Gerstung receives Crystal Tiger Award
Bejamin Gerstung received The Crystal Tiger Award during the 2026 Graduation Ceremonies at Akron Central on Friday night. The award is presented to a graduating Akron Central School senior who, in the estimation of peers, faculty and administration, consistently exhibits the values of Akron High School. Such values include integrity, respect, compassion and service to others. Additionally, the Crystal Tiger Award recipient demonstrates intellectual competence, realizing academic potential through hard work and persistence.
The honor, considered the highest recognition of character for a member of the graduating class, remains a secret until the graduation ceremony. The recipient receives a $2,000 award, sponsored by the Akron PTA, and their name engraved on a permanent Crystal Tiger Pedestal along with all previous recipients, displayed in the High School Showcase of Excellence. 2026 marks the nineteenth year the Crystal Tiger has been awarded.
Benjaminwill attend SUNY Buffalo State in the Honors Program majoring in Special Education and minoring in coaching. Ben has been involved with the student government as a class officer (Vice President Junior and Senior Year), National Honor Society, boys basketball (team captain), varsity track, unified basketball, JV football, golf, concert band, jazz band, marching band, pep band and assembly, Santa band, graduation band and leadership summits.
He earned recognition as a scholar athlete, 1st team all-league for basketball, team MVP, and Class B All-State Selection.
Benjamin was also an active member of the community, volunteering for Sleep in Heavenly Peace, various fundraisers for area churches and fire halls, numerous basketball camps, Akron Newstead Recreation. At school, he also helped as a classroom volunteer for third graders, volunteered at the Connect Life Blood drive and worked the concession stand for events.
Benjamin’s response to “What I’ve learned…”
“Attending Akron over the last 4 years has given me the opportunity to push myself in all aspects of my life. When I first started school, there were a ton of goals I wanted to achieve before I was done. Some were less serious, like being able to dunk, but some were things that could really affect how I was spending my time. School, family and sports were all things that kept me grounded and on the right track.
Akron has taught me to not be afraid of what other people think of you, and to not steer off the path of your goals to fit in. I have come to understand, especially senior year, that everyone has the people that they hang out with. These people will influence how you act and how you will be viewed by those who don’t truly know you. ‘Become wise by walking with the wise. Hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.’ (Proverbs 13:20). Being able to be kind to someone but not following them down the wrong path is a difficult but necessary skill. My dad would say, ‘Use good judgment, without being judgmental.’ Equally as hard was finding and connecting with those people who motivate you and push you towards your goals, even if they’re not the ‘popular kids.’ The best friends I’ve made in Akron have been kids that I would have never guessed walking in as a freshman.
“Seeing everyone’s value is one of the most valuable things I’ve learned from my experience here at Akron High School. Being able to treat everyone with kindness and respect, but being your own individual person, is what has given me the ability to reach my goals. One of my goals was to become a great role model, as my mom constantly tells me, ‘Make good choices.’ Being around kids and having younger sisters, I’ve always wanted them to look up to me and understand that with the right mentality and way of life, you are able to obtain the things that might seem out of reach. My goal to be a good role model will remain throughout college and into the workforce. Akron hasn’t just been a place for me to learn about the world, but also about myself and what truly matters to me.”
Akron High School Principal Stephen Dimitroff also recognized the other nominees Whitley Koopman and Muira Kreher.