Thursday, June 12, 2025
Student musicians from various bands performed at John F. Kennedy High School in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District on May 2 as part of the charity concert, Rock for Mental Health, benefiting the behavioral health department of Northwell Health, a major health care provider on Long Island.
“I want this to be the anti-concert,” David Prince, the district-wide chairperson for mathematics who organized the show, said to participating students ahead of the performances. “I don’t want this to be like the Winter Concert, the Spring Concert, where everyone’s sitting quietly in the auditorium and clapping at the end. When you guys are playing everyone’s up close to the stage, dancing, grooving, having a very good time.”
And for the most part, that’s exactly what happened. Dozens of students and families gathered in the school’s gym to dance, celebrate and cheer on the musicians.
In total, ten bands in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District performed, raising over $5,000.
The show opened with Prince performing the “Star Spangled Banner,” followed by performances featuring the groups Mepham Rock Band; 60th Second; American Music; Cougar Rock; Calhoun Rock Band; Sunlight Yellow; Pulse; We Take Suggestions; Sanitarium; and a band comprised of Central District teachers.
The event focused on bettering the mental health of teens as well as teachers and other school staff members.
“It affects several people that I know, and I see it every day with students,” Prince said. “Students are going through depression and anxiety, and I just want them to know that there should be no stigma behind it.”
Amelia Mantone, an 11th grader in the American Music band who took part in the show, echoed that sentiment.
“As someone who struggles with anxiety, I think that more people need to learn about it,” Amelia said. “There definitely needs to be more funds put into it for teenagers, and honestly anyone.”
Her mother, Josephine, sees mental health as the core of all health. “That’s the basis of everything,” she said. “If your brain’s not healthy, your body’s not going to be healthy. So really, that’s the only way to go — make sure everybody is aware of what they need to do to stay mentally healthy and happy.”
Organizers cited the coronavirus pandemic as a factor in negative mental health for teens, but a multitude of other causes affect teachers and staff as well.
“Particularly after Covid, but anytime, you just don’t know who is suffering,” Judy Kenny, whose son Ryan, an 11th grade student and part of the Calhoun Rock Band, said. “And I think it’s great for kids to learn at an early age that you have watch out for your friends and yourself.”
Jing Wang, a 12th grader in the group American Music, agrees
“I haven’t been in the greatest mental health during middle school to high school, during Covid,” Wang said. “It was pretty rough. But I met some friends and it’s gotten a lot better. And I think people should spread being friendly and having better mental health so that people don’t end up like certain people who have sadly passed away.”
This sense of loss affects both the students and the teachers at JFK. “I would hate for somebody to think that there wasn’t another option,” Prince said.
All of the money raised was donated to benefit the Northwell Foundation to build a mental health wing in one of their hospitals, Prince said, but that wasn’t the only goal. Prince explained that he wanted to give students a chance to perform in a gig as high school students that was different than what they’re used to.
Overall, participants in the concert emphasized that it was a great night, intertwining music with a great cause.
“I (participated) because music has always meant so much to me,” said Ryan Kenny, Judy’s son. “And it’s always meant so much to other people. I just really want to spread that positivity.”
Kara Dobbs, an 11th grade student in the Calhoun Rock Band, sees a third benefit to the concert. “When we were asked to do this, we thought this would be a perfect opportunity to showcase what we have, and also for an amazing cause,” Dobbs said,” “also to bring the community of the three schools together.”
