Kennedy High inducts 2015 Hall of Fame class

A leader in the financial world, a commanding officer of the New York Police Department, a star athlete-turned-doctor and five other alumni of Kennedy High School in Bellmore were welcomed into the school’s Hall of Fame on March 7 at the Coral House in Baldwin.

Additionally, two long-time faculty members were added to the Cougar Nation Wall of Honor.

It was Kennedy’s third Hall of Fame dinner, said Ronald Steiger, a JFK Alumni Association trustee. “All the nominees must have graduated 10 years prior,” said Steiger. “They must have achieved something great and done something special.”

Longtime Kennedy Assistant Principal Eileen Connolly served as the evening’s emcee, calling up honorees and explaining why they were being recognized. Connolly, who has been a Kennedy assistant principal for 19 years and will retire in June, received a plaque in honor of her service and a standing ovation from the crowd before the Hall of Fame induction ceremony began.

“We have a rich history here at Kennedy and have much to celebrate,” she said.

The ceremony opened with the addition of the two faculty members to the Wall of Honor. Madeline Donahoe, a Kennedy math teacher since 1988, and Judy Nicoll, a member of Kennedy’s original faculty when the school opened in 1966, were recognized for their dedication to students.

“Thank you to all of my colleagues,” said Donahoe, who was nicknamed the “Michael Jordan of Math” by one of her students. “I always believed if you choose a job you love, then you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”

The 2015 Hall of Fame Inductees were announced next. Alumni ranged from the class of 1971 to 2004. They included:

• Steven Baronoff (class of 1978), chairman of global mergers, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch.

• Stephen Cavayero (’76), president, Lafayette Electronics.

• Steven Chassman (’88), executive director, Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.

• Terrence Clark (’78), superintendent, Bethpage School District.

• Lt. Tony Giorgio (’79), commanding officer, NYPD ceremonial unit.

• Fern Berman Karhu (’71), founder and owner, Realty Connect USA.

• Dr. David Tener (’04), doctor of chiropractic medicine.

• Dr. Harry Tsotsos (’82), doctor of dental medicine.

Each honoree received a JFK half-dollar with the year of his or her graduation.

“Every student is where they are because of what they had at Kennedy,” said Giorgio after his induction. “This is where it all starts –– in high school.”

“My time at JFK has shaped me into the man I am today,” said Tener. “It’s a family."