Tequesta resident and Benjamin's 2009 Salutatorian,
Kirby Catherine Kempe, was accepted to 14 of the Nations top colleges and universities, but settled on Rice University in Houston, Texas. "They always told me that you will find your right fit, and I am very happy with my decision on Rice." After considering various
Ivy League schools, including Dartmouth where her brother attends, it was Rice's affiliation with the Texas Medical Center, the world's largest medical center that is composed of more than 43 independent hospitals, medical centers, and teaching and research institutions, that impressed her. The Century Scholar research mentorship she was offered within that environment is what ultimately swayed her. "My parents told me not to consider the [$25,000 annually in combined Trustee Distinguished and Century Scholar scholarship awards] but to base my decision on where I would be happiest. I am very excited about the opportunity Rice presented to do undergraduate research in my field of choice, and Houston was just ranked the #1 major City in the country in which to live
. It's an awesome place."
Kirby finished Benjamin with a 4.71 senior year gpa, carrying 6 AP classes, 11 overall, and a 4.5 cumulative gpa. She is a National AP Scholar, held 10 varsity athletic letters, and was the captain of the women's basketball team for the last two years.