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Marc emphasized the importance of the people—his closest friends are still from Kennedy, and although they are spread across the country, they stay in touch almost daily and reconnect whenever possible. He expressed how these lifelong friendships are a true blessing. He also appreciated the teachers who made learning both fun and challenging while remaining fair and committed to student success. Woodworking with Mr. Karenbauer pushed him out of his comfort zone, leading to him creating a table that his parents still display proudly in their hallway. English classes with Mr. Dimitrovich junior year and Mr. Hoover senior year were among his favorites. Sports played a significant role in shaping their Kennedy experience. Sports were an integral part of Marc’s experience, having grown up as a ball boy for his father’s varsity basketball team and then playing all four years himself, under coaches he now considers friends. Participating in basketball and baseball at competitive levels allowed him to challenge himself and grow in many ways. James spoke highly of the teachers’ passion, especially Mr. Shilling, Mr. Boyle, and Mr. Gillen. These educators were committed to their students’ success, offering extra help and detailed explanations to ensure understanding. James appreciated how teachers and students recognized that class time was for learning, but also encouraged students to enjoy being kids before heading off to college. His favorite sports were tennis and soccer, where he developed and improved his skills under dedicated coaches, making those experiences particularly meaningful. Luann and Dennis also asked their boys what they would love to see happen at Kennedy in the future, and they agree that the school can work to provide greater exposure to different career paths. They believe it’s important to help students become more prepared to choose their future destinations before they are forced to discover their interests only after stepping into college. To achieve this, they suggest bringing in CEOs, CFOs, and other VIPs to speak with students about their daily experiences in the business world, offering real-world insights. Additionally, they recommend hosting seminars for students to explore various professions and gain valuable guidance for their future careers.
Luann (D’Amico) & Dennis Rossi | Class of 1972 Craig ’02, Marc ’06, James ’11 Denny remembers that, being a relatively small school, he felt a strong connection to his classmates, teachers, and coaches, and those bonds have continued throughout their adult lives. Luann echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that Kennedy truly is a family—more so today than when they attended. She highlights the innovative change the administration made years ago, mixing students from different grade levels into homerooms, each named after a saint of the Catholic Church, to foster a sense of community and belonging. The practice of pairing senior students with kindergarteners helps create a warm, inclusive environment where everyone feels like part of a larger family. It’s also heartwarming to see students of all ages attending sports and social functions together, like Trunk or Treat, further exemplifying the strong, familial atmosphere that Kennedy cultivates. Luann loved her math classes with teachers like Sr. St. Martha, Sr. Mary Jean, Sr. St. Monica, and Dennis Zolciak, because they challenged her and sparked her interest in the subject. Their dedication inspired her to become a math teacher herself. During high school, she realized that math wasn’t easy for all students, which motivated her to teach in a way that ensures every student finds some success—her goal was for them to truly “get it,” not just “get through it.” Denny’s favorite class was Don Andres’s history class, where he made the subject enjoyable and looked forward to the daily “Current Event” discussions. Both memories highlight how passionate teachers at Kennedy motivated and shaped their futures. Denny and Luann asked their boys what they loved most about Kennedy, and their responses highlighted the diverse experiences that made their time there special. Craig particularly enjoyed the woodshop class for seniors with Mr. Karenbauer, loved seeing his cousins in the halls every day, and cherished Mrs. Prebish’s story about the Christmas tree losing all its needles. He also loved tennis, soccer, and their coaches, as well as the ski club trips and experiences.
16 John F. Kennedy Catholic School
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