The Blue Ink is Garretson High School's weekly student newspaper, and is released on the school website each Friday. Due to no school this Friday, this week's Blue Ink was published a day early, and the Gazette found this issue to be an important one to highlight.
Fly high, Benton.
“Over the years I have gotten to know Benton and his family pretty well. From going to daycare with each other at a young age, school, babysitting, and even getting so close that he was like another brother to me. Benton had the sweetest heart and the kindest soul, as he matured fast for his age. I know a lot of people have gotten to know Benton as well as he grew up. From being one of the football managers and bat boys for baseball, I know he has made a great impact on not only mine, but a huge amount of other peoples lives too. To the Howe and Linneweber families, I pray that you are filled with peace and comfort as you navigate
through this new journey of life. You all have a huge amount of support behind you which is something you should be very proud of. You all helped raise a wonderful young boy that so many people knew and loved as well. And to Benton, I hope you are proud of yourself and everything you’ve accomplished in your 11 years. Like making it to your first state wrestling tournament, your first communion, shooting your first deer, attending your first NFL game, and racing in your first motocross race because we sure are down here, especially your amazing parents who raised you and your brothers who were there with you. You have touched so many lives in amazing ways and we will all miss you like crazy, but now it is time for you to give it your all up there. We all love you buddy.”-Maren Bonte
“I’d just like to say he really showed us what it really means to be a role model, he was always looking up to the older guys and it’s just heartbreaking that he won’t be able to physically represent this school in the future.” - Cooper Long
“Benton was just one of those kids that lifted spirits. He had a smile that would light up a room instantly. We often go to the football games and parents would come up to us and tell us how much it meant to those kids that we were there and how much they looked up to us, but to be honest if it was the other way around. Benton was taken way too soon and will be missed greatly by everyone that he ever interacted with.”- Ryan Flanagan
“[Benton] knew he was good and he was full of life and happy and excited to be there and he lit up the gym with his smile.” - Mya Long
“Every time Benton would walk into a room he would always bring a smile to your face. He always found a way to make you laugh on your bad days and smile even harder on your good days. Benton was by far one of my favorite elementary kids just for how much we had connected and shared our feelings over the
past year. Benton always would put 110% in whatever he did. I always remember hanging out with him in the wrestling room or walking by each other in the hallways. Benton would always have something funny to say. Ever since the first day Benton started to snap me he would always send me videos of him in his
room dancing and singing to some of his favorite songs, which my favorite would have to be the “Drop It Like It’s Hot” by Snoop Dogg video that he made and sent me that was more than 5 minutes long. Benton was always a kid that you would ask to do something and you knew it would get done. I loved how much Benton and I had in common throughout all of the agriculture to sports we always had something to talk about. My most memorable and heartbreaking moments with Benton that I have experienced and am able to remember him by is with one final video he sent me. This video showed him and his friend having a great time in the back of a car laughing and enjoying life together. This will be something that I will continue to watch to remind myself of the better days with Benton here on earth. Rest in Piece Benton you will always be in my heart and every time I watch your video I’ll be reminded of your presence.—Drew Pederson
