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Benny Toudic at his June Campolindo High School graduation, with his mother Joanne Tan and Sergeant Ken Rick, wearing a purple heart, who recruited him. Photo provided
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Benjamin "Benny" Toudic, a recent graduate from Campolindo High School, an Eagle Scout, a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and an award-winning pianist and classical music composer, will start his 13-week boot camp for the Marines on July 26. Toudic first wanted to become an Eagle Scout in fourth grade while he was a Cub Scout. Benny went through National Youth Leadership Training, and was the Activity Chair for Venturing Crew 243. He was recognized by the United Nations Foundation for his work as the team leader raising funds to reduce the number of people who contract and die from malaria in Africa. In the process of achieving Eagle Rank, Toudic applied deeply held values of trustworthiness, hard work, and perseverance, which will be the cornerstone for all his future endeavors.
For 13 years Toudic won numerous awards in Contra Costa County music competitions and at the United States Open Music Competition in various piano performance and composition categories. Toudic also played trumpet for eight years, performing with the Acalanes Brass Ensemble, Acalanes Jazz Ensemble and the City of Walnut Creek Jazz Band. He is also a talented artist.
Toudic has been attending regular trainings twice a week since deciding to join the Marines a year ago, and he is grateful to all those who have contributed to his growth in the Lamorinda community over the past 18 years. He is looking forward to the new challenges in the next chapters of his journey.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA