JOANNA, S.C. — Former Clemson University standout and NFL player “Big” Ben Hall returned to Laurens County recently to share a message of leadership and character with students at Joanna‐Woodson Elementary School.
Hall was the featured guest at the school’s Leader in Me assembly, a program based on Dr. Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. He was invited by his longtime friend and Joanna‐Woodson School Counselor, Marcus Porter, who said he wanted students to hear from someone who has achieved success through hard work and positive decision-making.
During his talk, Hall discussed each of the seven habits—Be Proactive, Begin With the End in Mind, Put First Things First, Think Win-Win, Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood, Synergize, and Sharpen the Saw—and explained how those principles helped guide him throughout his football career and in life beyond sports.
Hall encouraged students to take ownership of their actions, set goals for the future, and treat others with respect. Drawing from his own experiences, he reminded them that success comes from persistence, preparation, and a strong sense of community. “Community was a big part of my life when I was young, and I’m just giving back to the community,” Hall said.
In addition to his athletic and motivational work, Hall is also the owner and CEO of Big Ben’s Desserts, a dessert and ice cream shop known for homemade treats like cakes, cupcakes, ice cream, and what the business calls its “world famous banana pudding.” Hall describes the business as a platform for giving back to his community: “I am the change that I want to see in the world … what I contribute through everything that I do … will spark an inspiration in any person who hears my story.”
Porter said he was grateful to have his friend visit and inspire the next generation of leaders. He added that Hall’s story shows students that leadership is about more than titles or trophies—it’s about character, service, and believing in yourself.
The Leader in Me program at Joanna‐Woodson Elementary is designed to help students build confidence, responsibility, and problem-solving skills—qualities the school believes are essential for lifelong success.
