Taconic Student-Athlete Honored as 'High School Hero'
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Taconic High School senior Lucas Benjamin has been recognized as one of seven 2013 Massachusetts High School Heroes, a program of Boston sports radio station 98.5 The Sports Hub and Plymouth Rock Assurance Corp.
The entities have teamed up to bring attention to student-athletes and their accomplishments on and off the field. The seven winners selected from across the state will each receive a $1,000 scholarship and be recognized at the high school football championships at Gillette Stadium this December.
Benjamin was selected for "his exemplary work and dedication both in the classroom and on the playing field." His leadership at his school, as well as in the community, distinguished him from other nominees, said program officials.
Representatives from The Sports Hub, Plymouth Rock and local insurance provider Wheeler & Taylor will present the award and the scholarship to Benjamin on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. on the steps of Pittsfield High School.
"Based on his position as a hard-working team leader, his strong academic performance and the roles he plays in our community, Lucas is deserving of this recognition," said Taconic swim coach Mayur Desai. "Without question, he represents everything you could hope for in a student-athlete. This is a prestigious award that Lucas and Taconic High School should be proud of."
The son of Joseph Benjamin and Bernadette Kennedy, Benjamin is the captain of the swim team, and a member of the school district's Student-Athlete Leadership Academy and active as a student-leader in the classroom and in the Berkshire community.
He holds a 101 grade average and is a member of the National Honor Society. He is enrolled in a variety of Advanced Placement courses, is a recipient of the Dartmouth Book Award and is president of the Taconic Chapter of the Massachusetts Junior League. This past summer, he was selected to participate in the Syracuse (N.Y.) University Summer Writing Program.
Benjamin said he wants to pursue a career that combines his interests in government, political science, statistics and Classics (Latin and Greek). His activities include spearheading efforts with Students Against Destructive Decisions and the Berkshire County district attorney's office and being a state representative at the SADD Speaks National Youth Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. He has volunteered for political campaigns, including the 2012 campaigns of U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal and President Barack Obama. He can also often be seen volunteering his time at Pittsfield Boys and Girls' Club in an effort to benefit less fortunate children in the area.
Headquartered in Boston, Plymouth Rock Assurance provides auto insurance to personal and commercial auto insurance customers in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Tags: award, high school sports, swimming, Taconic High,
