“You get out of it what you put into it.” Mike Shullman ’84 recalls hearing those pearls of wisdom on his first day at Kennedy, from then-principal Sr. Helen Patricia Halloran. He took those words to heart and made the most of his time as a student, both in and out of the classroom.
Today, Mike’s generous contributions to Kennedy Catholic help support the ongoing growth and development of the Business program. Donating to the school is important now, he explains, because “giving back to the people who helped you is a basic principle by which to live.” He also believes strongly in Kennedy’s ability to help young people grow in faith and service, and build a foundation for learning and problem solving that will help them throughout their lifetime.
When reflecting on his own experience, Mike is especially grateful for the life lessons Kennedy helped him learn. He shares a few of those here.
Formulate a blueprint for navigating opportunities and
obstacles in life.
“During my four years at Kennedy, I was taught the process of taking notes, reflecting on class discussions and thinking through problems,” shared Mike. “This foundation helped prepare me for college and beyond.”
Be an advocate for yourself.
Around the time he started high school, Mike began noticing he was having hearing and vision issues. He recalls making a point to sit up front in classes, so he could easily participate and ask questions.
Be curious and open to new opportunities.
Mike joined the golf and football teams at school, and was involved in the Westchester Business Institute and Junior Achievement. He also, at the suggestion of History teacher Mr. Ronald Stover, applied for and got a job at a local grocery store. “I was already working for my family’s business on the weekends and summer breaks, but this was an opportunity to learn about business and get context for how things work from another perspective. I stocked shelves and delivered food to homes in Bedford and Mt. Kisco.”
Take your shot.
“I remember one of the homes I delivered groceries to was, at the time, owned by the CEO of a large financial services company. I used to say hello to him and always wanted to speak with him about business, but never took the opportunity to initiate a conversation. It’s a really good lesson to take an opportunity when you have it and don’t let it slip by.”
Be aligned with the outcome you’re looking for.
“It’s typically not fast or easy, but if you work hard over a long period, things will work out.”
Be courageous and compassionate.
“Courage is the ability to move forward every day, in spite of what’s happening around me. Being compassionate is seeing the world through other people’s eyes, even though it’s difficult as we get stuck in our own world. Having compassion keeps you grounded.”
Have faith.
“Over the course of my life, there have been challenging moments, both personally and professionally. Kennedy helped me have faith in God and the belief that, over time, all would be fine if I worked hard at it.”
Seek out mentors.
Mike remembers taking Business Law with Mr. Edward Jantz. “The class gave me a foundation that, to this day, helps in the way I think about contracts and structures of business. Mr. Jantz was very helpful in that respect. He spent time talking with us after class and during free periods, to review what we had learned that day and current business situations that were in the news.”
You’re always a Gael.
The Kennedy bond is strong. “No matter how much time passes between conversations and visits with old friends, we pick up as if no time has passed at all.”