In early January, the Habitat for Humanity Club took action to honor the legacy of WHS senior Brandon Genlot by constructing a bench in his memory. Habitat for Humanity is a volunteer-based organization that has a chapter at WHS dedicated to giving back to the Westfield community, but this is the first time the club has taken on a personal project of this nature.
President Sam Braun and Vice-President Neil Shastri presented the idea of building a bench to Habitat for Humanity Club Advisor and Architecture and Woods Teacher Gina Reynolds, and the group got to work quickly.
“I did research on what would be the most feasible for the team to execute, because half the club is former workshop students, the other half is not,” Reynolds said. “I wanted to make sure everyone, no matter their skill level, could participate. ”
The club met on two Saturdays as well as numerous times after school to work on various aspects of the bench. In an effort to highlight Brandon’s interests and hobbies, the bench includes engravings of his name, a telescope, Drake’s equation and a volleyball.
“He had a telescope in his room that he used to look at all the time,” said Shastri. Club member Emma Blaustein said, “Because he was a really big stem guy, Drake’s equation had a special meaning to him.”
This project extended out into the community, getting others involved in crafting a project everyone could enjoy. Tom Patterson, WHS science supervisor, helped the club use the class laser engraver to inscribe the bench, in addition to helping the club source wood for the project.
“We chose mahogany because of its beautiful, rich nature, and it’s actually good in the outdoor setting,” said Reynolds.
Recently, the club met with Brandon’s mother to select a location for the bench, and she chose for the bench to be placed under two trees near the main entrance of WHS. Shastri said, “Our hope is for the community to see the bench and recognize it as a welcoming, inviting place to sit.”
Comfort was always on the minds of the club members, making it their top priority during construction of the bench. Blaustein said, “We took comfort very seriously. We probably spent a solid 45 minutes just sitting down on the bench, standing up, sitting down again, making sure it was the exact right height because we really wanted to get it right for Brandon.”
Reynolds said, “We wanted to simulate his personality, because he was so friendly, so jovial and so kind. We wanted the bench to feel comfortable, inviting and welcoming.”
Club members Braun, Shastri, Blaustein, Tyler Bradley, Kamila El-Khoury, Jack Plaveczky and Ellie Braun are all credited with the construction of this bench. Brandon’s dedication to his community is now commemorated via this bench, and it will serve as a reminder of his exceptional character for generations to come.
Shastri said, “I hope it will inspire people not just to sit on it, but to remember his influence. I hope it will inspire them to follow his same path of kindness.”