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The Benjamin A. King Family Trust has honored the Kenston Local School District with a bequest of nearly $80,000 in appreciation for the education of their seven grandchildren who attended Kenston. The donation was presented by Mr. King's son, Bill Hepker at the April 20 Board of Education meeting.
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Under the guidelines of the trust, this generous donation will fund several projects that were close to Mr. King's heart. A family fondness and appreciation of the district's radio station, WKHR 91.5, will result in student scholarships. His business interest as the owner of a construction company will continue as the high school art department expands their traditional studio-based classroom curriculum. It will encompass technology that will develop the application of STEAM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics based learning activities. This will be done through new and innovative digital design and rapid manufacturing coursework in a FAB Lab. His love of the outdoors, natural beauty and respect for the environment will be combined with the Ohio Environmental Education Fund grant. It will create a community resource to highlight and educate students on the district's green energy programs including an outdoor learning space with signage and Community Trails to create a walking tour of our green campus.
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Mr. King, known in the Chagrin Valley for his service to the Shade Tree Commission, passed away in June leaving a legacy of having overseen the planting of over 3,000 trees.
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A World War II veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, he graduated from Case Western Reserve University. He was a member of the Cleveland Bar Association, and was a businessman who ran his own construction company and a family business with his late wife, Jane.
"His favorite Greek proverb will inspire future generations, 'Society grows richer when old men plant trees under whose shade they may never sit,' said Superintendent Nancy Santilli. We are very appreciative of the generosity of the King Family and the opportunity to continue his legacy."