Benjamin Community Mourns Loss Of Alumnae, Former Parent
The Benjamin School community is mourning the loss of graduates Kameron Cline '15, Brittney Searson '15 and former parent Chris Cline, who died in a Fourth of July helicopter crash in the Bahamas.
According to multiple reports, the crash killed seven people traveling from the Bahamas to Fort Lauderdale, Fl. Chris Cline would have turned 61 today.
Kameron and Brittney are remembered by the Benjamin family as best friends who remained close after graduating and attending college together at Louisiana State University. Kameron, 22, and Brittney, 21, were known as caring, loving and humble students.
“Both were inseparable, just terrific,” said Benjamin Social Studies Teacher Steven Anderson. “They were very good students, cheerful and lit up the room when they were in there. It was a privilege to teach them. They made teaching rewarding,” he said.
Anderson said his most distinct memory of the pair came from a school trip to St. Vincent and the Grenadines during their senior year at Benjamin.
"They immediately became totally immersed in the unfamiliar culture to which they were exposed in our 2015 class trip. They were totally open, accepting and engaging with all of the Vincentians who they encountered. They rapidly established themselves as perfect ambassadors who so lovingly and genuinely represented not just The Benjamin School but also the United States in such a positive light to the local people. Kameron, in fact, wanted to help the less-privileged Vincentians continue their education so she persuaded her father to make a generous donation to assist the students from the tiny island of Mayreau to attend secondary school on neighboring Union Island. Knowing the type of giving person that Mr. Chris Cline was, I am sure that it didn't require too much persuasion to establish this legacy," said Anderson.
Anderson said his most distinct memory of the pair came from a school trip to St. Vincent and the Grenadines during their senior year at Benjamin.
"They immediately became totally immersed in the unfamiliar culture to which they were exposed in our 2015 class trip. They were totally open, accepting and engaging with all of the Vincentians who they encountered. They rapidly established themselves as perfect ambassadors who so lovingly and genuinely represented not just The Benjamin School but also the United States in such a positive light to the local people. Kameron, in fact, wanted to help the less-privileged Vincentians continue their education so she persuaded her father to make a generous donation to assist the students from the tiny island of Mayreau to attend secondary school on neighboring Union Island. Knowing the type of giving person that Mr. Chris Cline was, I am sure that it didn't require too much persuasion to establish this legacy," said Anderson.
Interim Head of School Tom Reid said the school community has been dealt a heavy blow this week.
"Our hearts go out to the Cline and Searson families who both had multiple children attend and graduate from Benjamin,” said Reid.
Reid has ordered all flags on both campuses to be placed at half-staff.
Main Address & Lower/Middle School
11000 Ellison Wilson RoadNorth Palm Beach, FL 33408
Ph: 561.626.3747
A premier PK3 - Grade 12 independent, coeducational day school with campuses in North Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens. Since 1960, The Benjamin School has provided a challenging college preparatory education to a diverse student body in a structured, nurturing community environment.