MyRye.com runs an occasional series called the Yearbook Project. We are highlighting members of the Rye High School Class of 1976 (celebrating their 50th reunion in 2026).
If you graduated from RHS ’76, or if you know someone who did, please contact us.
Today, meet Jessica Feeney Antico of the Rye High School Class of 1976.
Your name: Jessica Feeney Antico, Rye High School 1976
MyRye.com: Who were your favorite teachers at Rye High School?
Antico:
- Miss Hiller and Ms. Del Layne, physical education and field hockey coaches. I admire both of them for their wonderful sense of humor, and their teachings of discipline, sportsmanship and respect while representing the Rye community in sports.
- Mr. George Coan, my guidance counselor, he was a gentle man, he had great listening ears, insightful perspectives and he was a wonderful problem solver.
What were your favorite sports or extracurricular activities at Rye High School?
Antico:
- Cheerleading four years and senior co-captain. I decided when I was five years old that I would strive to become a Garnet cheerleader, after watching the cheerleaders from my brother (“The Old Garnet”)’s class years.
- Field Hockey. It was the best group of girls and a strong Garnet team making it to the CWL semi finals my senior year.
- Participating in the musical West Side Story, where we gave it justice.
Tell us about the street in Rye you grew-up on.
Antico: I grew up on Claremont Avenue, Rye Gardens. They were all brand new homes, and many of them were filled with young children whose fathers were in World War II. I raced all day and into the night on those streets with the Viers, O’Sheas, and Taylors, to name a few, (and until my mother rang the cowbell, and the kids would shout, “gravy train!”). It was always fun on Friday nights to watch the Playland fireworks from a hill behind my house with Valerie Vier Kratky, still my best friend from childhood.
Where would you and your friends hang out in Rye?
Antico: On Friday after school and Saturdays were big for “going down town.” We’d hang out at the old Jerry’s and the wall, selecting candy through the glass display. JP Cox’s was a Rye family run clothing store that my close friend Shelly Cox Dufour’s mother Alma owned. We’d pop in to say hello and chat with siblings, Tracy, Kerry, Joe, Salesmen, Ray Bardani and “The Mayor,” Guy Giordanelli. I must include Sunrise Pizza and Bert! As we got older, it was “Party at Feeneys,” O’Keefes, 5 Points, aka Kellys, Mug Ale aka Rye Grill and Bar to name a few.
Where do you live now?
Antico: Rye for forever until 2021, then a stint in Colorado, and now in Rhode Island.
What have you done since the day you graduated high school?
Antico: Mother of five, all RHS graduates, grandmother of two. College- University of Maryland and Iona College. Worked in teaching in Stamford, Connecticut and Rye City School District. Yoga and pilates teacher. Co-founded with my husband Craig, a non profit named RIP Medical Debt (aka: Undue Medical Debt,) which has eliminated $25 billion dollars of medical debt for 15 million Americans.
The Antico family continues our work now with founding “ForgiveCo,” a Public Benefit Corporation cofounded in 2021 with Craig and son Erik (RHS ’07), where brands can partner with ForgiveCo to relieve all kinds of debt, for goodwill. Over $100 million dollars have been relieved for Americans so far.
What in your view are the two or three greatest Rye traditions you remember from your high school years?
Antico:
- No doubt, Rye vs. Harrison, family tradition, my father played 1937-1940, my sons and nephews too! My senior year the attendance was 12,000.
- Pep rally and bonfire.
- School dances with bands!
Thank you Jessica!
