Why did your family choose Kennedy for your education? Catholic faith has always been important to my family. My parents chose Kennedy for its strong faith-based education, academics, athletics, and close-knit community.
What is your favorite Kennedy memory? It’s hard to choose just one favorite memory. My older brother, Vito, was a year ahead of me at Kennedy and was someone I always looked up to. I loved tagging along with him to JFK activities, so Kennedy felt like a part of my life even before I was a student. I’ll always remember football games, cheering on the Eagles, and showing our Blue Pride!
Did you have a teacher or class that was a major influence on you? One teacher who had a major influence on me was Mrs. Binko, my art teacher. She created a warm and welcoming classroom where everyone felt comfortable being creative. I will always remember her kindness, encouragement, and how much I looked forward to her class.
Post-high school education / professional experience: I attended YSU on a golf scholarship, where I competed as a member of the Women’s Golf Team for four years while completing my undergraduate studies. I continued at YSU for graduate school, earning degrees in Middle Childhood Education, Educational Leadership and Principalship, Technology, Science, and Language Arts. I have been an educator for 20 years.
What career did you choose and tell us a little bit about how you got there: I chose a career in education because both of my parents were teachers, and I always enjoyed school and being part of the school community. School was about more than academics; it was where I spent time with friends, played sports, and made lasting memories. Becoming a teacher felt like a natural path for me. Today, I teach Technology and STEM to students in grades 4–6 in Boardman.
What accomplishment are you most proud of? Without a doubt, I am most proud of my family. My husband, Matthew, and I have been married for 15 years, and we have two children, Aria and Anthony, who both attend JFK Upper Campus. Watching them grow into the amazing young people they are becoming means more to me than any award or recognition ever could.
I am also very proud to have been inducted into the YSU Athletics Hall of Fame for my collegiate golf career, an honor I will always cherish.
What specific piece of advice would you give to a Kennedy senior? Don’t be afraid to fail or try something new. Be bold, speak up, and go after what you want. Some of the best opportunities come to those who are willing to put themselves out there and take a chance.
