Photo Courtesy of the Choate Archives
Ask not what mischief you can concoct for April Fools, but what mischief April Fools can concoct for you. Those were the words not-quite-spoken by John F. Kennedy ’35, the famed 35th president of the United States and, of course, founder of the School’s “Muckers Club.”
Kennedy, nicknamed “Jack” and “Ken” by his friends, was an infamous prankster, ladies’ man, and charmer. Though not the most dedicated student, he won the hearts of many young girls and the vote for “Most Likely to Succeed” among his class with his charismatic personality, witty sense of humor, and “a smile that could charm a bird off a tree,” as described by the headmaster at the time, George St. John.
A firm non-believer and saboteur of rules, Kennedy made sure to stir up lots of trouble for St. John during his four years at Choate. Unlike his elder brother Joseph P. Kennedy ’33, who was often regarded as the “golden child,” Kennedy sought out misbehavior and naughtiness as another way to define and make a name for himself. With his loyal band of friends and troublemakers, Kennedy founded “The Muckers Club,” a scheme to mock authority. Ironically, the group’s name was inspired by St. John’s many, very public harangues, during which he would call students whom he saw as going against his vision of an Episcopalian school “muckers.”
The Muckers had a room within proximity to the dining hall, and exclusive membership was required to participate in the discussion of forthcoming pranks during the after-dinner period. The club grew so steadily in size that it soon came to be known as the unofficial opposition party within the School. In fact, to proudly display their status as Muckers, the 13 boys decided to strike a golden emblem that could be worn. After a hefty fee of $12 and the work of a Wallingford jeweler, the Muckers each received a little golden shovel with their respective initials and “CMC” — which stood for Choate Muckers Club — engraved on it.
Though many details of their successful pranks may be lost to time, it was rumored that a young Kennedy blew up a school toilet with a powerful firecracker. Another oft-told tale is that he persuaded his classmates and friends to aid him in a scheme to fill another student’s room completely with pillows. One particularly nasty prank almost cost all the Muckers their graduation certificates and was thwarted before it could be carried out. According to Mucker Paul Chase ’35, Kennedy boasted to his roommate about their plan to pile horse manure on the dance floor during Spring Festivities and take pictures with their golden shovels. Kennedy’s roommate, who took him for his word, informed the headmaster of their latest plot. Thankfully, after much deliberation, St. John rescinded the order for their expulsion notice and allowed the students back onto campus. However, St. John made sure to punish them by keeping them on campus for a few extra days during Easter vacation.
Kennedy’s time at Choate was characterized by plenty of mischief, fun, and laughter. According to reports from teachers, he was a bright student who excelled at subjects he liked but lacked that same dedication towards subjects he cared little for, such as Latin and French. He was a leader amongst his friends, a mischievous prankster, but most importantly, a young boy who was enjoying his teenage years at Choate.
Kennedy’s suave, witty personality accompanied him beyond high school and even into his presidency. At the start of a Paris news conference in 1961, he cheered up the crowd by remarking the sensation that his wife caused among the French people. “I do not think it altogether inappropriate to introduce myself to this audience,” he said. “I am the man who accompanied Jacqueline Kennedy to Paris, and I have enjoyed it.”
Happy April Fools’ Day to all you Choate Muckers, and may you concoct your own comic plots (without earning a letter of dismissal, of course)!
