Hundreds of Kent-Meridian High School students, staff and community members gathered last Friday to remember Lupo Benson with a candlelight vigil at French Field, where Benson had spent much time practicing and playing football for the Royals.

Benson, a senior, died April 1, a day after falling off a car’s hood in the school’s parking lot. (See related story.)

“This has been a tough week for everybody,” Kent-Meridian principal Wade Barringer said at the vigil. “It is always tough when you lose a friend, a classmate, a son.”

Benson’s smiling face was a common sight in the high school halls, Barringer said.

“There wasn’t a day I didn’t see him and he didn’t say,’Hey, Dr. B. What’s up?'” Barringer said, fighting back tears.

Benson was always willing to help, wherever it was needed, including assisting custodial and kitchen staff before school, the principal said.

“Lupo was always in the cafeteria bright and early every morning,” he said.

The student was involved in a variety of activities at the school. He also had a YouTube channel, where he shared comedy and inspirational messages.

“There is not a whole lot Lupo didn’t do,” Barringer said.

Benson’s father, Jimmy Benson, said his son wanted people to remember the good about him.

“He wants you to remember the fun you had with him,” Jimmy Benson told his son’s classmates. “He wants you to take positive things from him. … He loves you all and he is going to miss you.”

Lupo Benson’s organs were donated. Lupo Benson knew several people, including his grandfather who received organ transplants, Jimmy Benson said.

“That was his deepest wish,” his father said.

Doctors told Jimmy Benson that more than 50 people will benefit from his son’s organ donation.

Wake-up call to others

Jimmy Benson said he hopes his son’s death will serve as a wake-up call to others.

“We all did childish things that could have got us killed,” he said. “Unfortunately, his had very adult consequences. … Try not to be too impulsive in life. That is what got him.”

Brett Allen, who was Benson’s football coach and teacher, said Benson will not be forgotten.

“We all have Lupo stories, because Lupo was a character… He was a unique character who left a lasting impression in all of our lives,” Allen said.

At the end of each football practice the team has a time to share “big ups,” which are encouraging words or compliments to other players, Allen said.

“It was one of Lupo’s favorite parts of practice,” Allen said. “Lupo would do big ups in his own way.”

Benson often would compliment himself while giving big ups to a teammate.

“He slipped in there that he had a good practice too,” Allen said, drawing a laugh from the crowd.

Allen led those at the vigil in offering big ups to Lupo, saying, “Big ups, Lupo” followed by two claps and three snaps.

Benson always tried to do what was right.

“He wasn’t afraid to stand up for what was right even if it was unpopular,” Allen said.

‘He loved us for who we were’

Andy Romine, an assistant football coach and another one of Benson’s teachers, said Benson loved unconditionally.

“He loved us for who we were,” Romine said. “What a great world it would be if we just loved each other for who we are.”

Heather Forrest met Benson in choir.

“He cared about everyone, not just a few select people,” she said. “I think that is hard to find.”

Forrest said the anniversary of Benson’s death will forever be etched in her memory.

“April 1st will no longer be April Fool’s Day for me, but a day to remember one of my closest friends,” she said.

Benson planned to join the Air Force after graduating high school, Barringer said. The school will call Benson’s name at graduation in June and present his family with his high school diploma.

Following the vigil, some students gathered on the football field to release balloons in Benson’s honor. Football players and coaches circled around the “KM” in the end zone for reflection and prayer.

Benson’s classmates gave his parents banners signed by the students as well as a banner from Kentlake High School students. The football team presented the family with a helmet signed by the players.

Representatives from the football programs at other Kent high schools also attended the vigil.