From watching her parents restore an old home in the Quapaw Quarter neighborhood where she grew up, to taking her first drafting class as a student at Little Rock Central High School (still by hand); Sarah Bennings architecture career path has been somewhat of following in her father’s footsteps. Her father, who is also an architect at the age of 80, still practices here in Little Rock.
“The drafting class solidified the idea that architecture was more than an interest for me; it definitely was my calling.” So much that for Sarah, it has been the gift that keeps on giving. Her “calling” has made room for her to work on several K-12 projects, many with the Little Rock School District. “Great schools are not made by buildings alone but knowing that I can create spaces that give teachers the tools they need for success, and at the same time inspire kids to be excited about school is rewarding,” says Bennings.
So much that her skill set allowed her to take the lead on the Little Rock Central High School’s newly completed science building, where she was honored to work with her former Vice Principal (now Principal), Nancy Rousseau and her team of teachers. Bennings passionately says, “Not only am I a product of the LRSD, but I also live in this community, and my son is thriving in our local public schools. I can’t think of a better way to give back than through my skills as an architect. It is important that architecture, engineering and construction fields continue to advance diversity in our fields.”
The Central High School new 67,000-square-foot Science Building is the school’s first major expansion and renovation in over 50 years. The building (which opened this fall) is three stories, with labs for chemistry, biology, physics, robotics and horticulture. The building also includes a rooftop patio classroom and a 200-seat lecture hall.
LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
The only high school in the United States designated as a National Historic Site, Little Rock Central High offers a world class education, an award-winning yearbook, newspaper and literary magazine, 37 AP Courses, and the number 1 Critical Policy Debate Team in the United States. It’s no surprise that Central High School leads the State of Arkansas in National Merit Semi-Finalist. With more than 100 Social and Civic Clubs, and students who speak more than 37 languages from 41 birth countries, and boastfully the most recent graduating class received over $13 million dollars in scholarships; Little Rock Central High School continues to lead with academic excellence.
LITTLE ROCK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Tiger Foundation
Since its inception in 2012, promoting Citizenship, Academics, Athletics, and the Arts has been the core focus of the Tiger Foundation. The Tiger Foundation’s mission is to support Central High School in the 4 Core Focus Areas. To date, the Tiger Foundation has awarded over $650,000 in grants to Little Rock Central High School’s Students, Faculty, and Volunteers.
