John Kennedy
In September 1931, Kennedy was sent to The Choate School (now Choate Rosemary Hall), an elite boys boarding
school in Wallingford, Connecticut, for his 9th through 12th grade years. His older brother Joe Jr., was already at
Choate, two years ahead of him, a football star and leading student in the school. Jack thus spent his first years at
Choate in his brother's shadow. He reacted with rebellious behavior that attracted a coterie. Their most notorious stunt
was to explode a toilet seat with a powerful firecracker. In the ensuing chapel assembly the autocratic headmaster,
George St. John, brandished the toilet seat and spoke of certain "muckers" who would "spit in our sea." The defiant Jack
Kennedy took the cue and named his group "The Muckers Club." Kennedy remained close friends to the end of his life
with several of his Choate fellows, including especially Kirk LeMoyne "Lem" Billings
annaabi.ee 
