In an effort to inspire the next generation of innovators, Kennedy High School hosted its annual STEAM Career Fair on April 8, connecting students with industry professionals.

The event brought together professionals from various fields to showcase opportunities in STEAM industries and provide students with valuable insight into the careers shaping the future.

Some were even Kennedy alumni themselves, as the district is ever fostering its connection with past students.

"Our students are energized when they connect with role models and industry leaders in STEM and STEAM, as it helps them form a vision of themselves for the future," noted event co-organizer and Science/STEAM chair Rob Soel. "I truly believe that even a 10-minute conversation with a professional from the "real world" can be an inflection point that sets a student on the path toward exciting and rewarding college and career choices."

The career fair featured over 50 businesses, schools, medical professions and organizations, includingNorthwell Health, KidOYO, Protégé Art Studio, Barracuda Networks cyber security, student members of the Civil Air Patrol and many more.

Workshops and interactive exhibits gave attendees hands-on experiencewith cutting-edge technology, such as virtual reality and flight simulations, robotics presentations and 3D printing demonstrations.

The annual Medical Scrabble fundraiser was held ahead of the fair, where teams of students competed on a science-focused version of the popular board game.

Date Added: 4/10/2025

Aiden Weissman, a student in one of the Leadership II classes at Kennedy High School, was presented with the Best Project award at the Long Island Youth Summit on April 4. 

Weissman’s video project examined the influence of teen leadership on Long Island in addressing issues related to the environment, community, and the economy. It also examined how adults can support future leaders and how young leaders can overcome challenges.

He received a plaque and two plane tickets from Southwest Airlines. 

The LI Youth Summit brings together talented high school students for a day of interactive workshops with experts in medicine, the environment, business and the economy, and leadership. It offers students a unique opportunity to represent their high school, interact with peers from across Long Island and experts in various fields of business, and win awards for their projects.  

Kennedy had 16 finalists presenting their projects this year. 

After a several-year hiatus, the highly anticipated Dancing with the Teachers fundraiser returned on March 13 at Kennedy High School, with eight teachers competing for the coveted mirror ball trophy – and bragging rights.

Mrs. McManus, Mr. Wrobel, Mr. Gattus, Mrs. Stewart, Mrs. Valenti, Mr. Alford, Mr. Velasquez and Ms. Shapiro worked with teachers from local dance studio JAM Dance & Fitness in Bellmore for weeks leading up to the competition, which raised more than $6,000 for Special Olympics New York. 

Principal Gerard Owenburg, business teacher Mrs. Rojas, guidance counselor Mr. Sansanelli and a senior/raffle winner chosen on the night of the event served as judges, commenting on various criteria such as costumes, dance style, facial expressions and more. 

At the end of the evening, Mr. Velasquez, a social studies teacher, was crowned the winner.

Teachers Mr. Dell'Olio and Mr. Lella served as the evening’s emcees, welcoming and interviewing competitors, as well as injecting humor into the event.

Ahead of the event, science teacher Mrs. Hughes, and parents/hairdressers Brenda Gallo of Creative Impressions Salon in East Meadow and Cathy White of Willows Cove Salon in Mineola volunteered their time to provide makeup and hair styling services for the teachers. Additionally, Esquire Tuxedos of Merrick provided complimentary tuxedo rentals. The school’s PTA also served as an event sponsor. 

Organized by the school’s Student Government Association, which is led by President Matt Rowe and Vice President Sarah Lieberman, the weeks-long process was assisted by the Special Projects Committee, including Kayla Indich, Paige Selzter, Julie Lehrfeld, Jolie Weiss, Shaylene Tzadok, Gabby Vayman and Rachael Van Daly.  Addison Soffer served as the host of various Minute-To-Win-It games that incorporated student audience members. The Student Government is led by faculty advisor Brad Seidman.

“Each year we task them [the Student Government Association] with helping us create meaningful high school memories for the students and they delivered,” noted Owenburg. “They did a fantastic job, especially with keeping the focus on the Special Olympics charity, tying it to all their special events this year. We couldn’t be prouder.”

Date Added: 3/17/2025

Cari Einbinder, a junior in the Leadership program at Kennedy High School, started a Buy a Slice, Donate a Slice initiative at a local pizzeria.  

“Through my Leadership II class,I had the opportunity to engage in a civic action project in which I advocated for a cause and issue that was important to me,” she explained.  

Einbinder created Bellmore-Merrick’s Mission for a Meal, an initiative to combat food insecurity by offering customers at Piccolo Ristorante in Bellmore “a simple way to give back.” “You can visit the restaurant and add a slice of pizza (or more) to your order,” Einbinder explained.  

Every two weeks, the donated slices will be offered via vouchers to local families through the district’s food pantry, Community Cupboard.  

The goal is for Buy a Slice, Donate a Slice to be an ongoing effort, and for Einbinder to pass the program on to a junior in next year’s Leadership program. 

Date Added: 3/3/2025