Superintendent Remembers Former WHS Principal Domenico

By Adam Swift

The school committee held a moment of silence for former high school principal John Domenico at its meeting on Monday.

Domenico, who died last month, was a well-respected athlete, coach, teacher, and US Navy veteran in addition to being the WHS principal. In 2024, the tennis courts at Ingleside Park were named after him.

“He was my high school principal,” said Superintendent of Schools Lisa Howard. “Ironically, I mentioned him in my graduation speech not knowing that he was going to pass away. Amazing and with a very student-centered focus. For many years, he was very involved with Winthrop sports and he was always a principal for all kids.”

Howard said he was equally involved with students with special needs, athletes, students who did drama, and everyone else who came through his halls.

“He did a lot for the Winthrop Public Schools and he stayed in touch for a very long time, right up until close to the time of his passing,” said Howard.

In other business, Howard said the schools are looking to access grant funds from the Winthrop Foundation for the Huddle program for student athletes.

“You can tape the kids, kids have a Huddle account of their own where they are videotaped and highlighted in their games,” said Howard. “A lot of kids use it for entrance to college, so they will send it to coaches. A lot of universities follow it, not just for athletics but to see the well-rounded student.”

The district has been able to cover some portion of the Huddle accounts, and Howard said some students have paid for their own accounts, which are more expensive individually.

“Many, many schools have those accounts, and again, it’s about the college recruitment process primarily and getting our students into the best schools that we can,” she said.

Howard said the athletic director put together a proposal, speaking with coaches and working with the Huddle organization.

“It involves instituting some technology, and once that is done, we move forward, the cost would be much less, and then the students could buy into it through the school at a much lower rate,” said Howard. “We are very grateful to the Winthrop Foundation for taking this on and providing this to us, and we will make sure that we reach out to them with a thank you for what they have done for us.”

Howard noted that the Winthrop Foundation doesn’t just support athletics, and that it has supported a wide range of school initiatives in the past.