Meet Your counselor
 Mr. Robert Schwartz, Chair/Freshmen-Senior (L-Q)  Ext. 110 |
Robert Schwartz first came to Kennedy Catholic in 1999, and while he currently heads the Guidance Office, he got his start in a completely different industry. Graduating from John Jay College with a bachelor's in criminal justice, Mr. Schwartz was originally a fraud investigator for New York City handling Medicaid and Welfare cases. Having always had a strong desire to get into coaching, his impetus into education came in perhaps the unlikeliest of places—a community correctional center where Mr. Schwartz was doing vocational counseling. "I really enjoyed doing that," he said, and with the loving support of his wife, Cara, a guidance counselor at Good Counsel Academy in White Plains at the time, Mr. Schwartz was off to the College of New Rochelle for his master's in guidance and counseling. He believes Kennedy is a positive environment that encourages faculty and staff to become more involved, "which, in turn, helps me become a better guidance counselor." He sees his role as an advocate for the student, listening, guiding and challenging them to perform. In addition to coaching the junior varsity football and varsity girls' lacrosse team, Mr. Schwartz also moderates the Student Government Organization, annual Talent Show, yearly Flag Football Tournament and helps plan northern Westchester college conferences with his colleagues at other schools. When not doing all things Kennedy Catholic, Mr. Schwartz is off and running…literally. He's been running recreationally for five years, and has completed a half-marathon and biathlons in the past. His goal is to run a full marathon in the future. Mr. Schwartz and Cara reside in his hometown of New Rochelle. |
 Mrs. Katrina Fiorianti, Freshmen-Senior (A-D) Ext. 111 |
Katrina Fiorianti is in her fourth year at Kennedy Catholic…not bad for someone who wasn't paid for her first two months. While finishing her master's in education at Fordham University for counseling and personnel services, Mrs. Fiorianti was doing an internship at Peekskill High School when her mentor informed her of an opening at Kennedy. With her predecessor out on maternity leave, Mrs. Fiorianti filled in pro bono. When the new mother did not return, Mrs. Fiorianti earned the full-time position and a paycheck. Although she was always interested in psychology, Mrs. Fiorianti initially attended community college where she studied business administration "and quickly realized that wasn't what I wanted to do." Interestingly enough, Mrs. Fiorianti became certain of her career path while watching brain dissections at Westchester Medical Center as part of her bachelor’s in psychology from Pace University. "I think it's just fascinating," she said. “It looks like nothing, but it makes you who you are." Mrs. Fiorianti said she likes watching Kennedy students find themselves. As for herself, Mrs. Fiorianti knows exactly who she is: a mother of two (Kendall, 7, and 5-month-old J.J.), a wife of eight years to John, and a counselor at Kennedy Catholic. She lived in Mexico for several years, which gave her an appreciation for different cultures, traditions and the varying perspectives that come with them. For now, she lives across the Hudson in Harriman, N.Y., with her family. |
 Ms. Dana Morando, Freshmen-Senior (R-Z) Ext. 137 |
Dana Morando returns to her alma mater (Class of '98) as a guidance counselor now in her second year . She does so with a bachelor's in psychology from Marist College, along with her master's in counseling and certification in K-12 school counseling from Mercy College. "I think it gave me a really good foundation," Ms. Morando said of her time at KCHS, "and I made a lot of great friends here." During her time at Kennedy Catholic, Ms. Morando was involved in many activities. Now that she's back, Ms. Morando will be coordinating SADD, rejuvenating Career Day, serving as the school's Student Assistance Counselor, coaching the varsity girls' soccer team and the girls’ varsity lacrosse team. "I am really enjoying my time at Kennedy Catholic, it's great to be back!" |
 Mrs. Margaret White, Freshmen-Senior (E-K) Ext. 138 |
Margaret White combines the responsibilities of directing The Kennedy Voices besides her role as a guidance counselor. Originally from Voorheesville, N.Y., Mrs. White attended the Academy of Holy Names in Albany, N.Y., "a small connected community." It was a place where the staff took on numerous roles and the involvement of parents and staff was great. There she met Mr. Cherubino, the Holy Names track coach, whose time and effort resulted in a track scholarship to Holy Cross. She would go on to graduate with bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Music. Mrs. White also holds a master's in counseling and personnel services from Fordham University. Here at Kennedy Catholic, she hopes to be the same positive influence on students that Mr. Cherubino once was for her. “You might not think it, but it does have an impact," she said. Mrs. White lives in South Salem, N.Y., with her husband, Stephen, and their new son Connor. |