Talented Duo Earn
Bene Foundation Scholarships

Let's call them angels in training. Huntington High School seniors Lauren Gerbavsits and Ryan Pavelka were awarded coveted nursing scholarships by the Kimberly Bene Foundation during last week's senior academic awards night.

Ms. Bene was a member of Huntington's Class of 1994. She lived with cystic fibrosis for 27 years. Many of her happiest days were spent at Huntington High School, where she was well-known as an active and highly spirited student.

Helping to bring Ms. Bene and her family through many health crises was a set of skilled and sensitive nurses. The health professionals were so awesome and inspiring that the family created a foundation in Ms. Bene's name to provide nursing scholarships to the next generation of "angels."

"Nurses were an integral part of my daughter's life," said Christine Bene, Kimberly's mother, who was on hand in the high school auditorium last week to present the two awards totaling $3,000. "They are angels who help the sick and aging. They are the ones who walk you through the most difficult times of your life. They must be caring and courageous."

Ms. Gerbavsits said she always knew she wanted a career in the field of medicine. The teenager said healing "fascinates her." She grew up caring for her younger siblings and possesses a nurturing, compassionate and caring personality. "She is a role model for teammates with her encouragement and motivation," Mrs. Bene said.

"Nursing is the perfect career for me," Ms. Gerbavsits said. The senior plans to attend Towson University, located eight miles north of downtown Baltimore and about an hour north of Washington, D.C.

Mr. Pavelka is a lifeguard and has plans to become a U.S. Navy nurse officer. He began volunteering at Huntington Hospital as a 14-year old and is known as a hard worker and a determined teenager. He's also a member of Natural Helpers, a group near-and-dear to the heart of the Bene family.

The senior is still finalizing his college plans. There's a 95 percent chance he'll attend Temple University in Philadelphia and a five percent change he will settle on Fairfield University in Connecticut, according to the Pavelka family. The teenager has deposits at both schools, however, Mr. Pavelka "has his heart set on Temple," according to his mother, Jennifer Pavelka.

"The two recipients of this year's scholarships have exhibited the qualities of strength and determination my daughter had," Mrs. Bene said. "They will also bring the care and courage that is needed for this profession."

Kimberly Bene was chosen as one of the very first members of Huntington High School's Natural Helpers. It's a group of students selected by classmates and specially trained to provide effective intervention with those who ask for assistance with solving their personal problems.

Each year as the Bene family reviews the scholarship applications they are flooded with memories and given an opportunity to reflect upon the qualities Kimberly displayed over the course of her far-to-short life.

"She loved this school and made wonderful friendships that lasted throughout her life," said Mrs. Bene about her daughter. "Her motto was: 'Never give up. Always keep a smile on your face and accept every day as a gift.' She was strong and determined. Her favorite song was 'Give me one more shot and I will give you all I got.'"

Soon the world with have two more angels in it and Kimberly Bene will be looking down and smiling, knowing the role her seven year old foundation played in making it happen.

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