Bennett Kotok Batting Cages
Bennett's favorite place at Saint Thomas Academy was the baseball field and more specifically the batting cages where he and his teammates would spend hours practicing but more importantly talking with their beloved coaches about nearly everything but baseball at the end of the day. The amazing generosity of the baseball and larger STA community will transform the current facilities and inspire future Cadet athletes for generations to come!
"I long to become that person that people look up to because a positive influence can literally change someone's life"
- Bennett Kotok, personal essay written on the first day of his senior year, August, 2022
Bennett Benches at OLG
My name is Bennett Nientimp. I am in the Class of 2026 at Saint Thomas Academy and a 2022 alum of Our Lady of Grace. I am a Life Scout with OLG’s Troop 102 and have started the final steps toward earning the rank of Eagle Scout. One requirement for this rank is completing an Eagle Project.
For my project, I will build and install Bennett Benches at Our Lady of Grace School. These benches are designed to promote friendship among students by providing a space where children can sit if they are looking for someone to talk to or play with.
Similar initiatives have proven successful in other schools, but these benches hold a deeper meaning. Each bench will be dedicated to the memory of Bennett Kotok, an alum of Our Lady of Grace and Saint Thomas Academy who passed away suddenly in 2024.
Bennett Kotok was a remarkable friend known for his kindness and compassion. He was a leader, mentor, and captain who inspired many, including me. These benches will symbolize the values of friendship and leadership that Bennett embodied. They will feature quotes from speeches he gave as a leader at Saint Thomas Academy, including “We rise by lifting others” and “Go into the world and do good.”
