WHIZ KID: Ben Bemis

Hereford High School alumni recently named Ben Bemis a recipient of the Outstanding Seniors awards.

But Bemis, 17, was surprised by the recognition. 

"That was really meaningful, actually, because it's a pretty prestigious award to be selected out of the entire senior class," said Bemis. "I mean, there are a lot of students who have higher GPAs, and who you could consider to more accomplished and smarter. So I was really happy and flattered to receive it. I felt that it was a great honor."

But Bemis was honored for more than just good grades.

As part of an Eagles Scout project, Bemis spent two months planning, organizing, and then managing a team to put up a large metal fence around a cemetery lot belonging to the Cedar Grove United Methodist Church that he attends in Parkton.

"There were some pretty hot days, and the work probably took about three weeks," said Bemis. "But the church really needed to expand its cemetery. They needed to put something up to keep it enclosed and to call it theirs."

As a member of the church youth group, Bemis traveled to York, PA, where he spent a day helping to paint a fence for an orphanage called the York Children's Home.

"Also, every year, since the start of my junior year, we've gone to a place called First Fruits Farm, which is right near us,” said Bemis. "And 100 percent of their harvest is donated to homeless shelters around the area. So every year, we try to go up two or three times during the summer and help out with the harvest, and that's something that I'm really proud of doing."

A four-year competitor in cross country and outdoor track for the Bulls, he has endured injuries to both his left and right Achilles' tendons this year.

Still, Bemis, a team captain, didn’t let that stop him when he won the 1600-meter run at the Baltimore County meet, where the Bulls captured the overall team championship for the second consecutive season.

"Those are tough injuries, because you don't want to put too much stress on them. I've been trying to manage while still getting some work in," said Bemis, who expects to compete in the Bulls' 3200-meter relay team at the Class 3A state meet in two weeks.

In the fall Bemis will be off to the University of Maryland Baltimore County, where his plans include a major in environmental science, but he might switch into the environmental engineering program.  

"UMBC has a fantastic environmental program, and they're in the perfect situation between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. That's really the hub, with their internship and job opportunities," said Bemis, who was also recruited for the Retrievers’' cross country and track teams.