Our Youth

Remembering Kaitlyn at Kearney

October 18, 2018
With bright yellow T-shirts symbolizing the light of the life of their classmate Kaitlyn Bernhardt, who passed away in 2018 after a courageous two-year battle with bone cancer, students from the Bensonhurst high school held a variety of school events honoring their Kearney sister. Above, the students completed their five-mile Walk-A-Thon in Kaitlyn’s honor. Below, donations from their “Go for the Gold” fundraising event will be given to the American Childhood Cancer Organization. (Photos: Bishop Kearney H.S.)

Bishop Kearney H.S.’s Student Council sponsored a “Go for the Gold Event” to raise awareness for childhood cancer.

In addition to a bake sale, students were asked to donate $2 and wear a gold or yellow shirt which symbolized the choice of color championed by childhood cancer research advocates.

To spread more awareness, the students also tied gold ribbons and balloons to the school fence.

The Bensonhurst high school will donate all funds raised to the American Childhood Cancer Organization in memory of two young women: Kaitlyn Bernhardt, Class of 2020, the daughter of Jennifer Fallon Bernhardt, Class of 1988; and Sally Kabel, daughter of Nicole Kabel, Class of 1996.

Kearney Sisterhood

Keeping the sisterhood spirit alive, the students chose to hold the annual Walk-a-Thon in honor of Kaitlyn.

After sharing breakfast in homeroom, the entire school community gathered in the gym for prayer and pledge.

The steppers performed, the drummers drummed, the cheerleaders led a few spirited cheers and together they all sang the school song “O Kearney, Hail to Thee.”

Afterwards, they boarded the buses for Caesar’s Bay along Shore Pkwy. The overcast skies did not dampen the students’ enthusiasm as they walked from the bay to the 69th Street Pier – which was a five-mile walk.