Dear Cavalier Teachers, Students, Parents, and Families,
Last week, I wrote to share details of our Hall of Fame dinner that took place this past Saturday at the Argyle Country Club. It was a perfect evening, as we celebrated our 5 inductees, and I want to thank everyone who joined us for this tremendous event.
Alums Omar Nelson, Phobay Lolik, and Ave Tucker were present to graciously accept their awards. And family members of former Kennedy teachers, Ken Cudd and Kofi Frempong, accepted plaques in their honor.
During the 60th Anniversary remembrance of the school, Marsha Tucker–older sister of inductee Ave Tucker–who was in attendance shared that she attended Kennedy the year after it opened. She was in 7th grade in the Fall of 1965, which is why she knew the answer to the question, “What grades did Kennedy first open its doors to? [Grades 7-10.] Later, the school changed to a grade 10-12 format, which is why Marsha Tucker did not continue at Kennedy and instead transferred to Northwood/Woodward.
While Marsha Tucker was at Kennedy, she met an amazing young woman, who was a year ahead of her in school. That woman was Allison Krause, and Marsha asked if I knew that Allison Krause had graduated from Kennedy.
Now, years earlier, I had learned about Kent State University and what happened on that college campus in 1970 when I was a freshman at UCLA, over a decade later. During my own campus protests, other students often invoked the memory of Kent State so that none of us would ever forget that day, the importance of civil rights, and what taking a stance could represent.
On May 4, 1970, during an anti-war protest at Kent State, the National Guard opened fire on student protesters, killing four of them. Allison Krause was one of the students who died. Marsha remembers seeing Allison’s picture on the front page of the newspaper and learning for the first time what happened to this vibrant Kennedy graduate.
Allison Krause graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1969, two years after the school’s first ever graduating class. Krause graduated with honors and was taking art and special education classes at Kent State. She aspired to teach art to students with disabilities and she wanted to use art as inspiration.
As the story goes, the day before the shootings, Krause saw that one of the guards on campus had a lilac flower in the barrel of his gun, and he was ordered to remove it. Krause, it is told, caught the bloom before it hit the ground and said to the guard, “Flowers are better than bullets.” Her profound words were later inscribed on her gravestone.
I thought it important to share the story and legacy of Allison Krause. In her memory is the story of passion and activism, of wanting to make the world a better place, of standing up for others, and of working for those who need and rely on our compassion and humanity to have strong and thriving communities. Allison Krause represented John F. Kennedy High School in the best way with qualities we want all of our students to possess, and it is important that we never forget her.
I want to thank Marsha Tucker for sharing this memory and for highlighting the best of Kennedy. It is indeed why we have this annual dinner … to remember and know who we are and the difference we make in the world. As our students in the class of 2025 prepare to leave for their own futures, please remember the legacy you represent, the sacrifices others have made for you, and the difference you can make in our world.
Vickie Adamson
Proud Principal
John F. Kennedy High School
DEI Celebrates Women's History Month
In honor of Women's History Month, our Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society gathered in the Wellness Commons area to host Women’s History Month trivia during lunch!
You may know that answer to one of the featured questions: "This security team member loves to build relationships with students built on honesty and directness. She is also an assistant girls' lacrosse coach." Of course, we are talking about Ms. O! Thank you Ms. O for representing the strength of women and for showing dedication to and care for every student.
NACAC College Fair - April 8th
ALL 11th Grade students are INVITED to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) College Fair, which will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the Adventist Healthcare Fieldhouse. The college fair features 100 college representatives to meet YOU and to talk to you about what their colleges have to offer.
To attend, please do the following:
- Complete this Google Form.
- Complete the registration link for NACAC. Saved the barcode!
- Pick up and return a permission slip to be signed by a parent or guardian in the Career Center (Room 1100) by April 1st.
- Pay $5.50 on School Cash Online. (Directions are linked below)
Please know, that we have space for 100 students!! Only students that have completed all the steps listed above by the deadline can go. Let me know if you have any questions.
Please know, that we have space for 100 students!! Only students that have completed all the steps listed above by the deadline can go. Let me know if you have any questions.
¡Buenos dĂas, estudiantes de 11.Âş grado!
Este correo electrónico es para invitar a TODOS los estudiantes de 11.º grado a la Feria Universitaria de NACAC, que se llevará a cabo el martes 8 de abril de 2025 en el Adventist Healthcare Fieldhouse. La feria universitaria suele contar con la presencia de unos 100 representantes universitarios para conocerlos y conversar sobre lo que sus universidades ofrecen. Adjunto una lista de preguntas.
Para asistir, deben seguir estos pasos:
- Completar este formulario de Google.
- Completar el enlace de registro para NACAC. ¡Guardé el código de barras!
- Recoger y devolver un permiso firmado por un padre o tutor en el Centro de Carreras (Sala 1100) antes del 1 de abril.
- Pagar $5.50 en efectivo escolar en lĂnea. (Las instrucciones están en el enlace a continuaciĂłn).
¡Tenemos cupo para 100 estudiantes! Solo los estudiantes que hayan completado todos los pasos mencionados antes de la fecha lĂmite podrán asistir. AvĂsenme si tienen alguna pregunta.
From the desk of Miosotis Ledesma
The "Know Your Rights" evening was created for the entire community to explain the myths and truths of the current political situation regarding immigration. We had the opportunity to invite two professional experts in migration from CARECEN and CASA centers; so that after an hour of explanation about the rights and duties as citizens, the questions that can be answered and those that cannot be answered in a situation with ICE. How to make sure your rights are supported.
In that meeting, each expert explained in 45 minutes all about immigration laws in the U.S. and that there are many different types of rights that protect all people in the U.S., some rights protect us at work, other rights protect us from illegal arrests or searches, and others protect our ability to speak at a march or seek work in a public place. Here we will focus on certain LEGAL RIGHTS that we ALL have, regardless of our immigration status, to protect us when confronted by ICE or the police. This information is not legal advice, it is just information that we all should have.
What to do if you encounter ICE or the police?
These are essential materials for learning and defending our rights: the material below is easy to read and understand, so we can share it with our families and community, learn together and organize together. We want everyone to feel empowered, understand their basic rights and know how to exercise them.
Empowering our families to not be afraid and to know our rights is an important first step. But knowing our rights without exercising them does not work. We need to be connected with our neighbors, with local organizations, churches or committees. That's what it means to organize with your family and friends, your neighbors or your co-workers.
We set up a table where we had printed out “know your rights” cards explaining to our families what to do in different situations. Also, we had printed out registration packets for our center.
For this event, we had the presence of different vendors who graciously came to be part of this important event such as: Manna Food, Mobile Medical Care, Inc, SNAP chap, RedZone, among others. From private donors, we had the opportunity to have fresh food, perishable food and clothing. With a total of about 20 people, the event was carried out fulfilling the expectations of all those present who attended our call.
Please reach out to Ricky Ribeiro, PTSA President at rickyr.83@gmail.com to join the PTSA and Cavalier Alumni Association.
John F. Kennedy High School
Home of the Cavaliers
Principal: Vickie AdamsonPrincipal Intern: DeyJah Chappell
Asst. Principals: Dr. Vaughn Bradley, Jenny O'Neil, Lizzie Rodgers
School Business Administrator: Audrey Patton
Administrative Assistant: Patrice Walsh
Website: Kennedy High School
Location: 1901 Randolph Road, Silver Spring, MD, 20902
Phone: 240-740-0100
