Gustavo Ramirez Castillo Captures Kate Bender Scholarship

Kate Bender was a real sweetheart who will always be remembered by those she worked with and helped in their professional careers. She was widely known around the Huntington School District for the longtime role she played in the personnel office.

For many years, every teacher joining the faculty worked with Mrs. Bender during the hiring process and often later to secure their permanent state certification.

Mrs. Bender’s well-deserved retirement was cut short when she was felled by pancreatic cancer following an exceptionally hard-fought and courageous battle against the terrible disease. She was known for a wicked sense of humor and she could deadpan with the best of them. She never lost her upbeat nature or smile, even in the midst of her health struggle, which was serious.

After Mrs. Bender passed away in December 2017, a scholarship was created in her memory. Her longtime co-workers initially helped fund the award. This year’s Kate Bender Memorial Scholarship Award was presented to graduating senior Gustavo Ramirez Castillo.

The awards ceremony crowd was told that Kate Bender “truly epitomized perseverance, patience and positivity and is missed by many.”

The award criteria requires the ultimate recipient to “demonstrate persistence and determination in overcoming or managing some sort of obstacle or challenge.”

An outstanding young man who has already overcome significant challenges in his life and obstacles to his success, Mr. Ramirez has been a faculty favorite at Huntington High School. He will be attending Suffolk Community College in the fall.