Jay Benton Memorial Scholarship for
St. Stephens High Seniors pursuing a service industry career
St. Stephens Seniors: Apply for a $2,500 Scholarship, Renewable up to 4 Years!
What is the Jay Benton Memorial Scholarship for St. Stephens High Seniors?
This scholarship honors the memory of Jay Benton, a proud graduate of Saint Stephens High School from the class of 1989. It was Jay’s dream to serve his community and it is in this spirit that the scholarship is offered.
Award
The scholarship will be awarded to one deserving senior, in the amount of $2,500 (renewable for up to four years). The payment is made directly to the community college or university on behalf of the student. The award may cover tuition and fees as well as books, on-campus room, and board.
Qualifications
Applicants must be attending a 2- or 4-year university and pursuing a career in a service industry (i.e. firefighter, counselor, nurse, first responder, police officer, social worker, or teacher). Students must also have a 2.5 GPA and demonstrate financial need.
How to Apply
If you would like an application, please contact Mrs. Kali Malmquist, Scholarships Counselor at St. Stephens High School.
About Jay Benton
Servant Leader – throughout Jay’s life, he embodied this phrase to everyone with whom he came in contact. Unfortunately, Jay passed away at the early age of 37 in Cincinnati, OH, from complications with the flu, but during his life, the impact he made on others was significant in all aspects.
Throughout Jay’s life, he found a way to give meaning and relevance to others. He mentored his younger brother Josh throughout life as his elder of just under 5 years. From support in navigating high school to selecting a college and finally choosing a career, Jay was always a voice of reason for Josh.
Jay started his servant leadership at a young age participating in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts throughout his life. Jay was driven to achieve the high honor of Eagle Scout where his final project focused on the value and safety of giving blood during the AIDS epidemic for the Red Cross. In addition, Jay was actively involved with the First Presbyterian youth group traveling on several Mission Trips both locally in Hickory and the North Carolina mountains to as far as the Yucatan in Mexico. While at St. Stephens, Jay was actively involved with the Tennis and Soccer teams, lettering in both sports. In addition, Jay participated in multiple clubs serving within leadership roles in several of them.
As Jay focused on his career, he allowed his Servant Leadership mentality to provide an opportunity for an education at Duke University. Jay enrolled at Duke via an ROTC scholarship which led him to serve in the US Army for 4 years after graduation completing his military career as Captain. Jay was at home leading his Armored Cavalry Team at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, CO for just over 4 years. After his stint in the military, Jay returned to his Alma Mater of Duke to obtain his MBA at Fuqua School of Business.
During Jay’s time at Duke he met his wife Jennifer and once settled in Cincinnati, OH, with Proctor and Gamble as a brand manager, they started a family with two boys of their own, James and Joe. The family continued to actively serve as members of Crossroads Church and the boys took on Jay’s spirit participating in scouting and sports.
We are honored to provide this scholarship in Jay’s memory. He was a proud graduate of St. Stephens High School. Jay was an outstanding father, son, brother, husband, uncle, and friend. We look forward to providing the opportunity for many future SSHS graduates to follow in Jay’s footsteps as Servant Leaders to provide meaningful change within their own respective communities.
Throughout Jay’s life, he found a way to give meaning and relevance to others. He mentored his younger brother Josh throughout life as his elder of just under 5 years. From support in navigating high school to selecting a college and finally choosing a career, Jay was always a voice of reason for Josh.
Jay started his servant leadership at a young age participating in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts throughout his life. Jay was driven to achieve the high honor of Eagle Scout where his final project focused on the value and safety of giving blood during the AIDS epidemic for the Red Cross. In addition, Jay was actively involved with the First Presbyterian youth group traveling on several Mission Trips both locally in Hickory and the North Carolina mountains to as far as the Yucatan in Mexico. While at St. Stephens, Jay was actively involved with the Tennis and Soccer teams, lettering in both sports. In addition, Jay participated in multiple clubs serving within leadership roles in several of them.
As Jay focused on his career, he allowed his Servant Leadership mentality to provide an opportunity for an education at Duke University. Jay enrolled at Duke via an ROTC scholarship which led him to serve in the US Army for 4 years after graduation completing his military career as Captain. Jay was at home leading his Armored Cavalry Team at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, CO for just over 4 years. After his stint in the military, Jay returned to his Alma Mater of Duke to obtain his MBA at Fuqua School of Business.
During Jay’s time at Duke he met his wife Jennifer and once settled in Cincinnati, OH, with Proctor and Gamble as a brand manager, they started a family with two boys of their own, James and Joe. The family continued to actively serve as members of Crossroads Church and the boys took on Jay’s spirit participating in scouting and sports.
We are honored to provide this scholarship in Jay’s memory. He was a proud graduate of St. Stephens High School. Jay was an outstanding father, son, brother, husband, uncle, and friend. We look forward to providing the opportunity for many future SSHS graduates to follow in Jay’s footsteps as Servant Leaders to provide meaningful change within their own respective communities.
