OUR HISTORY

The History Channel tells the truth as it discovers it, often surprising and delighting its viewers in the process. Sister Christopher, Kennedy’s very own History Channel, has certainly uncovered some amazing details of our own past. The historical foundation of Kennedy Catholic High School, which celebrates its eightieth anniversary this fall, traces its roots to a building in Katonah known as Scanlon’s Folly (the townspeople were very skeptical of the project) and to a convent called the Hawthorne House, formerly a tavern! Back in 1918, Monsignor Scanlon, listening to the needs and desires of a growing Catholic population in the countryside of Westchester County, searched for a building that could serve as a school. He found a site in Katonah, and in NYC he discovered an old Knights of Columbus building with its insignia initials “K of C” engraved on its corner. The structure was moved to Katonah and a foundation was carved for the building. A total of four rooms provided room for the classes. To house the Sisters of the Divine Compassion, Father Scanlon purchased the Katonah tavern and annexed it to the building. St, Mary’s School was dedicated to honor the memory of two World War I soldiers whose initials coincidentally fit the cornerstone, Corporals Kelly and Candee. The first students filled the four classrooms (two up and two down) in grades one through six in 1921.

Despite the cackling and name calling from local townspeople St. Mary’s was a huge success. In 1924, the building was expanded to include a high school, the forerunner of today’s Kennedy Catholic High School.

Basketball, baseball and softball comprised the sports offerings for both boys and girls. To play its biweekly games required extraordinary community “muscle.” Doors had to be collapsed and taken off hinges, desks removed from classrooms and hoops brought in! It was a huge effort, but the same school spirit and enthusiasm that was characteristic of St. Mary’s in the early days is alive and well at Kennedy Catholic eighty years later, culminating in the Gaels title win at the 2004 NYS Federation Championship, a first for the school.
There were seven students in the first graduating class of 1928; Last year saw 155 students receive their diplomas from KCHS; over the past eighty years, over 10,000 students have graduated from St. Mary’s / Kennedy Catholic High school.

Throughout the 1950’s, the demand for Catholic education in northern Westchester increased dramatically and the Archdiocese of New York announced plans for a new co-educational high school. After President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, Cardinal Francis Spellman named the new school in his honor. Since the building was not ready, the first graduates of John F. Kennedy High School walked down the aisles of St. Mary’s. The transition to the new school and convent in Somers was finally completed in October 1967.
Intelligent, visionary leadership has always guided St. Mary’s/Kennedy Catholic High School whose reputation for academic excellence has never wavered. St. Mary’s/Kennedy’s first principal was Sr. Alice, formerly known as Sr. Imelda. She served as principal first at the old school from 1964-1967 and then at the new location in Somers from 1967-1972. Sr. Alice was preceded by Sr. Mary Gonzaga (principal from 1951-1957), who recently celebrated her 100th birthday.

There were many changes in the school during the turbulent Vietnam era. Reverend William Boldt was Principal (1972 until 1978). He was followed by Sister Helen Patricia Halloran (1978-1984). Sister Helen was followed by Sister Alice Conrad (1984-1986)

Computers were first introduced in 1976 and just recently Kennedy Catholic Alum donated 20 new IBM computers.

In 1986, Sr. Christopher, currently chair of Kennedy’s math department, was named principal; she served in that capacity until 1996. Under her guidance, community service was instituted as a graduation requirement. Monsignor Anthony Marchitelli served as principal from 1996- 2003; he was responsible for bringing back the uniform for the student body and expanding the technology and sports offerings at the school. Father Stephen Norton was named to head the school in 2003 and he has several exciting visions for the future of Kennedy Catholic High School. Father Stephen Norton has said that if there were one thing he would like to see completed by the time his tenure here at Kennedy Catholic has ended, he would like to see a second gymnasium built as well as an extension to the main offices in the front of the building. The plans for both of these projects have already been drawn up and are posted outside the main office for everyone to view.