Benjamin '24 repairs, donates bikes to underserved youth
One High School freshman uses his love of mountain biking to give back to the Nashville community.
By Sierra Smith, Communications Specialist
“Ever since I started cycling, it’s really changed me as a person.”
Freshman Benjamin Kampine joined University School of Nashville’s Mountain Biking Team in 2018 and quickly fell in love.
“The culture is just really incredible. Getting to go out — to be in the woods, to be active — it’s just a really great experience.”
In order to become a better cyclist, Benjamin ‘24 picked up tips on bike repair and maintenance from his coach and teammates; in time, he became one of the team’s go-to student mechanics.
While he’d initially only imagined this skillset as useful for him and his friends, as Benjamin’s bar mitzvah grew closer he searched for a social justice project that would satisfy the tikkun olam concept of the Jewish faith, which commonly translates to “fixing the world.” As Benjamin considered how he might contribute to making the world better, he saw a way that his hobby could help others.
Now Benjamin is in the process of launching a non-profit that refurbishes and repairs donated bikes to be regifted to students at Title I schools in the greater Nashville area. His goal is to make cycling a more accessible pastime.
“Unfortunately, cycling is incredibly expensive. For children in underserved communities, getting a bike is almost definitely not on the table,” Benjamin said. “So putting bikes in kids’ hands is very rewarding for me. Seeing their faces light up and just being able to share something I enjoy so much — the experience of biking — with them is really great.”
In March, Benjamin donated 10 bikes to students at Carter Lawrence Elementary School. So far, he estimates having between 50 to 60 hours into the project, not including the time he spent this summer as an apprentice at Trail & Fitness Bicycles to further hone his mechanical skills. In addition to collecting and repairing more used bikes to donate, Benjamin is also busy building a website for his organization and filing the many forms needed to gain non-profit status at the state and federal levels.
“Anyone who knows Benjamin knows he is a committed, enthusiastic, and dedicated member of our team and the USN community, and he’s also a young man who helps Nashville move forward,” Mountain Biking Team Head Coach Steve Smail said. “Ben understands that bikes have a unique power for all kids: they allow for fun, healthy exercise, independence, transportation, and ultimately self-empowerment. What he’s started is a significant way for Nashville to help build citizens, relationships, and community."
Back
“Ever since I started cycling, it’s really changed me as a person.”
Freshman Benjamin Kampine joined University School of Nashville’s Mountain Biking Team in 2018 and quickly fell in love.
“The culture is just really incredible. Getting to go out — to be in the woods, to be active — it’s just a really great experience.”
In order to become a better cyclist, Benjamin ‘24 picked up tips on bike repair and maintenance from his coach and teammates; in time, he became one of the team’s go-to student mechanics.
While he’d initially only imagined this skillset as useful for him and his friends, as Benjamin’s bar mitzvah grew closer he searched for a social justice project that would satisfy the tikkun olam concept of the Jewish faith, which commonly translates to “fixing the world.” As Benjamin considered how he might contribute to making the world better, he saw a way that his hobby could help others.
Now Benjamin is in the process of launching a non-profit that refurbishes and repairs donated bikes to be regifted to students at Title I schools in the greater Nashville area. His goal is to make cycling a more accessible pastime.
“Unfortunately, cycling is incredibly expensive. For children in underserved communities, getting a bike is almost definitely not on the table,” Benjamin said. “So putting bikes in kids’ hands is very rewarding for me. Seeing their faces light up and just being able to share something I enjoy so much — the experience of biking — with them is really great.”
In March, Benjamin donated 10 bikes to students at Carter Lawrence Elementary School. So far, he estimates having between 50 to 60 hours into the project, not including the time he spent this summer as an apprentice at Trail & Fitness Bicycles to further hone his mechanical skills. In addition to collecting and repairing more used bikes to donate, Benjamin is also busy building a website for his organization and filing the many forms needed to gain non-profit status at the state and federal levels.
“Anyone who knows Benjamin knows he is a committed, enthusiastic, and dedicated member of our team and the USN community, and he’s also a young man who helps Nashville move forward,” Mountain Biking Team Head Coach Steve Smail said. “Ben understands that bikes have a unique power for all kids: they allow for fun, healthy exercise, independence, transportation, and ultimately self-empowerment. What he’s started is a significant way for Nashville to help build citizens, relationships, and community."
School News
List of 3 news stories.
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Through play, Josephine Huang teaches Chinese and molds lifelong learners
Middle School and High School Chinese Teacher Josephine Huang has been involved with USN as a volunteer, a parent, and a teacher. Now in her 20th year as a faculty member, Huang's innovative lessons and belief in relationships continue to instill in students a lifelong love of learning.Read More
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Stokes earns Excellence in Auxiliary Award
Read MoreDirector of Auxiliary Services Rebecca Stokes was given the Summer Programs and Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative’s award for her work including students in the selection of a new playground, transitioning the school bookstore, refining registration systems and processes for summer camps & enrichment activities, and expanding the school’s cultural and holiday celebrations to be inclusive of USN’s diverse student body. -
Preview USN on November 14
University School of Nashville welcomes prospective families to tour the Edgehill Campus, speak with students, faculty, and administrators, and learn about our K-12 school's academic, athletic, and arts offerings. Sessions will take place at 9:30 a.m. for Middle & High Schools and 1 p.m. for Lower School. Let us know you are coming at usn.org/preview.Read More
Athletics News
List of 3 news stories.
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Mountain Bike Team Takes on Winged Deer Trails, HS Makes Podium Appearance
Read MoreWinged Deer Park and trails in Johnson City hosted our 4th race on Sunday October 11th, and despite a bit of hurricane outwash winds and showers - and reduced team numbers due to fall break and distance from Nashville - our racers utilized all available skills and speed which helped “wing" Sophomore Claire Dehner to a 4th place podium spot, our first podium appearance and medal for the season. -
HS athletics recaps for September 11-17
Tiger golfers have officially qualified for the region tournament, and our other teams are not far behind. Volleyball sits near the top of the district, finishing up regular season play next week with Senior Night. Girls soccer continues to hold first place in the district after another 9-0 win, and our cross country runners are chasing after some school records. To round it all out, our mountain bike team traveled to Oakfield to continue to improve on their times for the season. There’s plenty more where that came from- so be sure to come out to the River Campus, Sperling Gym, or out on the road to cheer on our Tigers before their seasons end.Read More -
MS athletics recaps for September 11-17
Middle School volleyball and tennis teams are nearing the final games of their seasons, with the competition heating up while the Tigers play to determine their HVAC rankings. Cross country was finally able to race at the River Campus despite the heat, and our mountain biking team traveled to Oakfield, Tennessee, for a high-temperature race weekend.Read More
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.