Kennedy Catholic High School

Kennedy Basketball Goes Global

2011-07-20T12:56:00.001-07:00

The Kennedy Catholic Varsity Boys' Basketball Team had an international experience this afternoon. The Celts hosted the Youth Sports Exchange basketball team from Belgium.

The Youth Sports Exchange was founded in 1982 by Robert Hubrecht it is a division of the International Athletic Foundation (IAF). Gastgezinnen waren buiten het financieel voordeel, de ideale manier om een interactie tussen de verschillende culturen op te starten. The purpose of the Sports exchange Program is to expose talented players who are not selected for the national teams, to participate in international competition.

There are currently three countries involved in the program, Holland, Belgium, and the US. They host sports including: volleyball, soccer, baseball, and tennis.

While the Belgium basketball team is in Missouri they will also be facing teams from Herman, Brentwood, and Borgia.

The Celts are sending their comrades from Belgium home with a loss. Kennedy brought home a win 99-57.

Marching for Life

2011-01-28T06:55:00.001-08:00

Guest Blogger: Mr. Roskowske rroskowske@kennedycatholic.net

In addition to being the music director at Kennedy Catholic High School, I play electric guitar for the "Steubenville Band", a group led by Adam Bitter that provides the music for the Steubenville Mid-America Youth Conference every summer. We were asked by the Archbishop and the Office of Youth Ministry to provide music for "The Way, the Truth, the Life" which was the trip to Washington D.C. for the Pro-Life March that took place in front of the nation's capital building on Monday, January 24th. In addition to the march, teens and chaperones listened to inspiring talks, participated in discussion groups, attended mass, Eucharistic adoration, and received the sacrament of reconciliation.

Our trip started with mass at Incarnate Word Parish in Chesterfield on Friday night. The teens then boarded buses that would take them to D.C. I boarded a van with John Schellhorn, our bassist, and Charlie Dent, our drummer. After a delicious dinner at Steak and Shake, we set out on our 16 hour trip to Washington. It's a good thing that we three have been friends for years since we were stuffed into a minivan with our equipment for that amount of time.

Upon our arrival at 4 pm on Saturday, we set up our gear, took showers, and tossed down a couple of cups of coffee. We went onstage at 8, providing praise and worship music for the excited group of 500 teens. Our guest speaker for the evening was Sam Malek, owner of More Than Coffee, which is located on Manchester not far from Kennedy. Sam shared his story and struggles while getting the teens attention with his way of "keeping it real". Sam also spoke of giving people with disabilities jobs at his shop, enabling them to find work at other businesses afterward.

Sunday morning brought mass which was celebrated by Kennedy alum Fr. Brian Fischer along with other priests. After mass, the group had the day to tour the sights of Washington. I, along with my daughter Shelby, went with our Seven Holy Founders Youth group to Arlington National Cemetery where we visited the graves of the Kennedy's and the tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. The ceremony of the changing of the guard was solemn and quite inspiring.
After Arlington, we headed for the Smithsonian History museum. Of particular interest to me was the display of a violin, viola, and cello all made by Stradivarius from the 1600's. After eating lunch, we headed for the capital mall, visiting the World War II memorial, the Vietnam wall, Washington monument, and the Lincoln Memorial.

Sunday evening started with more praise and worship music from us, and then a talk by Fr. Dave Pavonka, a Franciscan priest who helps with the summer Steubenville retreats that are presented by Franciscan University. Fr. Dave talked about the sanctity of life, along with the sacrament of reconciliation. Comparing it to an experience he had washing his clothes at a trail stop on a pilgrimage, just confessing some sins to "get rid of the smell" instead of truly "coming clean" and saying what is in your heart. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with music by us followed. During adoration, over 500 teens went to the sacrament of reconciliation with all the priests that were on the trip, including Bishop Hermann and Bishop Rice. It was a truly moving experience for me seeing all of those teens going to reconciliation.

Monday started with everybody packing their bags and leaving the hotel in the buses to go to a local church for mass, this time celebrated by Bishop Edward Rice. In his homily, Bishop Rice quoted President Kennedy's inaugural address, in which he said that man now has the power to abolish all forms of poverty and all forms of human life, and sadly, the second part of that statement had become true. The other quote in the homily was "the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God".

From mass, we went to lunch, and then to the March. Once again, to see the thousands upon thousands of people (1,000 teens from our archdiocese alone) march for support of basic human existence for the powerless such as the unborn and senior citizens made me proud to be an American where we can express our ideas without fear of reprisal, and sad that many in our government who have the power to initiate change basically ignored this protest, along with many in our national media. After the March, we headed on our trek back to St. Louis. The March took place on my birthday, January 24th, and as I look back, it was exactly the place I needed to be on that day. Hopefully one day Roe vs. Wade will be overturned by the Supreme Court, along with other laws that make the killing of the unborn, the elderly, and the death penalty. Until that time comes, I will be proud to stand and march along with the many people, among them the teenagers of the Archdiocese, for life.

How to Say Thank You

2011-01-03T10:49:00.000-08:00

Guest Blogger: Mrs. Sullivan

This is my 8^th school year at Kennedy.

I have always loved my job. Some days more than others, but my devotion has never really wavered.

Working with teenagers keeps me young (I would also settle for "youngish" at this point).

Through my position as Director of Admissions I actively market and recruit students to our school community.

When meeting with prospective parents and students I oftentimes use the "Kennedy Community" as a selling point. I tell students about the family feel of campus, many students consider Kennedy "HOME."

I totally stand behind Kennedy. I believe in the product I sell. I couldn't do this job if I didn't.

In the past when talking about the community my comments were as a bystander, someone who has witnessed the caring and compassion of our students and faculty but had never really experienced it firsthand.

This has all changed.

My husband Casey lost his job on October 8. This was a devastating financial blow to our family. We have two young boys, a mortgage, car payments, tuition, and countless bills to worry about. Casey's job provided our primary income. Although I work fulltime the majority of our livelihood came from his paycheck. Needless to say we have been and continue to struggle financially.

On October 13 Casey was hospitalized for one week with a serious case of pneumonia. He is healthy today (knock on wood), but his hospital stay only compounded our financial stress.

While Casey was hospitalized I emailed the faculty asking for prayers and explaining my sporadic attendance at school. The outpouring of support I got was overwhelming. I don't know why I was surprised but I was.

Fast forward to the holiday season….Casey and I both knew that this would be a meager Christmas. We planned on buying a few gifts for our boys and forgoing the usual gift giving hoopla for the rest of our family and friends. This was somewhat embarrassing to admit to our family, but we needed to be honest and smart with our money.

On Friday December 3 I received a very special gift. Taped to my office door was an envelope. Inside the envelope was an anonymous letter. The copy of the letter is below:

"Advent is the season of giving- that's what we tell the students. I often wonder how many of any of us are truly aware of how giving is good for the soul. We say it, but do really do it and understand it? This year, I have been inspired to give. I know there are lots of opportunities to give in our community, but why not start at home.

Please accept this small gift in honor of Grant and Carter. Use it to put some extra gifts under the tree for them. I wish it was more, but I know you to be a frugal gal who can use resources wisely.

As for you and Casey, I give you my prayers for peace of mind. Please remember that God knows what he is doing and even though you cannot see the wisdom of His plan right now, know that good is coming your way. Take this opportunity to strengthen your love for God and each other. Things will get better and more importantly, be better than ever. Pay it forward one day when you have the chance – I just did.

God bless you and your precious boys this Christmas season.

Sincerely,

One Anonymous Celt caring for another Celt. "

Inside the envelope was $200. This left me speechless. I began to cry and called Casey and then my mom. It was such an unexpected gift that helped us so very much. It wasn't so much the money that moved me; it was the sentiment behind it. Someone cared enough about me and more importantly, my boys to go out of their way to make sure they were taken care of this Christmas.

This is practicing what you preach.

That is what makes this place so special.

Other schools may have more impressive athletic facilities, or glossier brochures, but there is no another school that can compare to the SPIRIT and HEART of Kennedy. This is home to so many students because of the caliber of people that walk our halls. This place has compassion. We live our faith.

I am so very thankful for the Anonymous Celt and I would like to express my gratitude to that blessed soul. This is my only way to do it.

Thank you for taking care of my family. Your gift means so very much and I promise to pay it forward. God bless.

The Lady Behind the Desk

2010-12-14T11:56:00.001-08:00

We have new face gracing the Main Office at Kennedy.

Laura Conner has joined the Kennedy community as a member of our office staff.

Although Mrs. Conner is new, we are welcoming her back. She is a proud graduate of Kennedy, class of 1988.

As a person on the frontlines of the hustle and bustle of the main office I wanted to take a moment and properly introduce the lady behind the desk.
About you:
Maiden name: Molitor

Parish: Sacred Heart - Eureka

Family: 3 fabulous boys: Kyle (12), Dylan (9), and Shane (6)

Life after Kennedy: I started my own Professional Organizing company in 2005 and I coach my 4th grade son's basketball team.

Back in the day:

Activities in high school: Volleyball (1 year), Basketball (4 years Varsity) and Softball (4 years Varsity)

Favorite teacher: Mr. Chio and Mr. Grasser of course! And I loved my art teacher, Pam McCormick and English teacher, Renee Farrell

Best memory: The year they painted the 3 point line on the basketball court.

Favorite subject: English and Typing (yes, we used a typewriter!)

What was the uniform like then: In 1986, the girls wore solid gray skirts and NO ONE liked them! And the shirts were solid white and of course big, feathered bangs were mandatory as well!

What is the MAJOR difference you see between Kennedy then and now: The school entrance was re-done and looks beautiful and the addition of a Media Center and PC Hospital are the biggest changes that I notice.

On the Road to State.

2010-11-17T09:57:00.000-08:00

Homecoming 2010

2010-11-02T08:17:00.000-07:00

We got SPIRIT yes we do! Homecoming 2010

2010-10-27T10:35:00.001-07:00

Upcoming Event: Trivia Night 11.27.10

2010-10-22T07:32:00.000-07:00

Going the Distance

2010-10-14T08:48:00.001-07:00

Guest blogger: Coach Tim White

I am pleased to report that the cross country program had a great outing at the conference meet.

Tyler Gardner, junior, broke the 13 year old boy's record for 3.1 miles. He ran the distance in 16:46, and earned All Conference honors with a 4th place finish.

Carlye Chaney, sophomore, also broke the girl's school record for the same distance. The previous record stood for 7 years. She set the new mark with a time of 20:08. The previous marks were 16:49 and 21:12 respectively.

These are the two best performances in school history, and I couldn't be more proud of these two athletes. Thanks so much and go Celts!

Softball Celts: Making their Coach Proud

2010-10-13T14:03:00.001-07:00

Guest Blogger: Coach Troy Ufert

The Varsity Softball Celts won a District Championship for the 2^nd time in Kennedy history on Friday.

The Celts defeated Westminster 9-8. Paige Miller was the winning pitcher. She pitched a complete game while striking out 17 batters. The Celts broke a 6-6 tie in the bottom of the 6^th when Paige and Brooke Miller hit back to back home runs (making mom and dad very proud!!). This put the Celts up 9-6. Offensively, Paige had a homerun and two RBIs the Celts also got two hits a piece form Lexi Ehrlich and Kayla Cox. Allie Ehrlich had 2 RBIs in the win.

The Celts are now 23-2. They play in the State Sectional game Wednesday at Kennedy vs. Lutheran South.

Hit Me With Your Best Shot....Kennedy Girls Tennis Update.

2010-09-17T07:55:00.001-07:00

Guest Blogger: Mr. Walterbach

The Kennedy girl's tennis team is off to a great start. Currently the team is 7-0. On September 16^th the team defeated two time conference champion St. Dominic 6-3. This win guaranteed a first place finish in conference. The tennis team squares off against Rosati Kain on September 22. A victory will earn the Tennis Celts sole possession of first place. Thanks to Wiethop Greenhouse the tennis team has been able to raise enough money this year to travel to Kansas City for a tennis tournament. The team will leave Friday, September 17, 2010. This year the team sold a record 1,163 mums. The tournament is will be played on the courts on the Plaza Tennis Center and will feature five state finalists from three different states.

Athlete of the Week…GO CELTS!!!

2010-09-14T07:34:00.001-07:00

Lexi Erhlich
Kennedy Softball
A sophomore catcher, Erhlich moved into the leadoff spot this year and has responded in a big way early, leading the Celts to a 4-0 start. In her first three games, Erhlich went 11 for 14 with seven runs scored, two stolen bases, four doubles, one triple, no strikeouts and a 1.214 slugging percentage. She has thrown out the only two runners that have tried to steal on her. Regarded as one of the best defensive catchers in the state, Erhlich has had the responsibility of catching hard-throwing Paige Miller since her freshman year.

Taken from:

http://stlhighschoolsports.com/front-page/athletes-of-the-week/post-dispatch-athletes-of-the-week-august-23-september-4/

Making our Goal: Student Raffle 2010

2010-09-09T11:55:00.000-07:00

Softball Celts: Full of Potential

2010-08-31T10:37:00.001-07:00

Guest Blogger: Mr. Ufert

The Kennedy Softball Celts are extremely excited about the upcoming softball season. The ladies have come from 6-14 in 2007 to missing a chance to go to the MSHSAA Final Four by one game in 2009. They fell to Class 3A State Champion Cape Notre Dame in the State Quarterfinals last season. We only graduated one player (Sam Powers - who's talent and leadership will be hard to replace) from last year's 21-3 squad. Last season the girls were AAA conference co-champs (9-1) with St. Dominic and they won the Kennedy Round Robin Tournament.

The sky is the limit and the girls understand this. They know we will not sneak up on anyone this season. The girls have more talent on the team than most teams around. For us to reach our full potential the ladies must refuse to be outworked by our opponents during practice. We have upgraded the schedule for this season. The Incarnate Word Tournament is early in the season and it should let us know about our strengths and weaknesses. It will be a nice challenge for the girls to compete against much bigger schools. It should be a fun season that will hopefully end up with a trip to the Class 3A MSHSAA State Tournament.

The team is led by All Conference players Jenny Hill, Allie Ehrlich, Lexi Ehrlich, Brooke Miller, Paige Miller, and Becca Powers. Other girls that are going to contribute to the varsity this year include Alyssa Busken, Kayla Cox, Meg Duisen, Lea Grassi, Alyssa Mangan, Katie O'Brien, Michelle Silva, Mary Kate Walczyk, and Lauren Wilson.

New Student Potluck 8/16/10

2010-08-15T14:43:00.001-07:00

Photo Shoot 2010

2010-07-22T14:30:00.001-07:00

We may have the cutest kids ever! Special thanks to Prestige Portrait Studios for our awesome photo shoot!! http://prestigeportraits.com

Congratulations Mr. Schmalz

2010-07-14T20:43:00.001-07:00

LOCAL EDUCATOR ACCEPTED TO GLOBAL MASTER'S PROGRAM
University City, MO - A local educator has been selected to join a global master's degree that begins this summer with studying desert and marine ecosystems on the Baja peninsula.

From July 2 - July 10, John F. Kennedy Catholic High School educator Tim Schmalz of University City, 63130, will be studying at the UNESCO World Heritage site, Bahia de los Angeles on the Sea of Cortez. In this biosphere reserve, the group of 20 educators will work to apply the fundamentals of field methods - such as capture/recapture, pitfall traps and line transects - to ecological questions and conservation practice.

Schmalz is one of 120 U.S. and international educators accepted to the second year of the Global Field Program (GFP) from Project Dragonfly at Miami University.

As part of the program, all new and continuing GFP students will travel to a conservation site this summer in Africa, Asia or the Americas. Groups of GFP educators will also study cheetahs in Namibia, tag leatherback sea turtles in Trinidad, investigate howler monkeys in Belize, study the evolution and maintenance of biodiversity in the Amazon, explore tropical rainforest ecology in Costa Rica, examine primatological field methods and their applications in Borneo, research the world's last wild horses in Mongolia, and study the role of the Maasai in Kenyan ecosystems. Throughout, the master's students will engage with international colleagues and scientists to work together to bring about local and global change.

The GFP master's is based on the successful Earth Expeditions program from Dragonfly and the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Since 2004 when Earth Expeditions began engaging educators in firsthand educational and scientific research at conservation hotspots around the world, over 900 educators have been selected from 48 states and several international countries.

More information is located at www.ProjectDragonfly.org.

Losing It For a Good Cause

2010-06-23T12:40:00.001-07:00

Missouri Families for Effective Autism Treatment (MO-FEAT) is sponsoring Lose the Training Wheels Bike Camp at Kennedy Catholic this week. MO-FEAT was incorporated in 1997 as a Missouri not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization in response to the lack of effective treatment available to children living with autism throughout Missouri.

Lose the Training Wheels is an amazing camp that teaches children with special needs how to ride a bike. Approximately half of the children in the camp have autism spectrum disorders. The children are ages 8 and up and have demonstrated difficulty with mastering riding a bike independently. The camp provides modified bikes to help the campers gain confidence as they learn to ride.

Volunteers are needed to support the campers physically and emotionally as they take on this task. Seven Kennedy students are volunteering at the camp this week. When asked why the students were giving their time this summer to the camp Adriana Long, a rising junior at Kennedy said "The kids are all really cute and happy, it is totally worth it." Sami Hessler agrees, "It is awesome to see their progress." Dan McCune has had experience working with children with special needs at Kennedy Catholic's Special Olympics – Challenge Day hosted on campus every year. The volunteers are the children's biggest cheerleaders. The goal is to have the children riding independently by this Friday.

As an outsider looking in, it is so fulfilling to see the young men and women of the Kennedy Community giving back. It is clear our students are living the mission of our school every day, even in the dog days of summer in a gym without air-conditioning. They are giving back and trying to make a difference. That is what is important.

Special thanks to Mrs. McMullen-Hellwig for organizing this event on campus.

For more information or volunteer opportunities visit www.mofeat.org

2010-06-23T12:36:00.001-07:00

Show Dad How Much You Care

2010-05-27T07:00:00.001-07:00

No idea what to get dad this Father's Day? What do you get the guy who has everything? Consider donating to the Kennedy Annual Fund in his honor. Kennedy will provide a commemorative certificate to present to dad on his special day. Donate online by June 11, contact Abby Cole at Kennedy via email at acole@kennedycatholic.net Provide the following information: Your Name, Gift Amount, Father's Name, and address to mail the certificate. This truly is the gift that keeps on giving. Donate today – follow the link: http://archstl.org/giving/online/donations/16377 Remember Father/Daugther? Thank the guy who has done so much and donate to Kennedy in his honor!

Support Kennedy by June 30th!

2010-05-26T07:50:00.000-07:00

Donate to the Kennedy Annual Fund!
http://archstl.org/giving/online/donations/16377

Celts Helping Out

2010-05-24T13:09:00.001-07:00

On Saturday May 22, 2010, twenty Kennedy Catholic students became buddies with Challenger Baseball players, in a league for youngsters and adults with developmental disabilities. In its 17th season, St Louis Challenger Baseball houses 46 teams with the goal to give everyone a chance to play. To realize that goal, Challenger has two basic rules: every player bats each inning, and every player plays the field. We don't count strikes, and we don't count outs. Everybody scores, and everybody wins.

Challenger Baseball Founder, Buck Smith wrote "Many of our players would not be able to play without their buddies, and your players and students made the game possible for them. Some of our players have more challenges than others, and the Kennedy students took everything in stride and made it a great day. Thanks to your players and students, we were able to give a buddy to every player who needed one. In 17 years, those days have been few. And sometimes that makes the difference between a player not having a lot of fun and questioning another game, or a player who can't wait to play again and who will play for years and years. On behalf of our players and their families and friends, we can't thank you enough."

Challenger Baseball participants learn not only the fundamentals of baseball, but also experience pulling together as a team, being cheered on by a crowd, and encouraged by their peers. All players are named all-stars, and all receive trophies at the end-of-the-season picnic. For more information on St. Louis Challenger Baseball visit www.challengerbaseball.org.

That's a Winner!!!

2010-05-21T18:45:00.000-07:00

The Girl's Soccer Celts declare victory tonight over Burroughs winning DISTRICTS. For anyone keeping count that is a district win in softball, boys soccer, AND girls soccer!! The Celts are scheduled to play again Thursday at Soccer Park. Stay tuned for more information. Congrats Celts!!!

“You are not a chicken” Guest Blogger – Ms. Anstoetter

2010-05-21T11:05:00.001-07:00

Last night the Kennedy Catholic Class of 2010 graduated from the Cathedral at 7:00. We were all very proud of these young men and women, not only for where they were going, but also for where they had been. They have accomplished so very much as a class and they have most certainly left a mark on the hallways of Kennedy. Below is the graduation address of the class nominated speaker, Ms. Emily Anstoetter. She did a phenomenal job and was gracious enough to share her words of wisdom with me.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Fellow teachers, administrators, parents, and most especially, the Kennedy Catholic Class of 2010: it is my sincere honor to speak to you this evening. Graduating seniors, as I've told many of you, your class is especially dear to me because we all started at the same time. This is, in effect, my senior year as a teacher. We've known each other for awhile, dear class of 2010 – when we all started, Mazzuca was quiet, Stew had a mullet, and I was taller than Konner. Together, we have navigated high school, and I feel so fortunate to have shared musical rehearsals, illicit Steak 'n Shake, Homecoming dances, Kairos tears and victorious applause with you.

I talked to a lot of people in preparing this speech, and unanimously, they couldn't remember who spoke or what was said at their high school graduations. That's OK. Because I am a teacher, I have learned a few tricks about making people remember what you want them to. For example, I bet any one of you could still ask me to go to the bathroom in Spanish. But no, graduates, I will not make your next bathroom trip contingent upon remembering this address.

In writing this speech, I found that I felt a little bit like my mom, who, the night before I left for college, came into my room and said, "I just feel like there's something I'm forgetting to tell you," as if she had to impart all of her wisdom before I left for college or it would be too late. There's so much I'd like to share with you, graduates, but, as everyone told me, none of you will remember what is said tonight anyway. So, here are the words which you will tune out and probably forget completely. Once this day has been distilled down to a diploma and pictures of you in your cap and gown with everyone you know, here are the words I would like you to take with you: Do not settle.

Now. Before you dismiss these words as cliché and shallow, let me tell you how I got there. Since graduating high school, I have learned that we as a civilization, and especially we young people, are fed a lie much of our lives. School itself can even serve to reinforce this lie. The lie is this: This is as good as it can be. I'll repeat that because I want it to stick (this is a teacher trick): We are fed the lie that this – whatever "this" may be referring to – is as good as it can possibly be. Because of this lie, at the personal level, we stay at schools where we feel we don't belong, we remain in jobs we hate, and we cling to relationships that are unhealthy. This lie leads to apathy and helplessness, and when we accept "as good as it can be", at the community level, we accept 80% of the world living on less than $10 a day, we accept catastrophic oil spills, we accept brutal drug wars, we accept whole-scale destruction of ethnic groups and rainforests. We must reject this lie at every opportunity.

How? You must start by listening to your gut. Some of you already have practice with this – it's what led you to choose a certain university, or to opt out of a party or a car, or to end a relationship. One of my favorite authors, Paulo Coelho, writes:

Whenever we need to make a very important decision it is best to trust our instincts, because reason usually tries to remove us from our dream... Reason is afraid of defeat, but intuition enjoys life and its challenges.

Listening to your gut is rarely easy. Sometimes it cannot be heard over other people's advice, society's norms, or your own rationality. Sometimes it doesn't speak so much as it grumbles. Sometimes it doesn't grumble so much as it just doesn't let you be comfortable. You have to be quiet and still, calm your chaotic mind, breathe deeply, and listen. You may call this prayer, or meditation, or quiet time in the woods, but we all need it. It is so important to spend time like this, because until you know who you are, what you need, and what you love, you will settle for "as good as it can be". And what should you remember from this speech? That's right – do not settle. In the words of one of my favorite thinkers, Winnie the Pooh, "How can you get very far, if you don't know who you are? How can you do what you ought, if you don't know what you've got?"

Once you become familiar with the voice of your own gut – or your heart, or conscience; it doesn't matter what you call it – you'll notice that it will not allow you to accept "as good as it can be". It will not let you settle. It will push you to make terrifying changes and do semi-crazy things. In my case, it led me to live in a homeless shelter in the most dangerous city in the Americas. This was not a rational decision – but I couldn't NOT make it. My year in Mexico was one of the most terrifying and fulfilling of my life, and everything BUT my gut told me not to do it.

Any decision based on your gut will not lead you wrong, because that is the voice of the divine. You are all at a stage in which you've recently made some large choices, and they may seem overwhelming. But no matter the decision, please remember: you can change your mind! Your gut, in fact, will sometimes compel you to. No one ever quite figures out what they want to do forever, just what they want to do next. I will let you know as soon as I figure out what I want to be when I grow up. Vocation, or calling, is described by the theologian Frederick Buechner as the place in which "your deep joy and the world's deep need meet – something that not only makes you happy but that the world needs to have done". Finding your vocation in this way is the work of listening to your gut and refusing to settle for the world as it is.

Rejecting "as good as it can be" requires that you question EVERYTHING. Especially things that you take for granted. Question minimum wages and individual cars and a thousand cereal options. Question your motivations and your history. Do not EVER allow the state of your family, community, nation or world be "good enough". Do not settle.

You see, life is funny. If you demand more of it, if you say to it, "This isn't good enough; show me the next step; I want more," and if you have the courage to make the terrifying changes and do the semi-crazy things as your gut demands, it will reward you in ways you can't imagine. Dear graduates, I tell you this as someone who followed the demands of her gut to Kennedy Catholic High School, to teach, despite having no experience or previous desire to do so. I demanded the next step, and it came to me in the form of YOU, your class, the class of 2010.

We are not beings created for mediocrity, and it is not in our nature to ever be completely content. Do not fear your hunger – hold onto it. Talk to it. If you're not hungry, look for the places in your life where you are not completely full. Demand more of life and you will find that happiness lies not in acquiring things (even degrees!), but in stretching ourselves beyond what is comfortable and past what we think we can do.

There is a story told about a farmer who raised chickens. He had one that looked a little strange, but it behaved like a chicken, and the other chickens all accepted it as one of them. One day a biologist walked past the farmer's yard and said to him, "Sir, that's not a chicken. Why do you keep it in with them?" The farmer replied, "No sir, I'm afraid you're mistaken. That is a chicken. It may not look like the others, but it behaves like a chicken." The biologist asked him, "Well, sir, would you allow me to take it from you for a little while? I'd like to perform some experiments." "If you insist," said the farmer, and the biologist gathered the huge bird in his arms and drove it to the top of a cliff. At sunrise, he turned the beautiful bird toward the sun and said to her, "You are not a chicken – you are an eagle! Fly, eagle, fly!" and he threw her off the cliff. She panicked for a moment before shaking herself and stretching out powerful wings she never knew she had. The eagle, now aware of who she really was, soared and soared, and flew away, and she never returned to the chicken coop.

My dear graduates, you are not chickens! You may, however, at times find yourselves surrounded by chickens. Listen to your gut. Do not pretend to be a chicken to make the others feel better. It may take someone to throw you off of a cliff before you embrace your eagle-ness. I challenge you not to happiness, but to non-complacency. Be courageous, question everything, and above all, DO NOT SETTLE.

Dear graduates, it has been such a blessing to share this part of your journey. As we say good-bye to you as students of Kennedy Catholic High School, I'd like to leave you with a poem which I feel encapsulates your time at Kennedy. It's called "This Bridge", by Shel Silverstein:

This bridge will only take you halfway there
To those mysterious lands you long to see:
Through gypsy camps and swirling Arab fairs
And moonlit woods where unicorns run free.
So come and walk awhile with me and share
The twisting trails and wondrous worlds I've known.
But this bridge will only take you halfway there –
The last few steps you'll have to take alone.

Congratulations, graduates, but most of all, thank you. It's been a wonderful four years.

Coelho,Paulo. Life. M. Botelho. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 2007.

Hoff, Benjamin. The Tao of Pooh. New York, NY: Penguin Books USA Inc., 1982.

Buechner, Frederick. "Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly. Profile: Frederick Buechner." May 5, 2006. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week936/profile.html (accessed May 18, 2010).

Silverstein, Shel. "The Bridge". A Light in the Attic. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 1981

Class of 2010 - colleges & universities that granted admission

2010-05-20T10:30:00.001-07:00

Arizona State University

Augustana University

Avila University

Ball State University

Barry University

Bellarmine University

Benedictine College

Bethany College

Blackburn College

Bradley University

Butler University

Carthage College

Columbia College-Chicago

Cornell University

Creighton University

DePaul University

Dominican University

Eastern Illinois State University

Fontbonne University

Hickey College

Indiana University

Jacksonville University

Kalamazoo College

Kent State University

Lindenwood University

Loyola University-Chicago

Loyola University-New Orleans

Marquette University

Maryville University

Miami University of Ohio

Missouri Valley College

Missouri Baptist University

Missouri Science & Technology

Missouri State University

Murry State College

Newman University

Northwest Missouri State University

Olivet Nazarene University

Quincy University

Regis Univeristy

Rockford College

Rockhurst University

Southeast Missouri State University

Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

Spring Hill College

St. Louis Community College

St. Louis University

Stephens College

Texas Christian University

Texas Tech University

Truman State University

Tulane University

Univeristy of Denver

University of Central Florida

University of Colorado

University of Dayton

University of Iowa

University of Kentucky

University of Mississippi

University of Missouri-Columbia

University of Missouri-Kansas City

University of Missouri-St. Louis

University of New Mexico

University of Southern Alabama

University of Southern Indiana

University of Tampa

Washington University

Webster University

Western Kentucky University

Westminster College

William Jewel College

Xavier University

One Chapter Ends, Another Begins.

2010-05-20T10:09:00.000-07:00

We miss you already. Congratualtions Class of 2010!

A Perspective from a Mom…Oops, I Mean Religion Teacher. Guest Blogger: Mrs. Williams

2010-05-14T11:16:00.001-07:00

This past week, I had the great pleasure of watching the Class of 2010 celebrate the beginning of the end. On Monday, girls fretted over what outfit to wear and boys complained about having to wear ties and dress shoes. On Tuesday, they came into the library dressed up and looking great. But it was there. If you looked really close, you could see behind the smiles, the bittersweet feeling of the ending a chapter in their life. They ate breakfast prepared for them by the faculty, and took lots of pictures to commemorate the day. They received a gift bag containing some important items. The first thing they pulled out was the very exciting Kennedy Alumni stickers and pencils. Oh the excitement of finally becoming an Alumni! "Whew, we are going to be alums!" They dug deeper in the bags and found a collection of letters written to them from the Kennedy community. Teachers, staff and underclassmen wrote goodbyes and affirmations to the senior class. I watched as some opened every letter right where they stood, some move off to a quiet corner to open each letter carefully, some left the library without opening a letter.

Next, off to put on caps and gowns for the senior award recognition ceremony. Boy, did they get into those quickly. We only had to tell them once- they were ready. In the theatre, there were lots of cameras, lots of poses, and most importantly, lots of smiles. We teachers lined them up, told them to spit out their gum and now it was their moment. It was at that moment that I left them. I entered the gym and sat in my assigned spot with the sophomores. I spotted a seat front center amongst the parents and took it quickly so that I could get some great pictures for the yearbook. At least this is what I convinced myself of at the moment. In retrospect I think that I, like the seniors themselves, just wanted to hang on until the very end. As the seniors walked in, I was ready to take those great pictures, but wait- what happened to the smiles? Ten seconds ago they had smiles. Now they walked in like they were on death row. Ok, so I could get some smile pictures a little later.

As is the tradition, the Senior Class President got up to address the Senior class. Now this speech is typically light and humorous, but is very high on sentimental value. Not to disappoint, Kearney Cole met all the expectations. As Kearney delivered her speech something was happening to me. I forgot about taking pictures for the yearbook and I let Kearney's words guide me down that sentimental journey with the Class of 2010. As the parents laughed at the appropriate places, it occurred to me that while these moments were humorous to hear, I had an advantage over the parents. I was witness to many of those moments. I was part of them. Yes indeed, I had gotten attached. I don't why this came as a surprise- it happens to me every year. You see, all teachers get the pleasure of molding young minds. But as their Religion teacher, I get the pleasure of helping to mold their spirit- the very essence of who they are.

We get them as freshmen. They are dorky, insecure, and think high school is so awesome. I get to teach them some habits that they can hold on to and then make sure they have all the fundamentals of the Catholic Church. They learn that "God is good… all the time" and once they know that, they learn that they too, are good. We talk about having good values and how they can solve the problems of the world. What's great about being their Religion teacher, is that not only do I get to share the goodness of God and the world with them, but that they get to share the goodness that is them with me. In Religion class, I get to learn as much as I get to teach. I get to watch them find out who they want to be and what difference they want to make. I only learn about them what they want me to know. I get to help them find answers to life's most important questions- the kind of questions that don't have logical explanations-. I help them find faith. It's not the kind of faith you have when you're a little kid and you learn about the wonders of God in Religion class. No, I get to help them find the kind of faith that will get them through the hard times, the kind of faith that fills their heart so that they know they are worth something in this world- that they matter. It is with this thought that it occurs to me that my logic is not that of a teacher, but that of a mother. After all, isn't that what every parent wants more than anything for their child. A mother's job is to guide her child into the world so that they will be the best person they can be. While the math, English and History teachers focused on specific skills that will make them successful in careers, I have focused on skills that can only be measured in time and by the relationships they create. I too, have to have faith, just like a mother, that I have done the best I can to help form the people they will become.

Kearney finishes her speech and I feel a lump in my throat. The Seniors names are called out one by one. The mothers start to cry as they watch their precious babies walk across that stage. I wonder what they are thinking, but then again, I know, because they are like my babies too. I sit and cry with the moms and I am proud of them, I am happy for them, I will miss them. But unlike the parents I sit amongst, I know that I will be lucky to hear from them. They will call their mothers from time to time and their mothers will continue to watch them soar. I, on the other hand, let them go and get ready for the next class.

It's not over yet. There is still Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation to come. And I will sit with the teachers who smile at the kids, but I will cry with the parents whose hearts are filled with joy and hope for God's greatest blessing. Good Bye Class of 2010. I will miss you greatly. Remember that Kennedy is part of who you are- go out and make us proud. Go out and make me (Mom) proud.

Junior Mass and Awards - Liturgical Assemble Performace

2010-05-14T11:04:00.000-07:00

Dream Big. Work Harder. Guest Blogger: Mr. Rapp

2010-05-13T06:16:00.001-07:00

The Kennedy soccer team was on a mission this year. The drive and determination of the team as a whole led them all the way to State where they placed third. This exceptional group of young men was honored on Tuesday, May 11 with the presentation of their team banner. Below are the remarks of the Varsity Soccer Head Coach, Mr. Tom Rapp: "We were ranked 5^th in the state in the pre-season coaches poll on the strength of last season's record. We moved up to 4^th for the next 2 polls and finished the regular season ranked #1 in the state – a first for Kennedy. The final season poll had us ranked 3^rd.

It was an incredible season. Post season they were on a self described Mission.
Ryan "Schwepps" Schweppe – Mr Consistent
Trent Husak - what a game against Trinity
Konner "K – squared" Kloster –what a tremendous job at a new position.
Post Dispatch "Player of the Week" Blake Ficken who had an incredible post season.
Danny Madison probably the team's best all around player Tony "big game" Luedecke Danny "17 goals" McCune WOW what a sophomore year! Jorge "excuse me" Ramos – terrific player on the ball. Were all named to the Missouri All Southeast Region Team.
Tony Luedecke was named Offensive Player of the Year as well as Offensive Player of theYear for the region. Tony shattered a school record for most goals with 27!
Ryan Schweppe was named Goalkeeper of the Year and had a hand in 14 shutouts!
In addition to Ryan and Tony, Danny Madison was named to the All-State First Team.
Blake Ficken was named to the Second Team and Trent Husak was Honorable mention.
While these players received justifiable recognition, it was obviously a Team effort, led by our All –Conference player, emotional leader and Captain John Belgeri.

John "does everything with excellence" Gaal - great two way player!
Roger "I don't need a haircut" Holmes

Adam " A – squared" Antor Spencer "hand ball" Weber Jeff "Griggsy" Griggs

Andrew "fast guy" Thorn
Nick "yes sir" Purcell
Ben "B A" Nord
Charlie "cross-country" Tamborski
Dan "No-Knees" Klevorn
Nick 'theMaytag repairman" Luedecke
Honorable mention to Leo Rodriquies-Vasconcelli! It killed him to not be able to play.

I Want to thank everyone who helped in any way make the season fun and successful.

The administration, Mrs. Bolesta, Mrs. McMullen-Hellwig, and Mrs. Hey for their support.

Mr. Koettker for all his many, many first rate efforts on our behalf, - especially agreeing to host districts and taking on a lot more work that many Athletic Directors simply refuse, because it's not required of them.

Mr. Chio for his colorful announcing and mastery of all the different ethnic pronunciations.

Mr. McCauley and Mr. White for working the gate.

Our trainers Mike and Joel.

Margaret Grasser for keeping Stats.

The Cheerleaders.

The Dance Team.

Everyone who worked the concessions especially Mrs. Scarfino.

Mr. Busken and Mr. Salamone for taking care of the field. Parents for rearranging their families' lives to support their sons.

I'd like to especially thank Steve Grasser for all the many things he does that make my life so much simpler as a coach.

The lads, who allowed themselves to "Dream Bigger" and "Work Harder" to accomplish nearly all their goals. They had fun doing it also. Not everyone enjoys the process that leads to success. They were all a real joy to coach. They really are all nice young men. And that will outlast their soccer careers!!!Lastly, I'd like to thank my wife Monica for all she puts up with so that I may pursue my passion of teaching the beautiful game of soccer.

Chio's right: All the time ….God is GOOD! May our good God continue to shower us with His many blessings and may we continue to cooperate with all the good things he has begun in our lives!"

Congratulations Soccer Celts. It was a season to remember!!!

Kennedy Students With Big Hearts, Give Back in a Big Way.

2010-05-12T08:50:00.001-07:00

As he struggles with ALS, Ballwin man gets a lot of help

May 8, 2010 - Conor Treese, 11, at left, helps volunteers David Marsden, top right, and Andrew Manott, bottom right, as they mulched outside his Ballwin home, part of a effort to help his father Mike Treese, who has ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. A large group from Holy Infant Catholic Church, including the parish's Boy Scout Troop 627, descended on Kate and Mike Treese's home to help with landscaping, building shelving inside a shed, furniture repair and car maintenance. (Photos by Robert Cohen/P-D)

By Margaret Gillerman

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

05/12/2010

BALLWIN — A framed painting in the dining room of Mike and Kate Treese's home sums up all that they and their three children hold dear. Its message: "Faith. Family. Friends."

For nearly a decade, Mike Treese coached soccer at Holy Infant School in Ballwin, motivating kindergartners through eighth-graders to play their best. He also was the leader of Boy Scout Troop 627 at Holy Infant and president of its school board. Even at work, he was serving others: he was business manager for Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church in Creve Coeur.

But after the school year ended in 2008, most of that phase of his life came to an end.

Treese's left hand just didn't feel right and he couldn't cross his fingers. After a first diagnosis of a pinched nerve, he found out in July 2008 he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurodegenerative muscular disease.

Although the life expectancy of an ALS patient averages about two to five years from the time of diagnosis, many people live with quality for five years and more, according to the ALS Association.

"The ALS diagnosis was very surprising," said Treese, 52, who had been an active man, running five miles a day.

Kate Treese said her husband has refused to succumb to despair. "He cherishes all the simple, yet most special things in life," she said.

May is ALS Awareness Month and the St. Louis ALS chapter has named Treese, Kate Treese, and their three children, Michelle, 19, Chris, 16, and Conor, 11, as the family that best exemplifies the spirit of "ALS Across America" in the region — "by expanding awareness of ALS and embodying the spirit of living life to the fullest."

For the Treeses, the best part has been seeing the love pour in. Last Saturday, for instance, Boy Scouts put down mulch and did other yard chores while friends from Holy Infant installed shelves in the back shed.

On May 28, students and friends from the parish will hold a benefit concert for the Treeses with student bands at Kennedy Catholic High School.

Tyler Harman, 16, who plays in a band and was coached by Treese for eight years, came up with the idea and is the organizer.

The family calls their home "The house built with Love" — literally. In February 2009, fellow parishioners, sporting caps that said "Mike's Pals," did an "extreme makeover" to the family's ranch house and made it wheelchair accessible.

More than 100 families have volunteered to help in various ways, an effort coordinated by close family friend Ann Banker. She said the Treeses helped others but expected nothing in return.

"They're humble, selfless people," Banker said. "Mike never thought that he would get sick. Now people want to help him."

Treese says that the support isn't because of anything he did, but rather "the people we know."

"It's a tribute to these people who have stepped up in an extreme way to offer their love and support to me," he said. He said he was very impressed with Tyler and his teen-age friends.

"There's this bad thing, and there's that bad thing but there's a lot of good in the world," Treese said. "It's good to proclaim that there is a lot of good."

Michael Treese offers some advice to people facing serious diseases:

— "Don't feel like you're all alone out there," he said. Organizations and people can help.

— "Don't curl up in a ball in the corner," he said. "The only way this works is through relationships you have. They let you move forward. When I was diagnosed, we let people know."

Kate Treese added another lesson: learn how to accept help.

ALS is mostly known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," after the famous New York Yankee afflicted with it. His words spoken to fans at Yankee Stadium are still famous: "You have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth."

Those who know Michael Treese can hear him saying the same.

A Night in Paris – Guest Blogger: Ms. Anstoetter

2010-05-10T08:02:00.001-07:00

The 2010 Kennedy Catholic prom took place on Friday, April 30^th on the 8^th floor of Windows on Washington. Vivid-colored dresses and elegant tuxes began arriving at 6:30, containing students barely recognizable in their splendor. They located their places, marked by personalized "A Night in Paris" picture frames, and the festivities commenced! After a delicious dinner of Caesar salad, stuffed chicken, garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus, we were treated to a light show courtesy of the raging thunderstorm outside. Our 8^th floor elevation gave us an excellent view!

Students danced to a fast-paced mix including no less than three Lady Gaga hits. Many posed for photos (the chaperones included)

in front of a background featuring the skyline of Paris. Also popular was the dessert table, with its variety of brownies, cakes and bars, making this chaperone wish she had worn sweatpants and brought a larger purse. At 10:00, court was announced, followed by the coronation of the 2010 Prom King and Queen: Charlie Thieret and Katie Conrey.

More dancing ensued, and at 11:00 the 2010 Kennedy Catholic prom drew to close. But the party was not over – while many students left for after-parties, a significant group traded formal gowns for tennis shoes and went off to conquer the St. Louis City Museum. The chaperones, however, went home and to bed.

An Alternate Experience - Guest Blogger: Mr. Chio

2010-05-03T06:13:00.001-07:00

From April 5 to April 10, eight John F. Kennedy Catholic High School) and three adults lived at Bethlehem Farm outside of Pence Springs, West Virginia for an Alternative Spring Break.

Some experiences are far greater than the sum of all its parts. And so it was for the eleven of us who travelled to Bethlehem Farm for "Alternative Spring Break 2010". We arrived Bethlehem Farm late Monday evening after an eleven-and-a-half hour ride in two mini-vans, and were greeted with hugs and exclamations of "Welcome Home!" from the young people who live in the intentional community that is Bethlehem Farm. We stowed our luggage on the bunks in our dormitory rooms, met the group of faculty and staff from St. Martin de Porres High School in Cleveland, Ohio, and sat in the large common room on the couches and chairs of the prayer circle, trying to discern by our glances around the great room (which served as kitchen, dining hall, living room and prayer circle) and at each other what kind of week lay ahead.

The members of the community explained that Bethlehem Farm was based on four 'pillars': prayer, community, simplicity and service. They explained that they had committed themselves to living by these pillars as a response to the love God had shown them, and to more fully live out God's call to love. 'Simplicity' was to be lived out by being conscious of our consumption of water (limiting ourselves to two showers that week, one of which was to be the famous 'bucket shower') and other resources (lots of recycling!), and taking a break from the electronic devices that tend to take up so much of our time. Prayer would be conducted in a variety of ways, and would be planned by the community members as well as by the small groups into which we were divided. Community would be experienced by shared work, completion of chores together (including baking bread, working in the garden, cleaning, and cooking), and being present to each other during community time. Service would be given not only to the people who would visit the farm in the future (we helped plant the potatoes and onions that would feed the 400+ volunteers who would visit throughout the year), but also to the people of Summers County (the Farm community had lined up a few work projects for people who lived nearby).

The 'wake up' music started each morning at 6:00 a.m., and we groggily gathered for prayer. We began each day with a chore before breakfast, and followed breakfast with going out with our work crew to build a ramp for Ed, who was having serious issues with an infection contracted after a hernia operation, or to put up siding at Deborah's, or to help clean the Hospitality House (a bed-and-breakfast established to offer housing for people coming to the town of Alverson to visit their loved ones incarcerated at the Federal Women's Prison), or to help out at the Loaves and Fishes thrift store 'in town' (Hinton, West Virginia), or to stay at the Farm as the 'home crew', cleaning, baking bread, and preparing the next meal for the whole group. Our evenings were spent hanging out and playing games, singing along with Mark (a teacher from St. Martin who was an accomplished guitarist), attending a local church service and playing a rousing game of kickball afterwards, meeting the many, many friends and neighbors who gathered for the 'Community Night' pot luck dinner, or snacking on s'mores by a fire underneath a canopy of deep darkness punctuated by the piercing light of thousands of stars.

But these mundane and not-so-attractive activities (I mean, who wants to get up early and do all this work over Spring Break??) were just the shell around something that was truly miraculous. The group did come together as a community. And a profound sense of the God who is Love began to permeate the experience. Perhaps it was the lack of distractions; perhaps it was the example of the community who made us feel so welcome; perhaps it was the stunning beauty of this remote place surrounded by the wooded mountains of Appalachia; it certainly was God's grace working through all of these things, and our hearts were being transformed. People felt peace. People joked and laughed. Old ways of looking at things fell away, as we began to see each other, and the people we had come to serve, as precious children of God. "The Kingdom of God is like a kickball game, where everybody gets one last kick and nobody is keeping score…" was the way one of the community members began a prayer session. And there was much truth in what he said. The community's sensitivity to the earth, each community member's commitment to justice, their compassion for all of God's children, especially the poor and dispossessed, their passion for working for the common good, were all woven through each of the 'ordinary' tasks of each day, so that the most mundane tasks seemed to be sacraments of God's love.

Perhaps it is still difficult for you to imagine how doing these ordinary (and often difficult) things during a time such as Spring Break can be energizing and profoundly fulfilling. I don't know exactly how to put it into words myself. So, I suppose, we can only say that some experiences are far greater than the sum of all its parts.

Student Spotlight: Dan Arnott

2010-04-28T08:53:00.000-07:00

Dan Arnott is a current junior at Kennedy Catholic. He is involved in New Art in the Neighborhood (NAN). A program run by the Contemporary Art Museum. NAN is a pre-professional, scholarship based training program for high school students. Weekly lessons introduce students to new media and contemporary issues while working closely with local and internationally-know artists. Each semester 20 students are accepted into the program and receive a full-scholarship and supplies.

Dan's art along with his fellow NAN students will be displayed Friday, April 30, 7-8 pm at the Contemporary Art Museum.

Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis Exhibition Lab (second floor)

3750 Washington Boulevard

St. Louis, MO 63018

Congratulations Dan. You are a very talented young man!!

Two examples of Dan's talents are posted below:

A Prayer for Earth Day

2010-04-22T12:28:00.000-07:00

Good God, Creator of the world, draw us into prayer and celebration as we gather to remember the gifts of your earth and the stewardship you have entrusted to us as tillers and tenders in your image.

We know that in the gathering of the people, power is present and among us; your Holy Spirit stirs and moves and gives us courage to remember that all good gifts come first from you.

We praise you for this creation.

"God speaks: the heavens are made;

God breathes: the star shine.

God bottles the waters of the sea

and stores them in the deep

All earth, be astounded,

stand in awe of God."

Keep us faithful to this gathering in faith and "bless this vine your right hand has planted."

Now and forever.

AMEN

Welcome back to reality...

2010-04-12T09:08:00.000-07:00

We are back from a very restful spring break and are excited to hit the ground running to finish out fourth quarter!!!

We have a busy week ahead of us. Tuesday Kennedy Catholic is hosting the Special Olympics. We will have over 150 athletes on campus. Wednesday we are welcoming the Archbishop to celebrate mass with our community and finally our Dance Team is having tryouts for next school year.

Stay tuned for a recap of the Alternative Spring Break trip students participated in as well as a rundown of the events of Special Olympics!

Kennedy Kudos

2010-03-31T12:27:00.001-07:00

Sometimes good news filters thorough the school and we forget to share it with the outside world. Below is an excerpt from an email I received from Abby Cole, Director of Advancement:

"Kennedy Catholic received a $10,000 anonymous gift from a parent that loves Kennedy. They are very happy with the academics and opportunities Kennedy has provided their first child and they will have another student here in the future.

From the perspective of the students and families, they are quite happy with the state of the school. There is nowhere else their students would rather be. That speaks volumes."

Thank you for all of your contributions and thanks for allowing me to accept the praise from parents and students, as they describe their great experiences and opportunities at Kennedy!"

A Prayer for Holy Week

2010-03-29T06:27:00.000-07:00

Let us pray

for a closer union Christ during this holy season.

Almighty, ever-living God,

you have given the human race

Jesus Christ our Savior

as a model of humility.

He fulfilled your will

by becoming one of us and giving his life on the cross.

Help us bear witness to you

by following his example of suffering

and make us worthy to share in his resurrection.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, you Son,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

2010-03-26T09:20:00.001-07:00

Kennedy Spotlight: Art

2010-03-26T08:58:00.001-07:00

The artwork above was produced by Ms. McNealy's period 5 Sculpture Class. The students were instructed to create "Visual Puns." The end result was impressive!

Celebrating Kennedy

2010-03-24T07:31:00.000-07:00

Today as a faculty we celebrated mass, one of the many benefits of having a 9:00 start on Wednesdays. I am so inspired by the Kennedy community, whether it be in times of celebration or disappointment there is always a sense of "togetherness." That family feel is one of the many things I love about this place.

I was thinking the other day about what made Kennedy special, what sets us apart from all the other high schools in the area. I really think that it is the experience our students have. I am a big believer that high school is 50% academic and 50% social, in order to be successful a student needs a balance of the two. I think Kennedy students are able to have just that, a perfect balance. They are able to truly experience high school outside of the standard academic rigours. They are able to participate on sport teams, clubs, service projects, our drama department and so much more.

When a student graduates from Kennedy it is my hope that they look back at their time spent here and truly feel it was the time of their life.

2010-03-23T08:52:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the Varsity Girls Soccer Team for winning the first game of the season! The Soccer Celts defeated Festus 3-2. Goals scored by Erin Brennan (junior), Abby Schaeffer (freshman), and Maddie Marchetto (freshman).

Congrats to the Boys Tennis Celts for their victory over University City. The score was 4-3.

Way to Celts!!

2010-03-23T06:20:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Kennedy Catholic High School blog! This is a learning process for me. I have never blogged before so there is most definitely a learning curve as I maneuver through this!

My purpose in starting a blog is to bring the Kennedy community to families and students interested in learning more about our school. I hope you find this blog to be educational, enjoyable, and inspiring. I will be posting stories abut daily life at Kennedy, as well as updates from our administration, faculty, current and past students. If there is something you would like to learn about or have any questions, please email me at msullivan@kennedycatholic.net