teen Challenge USA in Ozark, Mo.

Beverly Smart has dedicated the past 16 years to Cape Christian School as the school principal. She's led the private Christian school through budget challenges and an expansion of grades.

Teen Challenge has been fortunate to find a new executive director with a strong background in ministry, management, criminal justice and the military. Rev. James Bolin, of Malden, Mo., was selected to take the helm of the organization.

Jalon Lies will succeed Beverly Smart as principal at Cape Christian. Lies has a background in education, both as a teacher and administrator. Before coming to Cape Girardeau, she worked at Maranatha Christian Academy in Minnesota and later in church ministry in Tulsa, Okla.

While the Smarts will be missed, they both leave proud legacies and thriving institutions here.