Learn more about the Trails here.
The Benjamin A. King Family Trust has honored the Kenston Local School District with a bequest of nearly $80,000 in appreciation for educating seven of his grandchildren. Mr. King’s son, Bill Hepker presented the donation to the district at the April 20th Board of Education Meeting.
Mr. King, known in the Chagrin Valley for his service to the Shade Tree Commission, passed away in June leaving a legacy of having overseen the planting of over 3,000 trees.
A World War II veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, he graduated from Case Western Reserve University, was a member of the Cleveland Bar Association and was a businessman who ran his own construction company and a family business with his late wife, Jane.
Students and community will benefit from Mr. King’s gift and his generosity to the Kenston Schools. Under the guidelines of the trust, this generous donation:
- A family fondness and appreciation of the district’s radio station will result in student scholarships.
- His business interest as the owner of a construction company will continue as the high school art department expands their traditional studio-based classroom curriculum in an effort to encompass technology that will develop the application of STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics based learning activities through new and innovative digital design and rapid manufacturing coursework in a FAB Lab.
- His love of the outdoors, natural beauty and respect for the environment will be combined with the Ohio Environmental Education Fund grant to create a community resource to highlight and educate students on the district’s green energy programs including outdoor learning space and signage and Community Trails to create a walking tour of our green campus.
Chris Ickes to shared at the April 20th, 2015 Board of Education meeting how the seeds given by Benjamin and Jane King will continue to grow as a lasting tribute through the Community Trails.