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Bravo to these three for making Tustin better

July 30, 2023

Foothill graduate becomes seventh Eagle Scout in his family

Samuel Olson, a 2022 graduate of Foothill High School, received his Eagle Scout Award in a court of honor of Boy Scout Troop 256. Olson is the seventh son of Ben and Marianne Olson to earn the title of Eagle Scout, which was a big motivation for him to complete the goal.

Olson and his brothers Ammon, John and Daniel attended Foothill High School in Tustin and were members of Troop 256. His older brothers, Jarom, Jacob and Seth, attended Pacifica High School in Garden Grove and were members of Troop 548 before the family moved to Tustin.

Marianne Olson and Ben Olson, front, pose with their seven sons, all of whom achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. They are, from left, Jarom, Jacob, Seth, Ammon, John, Daniel and Samuel Olson.
(Photo by Sara Olson)

Samuel Olson, who is the seventh member of his family to earn the title of Eagle Scout, speaks at a court of honor of Boy Scout Troop 256.
(Photo by Laurie Brooks)

Kurt Bensworth, the Tustin Area Man of the Year for 2022, displays his award at the dinner and celebration at Santa Ana Elks Club.
(Photo by John McGuire)

Sharon King, right, the Tustin Area Woman of the Year for 2022, holds the award she received from Kim DeBenedetto at the dinner and celebration at Santa Ana Elks Club.
(Photo by John McGuire)

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An important part of the Eagle Scout requirement is to perform a service for the community that demonstrates leadership ability. Samuel Olson coordinated volunteers in Fairhaven Memorial Park to document nearly 3,000 gravesites for the BillionGraves website, which provides the GPS locations and inscriptions of tombstones.

He completed the requirements for Eagle Scout in June 2022 right after he graduated from Foothill, but because of delays in processing, and because he was away at college (Brigham Young University) for his freshman year, he wasn’t able to receive the award until recently.

His next step in life is to serve as a full-time missionary for two years in Guayaquil, Ecuador, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

– Submitted by Marianne Olson

Kurt Bensworth and Sharon King named Tustin Area Man and Woman of the Year

Longtime Tustin community members Kurt Bensworth and Sharon King were the recently celebrated Tustin Area Man and Woman of the Year.

The TAMWY program has been held for more than 60 years. Tustin individuals are recognized for their dedicated work and outstanding volunteerism in the community for the prior year. Nominations for the award come from previous winners or local nonprofit organizations. This year, two men and four women were nominated.

Bensworth is a longtime Tustinite who has a sincere devotion and concern for the Tustin community. The 1978 Tustin High School graduate champions collaboration with many Tustin organizations.

He has been a volunteer with the American Legion Tustin Post 227. He is the founding member and commander of the Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 227, and since 2019 has served as the post’s financial officer.

Bensworth’s other community involvement includes docent at the Tustin Museum, board member and treasurer for the Tustin Area Historical Society, co-chair of the Tustin Museum Revitalization Committee, member of the Tustin Pride Committee and supporter of the “Friends Feeding Seniors” food delivery program.

He has been a member of the Tustin Host Lions Club since 2019, currently serving as its president. He is the recipient of the 2022 Lions International Presidents Award and 2022 Lions Melvin Jones Award.

Bensworth also has been actively involved with the Tustin Community Foundation’s (TCF) annual Paper Football Challenge.

King worked in the Tustin Unified School District for 26 years. She served as an instructional aide at various elementary schools and school secretary at Marjorie Veeh Elementary School, Hillview High School, Sycamore School and Tustin Adult Education.

For the past 35 years, King has been a tireless volunteer. In addition to her work in the schools, she has dedicated her leadership skills to working with the Girl Scouts since 1987 and joined the local Soroptimists chapter of Santa Ana/Tustin where she served as its president for three years.

King also has volunteered for the Tustin Area Council for Fine Arts (TACFA) as an active member of its Encore Auxiliary group, volunteering at Broadway in the Park and wherever help was needed in TACFA’s art and music programs.

Additionally, she has served as the volunteer chair for the Tustin Community Foundation’s Sip and Stroll event and participated on TCF’s Advisory Board.

They will ride in the Tustin Tiller Days Parade as guests of honor on Oct. 7 and will have their names permanently etched on a brick walkway in the plaza between the Tustin Library and Clifton C. Miller Community Center at the Tustin Civic Center.

– Submitted by Mark Eliot, 2021 Tustin Man of the Year

The Bravo! section highlights achievements of our residents and groups. Send news of achievements for consideration to [email protected].

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