Parent contest reveals winner

Sophomore Hayley Bell receives the Outstanding Parent of the Year award

Sophomore Hayley Bell was inspired to share her family’s story when she discovered the Outstanding Parent Essay Contest, showcased through the Parent and Family Connections Office. Through the process of writing the essay, she remembered the struggle her parents endured almost 10 years ago that continues to impact her family today.

During an after-school activity, 9-year-old Hayley Bell confusingly responded to her mother picking her up early, an act not part of her normal, daily routine. As Hayley Bell followed her mother to the car, she was greeted by the words of her mother echoing across the front seat.

“Your dad had an accident,” Linda Bell, Hayley’s Bell’s mother, said.

These words stayed in little Hayley Bell’s mind as her mother explained that her father, a contractor who had been building their family’s house, fell two stories off a ladder and onto a rock. He had suffered a shattered femur and was told by doctors that the effects could detrimentally alter the rest of his life.

But the journey for the Bell family had just begun. The doctors’ doubts and diagnoses drove James Bell, Hayley’s father, to push harder and strive to conquer this hurdle one painful, difficult step at a time.

“Basically, he wasn’t supposed to walk again, and it was a miracle because he’s walking,” Hayley Bell said. “And it’s still a daily struggle, but he could have lost his leg. So basically, my dad is my biggest inspiration, and I think he’s the greatest thing ever just because he doesn’t take no for an answer.”

James Bell found strength through prayer and faithfulness. Even though his house stayed unfinished and his family was forced to reside in different locations with relatives, he stayed strong through the power of God.

“I remember my mom praying, my dad praying, my whole family praying, because everyone was involved,” Hayley Bell said.

As a result of the family’s persistent faith, Hayley Bell saw God working in her life and decided to make this story the basis for her entry in the Outstanding Parent Essay Contest. As a result, Hayley Bell received a call from the Parent and Family Connections Office saying that her essay had captured the hearts of the judges and had ultimately won the contest. Hayley Bell’s exclamations of joy were followed by a call to her parents, who were also joyful to hear the news.

The winning prize included apparel from the bookstore, a $75 gift card to the bookstore and extra Flames Cash/meal swipes for Hayley Bell, as well as the opportunity for her parents to stay at the Wingate Hotel for three nights during Fall Family Weekend Oct. 24-26. This prize is a tremendous help to the Bell family because, until recently, the Bells were unable to find lodging during the weekend.

Due to the 12-hour drive from Greenwich, Rhode Island, a day trip for the Bells seemed practically impossible, and therefore out of the question.

“The only time I’d get to see them between when I got here and the next break was Thanksgiving, and that just seemed too long because my parents and I are really close,” Hayley Bell said.

In addition to the prizes, James and Linda Bell, alumni of Liberty University, will be honored Oct. 24 at the Family Dinner. Hayley Bell will also be reading her essay at the dinner in front of the families staying for the weekend, but she said she will mostly enjoy just being able tospend time with her family.

“I wasn’t excited because my essay won,” Hayley Bell said. “I was excited because my story won.”

Even though this situation brought the Bell family to an abrupt halt in their everyday lives almost 10 years ago, the story is now bringing the family unexpected blessings and a chance to spend more time together.

Tiller is a feature reporter.