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Becky and Brian West, Class of 1982

7/6/2017

Gordon Hunter

When I met Becky and Brian West, it was easy to see the love they shared. They have a playful joy when interacting with one another that is a pleasure to be around. They way they would look at each other after I asked questions about their youth is a look I pray my wife and I will share after being married for as long as they have.

Both of the 1982 graduates of Calvary Day School are helping plan the thirty-five year reunion for that 1982 class this summer. Each have held numerous leadership positions at Calvary including Athletic Association President, Athletic Association Treasurer, High School BuildingCommittee Member, and PTO President. All three of their children—Amelia, Michael, and Patrick—attended Calvary Day School. They were also guardians of three other Calvary students, Marshall Showalter, Sarah Showalter, and Sims Dowdy. Between Becky and Brian, they have over seventy-five years of involvement at Calvary Day School.

Brian West and his family were long time church members at Calvary Baptist Temple. He started as a Calvary student in the 5th grade. His family wanted the Christian principles that the school offered.Brian was as involved as any student could be as a Cavalier. He was a member of the football team, Key Club, AFS Club, and was in the Society of Distinguished American High School Students. Brian was awarded the Physical Fitness Award in 10th grade. He served as the staff photographer for the yearbook his senior year and was also a peer counselor. Brian also enjoyed the role of layout editor for the Purple and Gold his junior year and was the Editor-in-Chief as a senior. As if that weren’t enough, Brian also played Snoopy in the drama production of Charlie Brown his senior year.

Becky (Weldy) West, enrolled at Calvary in the 10th grade. She was an honor roll student in 10th and 11th grade and graduated with honors. Becky was an active member of the National Honor Society and Anchor Club at Calvary Day School. She was a good student, but athletics was her passion. Becky was a stellar basketball player for the Cavaliers. She lettered all three years she attended Calvary and was voted Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. Mrs. West was also a member of the softball team and served as the baseball team’s bat girl her senior year. Not to downplay her beauty, but Becky was also the 1982 Valentine Queen.

When I asked about their favorite memories at Calvary Day School, Brian was quick to mention the 8th grade trip to Washington D.C. Becky said the senior cruise was a trip she hasn’t forgotten. Both felt the important thing they took from their time Calvary was the friendships they built. Becky and Brian both told me name after name of friends they met while in school. Friendship they still hold today.

The influences that made an impact on them extended beyond their peers. Brian said that Mr. Tommy Swinford really impacted his time as a Calvary student. The time he was able to spend working with Mr. Swinford in Peer Counseling really helped him understand how to work with people. Becky stated that Mrs. Ouzts’ math class really had an impact on her. “Life is not a whole number” is a saying she still remembers from her days in Mrs. Ouzts’ classroom.

After graduation, Brian attended the University of Georgia and graduated with a degree in Journalism in 1986. Becky attended Georgia State University and completed her degree in Physical Therapy in 1987. They were married in June of 1987 and founded West Rehab in 1990. The business is still in operation today and is one of the premier rehab service providers in the Coastal Empire. Brian went back to school to complete his MBA, HSA at Georgia Southern in 2004 and later completed his Doctor of Healthcare Administration degree in 2015. While Becky is the Director of Rehab at West Rehab, Brian is Administrator. Brian also became the Program Director of the Healthcare Administration Program at South University in January of 2017.

They gave some great advice to current students at Calvary. They expressed that students will get out of school what they put into it. That is why both Becky and Brian have such great memories of Calvary: they were both very involved and put in so much to their education. “Becky’s mother always says, ‘No one can ever take an education away from you’,” Brian said. Becky reiterated that you shouldn’t expect anything if you don’t try. “School is all about balance,” she stated.

The Wests celebrated thirty years of marriage on June 20th this year. From our interaction, they seem to be very much in love to this day. They both still express a love of Calvary Day School, and we are very proud to call them both Cavalier Alumni. Their lives are filled with hard work and good times, and I don’t think that will change anytime soon.

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