Where Are They Now? | Alumni Spotlight: Kennedy, Class of 2014

From the Algoma Track Field to the Classroom

For some Algoma High School graduates, the experiences they have as students become the foundation for what comes next. For Kennedy Blahnik, Class of 2014, athletics, teachers, family and the sense of community she experienced at AHS have continued to shape her long after graduation.

Today, she is a fifth grade teacher in Evansville where she has taught for the past seven years. She also continues to be involved in the sports that played such an important role in her own life, coaching seventh grade girls basketball and high school track and field.

Life at AHS

During her time at Algoma High School, Kennedy was involved in Volleyball, Basketball, Track, Ski Club, Band, SPLAT, IMPAX, Forensics, High Honor Roll, and National Honor Society.

While she loved being involved in sports, she has fond memories of Ski Club, which she describes as a unique experience that many high schools don't have.

Her memories of AHS extend well beyond athletics. When asked if she had a favorite memory, teacher, teammate or lesson, she couldn't choose just one.

There were pancakes in the back of Mr. Buczek's AP Calculus class, birthday fiestas with Ms. Gould every March 6 featuring homemade mac and cheese, helping redesign the library her senior year and countless memories in band with Mrs. Massey.

Of course, there were plenty of athletic memories, too, including winning the state basketball championship her junior year, becoming an eight-time state champion in track and, as any Algoma graduate might appreciate, beating Kewaunee.

But what stands out most is the sense of community she experienced at Algoma schools.

“I honestly loved every second of my time at AHS, and just Algoma schools in general! Every teacher I had was fantastic, which I attribute to being a big reason why I became a teacher myself. I like to think my teaching style is just a combination of what I saw many of them do.”

She also remembers how welcoming the school felt.

“I loved being able to name every single person I encountered in the hallway, student and staff. It was just such a sense of community that felt welcoming and safe.”

Representing Algoma at UW-Madison

After graduating from AHS, Kennedy attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where

she studied elementary education with a minor in social studies. She also continued her track career at the Division I level.

Going from a multi-sport athlete at Algoma to focusing solely on track at UW-Madison was a big change, but it gave her opportunities to travel the country competing and to become teammates with multiple future Olympians.

“I feel so blessed to have been able to compete at the Division 1 level and get to represent Algoma.”

A Family Affair

Track has always been a family passion, and some of her favorite memories involve spending time with her family at the track.

Her dad was her coach, her grandpa was once the head track coach, and she says that when she was in high school, she was related to three of the four high school track coaches.

Her family spent countless hours together at the shot put pit and discus ring, from going to practice with her dad when they were young to practicing as the sun went down for summer track meets. Family members competed, coached and helped at home meets.

“I do think track is one of the reasons our family is so close, including my extended family.”

That family connection continues today through her own coaching.

From Athlete to Teacher and Coach

After college, Kennedy began her career in education. She has now spent seven years teaching fifth grade in Evansville, Wisconsin.

Her experiences at Algoma helped shape her decision to become a teacher, but she has also continued to give back through athletics.

She has coached seventh grade girls basketball for the past four years, served as a high school throws coach for six years and recently completed her first season as a head track coach.

While she may no longer be competing herself, she is now helping young athletes experience some of the same lessons that shaped her.

A Love of History

Outside of teaching and coaching, Kennedy enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, supporting current and former students at their sporting events and, more recently, playing pickleball.

She also has a lifelong interest in history. In 2023, she and her dad took a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe centered around World War II.

The trip was especially meaningful because they were finally able to take it after her dad finished treatment for his third round of cancer. Visiting the sites and hearing the stories of the soldiers who were there made a lasting impression.

Their shared love of history also connects back to her time in Algoma schools.

She remembers Mr. Schmidt as the first teacher who helped foster that interest in history when she was in fifth grade.

Taking Algoma With Her

From the Algoma track field to UW-Madison, from the classroom as a student to the classroom as a teacher, and now from athlete to coach, Kennedy's journey has carried many pieces of her Algoma experience with her.

The dedication she learned through athletics, the influence of her teachers, the support of her family and the sense of community she experienced at AHS have all continued to play a role in the person and educator she is today.

And perhaps most importantly, she continues to pass those lessons along to the next generation.

Know an Algoma High School graduate with a story to share? The Algoma Area Education Foundation would love to hear from you.