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Latest News
The PhoenixOnline is the school newspaper, published by the students of Kellenberg Memorial High School. Articles are posted throughout the school week to PhoenixOnline at kellenberg.org/phoenix. PhoenixOnline covers various Faith, Academic, Extra-Curricular, and Athletic stories and features at Kellenberg Memorial. PhoenixOnline staff contribute to the school journalism publication by conceiving stories, attending school events, conducting interviews, and writing and editing articles. Membership on the PhoenixOnline staff is open to all students in grades 6 through 12. Editorship positions are available by application.
PhoenixOnline Surveys
Throughout the year, we run open surveys polling our student body on some general interest topics.
PhoenixOnline Video Segments
Athletics News
Zach Paggi PR Places 3rd in State
January 22, 2026
Article by PhoenixOnline writer Sarah Zaikowski ’27 Once a swimmer, now a tenacious runner, Zach Paggi showed how dedicated effort achieves new heights and remarkable “prs” at the 71st Annual Bishop Loughlin Games, where he rose to the rank of number three in New York state. Like any athlete before
Beginning of Step at Kellenberg
January 21, 2026
Victoria White said, “This club has become a place where I can come and relate to the girls around me; it is a whole new community for me.”
Girl’s Volleyball wins League Championship 3-0 Sweep
January 21, 2026
On November 3 our Girls Varsity volleyball team won their championship game for the third year in a row continuing the team’s legacy.
Medley Relay #2 in Nation
January 15, 2026
Article by Phoenix writer Sarah Zaikowski ’27 This past weekend the Boys Varsity Track team was honorably invited to the Nor’Easter at The TRACK in Boston sponsored by New Balance. Damion Gordon Jr. won the 55-meter dash in a time of an astounding 6.48 seconds, setting a new personal best
Activities News
Honor Society Seniors Change Lives
March 20, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Keira Quigley ’26: This year, the National Honor Society seniors went through the Red Blanket Project, an organization that builds water tanks in Kenya, for their service mission. NHS set a goal to raise enough money to build 2 tanks and fill them with water. Thousands
Kellenberg SMART Program: “The Greatest of these is Love”
March 18, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Mary O’Brien ’27: It’s 2:52 PM, and the final bell has just rung, signifying the end of another school day. Students are at their lockers, putting their blazers and ties away, many of them getting ready to go home, go to practice, or another after school
Whodunit Hit Thrills Audience
March 12, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Margaret Nitkewicz ’26: This past weekend, Kellenberg’s very own Drama Club put on two outstanding performances of Agatha Christie’s “A Murder Is Announced.” After countless hours spent rehearsing in the Kellenberg Auditorium (and occasionally Room 240), the small but mighty cast finally got to share their
Junior Musician performs with Prestigious Ensemble
March 12, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Griffin Strauss ’25: This past weekend Zach traveled to Syracuse New York to take part in the New York State Band Directors Association Honors Band. As a participant, Zachary was identified as one of the top musicians in all of New York State. The weekend was
Apostolic News
New Mosaic Illuminates Marianist Faith
October 10, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Amelia Campbell ’26: A beautiful new mosaic of Our Lady of Guadalupe has been added to Kellenberg’s Marianist tradition in the Our Lady of Guadalupe plaza, located outside the FCAA building. The mosaic, along with the pictures of saints that line the walls of the FCAA,
ETV Produces Pope Leo XIV Coverage
June 3, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Natalie Lezcano ’26: On May 8, Kellenberg Memorial High School students and faculty buzzed with excitement as the papal conclave announced the name of the new pope, Pope Leo XIV. In the hour leading up to the announcement, a few faculty members were granted the opportunity
Rain Dampens May Crowning, but Not Marianist Spirit
June 2, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Sophia Kelly ’26: Due to inclement weather, the annual May Crowning took place indoors on Thursday, May 29. On a typical year, the ceremony would be held in the school parking lot, with a fire truck from a local volunteer fire department assisting the chosen faculty
ETV Produces Coverage on Pope Leo XIV
June 2, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Natalie Lezcano ’26: On May 8, Kellenberg Memorial High School students and faculty buzzed with excitement as the papal conclave announced the name of the new pope, Pope Leo XIV. In the hour leading up to the announcement, a few faculty members were granted the opportunity
Last Week at Mass
Last Week at Mass: Where Are the Fruits of Our Faith?
January 21, 2026
No matter what His plan is, having faith is all we can do. Like St. John the Baptist, we won’t be guaranteed to see what our faith wins for us. Instead, our faith is the fruit itself and will inherently reward us.
Last Week At Mass: Flowers, Made in God’s Image Too?
November 19, 2025
It came to me like wind. It was neither the Gospel nor the words of the priest’s homily. Rather, the deep calling to find God that came over me stemmed from something much different.
Last Week at Mass: A Russian Orthodox Girl at Liturgy
March 12, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Victoria Vakser ’26: “Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages!” With these words the lights came on, the choir sang a majestic “Amen,” and the Orthodox Divine Liturgy began. March
Last Week At Mass: Faith from a Child’s Eyes – St. Patrick’s Glen Cove
March 6, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Cristina Palmieri ’25: On the first Sunday of March, I found myself everywhere but with God. I was organizing arrangements for the Senior Trip, stressing over college admission decisions I hadn’t even received yet, and any other thing that was on my mind. I piled clothes
How Will They Know Us
Catholicism
How Will They Know Us: Love is Punk
The two groups seem so different when viewed only at the surface level, but once the words “love” and “punk” are stripped down to their core principles, the similarities are overwhelming. Catholicism is super punk.
November 19, 2025
How Will They Know Us
PhoenixOnline Initiates New Lifestyle Section
Article by Phoenix writer Mary O’Brien ’27: On October 1st, 2025, the Editorial Staff of PhoenixOnline made a groundbreaking decision. After much thinking and debating, PhoenixOnline has chosen to discontinue our opinion-based articles, “But What do I Know?” In our ever divided world, it is difficult to share opinions without offense. Unfortunately, it is challenging for us young journalists to write opinions that interest people without contributing to that divide. The truth is that we as the school newspaper for a Catholic high school really only have one perspective. Even though we are all different as people, we are united under one central identity: Catholicism. In John 13:35, Jesus tells us, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, that you love one another.” In this passage Jesus’ disciples are wondering how they will be recognized as Christians. He explains to them that Love is what distinguishes us.
October 2, 2025
Academics News
Poetry Week Celebration Lifts Up Student Body
April 24, 2024
Article by Phoenix writer Michelle Paszek ’24: Kellenberg celebrated Poetry Week from April 15-19 as part of National Poetry Month. As the halls bustled, students scribbled lines from their favorite poems and penciled in finishing touches to their original pieces. The English department hosted an Open Mic on Thursday, April
Students Offered Construction and Project Management Course
January 31, 2024
Article by Phoenix writer Cassandra Odudukudu ’24: From the construction of the Firebird Center of the Arts & Athletics, an innovative idea emerged: the Construction and Project Management Course. This course, run by Mr. Kenneth Conrade, is a fairly new elective at Kellenberg that started last summer with the beginning
Academic Achievement Recognized At Annual Awards Assembly
November 2, 2023
Article by Phoenix writer Keira Quigley ’26: On Tuesday, October 24th, sophomores, juniors, and seniors with outstanding academic achievements were honored at the annual Academic Awards Assembly. This assembly included students receiving pins for being on the Honor Roll, badges for having perfect attendance, and inducting new students into the
Students Shine In Advanced Labs Program
September 22, 2021
Article by Phoenix writer Michelle Paszek ’24: The Advanced Labs Program is an after-school STEM group at Kellenberg where any high schooler in grades 9-12 can join in on college level labs that prepare them for what they will experience in college. “It made me appreciate science and all that
Firebird Crosswords
Firebird Crossword #7: All Saints!
November 18, 2025
PhoenixOnline’s FirebirdCrossword is a monthly puzzle produced by PhoenixOnline Editorial Staff. The FirebirdCrossword is designed for puzzle-lovers of all ages. Feel free to share the link or print the puzzle and do it the good-old-fashioned way!
Firebird Crossword #6: Movie Night
October 23, 2025
PhoenixOnline’s FirebirdCrossword is a monthly puzzle produced by PhoenixOnline Editorial Staff. The FirebirdCrossword is designed for puzzle-lovers of all ages. Feel free to share the link or print the puzzle and do it the good-old-fashioned way!
The Renaissance
An important extra facet of the academic life at Kellenberg Memorial is the literary magazine, Renaissance. Published twice a year in Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer issues, it contains the creative writings and artistic talents of students from grades six through twelve.
The creative voice heard in the poems, short stories, essays, and art is often unheard in the day-to-day work within the classroom.
“Hollow Tears”
by Anthony Custodio-Pena ’26 One drop, one single torrent of water that lasts for a second, That’s all it takes, so simple, so small, yet
January 16, 2026
“Munchkins”
by Danielle Kercy ’26 “Bring back sprinkle munchkins!” I say to anyone who will listen. Dunkin’ Donuts used to sell plain munchkins covered in rainbow
January 9, 2026
December 8, 2025
The Renaissance: “heal the hurt” by Elizabeth Califano, ’28
heal the hurt by Elizabeth Califano, ’28 sometimes it’s hard for me to understand myself to understand my own thoughts to speak them out
December 8, 2025
The Renaissance: “Painting of a Castle” by Elizabeth Kalin Tynan, ’26
“Painting of a Castle” by Elizabeth Kalin Tynan, ’26
November 18, 2025