JFK Hall of Fame inductees announced

On Aug. 24, 1966, in the waning days of Nassau County’s post-World War II population boom, the Bellmore Life newspaper printed an article announcing that the then 30-year-old Bellmore-Merrick Central School District would soon have its third high school.

“For the first time, a secondary school building will be opened in South Bellmore, when the brand-new John F. Kennedy High School on Bellmore Avenue … is opened Sept. 7,” the article read, going on to tout the new school’s 44 classrooms, “homemaking suite” and more.

One of Kennedy’s earliest graduates was Nobel Prize-winning economist, Princeton professor and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman. Since its 1966 opening, the school has graduated numerous notables, including tennis pros Scott Lipsky and Noah Rubin, and has bested its prior “homemaking suite” with the district’s state-of-the-art CHAMP kitchen and labs.

For members of Bellmore JFK Alumni Inc., the school’s history is never far from their minds. This spring, 13 distinguished JFK alumni will be inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame on a very special occasion — Kennedy’s 50th anniversary.

“It’s our way of recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of our graduates,” said retired assistant principal Eileen Connolly. “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.”

At the gala event, to be held on May 6, two former faculty members will be recognized, in addition to alumni. Shula Hirsch, former English and speech teacher and debate adviser, and Gregory Maushart, former phys. ed. teacher and varsity football coach, will be honored for contributions “that extended well beyond the school day.”

“These two individuals, [with a] combined 70-plus years of service to the Bellmore-Merrick community, have influenced thousands of graduates who walked our halls since Kennedy opened in 1966,” Connolly said.

The dinner and induction ceremony will take place on May 6 at Coral House Caterers, 70 Milburn Ave., Baldwin. The cocktail hour will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., followed by the ceremony.

For information on attending the event, to take a personal or professional advertisement in the Bellmore JFK Alumni Inc.’s commemorative journal or to make a donation to the alumni scholarship fund, visit the group’s website at www.bellmorejfkalumni.org, or contact Connolly at jfkhof17@yahoo.com.