Today's Lenten Reflection

X Marks the Spot to Move Forward at Commencement

June 13, 2025

Article by Phoenix writer Grace Andino ’25:

Stepping onto an X-marked spot on the stage at the Commencement Exercises on June 1, a member of the Class of 2025 enters the long-imagined moment, squinting past the blinding stage lights, scanning the sea of faces, hoping to spot the familiar glow of friends and family. For all, it was a surreal moment: the culmination of 4 to 7 years of hard work encapsulated with a stride across the stage.

Each graduate had this moment of glory, encapsulating hard work at Kellenberg. The 505 of the Class of 2025; joined by their family, friends, and the Kellenberg community; gathered at Hofstra’s David Mack Sports Complex to celebrate a pinnacle moment in their lives: the stepping out from the Kellenberg community into the world.

Beginning the ceremony, the class valedictorians Christopher Rocco and Meghan Lazzarini gave their valedictory addresses. Christopher emphasized the importance of adopting humility as a tool for learning, for when one is humble, one can learn more about the world.

“No matter how much knowledge we may have,” he stated, “there is someone who knows something different.”

Following Chris, Meaghan honed in on the importance of embracing new experiences and how the Class of 2025 can use the security built at Kellenberg to embrace the unknown.
Principal Bro. Kenneth Hoagland, S.M., gave his address before each graduate walked the stage, calling for those present to take their belief in Christ into the world. He referenced Moses and St. Paul as he stressed the necessity of taking the faith students have built at Kellenberg and professing the Gospel when they leave high school.

Following all of the students walking across the stage, Bro. Kenneth announced the Most Outstanding Members of the Class of 2025 awards to Kevin Kelly and Grace Andino.

“It was such a humble honor to receive this award,” states Kevin,” I am forever grateful for the community Kellenberg has given me.”

The ceremony was both a reflective and emotional time for all present.For some graduates, their time at Kellenberg extends beyond the typical four-year period of high school.
Brooke Boccio, a member of the Latin school and an incoming freshman at the University of Kentucky, found the graduation ceremony to be a culmination of her seven years at Kellenberg.

 

“It was bittersweet to see the power of time. The boys and girls I’ve known since sixth grade have really transformed into both beautiful and mature young men and women. I truly would not be the person I am today without the impact of the Latin School and Kellenberg.”

As the Class of 2025 branches out into the world, let us do so in faith, walking out with humility, resilience, and courage.

 

 

Past Reflections

The Renaissance, Poetry: “Lilies” by Aren Saraydarian ’26

Lilies by Aren Saraydarian ’26 I see the sun arising high, A cloud not known in all the sky. Awaiting me a journey lies, A journey through this land of light. Afar I walk all through the land, The grass and flow’rs beneath my hand. A song of joy runs through my veins, Again it plays throughout the day. A stream there is which ever flows, With peace it cleanses all my woes. Its waves make glad my somber soul, And on its shores my heart will dance. So on I race through endless field, By all its room my

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April 6, 2025

But What Do I Know: Stop Literature’s Morbid Curiosity

Article by Phoenix writer Caitlin Hanratty ’25: As long as there’s been literature, there has been violence in literature. But how effective has that violence been at making a point? I believe literature can be just as moving, if not more so, without graphic scenes. One of the earliest examples of literary masterpieces is Homer’s The Iliad. The Iliad is a tale of the extreme violence and subsequent suffering of the Greek and Trojan people during the ten-year-long Trojan War. The epic poem’s most notorious spectacle of violence is the image of Achilles dragging Hector’s corpse from a chariot. Although

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April 3, 2025

Boy’s Varsity Track Earns the “All State” Title

Article by Phoenix writer Cristina Palmieri ’25, Victoria Vakser ’26, and Sophia Venturino ’26: On March 8, Kellenberg’s Boys Track and Field team competed at the New York State Federation Championships. The team was one of only two Long Island Schools to qualify for the 4×200 relay and the highest ranking Long Island school. The team qualified for the final as seventh seed and finished fifth overall, exceeding expectations. Damion Gordon Jr. ‘s silver medal performance at the NY Catholic State Varsity Championships and his record-setting performance at the LI Elite Meet earned him a spot at the State Federation

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April 3, 2025

Kellenberg Dedicates Softball Field to Coach Ken Conrade

Article by Phoenix writer Grace Andino ’25: On Saturday, March 22, Kellenberg blessed and unveiled the new Ken Conrade Softball Field. After 2 years of construction, Kellenberg’s new softball field, located on what was once St. John’s field, now serves as the center for the ever-advancing softball program at Kellenberg. Just outside the Firebird Center for Arts and Athletics (FCAA) is the new state-of-the- art turf field with enclosed dugouts. Mr. Kenneth Conrade, Kellenberg’s Chief Operating Officer and supervisor of the new FCAA building, has coached the Girls Varsity Softball team for 32 years and has been head coach for

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April 3, 2025

Moms and Sons Enjoy a Night of Games, Food, and Prayer

Article by Phoenix writer Eva McLaughlin ’26: Kellenberg’s annual Mother/Son Evening of Recollection took place this past Friday on March 21. With 400 people in attendance, the event was well attended by Kellenberg mothers and their sons. The mother/son duos arrived at Kellenberg at 7 o’clock. The event started off with a mother son Kahoot, with questions about famous mothers and sons. To follow this, participants played Simon Says, and Name That Tune (a Kellenberg staple). Though the competition was high between families, there were many smiling faces during the various games. After the games, Mrs. York led those in

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April 1, 2025