Talented Duo Earn Bene Foundation Scholarships

Those who have ever depended upon a nurse to help care for them or for a loved one know all too well that these are not mere mortals. They can more accurately be described as angels in a uniform.

Huntington High School seniors Haley Brown and Brittney Robinson-Smikle will soon be on their way to becoming two of the newest "angels" in this world. The pair was awarded prestigious Kimberly Bene Foundation nursing scholarships during last week's senior academic awards night.

Ms. Bene was a proud member of Huntington's Class of 1994. She lived with cystic fibrosis for 27 years. Many of her happiest days were spent within the safe and inviting confines of Huntington High School, where she was known to all as an active and enthusiastic student.

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

"My daughter had cystic fibrosis," said Christine Bene, Kimberly's mother, who was on hand in the high school auditorium last week to present the two awards totaling $2,000. "Nurses were an integral part of her life. They are the ones who walk you through the most difficult times. They give you the courage to carry on and the strength to accept. We call them angels."

Ms. Brown, who will attend SUNY Alfred State College and study for a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, has been described by Huntington teachers as "always prepared" and "self-motivated."

A positive force in the classroom, Ms. Brown is universally viewed by the high school community as kind, compassionate and patient. "She has always been drawn to the medical field," Mrs. Bene said. "She experienced nursing first-hand as an intern at Huntington High School. She recalls how calm and confident the nurses she worked with were. Now she will begin her journey to become a nurse. It's her dream come true."

Ms. Robinson-Smikle, who is headed to Suffolk Community College's highly regarded nursing program, is a hardworking teenager who embodies the spirit of a leader. "She is a peer mediator and has helped train others," Mrs. Bene said. "She believes that children are our future and plans on starting a free clinic. She also believes that as a nurse, you can make a difference in someone's life. She wants to make everyone smile."

When Mrs. Bene speaks about nurses she gets emotional for good reason. They lovingly and skillfully cared for her daughter and gave the family the support it needed during Kimberly Bene's struggles.

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

Each year as the Bene family carefully reviews the scholarship applications they are nearly overwhelmed with memories and are provided with another opportunity to reflect upon the qualities Kimberly displayed over the course of her much too short life.

Kimberly Bene was chosen as one of the founding members of Huntington High School's Natural Helpers. It's a group of students selected by classmates who have been specially trained to provide effective intervention with those who ask for assistance in solving their personal problems. Ms. Bene's classmates considered her a kind and gentle soul and a valued member of the Class of 1994

"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.'"

Now that the world will soon have two more "angels" in training, Kimberly Bene can look down upon this good Earth and smile, happy to know her eight year old foundation continues to be a force for the future at her alma mater.

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