Meet the Team - Kennedy Catholic High School

Julian Franco has called the South Sound home for most of his life. He came to Kennedy Catholic from the exciting world of college admissions for 7+ years, most recently from our partner school, Seattle University. Outside of working with prospective families, he also teaches our Leadership class and is the faculty moderator for our Filipino American Student Union. Outside of work, Julian helps with youth ministry programs and mission trips at his parish, St. Vincent de Paul in Federal Way. One of his favorite experiences so far at Kennedy Catholic was taking students to London in Summer 2023. Fun fact – he studied abroad there in college!

Casey Fredricksen was born and raised in Northern California. Sixteen years ago she fell in love with the Pacific Northwest, and has not looked back. She came to Kennedy Catholic after over a decade of working in education, ranging from the elementary to the university level. In Casey’s role here, she has the privilege of working closely with incredible student leaders and getting to know and interact with all prospective families. Additionally, she is known as “Coach Casey” to our Girls Tennis team. Outside of work, her two most important titles are wife and mom. She loves Jesus, her people, and her cat, Rue. She’s an iced coffee enthusiast, loves to cook/bake for people, and is always on the lookout for a solid book recommendation.

Lead Student Ambassadors

Why did you choose Kennedy Catholic?

“I chose Kennedy Catholic because I wanted to have a great high school experience. I wanted to join a warm and welcoming community that could help me grow as a learner, friend, and leader. I was captivated by the challenging courses and diverse community at Kennedy Catholic, as I saw these qualities as a great opportunity to have an enticing and fruitful experience as a high schooler.” -Johnny N.

“I decided to attend Kennedy Catholic because I wasn't simply seeking a school, I was looking for a family. Kennedy Catholic offers a rare feeling of community and belonging as well as an excellent academic environment. It is a great place for academic and personal development because of the excellent leadership and principles supported here, which match my personal goals. Kennedy Catholic is an even more appealing choice for me because my two older siblings both went here, which says a lot about the school's dedication to fostering a friendly and inclusive atmosphere. I am so grateful I get to carry on this family legacy here.” -Kayloni H.G.

“I chose Kennedy Catholic because of the student and faculty community that I witnessed through my older sister. We place heavy emphasis on the Lancer Family here because it can be seen in every aspect of our community. Students truly show up for one another - whether that is attending sporting events, after school studying, or participating in/leading retreats and other events. Focusing on the whole person is what sets Kennedy Catholic apart.” -Sam S.

What was your transition to high school been like?

“Now, I was a part of the class that had to start freshman year and our high school journey online. I’d say that the hardest part about that kind of transition was making friends, but after things started to settle in and I was back in person for school, everything began to turn around. Making friends became something that I found to be simpler than I had previously thought because all it really took was for me to genuinely be me and allow people who get me to gravitate into my life. The homework load, block schedules, getting lost in the hallways, everything else - all of it began to just melt away in time. The programs and community here at Kennedy Catholic also helped a lot as they made everything so much easier on me when settling in.” -Rienzi F.

“My freshman year was on Zoom, so it was an interesting transition. I luckily was able to make one friend over Zoom, in a breakout room. Who knew that in a breakout room, the thing I hated most about online school, I was going to meet one of my best friends? Through her, I met my people. I thank Zoom for randomizing us into that breakout room in that English class. Getting used to a harder workload, and 80-minute classes took a bit of time for me, but I have grown to love our A and B block schedules. I love having my classes split between two days so that I can really focus on what I'm learning at present.” -Jossie D.S.

What has been your favorite class?

“My favorite class has been Percussion because of the strong connections I made with my classmates and the involvement I have through the band events. The percussion teacher, Mr. Ruiter, is also very involved with the class and the students which makes it seem like more of a community than anything else.” -Preston B.

“My favorite class so far has been Drawing and Painting with Mr. Dolesji. This class presented and taught various techniques for a variety of projects, some of which I hadn’t even heard of before taking the class. I got to learn new ways to make art and refine the ways that was already familiar with. The best part about this class was the aspect of creative freedom that Mr. Dolejsi let us have, allowing us to express our art styles and create different things based on our personalities. At its core, the class could not have been the same had it not been for him. He really is one of the best mentors for many of us, whether it be for sports, for art, for his classes, or for life experiences - we can count on Mr. Dolejsi to show up for it all.” -Reinzi F.

“My favorite class at Kennedy Catholic is Ms. McNulty’s Honors Biology class. Not only did I enjoy studying the functions of living organisms, but I was also fortunate to have so many of my friends in this class as well. Furthermore, Ms. McNulty’s energy and enticing teaching strategy made this class enjoyable for everyone.” -Johnny N.

“Without a doubt, my favorite class thus far has been AVID, and it has a special place in my academic career for several reasons. First, I am a four-year AVID student, and it has forced me to use important life skills, especially the craft of organized note-taking. This skill is priceless - it not only helps with understanding and remembering what I write down, but also creativity outside of the classroom. It has been a gamechanger for my academic career as AVID has taught me how important it is to organize and keep track of key facts. I really enjoy this class the most when my classmates share similar goals and build a supportive environment where they may work together, assist one another with their assignments, and motivate one another to pursue excellence.” -Kayloni H.G.

How would you describe the Lancer Family to someone?

“The Lancer Family has no limits. It is full of opportunities for each member. Words that describe the Lancer Family are welcoming, diverse, energizing, leadership, and loving. You jump into the Lancer Family the moment you choose Kennedy Catholic. As Lancers, we go further than the surface of the community. It is your experience; therefore, you may have to step out of your comfort zone in some cases to fulfill family member duties. One specific example of a moment where the Lancer Family is emphasized is the SEARCH Retreat for junior and seniors. This retreat is an experience unlike any other that I highly encourage everyone to attend.” -Sam S.

“I would describe the Lancer Family as diverse and supportive. People from all walks of life are a part of the Lancer Family and so each person has a unique experience and perspective to offer. Along with the Lancer Family’s diversity, we are also incredibly supportive. Teachers and students help build each other up to make sure we can all succeed and become the best versions of ourselves possible. You will never feel alone when you are a part of the Lancer Family and there will always be someone there for you.” -Cody M.

“The Lancer Family is a very close-knit and encouraging group that goes well beyond the walls of the classroom. As soon as you enter the campus, you get a sense of community and belonging. While you can sense it in a variety of contexts, events, retreats, and interactions with other students, faculty, and staff are where you will most noticeably feel it. The words 'welcoming, inclusive, compassionate, and empowering' come to mind when discussing the Lancer Family.” -Kayloni H.G.

What are you involved in, or hoping to be involved in, at Kennedy Catholic?

“I am a leader of the Latinx Student Union. This is my favorite club because it is when I get to be surrounded by people who share the same background as me and we get to bond through that. We play lotería, we perform at the cultural assembly and this year we are super excited to start practicing our cultural dances. We get to hang out and have fun. Kennedy Catholic has many affinity groups, and it feels very comforting knowing there's more people like you here. I am also part of Ukulele Club, where I get to learn something new. There are so many clubs, and it does not have to be anything you're good at, as long as you're eager to learn, there is a place for everyone.” -Jossie D.S.

“I am involved in football, basketball, lacrosse, Lead Ambassadors, and National Honor Society. My favorite memories are the many different ones I have formed with my brothers on the Football team. There are so many that I can’t just pick one. These are truly memories I will cherish for the rest of my life.” -Thomas B.

What's been the highlight of your time here so far?

“The highlight of my time at Kennedy Catholic comes down to the people. The Lancer Family is something that is not taken lightly. One thing that I experienced was after our football game this weekend! It happened to be my birthday and after the game the student section erupted into singing 'happy birthday.' It just shows how the Lancer Family is real and how we all care for each other.” -Thomas B.

“One of my best experiences here at Kennedy Catholic was the SEARCH retreat. It was not at all what I expected, and we all ended up so much closer and sure of ourselves. It was a once in a lifetime experience for all my friends and I. SEARCH is a three-day retreat Kennedy Catholic offers to juniors and seniors in the fall, winter and spring. Pep assemblies are a close runner-up. It's a time to sit with friends, cheer, be as loud as we can during roll call and cheer for our classmates during the assembly games.” -Jossie D.S.

Our pillars are to pursue excellence, encounter Christ, and lead with love? Where do you see the pillars in your Kennedy Catholic experience?

“As someone who has grown up in a Catholic community, Kennedy Catholic has helped me learn and grow on my personal spiritual journey. Through my religious education and community service, I have learned how to lead with love and serve God in all that I do.” -Johnny N.

“Being someone who is involved in leadership at Kennedy Catholic, I have seen many instances of all our pillars being reinforced through the actions of our student leaders. Whether it be the incredible efforts put into making events as good as can be or the love and inclusion that each leader shares with all students, the Kennedy Catholic experience embodies our three pillars in everything we do.” -Preston B.

"The pillars of Kennedy Catholic fall in line with the idea of caring for the whole person. Faculty and administrators all encourage students to pursue excellence in academics. When forming my schedule, my teachers recommend class placements with my future in mind. This also applies to sports and extracurriculars, but being a student comes first. The community also guides us to encounter Christ. This is emphasized in our retreats but also in our daily lives. We gather for all school Mass, participate in morning prayer, and have teachers and staff modeling what it looks like to encounter Christ. Leading with love is a pillar that students in leadership model along with staff. Leadership is huge at Kennedy Catholic, and I think this is because of the strong legacy here. Past leaders have set the stage for current leaders and the system has never failed because it is rooted in love. Love for one another, love for Kennedy Catholic, and love for our faith.” -Sam S.

What advice would you give to a student considering Kennedy Catholic?

“My advice to a student considering Kennedy Catholic would be to visit the school and shadow a student. It is hard to decide on where you are going to go for high school based on one visit or experience with the school, but at least you will get a brief idea. I wish I could tell my 8th grade self that everything is going to be fine. Trust yourself and never stop working hard because it will all pay off. There will be times when life will feel better than it has ever felt and you will be happy, but like most things, the feeling will leave you. You are going to go through a point where you will feel like there is no point in going on but just keep pushing. Through it all trust yourself because taking care of yourself is the only way you can really take care of the people you love.” -Cody M.

“Definitely visit! It is important to experience the school and see if it's the right fit. I am also confident that after your visit you will love the Lancer Family just like we all do. I wish I could tell my 8th grade self to fully embrace the experience from the moment you walk through the doors because time does fly and I can't believe I'm sitting here writing this as a senior.” -Thomas B.

“I would now advise my 8th grade self to accept the change with an open mind and a willingness to explore everything the school has to offer. High school is a period for personal development, and Kennedy Catholic offers an atmosphere of support that allows you to realize your full potential. Don't be afraid to go out, participate in different activities, and build deep connections with your classmates and teachers. Your time at Kennedy Catholic has the power to change you and prepare you for success in the future.” -Kayloni H.G.