Schools

Kennedy High inducts Hall of Famers

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John F. Kennedy High School administrators inducted nine new members into the school’s Hall of Fame at a ceremony at the Coral House in Baldwin on Dec. 1.

Assistant Principal Eileen Connolly, who chairs the Hall of Fame Committee, said each of this year’s honorees have demonstrated success in both their personal and professional careers. She also noted that each has given back to the “local or global community.”

“It is our hope that the educational foundation they received at Kennedy High School helped them achieve their dreams, goals and successes,” she said. “They are role models for our students, and we are proud of all of their accomplishments.”

This year, the following alumni were inducted into the Hall of Fame: Steve Levy (‘83) and Adam Schefter (’85), sports analysts for ESPN; Susan Katz Holland (’69), a retired special education teacher; Col. Steven Hunte, (’73), a physical therapist and national All-Army wrestler; Artie Kempner (’77), a television sports director and member of the national committee for Autism Speaks; Joan Littman Landry (’84), a contract engineer and veteran of the U.S. Army; Dr. Gary Morganstern (’73), a dentist and president of Bellmore JFK Alumni, Inc.; Larry Scott (’82), commissioner for the NCAA PAC-12 Conference; and Ronald Steiger (’72) a financial adviser who also serves as a trustee for the school’s alumni association.

At the ceremony, school officials also honored four retired staff members. Connolly said the former teachers’ combined 124 years of service to Bellmore-Merrick have influenced thousands of graduates who have walked Kennedy’s halls since the opening of the school in 1966. She said administrators are grateful for their service and for the role that they have played in shaping the lives of Kennedy students.

The Cougar Nation Wall of Honor inductees were Frederic Cohen (a former Kennedy principal and Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District deputy superintendent), Alan Berkowsky (a math teacher and track coach), Alan Fleishman (a social studies teacher, tennis coach and student adviser) and Robert Wigand (a social-studies teacher, wrestling coach and dean).