Friday eNews

We’re excited to announce our Winter Media Day has been set for Friday, November 21. 

As we did in the Fall, we’re partnering with a production company to bring professional photos and a fun experience for our athletes. We have made improvements since Fall, to ensure the process runs smoother for athletes and parents. 

Here’s the webpage where you can view examples, learn more, sign up, and prepay for your pictures.

The sign-up deadline is next Tuesday, November 18.

There are limited slots available. If you’re interested, please sign up promptly to secure a spot.

All Winter Athletes will be required to attend this day regardless of purchasing pictures as we will do team pictures this day.

Go Lancers!

We met with the seniors on Wednesday, November 12 to discuss the following:

1. Ordering Graduation Gowns - there is no additional cost to families. Please follow the QR code attached to order your graduates cap, gown, tassel and stoll. This will need to be completed by November 19.

2. Included on the link to the QR code is information for purchasing Graduation Announcements. This is optional but must be completed by November 19 as well. All items that are ordered will be delivered to the school in Spring 2026 for distribution.

3. Diploma Names - We asked students to verify that their first, middle and last names were spelled correctly for the Graduation Diploma. Please check with your student to ensure they have completed this step.

Here is the schedule for Friday November 21:

8:00 - 8:40 - FOCUS

8:45 - 9:45 - Community Period

9:55 - 10:25 - Prayer Service

10:30 - 11:30 - Community Period

11:30 - Dismissal

Are you interested in seeing Japan during Cherry Blossom season, visiting the iconic Mount Fuji, or exploring the dazzling neon lights of Tokyo? Join Dr. Rob Keener for an Informational Travel Night on Wednesday, November 19 at 6:30pm in the school library to learn more about this unforgettable adventure! Our trip will take place during Spring Break 2027 — the perfect time to experience Japan’s culture, beauty, and excitement. RSVP here and start your adventure of a lifetime at our Travel Night!

Join ASB at Sunday's 2pm showing of the fall play,  The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Pizza will be available for all students that attend at 1:30pm. A reminder that the pizza must be eaten in the A-Wing basement hallway as there is no food or drink allowed inside the Little Theater. We hope to see you there!

Girls Bowling | Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 3pm| Roxbury Lanes 

Join ASB at Girls Bowling to see our lady Lancers take on the Mount Rainier Rams. The theme for the takeover is PJ's. Pizza will be provided! The game is at Roxbury Lanes.

Calling all Lancer Football fans! The theme for Saturday's state football game vs Graham-Kapowsin is Ski Lift. Get out those retro ski jackets, the snowboarding goggles, and puffy coats. It is going to be a chilly one. Let's go Lancers!

Next week we’ll be celebrating our Themes of Thanks. Join our school community in celebration and gratitude by checking out the daily themes!

Our Fall Food Drive is officially underway! From now through November 21, we are collecting donations to support the Highline Area Food Bank. Please consider donating any canned or boxed food, as well as baby formula or diapers. Every item helps a local family in need. Donations will be collected through your community period. Please bring your items to the brown donation box in your community period classroom. The grade that collects the most donations will earn a PJ Day on Monday, December 1 — the first day back from Thanksgiving Break! 

Boys Swim & Dive, Girls Flag Football, Boys & Girls Basketball and Boys & Girls wrestling will all start on Monday, November 17.  Athletes must be registered and cleared by the athletics office to try out.  Those who have registered by 5:00 pm on Friday, November 14 and have an active physical on file are guaranteed the opportunity to try out.  Registrations received after that will be processed in the order in which they are received. To register, visit our website.

• A current sports physical is required and cannot expire before the end of the student athlete's sports season.  
• Sports physicals are valid for 2 years from the date of the exam. To download a sports physical form, click here. Completed forms can be delivered to the Athletic Office (A108) during school hours or scanned to a PDF and emailed to Laura MacLaren
• For questions about registration or to check on the status of your student-athlete's sports physical, contact Laura MacLaren

 

FOOTBALL: The Lancers cruised to a 30-0 victory over undefeated Lake Washington in the Round of 32 Playoff game. With the win the Lancers advance to State and will take on Graham-Kapowsin in the opening round. Next Up: Graham Kapowsin @ Art Crate Stadium, 11/15, 5pm

VOLLEYBALL: With the week off to prepare, the Lancers will take on South Kitsap in the opening round of the WCD Tournament with State implications on the line. Next Up: West Central District Playoffs @ Bethel HS, 11/14-11/15.

GIRLS SOCCER: Next Up: Season Complete 

GIRLS SWIM/DIVE: The Lancers started the opening round of the State Championships this morning with finals starting Saturday. Next Up: State Championships @ King County Aquatics Center, 11/14-11/15.

BOYS WATER POLO: Opened the State tournament with an 18-5 win vs Interlake in the play-in game but then dropped a hard-fought battle 10-7 vs Gig Harbor in Round 1. Next Up: Mercer Island @ Curtis Pool, 11/14, 3:30pm.

CROSS COUNTRY: Congratulations to Roman Pavone, Gemma Caprara and Kallen Knapp, who had a great showing at the State Championships in Pasco last weekend. Next Up: Season Complete

BOYS TENNIS: Next Up: Season Complete

GOLF: Boys and Girls: Next Up: Season Complete

Financial Aid applications for the 2026-27 school Year are now open. The deadline to apply is December 31, 2025. 

Application For Financial Aid 

Congratulations to seniors Aiden Bato and Megan McHugh for being recognized as the Rotary Students of the Month for November.  They will be honored at a luncheon by the Rotary Club of Burien/White Center on November 20 for their service to the broader community as well as their leadership and involvement here at Kennedy Catholic.  Thank you for representing yourself, your families and Kennedy Catholic so well in the community! 

All students are invited, but especially those looking for Sophomore ISLE Hours.  Watch and listen for announcements on details for this Day of Service on Saturday, December 6 where you can earn 5 Sophomore ISLE Hours.

At our Thanksgiving Prayer Service in November, our school has the opportunity to share thanks to members of the Kennedy Catholic community. This could be a teacher, staff member, coach, or student. Fill out this form by November 14 and your submission may be used for a segment of the prayer service. Thanks for sharing thankfulness! 

ALL STUDENTS interested in learning more about your requirements or taking action go to the ISLE page on the website and click on “ISLE Requirements” on the bottom of the page and go to your grade for information and resources you will need to proceed.

Those Seniors or Juniors who are past due on ISLE Project requirements will be required to come to a FOCUS Period Appointment to give an update. Please schedule ASAP with Mr. Latvala.

There are so many meaningful paths available to students after high school, including apprenticeships, military opportunities, on-the-job training programs, community college certificates, and two- or four-year degree programs. Your College and Career Counseling Team encourage families to sit down with your student(s), and explore the great options listed below.  

Click on this link to begin exploring each of these great options. Not sure where to start, click here for an overview of your options.   

• Career & School: Apprenticeship, Licensure, On-the-Job Training  
• National Service: AmeriCorps & Military Education, Training, Service  
• 2-Year College: Credential, Certification, Associate’s  
• 4-Year University: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate

1. Education Matters Scholarship: Unigo.com  

The Education Matters Scholarship is giving students the chance to state why education matters. What would you say to someone who thinks education doesn’t matter, or that college is a waste of time and money?  

Speaking up for education could lead to helping you pay for your own. One applicant will be awarded our $5,000 Education Matters Scholarship.  

Eligibility:   

Must be a student studying in the United States.  

Must be 14 years of age or older to apply.  

Must be a legal U.S. resident.  

Application Deadline: Thursday, November 30, 2025. Click here to apply.   

2. The Neurodiversity Scholarship: The Neurodiversity Alliance  

This scholarship is designed to assist young adults who identify as neurodivergent and plan to enroll in a college or university for the upcoming school year. We're honored to support neurodivergent young people 16-26 years olds, including those who identify with learning differences like dyslexia, ADHD, and other conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, as they pursue their academic and career goals.  

Awards: There are a total of 25 scholarships available for the 2025-2026 academic year. All scholarships are a one-year scholarship, with the potential to reapply for up to four years.  Award amounts are determined by enrollment status and program type:  

Award amounts are determined by the individual student’s enrollment status at time of disbursement: 

• $2,500 Scholarship Awards: For students enrolled full-time (12 credit hours or more) at a traditional four-year college or university. 
• $1,000 Scholarship Awards: For students enrolled at a community or technical college, or taking part-time classes (less than 12 credit hours) at a traditional four-year college or university. 

Application Deadline: January 15, 2025 

For more information click here.   

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, the Counseling Center is excited to host an Appreciation Station for all students! We’ll have a selection of blank “Thank You” cards available for students to write notes of gratitude to the people who have supported, encouraged, or inspired them this year. This could include teachers, parents/guardians, mentors, coaches, or anyone who has made a positive impact. 

It’s also a wonderful opportunity for seniors to thank the teachers who wrote thoughtful and supportive letters of recommendation for their college applications this fall. 

Cards, pens, and envelopes will be provided. Students simply stop by and write a message of appreciation. We look forward to spreading gratitude across our Lancer community! 

For students considering applying to the California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC) systems for Fall 2026, a series of helpful virtual workshops are available through the end of November. These sessions are designed to support students as they complete their applications ahead of the December 1 deadline for both CSU and UC campuses. 

CSU Application Q&A Workshops (Hosted by Cal Poly SLO) 

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is offering virtual application Q&A sessions where Admissions Officers will answer specific questions about the CSU application. These workshops are ideal for students who want clarity on any part of the application process, and additional video tutorials are available on demand. 

Workshop Dates: 

• Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 3pm 
• Friday, November 21, 2025 at 3pm

Registration available here. 

 

UC Application Virtual Workshops (Hosted by UC Santa Barbara) 

UC Santa Barbara is offering a set of virtual workshops covering the UC application, used for all nine undergraduate UC campuses (Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz). Sessions include open Q&A and deep dives into activities, awards, and Personal Insight Questions. 

Workshop Schedule: 

• November 17 & 24 at 4pm – UC Application Open Q&A 
• November 20 at 5pm – Activities & Awards Section 
• November 25 at 3pm – UC Application Workshop 
• November 26 at 1pm – Personal Insight Questions Session 

Registration available here. 

College campus tours play a key role in helping students discover what type of college experience is the best fit for them. In fact, students who engage in campus tours, whether in person or virtual, are 50% more likely to pursue education after high school. While in-person visits aren’t always possible, many colleges offer excellent virtual tours and YouTube content that allow students and families to explore campuses together from home. 

Your College and Career Counseling Team encourage families to have your student(s) take advantage of the resources below to virtually explore hundreds of colleges and universities and begin shaping their post-high school plans. 

• Washington State Institutions: Hear directly from college staff about apprenticeships, on-the-job training programs, community college certificates, and two-and four-year degree programs and schools in Washington.  
• National and International Institutions Offering Virtual Tours: Search through over 1,000 schools in the US, Canada, and in the UK.   
• YouVisit.com: Search through hundreds of virtual colleges tours, including HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges & Universities), Hispanic Serving Institutions, Women’s Colleges, LGBTQ+ friendly campuses, and schools known for providing support for students with disabilities.  

Rainier Beach High School and Seattle Public Schools are set to host the 8^th Annual Seattle Black College Expo on Saturday, November 15, 2025 from 10am-3pm. Seniors, juniors, college transfer students can meet one-to-one with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), other colleges, universities and educational programs.  

This free expo is open to students of ALL ages. Everyone is welcome! 

 Register for Black College Expo HERE! 

More than 50 colleges will be there, ready to waive application fees, accept students on the spot, and award scholarships. Attendees will have a chance to get accepted and earn scholarships on the spot! High School juniors and seniors s

AP Exam orders for the 2025–26 school year have been submitted and confirmed with the College Board for all students currently enrolled in AP or Dual Enrollment courses that require completion of the corresponding AP Exam. 

The College Board exam fee is $99 per exam, portfolio, or project-based submission. Families are kindly asked to submit payment by Saturday, January 31, 2026, using our online payment platform. 

Earlier this fall, AP teachers guided students through the AP Classroom registration process. In AP Classroom, students have access to AP Daily videos, full-length practice exams, and topic-specific review materials. Please encourage your student to take advantage of these resources to strengthen their understanding and prepare for success on the May exams. 

Strong AP scores can earn college credit or advanced placement, enhance scholarship opportunities, and qualify students for College Board awards and recognition. 

For more information, including testing dates, study resources, and preparation tools, please visit the Kennedy Catholic AP Exam Page or reach out to AP Coordinator, Ms. McVeigh.

It’s fall play time!

A 15-year-old boy discovers a dead dog. He suspects foul play and sets out to investigate the mystery of who killed Wellington. What he discovers is much, much more.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time plays November 13-16 in the Little Theatre. Tickets are available NOW!

This play includes some upsetting themes and foul language. It is not recommended for children under 13.

All families received a mailing last week, please consider fulfilling your pledge!

Why Your Support Matters

Our hope is you will donate to our Annual Fund as it benefits every student at Kennedy Catholic High School regardless of individual interests, because every one of our 900+ students share one common goal: a quality education that prepares them for life after high school.

Our yearly theme, Anchored in Hope, naturally extends into Anchored in Generosity. Every gift, no matter the size, is critical to our ability to provide excellence in education, faith formation, and community life.

Donate Today!

Join us for an unforgettable Spring Break 2026 Art Tour to Paris, Lucerne, and Munich.

Enrollment is open for a limited time for our April in Paris educational tour. This is the perfect opportunity to inspire creativity and global perspective while exploring the art, culture, and beauty of Europe.

Sign up by November 7 and save $200!
A few spots remain—don’t miss out!

Enroll today for Easter Break 2026 - France, Switzerland, and Germany.

Deposit: $95 with EF’s risk-free 7-day cancellation policy.

Want to learn more? Contact Mr. Dale Dolejsi or Ms. Danice Warnke.

All current parents and guardians are invited to attend the monthly Parent Club General meeting in the Dillman Center (across from the main office) on Tuesday, November 18, from 7-8pm. At this upcoming meeting, enjoy refreshments and conversation beginning at 6:30pm. This is our last meeting until January! Bring a friend and help us spread the word about the Parent Club Arts & Crafts Fair. We’ll have fliers, posters, and yard signs to put up all around town. Come be involved in the activities and traditions of the Lancer community while satisfying volunteer hours! No membership or fee is required. 

Hosted by the Kennedy Catholic Booster Club | 21+ event

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL! Save $10 a ticket when you purchase now through Dec. 7.

Ticket sales are now live for this amazing Kennedy tradition sponsored by the Kennedy Catholic Booster Club.

Join fellow parents, school staff, and coaches in celebrating and supporting Kennedy Catholic athletes!

The evening includes all you can eat delicious crab, sides, dessert, and beer. Enjoy live music, photo booth fun, table decoration competition, and raffle prizes. 

Crab Feed Tickets can be purchased from the Booster website.

Visit the Kennedy Catholic Booster Club website & Instagram to stay current on events, student athlete recognition, and opportunities to support the athletics program.

Questions on the Crab Feed? Email us!         

Sign up here to volunteer for Parent Club's annual Arts & Crafts Fair which takes place at Kennedy Catholic High School on Saturday, December 6 from 9am-4pm. A community tradition for over 30 years, this event is a celebration of nearly 150 local artists and businesses, and features a holiday bake sale, café with convenient breakfast and lunch options, and photos with Santa! Come volunteer with us, and once your shift is over you can stay and shop for unique gifts. The Knight Stand will also be open during this event, giving you an extra chance to purchase Lancer merchandise just in time for the holidays!