by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Cary Presant played varsity tennis for Bennett for three years where he attained All High ranking in doubles in 1959. He was also the University of Buffalo’s Tennis Team manager in 1961 and was the Los Angeles Inter Community Tennis Singles Champion in 1979 and 1985.
In addition to an outstanding tennis career his professional career has been truly remarkable. Dr. Present is a practicing hematologist and medical oncologist in Southern California at City of Hope Medical Center. He is also a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Southern California School of Medicine.
Dr. Presant’s book “Surviving American Medicine” received the 2013 International Book Award for best book on health. He has also written over 400 scientific articles. He is a nationally recognized leader in medicine who is president of the National Association of Community Cancer Centers and a director of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Among many other awards he has received are the Sklarow Award in 1982 from the Maimonides Medical Society in Buffalo and the National Community Clinical Scientist Award in 2016.
Dr. Presant’s current research is focused on developing new therapeutic programs for cancer. He also lectures on improving health care and research advances throughout the United States.
Dr. Presant’s wife Shelia is also a Bennett graduate. The Presants reside in San Marino, California. In his spare time Dr. Presant is busy teaching tennis to his four grandchildren which he thoroughly enjoys.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Nicole D. Smith’s remarkable record in basketball at Bennett may never be broken. From 1998-2002 she was All High and All Western New York each year, scoring over 1.000 career points. As the old saying goes, “NOT TOO SHABBY!” Adding to her legacy, she also starred on the varsity softball and volleyball teams for all four years. To achieve 12 major letters is truly a legendary feat. In addition to her superlative athletic athletic ability she was team captain twice in basketball and volleyball in 2001 and 2002.
After graduating from Bennett she attended Daemen College and majored in Psychology. She also continued her basketball career at Daemen playing three years on the varsity attaining Honorable mention ALL League in 2003. Smith’s present profession is working as a New York State Corrections officer for the past ten years.
“When I received a phone call telling me that I was going to be inducted into the Bennett High School Sports Hall of Fame I was completely flabbergasted. Words cannot express how thrilled I am to receive this prestigious award,” Smith said.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Elson Turner Jr. nicknamed (“Butch}, was on three of the greatest cross country teams in the history of Bennett High School. By winning the three championships his teams received the “Columbia Cup” which gave them the distinction of being the outstanding cross country team in Buffalo Public High School competition during those three years. In a storied career at Bennett “Butch” was also on the track team for four years. He was the City 440 Yard Invitational Champion in both his junior and senior years attaining All High Status each year. (1964 and 1965).
After high school he was awarded a full track scholarship to Buffalo State College. However, he had always had a desire to travel all over the world. He joined the United States Air Force in 1966 and received an honorable discharge in 1973. After leaving the Air Force “Butch” worked at Mid Atlantic National Bank as an Assistant Branch Manager. He was also a Senior Analyst for the Hertz Corporation and an excellent cook. While working at Delaware North he turned his passion for food into a profession and opened the popular Elson’s Catering Service for many years. In 2013 he retired from the Delaware North Corporation.
Turner Jr. enjoyed listening to jazz, attending concerts and listening to sports on the radio. He was an avid reader and extremely cognizant of the events of the day. He was an outstanding speaker, had an infectious laugh and especially enjoyed gatherings with his family and friends.
by Jeff | Feb 17, 2023
Kristy Zimmerman Swigart was All High in soccer in 1994 and1995 (her junior and senior years) at Bennett. She was also an outstanding bowler and reached the finals of the state championships in the Queens tournament in New York City. She was salutatorian of her senior class, was voted the most unique student in her senior class and received a full collegiate scholarship to the NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Since 2005 Kristy has been working for Associated Builders and Contractors. She is the Education Coordinator in New York state for setting up craft training classes.
Kristy has been married to her husband Cliff for seven years. She has a 17 year old daughter Sydney who is a McKinley High graduate and a five year old daughter Ellie who is in the Olmsted Gifted & Talented program. Being a very busy lady she loves spending time with her family camping and going to local parks.
In 20l5 she was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. After six months of chemotherapy she was cancer free. She said, “I was blessed to have had such great support from my family and friends. In my spare time I also like playing trivia having cookouts, and going to festivals.
She related that she wanted to get Sydney involved in sports. However, Sydney wasn’t interested and is a very creative and artsy person.
Kristy hopes to get Ellie involved in sports. She feels that Ellie will enjoy the competition and the long lasting many friendships she will make.
‘I feel so honored to receive the prestigious Hall of Fame award from Bennett High School,” Kristy said. I would personally like to thank each member of the Bennett High SchoolHall of Fame for considering me for this wonderful award that I will always treasure.”
