Ben Gurd November 2022 Student of the Month

GPA: 4.346

Awards:
Throughout my high school career at Kenston, I have sought to perform my very best academically in the classroom and athletically in Kenston sports. l am currently on track to graduate Summa Cum Laude, achieving A’s in all classes including AP and Honors curriculum. I have been awarded AP Scholar designation as well as the Presidents Award for Academic Excellence each year in high school. My freshman year, I was the the recipient of the Academic Award for Art. I will receive both an Honors Diploma as well as my Community Service designation upon graduation. Athletically, I was selected as Team Captain for JV Men’s Soccer my Sophomore year, awarded the coach’s “Unsung Hero” award and the WRC Scholar Athlete Award my Junior Year. I also was awarded WRC Scholar Athlete my Sophomore year on KHS Men’s Basketball Team.

Club Membership & Sports
Throughout my years at KHS, I have enjoyed expanding my leadership skills and friendships through various teams and activities. I have earned a 2 year varsity letter in Men’s Soccer as the starting center back. This year, our team took the OHSAA Division 2, District-Runner Up title. I earned a JV letter in Men’s Basketball my Sophomore year. I have also played premier league soccer with Ambassadors Futbol club, with our U 17 team winning the Ohio State Cup in 2022. l have been a 4 year member of Kenston High School Bomber Bash “Lead Crew”. Through this club I have developed leadership skills and commitment to service through the detailed planning, promoting and fundraising for the annual Bomber Bash charity event to benefit Northeast Ohio’s Chapter of “A Kid Again”. In 2021 I was selected as a representative of my class, to attend the Medical Mutual Pillar Awards for Community Service as KHS was honored in downtown Cleveland. I am a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Fishing and Spanish clubs.

School Activities
Outside of clubs, sports and academics, I have volunteered to assist with Kenston Community Education basketball summer camps. For the last 4 years I have been an active participant of the Kenston Soccer “Food for Friends Food Drive”, collecting canned foods and needed household items for the Bainbridge Food Panty. I am a very passionate artist with a primary interest in landscape painting. I have recently completed a commissioned piece for a favorite teacher!

Activities Outside of School
One ofmy favorite experiences in my high school years, was being a Youth Ambassador with Sports Outreach International on a week long mission trip to rural Ometepec, Mexico. On this mission, we provided fellowship with village youth through worship as well as soccer. We fabricated and installed a playground at a preschool and I had the opportunity to teach English classes in their primary school. I am a confirmed member at Federated Church of Chagrin Falls and am an active member of their High School Youth Group. The last two summers I have had the pleasure of working as groundskeeper at Tanglewood Golf Course. I am an avid fly-fishennan on the Chagrin river and have a love of snow skiing and surfing.

College Plans
Although I am undecided on the institution at this time, I plan to attend a 4-year college, majoring in Biology on path of Pre-Medical Studies. I hope to also minor in Studio Art/Painting to further develop my skills in painting.