Kennedy Announces Hall of Fame Inductees

Editor’s Note: The following article was written and submitted by a representative of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District.

On Dec. 1, the administration of John F. Kennedy High School will induct nine alumni into the school’s “Hall of Fame.”  

“It is our way of publicly recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of our graduates,” Eileen Connolly, the Assistant Principal at Kennedy, said. “They have not only demonstrated success in their chosen profession but have also given back to the local community or through a variety of charitable endeavors.”

The nine alumni to be inducted into the “Hall of Fame” are:

• Susan Katz Holland ’69 - Retired Special Education Teacher/ Lakeside-Levy School
• Col. Steven Hunte, USA (Ret.) ’73 - Physical Therapist/National All-Army Wrestler
• Artie Kempner ’77 - Television Sports Director/National Committee-Autism Speaks
• Joan Littman Landry ’84 - Contract Engineer/Veteran of United States Army
• Steve Levy ’83- SportsCenter Anchor- ESPN
• Dr. Gary Morganstern ’73 - Doctor of Dentistry/President, JFK Alumni Association
• Adam Schefter ’85- National Football League “Insider”/ESPN
• Larry Scott ’82 - Commissioner, NCAA PAC 12 Conference
• Ronald Steiger ’72 - Financial Advisor/Trustee, JFK Alumni Association

Additionally, four retired faculty members will be recognized for their contributions to Kennedy that extended well beyond the school day. These four individuals' combined 125-plus years of service to the Bellmore-Merrick community have influenced thousands of graduates who walked our halls since Kennedy opened in 1966:

• Frederic Cohen (JFK Principal/BMCHSD Deputy Superintendent)
• Alan Berkowsky (Teacher of Mathematics/Track Coach)
• Alan Fleischman (Teacher of Social Studies/Advisor/Tennis Coach)
• Robert Wigand (Teacher of Social Studies/Dean/Wrestling Coach)

The Hall of Fame and Cougar Nation Wall of Honor dinner/induction ceremony will be held on Dec. 1 at The Coral House Caterers, which is located at 70 Milburn Ave. in Baldwin. The cocktail hour will be from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and the dinner and induction ceremony will be from 7:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m.

“We hope that this evening will serve as a celebration of the past, present and future of Kennedy High School,” Connolly said. “In addition to honoring our graduates, we will use the proceeds of this evening to raise funds for the scholarship account here at Kennedy High School. All members of the Bellmore-Merrick community, as well as family and friends of our honorees are invited to assist us in making this endeavor a great success.”

For information to attend the gala event, to take a personal or professional ad in our commemorative journal, or to make a donation to the scholarship account, please visit the Kennedy website, the JFK alumni website or contact Eileen Connolly at 516-992-1406.

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