Kayleigh Bender Signs National Letter of Intent
November 21, 2023
She’s been dynamite on the field for the Blue Devils and now Kayleigh Bender has signed an NCAA Division I national letter of intent to play lacrosse at Hofstra University, where the Huntington High School senior plans to study for a career as a science teacher.
“I chose Hofstra because when I went on my visit, the coaching staff made me feel wanted and cared for as a player and most importantly, as a person,” Ms. Bender said. “They were ‘finished’ recruiting for my class in January and still took the chance on me in June. I felt valued. Also, the girls on the team treat each other as family and push each other daily and that’s something I’ve always dreamed of being a part of on a team.”
The teenager recently participated in a signing ceremony in the high school’s main lobby. Surrounded by her parents Kim and Robert, brother Aidan, Coach Katie Reilly, Principal Brenden Cusack and Assistant Principals Gamal Smith and Patricia Avelli and several of her teammates and classmates, Ms. Bender signed the documents officially committing her to Hofstra and laying out the terms of her scholarship.
“After taking the science classes Huntington has to offer, I became extremely interested in biology and chemistry,” Ms. Bender said. “As of now, I plan on becoming a high school science teacher in one of those subjects. I have always wanted to take part in a career that helps people and I feel this fulfills that desire. This was after taking Mrs. [Patricia] Avelli’s pre-calculus class. I was truly inspired to pursue this career when I saw the positive impact she had on countless students.”
Since her earliest days at Washington Primary School, Ms. Bender has been a Huntington standout. Last spring, her 41 goals and 26 assists helped lead the Blue Devils into the Suffolk girls’ lacrosse playoffs in Coach Reilly’s first year as head coach.
“Getting the opportunity to wear a Blue Devil uniform all these years means everything to me,” Ms. Bender said. “I got the chance to be taught by knowledgeable coaches and upperclassman. I met lifelong friends and made memories worth a lifetime. Growing up while coming to the games, I was so excited to one day become a part of the lacrosse and basketball teams one day. This allowed me to meet my role model in fifth grade, Abby Maichin, who wore No. 33 here at Huntington. She shaped me into the player and person I am today and I couldn’t be more grateful for her guidance and support. Being able to put a Huntington jersey with No. 33 on it is something I’ll cherish forever.”
