Working through tears, Sadie R. Benham called her appointment to the Farrell Area School Board a "miracle from God."

Although she has pursued this seat since 1999 in conventional and unconventional ways, and worked hard in getting her name and her message out to voters, she deflected the credit.

"I just give God the glory," she said, adding that many members of her church, Community Baptist Church, Farrell, and others prayed for her.

Mrs. Benham, 71, of 1008 Emerson Ave., Farrell, was appointed by Mercer County Common Pleas Court judges to fill the seat. The judges made the announcement Friday.

The fact that the judges had to settle the matter shows there is a rift on the school board, and Mrs. Benham hopes she can help heal it.

The vacancy was created by the death of Rose Marie Branca. The school board members tied 4-4 in voting for a replacement with equal support for Mrs. Benham and Brenda Branca, Mrs. Branca's daughter.

"The first goal I have is to bring the board together," she said. "It's hard for a superintendent to work when there is that division."

But the healing has to go beyond the school board. She said she is saddened by the reactions of Farrell and Sharon school board members in response to the Feb. 2 brawl at the Sharon-Farrell basketball game in Sharon.

One person has been arrested but the investigation is ongoing and more charges could be filed in the future, police have said.

"We have to stop pointing fingers," Mrs. Benham said, adding that she would like to see the Farrell and Sharon school boards meet to discuss the situation.

Mrs. Benham, who has two adopted children and a granddaughter in the school district, is a retired early childhood teacher and day-care center operator in Compton, Calif. She served on the Santa Ana, Calif., school board.

Moving to Farrell in 1995, the Democrat first ran for school board in 1999. Although she lost, she admitted, "I'm the new name here" and praised the candidates who were elected.

In last May's primary, she lost a general election ballot position by one vote.

Supporters encouraged her to run a write-in campaign, but she lost in November, at least 300 votes behind Mrs. Branca.

Mrs. Benham said children with disabilities are a big concern to her.

"I want to make sure we have adequate programs for them," she said.

Her financial concerns spread two ways: with the district and also at a state level.

"I believe that we have to be more creative," she said of district finances. "Things might have to be deleted. But there are grants and if we have a really good grant writer we can get them."

Mrs. Benham said she has not met grant writer Lynne E. Powell, who was hired in November.

Mrs. Benham also has been working with the Shenango Valley Initiative in its effort for equitable school funding, and plans to continue in the endeavor.

The new school board member added that although she "could not fill Mrs. Branca's shoes," she wants to support one of Mrs. Branca's pet programs, girls volleyball.

"I have a daughter who loves volleyball," she said of sixth-grader, Cherish. "I would want to help that program."