New scholarship will be in honor of Ben Kirby of Albion
21-year-old RIT student lost life in car accident in November
Benjamin Kirby
ALBION – A new scholarship has been created in memory of Benjamin Kirby of Albion, an Eagle Scout who was a student at Rochester Institute of Technology.
Kirby tragically lost his life in a car accident on Nov. 6 on Route 531 in the Town of Gates.
He was an active student at Albion, playing soccer and tennis and was involved in the marching band and drama program. He was in his senior year at RIT studying software development.
The new scholarship will be administered through the Albion Alumni Foundation and will start with an annual $500 award. Kirby’s family would like to make it two annual scholarships of $500 in the future.
“Everyone has been so kind and generous supporting our family through this terrible time and we want to give something back to the community and continue to remember and honor our Ben,” said his mother, Wendy Kirby.
The scholarship is to be given to a student nominated by one or more of the teachers in the Albion High School. It is intended for someone who is a “good kid” who may not be a Scout, but best exemplifies the characteristics of the Scout Law that Ben lived by: A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent.
Ben followed the motto of his friend, Nick Kovaleski, in that he “Lived With Purpose.” Ben was self motivated and challenged himself to do his best: graduating in the top 10 of his class, a member of the National Honor Society, a Scholar Athlete participating in many sports, All-County Band, All-State Chorus and Drama Club.
Ben was a Boy Scout, working hard to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. He contributed to his church family and his community. Ben was a kind and caring person, always willing to help someone out and his friends spanned many generations, his family said in the scholarship packet.
There will be a wine-tasting booth at next month’s Strawberry Festival (south lawn of First Presbyterian Church along East State Street). All proceeds will go to Ben’s scholarship fund.
