The Asian Pacific Student Association at Kennedy High School and The Hearts & Hope Project, a student-led organization, collaborated for a creative charity event on Nov. 19. 

Dozens of student volunteers turned out to create origami cranes for children centers, including The Ronald McDonald House on Long Island. Senior Joleen Shau, president of both the APSA and The Hearts & Hope Project, donated all the supplies. 

“This is my passion project, it’s what I enjoy doing,” added Shau. She noted that The Hearts & Hope Project “aims to promote optimism in community through handcrafts and basic necessities.” 

Shau carefully instructed students on best folding practices and then walked around, guiding students as necessary.  Other founding board members also assisted, including Farah Khan, Kristina Shau, Tazulanna Baron, Natalie Baron and Jocelyn Yeung. 

The club, which is advised by teacher Brad Seidman, has facilitated several events that raise awareness about Asian Pacific culture to its 50+ members. These events have included trivia contests, presentations about holidays and cuisine tastings. 

Click here to view the Kennedy Club Origami slideshow.

Date Added: 11/20/2024

 

The Student Government Association at Kennedy High School in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District organized a Safe Halloween event for “future Cougars” from various elementary schools on Oct. 30. 

"Once again, the leaders of the student government have proven themselves to be leaders of this community with their work on this year's Halloween event,” said club advisor Brad Seidman. “I commend Matt Rowe, Sarah Lieberman, Shelby Watstein, Emily Weiner, and all the members of our service committee for their time in making this year's event a success.” 

The outdoor event included a student-run trunk-or-treat in the senior parking lot, giant lawn games, a bouncy slide, mini train rides, arts and craft stations and more. Over 15 clubs participated and over 70 seniors participated in the trunk or treat.  

Students also performed musical acts on a mobile stage, and the kickline squad performed for the crowd. 

The district’s ENL program, overseen by chairperson Kristyn Pellegrini, transformed a classroom into a walk-through immerse haunted house. ENL teacher Heather Glick organized the effort. 

"They took charge of planning, decorating, making and selling tickets, and acting,” explained Glick. “Started in 2014 at Calhoun High School, the event allows our students learning English to show their engineering, artistic, and creative skills while engaging with the greater school community.” 

“This event has grown every year, and it has become a great day for our school and community,” added Principal Gerard Owenburg. “For many families with young children, it’s their first time on our campus and I hope they enjoyed the activities as much as our current students enjoyed organizing the event.” 

Click here to view the Kennedy Hosts Safe Halloween slideshow.

Date Added: 11/4/2024

Kennedy High School celebrated homecoming during the week ending Oct. 20.

Annual traditions of hallway decorating, a Friday pep rally and a community-wide festival ahead of the football game were all part of the week-long celebrations. Members of the CHAMP program operated the outdoor snack shack, under the direction of teacher Michael DiGiovanni, while Student Government Association members hosted a halftime field goal competition for charity.

Junior Mikella Rahim sang the Star-Spangled Banner and the band, led by Walter Avellaneda, offered musical interludes throughout the afternoon. The kickline and cheerleading squads performed at halftime as well, pepping up the crowd.

Seniors Giovanni Scimeca and Ella Alesia were crowned Homecoming king and queen, respectively. 
The school’s Athletic Hall of Fame induction saw the return of several alumni during a ceremony. The entire 2018 boys’ volleyball state champion team was included in this induction.

While the football team fell to Bethpage 34-7, game highlights include Jaden Celestin rushing for 60 yards and Niko Bachas with 13 tackles for Bellmore.
 

Four seniors in the CHSD  were named semifinalists in the 2025 Coca-Cola Scholars Program. 

Dylan Bazelnov, Grace Ham and Jayden Simon of Kennedy High School, and Ian Klimov of Calhoun were among the top 2% of students chosen nationwide. Students are evaluated based on community and leadership skills, academic achievements and service.

Both Bazelnov and Ham are in the School & Leadership Program at Kennedy, while Klimov is the valedictorian of Calhoun's Class of 2025 and Simon is the salutatorian of Kennedy's Class of 2025.

In late January, 150 finalists nationwide will be notified and awarded $20,000 scholarships.

The New York Maccabi Games Baseball team won the gold medal in the 16u 2024 Maccabi Games held in Houston, TX in mid-August. Four students from the Central High School District competed. 

The Kennedy Varsity Baseball program, led by Coach Michael Gattus, had three players on the Sid Jacobson JCC under-16 team.  The Calhoun Junior Varsity Baseball program, led by Coach Joseph Ryan, had one player on the team.

From Kennedy, Alex Demas had a walk off two RBI double in the semifinals and Derek Yormack had a go-ahead two RBI double in the championship while closing out the semifinals - with three scoreless innings pitched. Zach Adelstein pitched seven innings in the team’s win over Los Angeles.  Ian Yegidis of Calhoun also served as an integral part of the JCC team during the competition. 

The team went undefeated over its seven games on their way to gold. The Maccabi Games are a worldwide event for Jewish athletes. 

Date Added: 10/9/2024