Two students in the Kennedy High School & Community Leadership program recently won Best Project awards at this year’s Long Island Youth Summit.

Haniyyah Myricks and Jayda Levine attended the summit along with 17 fellow Kennedy students who were also finalists.  

The Youth Summit is an educational collaboration among various organizations, including Northwell Health and St. Joseph’s College, encourages high school students across Long Island to tackle pressing local socio-medical, environmental and social issues. 

Levine, whose work addressed the impact of climate change on her generation, secured the award in the Impact of Climate Change category.  

In her paper, she expressed the stress experienced by her peers, exacerbated by the stark realities of climate change and increased societal violence.  

“By the time we had outgrown childhood, climate change was no longer a distant threat but a present reality, with greenhouse gases at peak levels and natural disasters more frequent and severe,” Levine stated in her paper.  

Her project proposed practical measures to reduce environmental impact, including water conservation and energy efficiency, which she argued could be implemented immediately to mitigate these effects. 

Myricks won in the Leadership category with a paper delving into leadership's nature amid modern challenges. She explored historical and contemporary figures who exemplified strong leadership, influencing positive change amidst adversity.  

“Leadership is not about authority or titles,” Myricks wrote in her paper. “It's about making a positive impact and inspiring others to join in collective action, regardless of the challenges we face.”  

Her paper highlighted the importance of empathy, resilience and community engagement in fostering effective leadership. 

Both students received accolades for their insightful analysis and practical solutions to the challenges posed at the summit.  

Brad Seidman, their Leadership teacher noted how proud he is of the students. 

“Their projects demonstrate their deep understanding of the issues and their commitment to actively seeking solutions,” he said. “They truly embody the spirit of leadership and service we encourage at Kennedy.” 

Three sections of the music department from Kennedy High School in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District will perform at Carnegie Hall on April 18 after being invited to participate in the Best Bands & Choirs International.

The concert will include performances by Kennedy’s wind ensemble, concert choir, and strings players, under the direction of Walter Avellaneda, Rachel Shapiro and Emily Kenyon, respectively.

The 85-piece musical ensemble has been rehearsing since mid-January.

"It has been a whirlwind of preparation over the last three months,” explained Avellaneda. “The program really showcases a wide range of our students’ abilities as a full ensemble or playing in a subdued and interweaving way with our choir. Our goal is to leave the audience talking about this group of musicians from Kennedy as a whole, rather than the three components of band, choir, and orchestra."

The wind symphony and concert choir will conclude the concert rendering music by John Williams, Stephen Melillo, Eric Whitacre and Jake Runstead. A stirring finale, "As All the Heavens Were a Bell," by Jay Bocook, honors the lives of those lost and living during the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

“It is an emotional and powerful end to what is going to be an incredible night of music,” added Avellaneda.

Musical groups from the Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District, New Jersey and Five Towns College will also be featured in the concert.

Cheryl Fontana, the district’s director of fine & performing arts expressed how proud the CHSD is of “our Kennedy musicians.”

“It is their hard work and commitment to music over the years that has allowed them to take part in this performance” Fontana said. “But none of it would be possible without the dedication of our JFK music teachers, Mr. Avellaneda, Ms. Kenyon and Ms. Shapiro. On behalf of the district, we are truly grateful to them for providing our students with this once in a lifetime opportunity."

Kenyon echoed that “this is an event that students will never forget.”

“We hope one day they will come across the playbill and remember the incredible atmosphere that only Carnegie Hall can create and also remember the journey it took to get us there that evening,” added Shapiro.

For more information and/or tickets visit the box office at Carnegie Hall or online at https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2024/04/18/An-Evening-of-Music-0700PM.

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Date Added: 4/12/2024

Students from Kennedy and Calhoun High Schools visited Merrick’s Lakeside and North Merrick’s Fayette elementary schools, respectively.

A group of Lakeside alumni who now serve in their high school’s student government revisited their alma mater to engage with current student council members.

The focus was emphasizing the profound impact of service in shaping strong communities. Their message resonated deeply with the future Cougars, sparking enthusiasm and renewed commitment to making a positive difference. As we continue to foster a culture of service and leadership, let's draw inspiration from these alumni and their continual service.

Calhoun athletes regularly visit Fayette School through the ACES program, or Athletes Compassionately Educating Students, to lead lessons about healthy and positive life habits. During their recent visit, sixth graders broke out into groups as ACES athletes discussed the importance of avoiding drugs and alcohol and maintaining an active lifestyle. The high schoolers also shared what sixth graders can expect both at Merrick Avenue Middle School and Calhoun, including classes, teachers, participating in sports and independently following a daily schedule. Sixth graders greatly enjoyed receiving the beneficial insight.

Date Added: 3/28/2024

Students and staff at Kennedy High School focused on promoting healthy mental and physical habits during Wellness Week.

On March 11, the nonprofit organization Therapy Dogs of Long Island visited with a black Lab named Porter.

The volunteers visit to schools, nursing homes, homeless shelters, the emotionally, mentally, and physically challenged to “help build their confidence, learn compassion, improve their socialization skills and feel the unconditional love dogs have to give.”

Library Media Specialist Kristen Mogavero helped organize the visit.

“I've found brings so much joy and peace during previous wellness weeks,” she noted. “Having just a few minutes to meet with a dog during the day really helps students and staff to "reset" and be present in the moment. Research shows that therapy dog visits can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety for student populations.”

Mandala coloring, themed dress up days, a focus on music and movies were all part of Wellness Week. Leadership students volunteered to assist with student activities.

Leadership I students proposed themes to administration for the week. The formal presentation included themes and related activities.
Leadership II students visited Freshman Seminar classes this week to talk about the power of being #2, a lesson in supportive leadership.

“The students spoke to the power in supporting others, working to benefit the team or club, and the psychological benefits of putting other before yourself,” explained social studies and leadership teacher Brad Seidman.

Students wore pins all week that said “I am #2.”

“When someone asks who is number one, they replied with, ‘you are,’” Seidman added.

On four separate days, each grade-level attended an assembly that focused on either anxiety, substance abuse, social media use or the pillars of mental performance.

Leah Jantzen, a guidance counselor in the Three Village School District, also serves as the district’s mental health and performance coach for Ward Melville High School student-athletes. She addressed sophomores on March 15.

Jantzen relayed messages of “empowering teens to triumph over obstacles, shatter any limiting beliefs, catalyze their action and be able to achieve remarkable results.”

Building resiliency and grit in teens, igniting ambition, and cultivating mental fitness were among her key points.

Principal Gerard Owenburg encouraged all of families “to take some time out next week to focus on wellness” in his weekly email about school happenings. “As adults, we can get busy with work and responsibilities and it’s important for us to all be good role models for self-care for our students,” he noted.

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Date Added: 3/15/2024

Julia Cohen, Dylan Friedman, and Daniella Tejada of Kennedy High School were chosen for the prestigious annual Heckscher Museum's Long Island's Best exhibition. 

Long Island’s Best: Young Artists at The Heckscher Museum is the only juried exhibition on Long Island that offers high school students the opportunity to show their work in a museum. 

Additionally, Friedman won an Achievement Award in Social Commentary and Cohen won honorable mention. 

Exhibiting artists and their friends and family, as well their teachers Vanessa Albaneze and Carissa Roche, are invited to attend a preview exhibition on March 23 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Their artwork will be on display at the Museum, located at 2 Prime Ave., Huntington, beginning March 24 (and virtually on March 30) by clicking here.