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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.
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Throughout the year, we run open surveys polling our student body on some general interest topics.
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Athletics News
Bowling Team Dominates State Tournament
March 12, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Cristina Palmieri ’25: In a string of athletic victories, three Firebird bowlers travelled up to Buffalo for the state tournament. Outstanding athletes Juniors Chloe Horstmann and Kerri Callahan and Senior Emma Dolan all qualified for the tournament based on their regular season average. The girls not
Firebirds Defeat Flyers in Final Seconds
March 4, 2025
Wednesday night, the Boy’s Varsity Basketball team defeated Chaminade at Chaminade with a score of 46-42. The stakes were high, as Kellenberg and Chaminade were fifth and fourth seeds, respectively. The score was neck and neck throughout the game, leading to high tensions as the game progressed. Senior Jordan Leach
Firebirds Take Gold at League Tournament
February 12, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Griffin Strauss ’25: The Firebird wrestling team soared to victory at the NSCHSAA League Tournament on Sunday, February 9th. The team wrestled hard earning a total of 434 team points, 71.5 points ahead of runner-up and league rival Chaminade, to secure the title of League Champions.
Kellenberg Athletes Honored at Hofstra
February 4, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Grace Andino ’25: Hofstra University celebrated accomplished Kellenberg student-athletes at the January 25 Hofstra vs. Delaware Men’s basketball game. Hofstra has been looking to become more engaged with Kellenberg Memorial in the form of student recognition over the past few years. At the end of last
Activities News
Theresa Stein Takes 2nd at Columbia Debate Invitational
April 22, 2026
Article by PhoenixOnline writer Zoe Argenziano ’27 A few weeks ago, the debate team competed at the national level from the comfort of their own homes! A select group of students was chosen to participate in the Columbia University Invitational Tournament, consisting of over 135 teams from all over the nation.
Array of Hope Rocks
April 15, 2026
Article by PhoenixOnline writer Mallory Renz ’29 Kellenberg welcomed back a Christian worship group, Array of Hope, to inspire students with the spirit of the Lenten season on Thursday, March 5. Merriment and joy enveloped the Kellenberg community as news about the mystery guest spread. Curiosity wandered the halls as
Aviation Club Hosts Women in Aviation Events
February 26, 2026
Article by PhoenixOnline writer Mallory Renz ’29 Kellenberg Aviation Club featured two events for students interested in aviation careers: each hosted by a woman aviator! On November 20, Captain Paige Reiger, Firebird Class of 2017, hosted a discussion of “Women in Aviation” at the FCAA where she addressed the unique
Haitian Independence Celebrated by Cultures Club
February 25, 2026
Article by PhoenixOnline writer Zoe Argenziano ’27
Laissez les bons temps rouler! The One Heart, One Mind Many Cultures Club surely let the good times roll at the Haitian Independence Day celebration on January 13, 2026.
Apostolic News
Kellenberg Celebrates the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
December 12, 2024
Article by Phoenix writer Cristina Palmieri ’25: On Monday, December 9, the Kellenberg family celebrated the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The day was made a solemnity in 1708 by Pope Clement XI and commemorates the conception of Mary without original sin. The celebrants for the three masses were Father
Ladies of Kellenberg Celebrate Annual Magnificat Dinner
December 12, 2024
Article by Phoenix writer Mary O’Brien ’27: On Friday, December 6th, Kellenberg hosted its annual Magnificat dinner. This event for the young women of Kellenberg and the special women in their lives is named after the prayer offered up to God from Mary while she was greeting her cousin Elizabeth.
Firebird Families Share Christmas Cheer
December 11, 2024
Article by Phoenix writer Victoria Vakser ’26: With prayer, festivities, and the school’s first tree lighting, Christmas at Kellenberg brought the whole Firebird family together to celebrate the coming holiday. The event, held on the Saturday before the second week of Advent, began with a mass and continued with caroling,
Students Deck the Halls for Advent
December 11, 2024
Article by Phoenix writer Molly Driscoll ’26: On Tuesday, December 3rd, Kellenberg students and faculty participated in the annual Christmas decorating event. Everyone wore Christmas sweaters to embrace the holiday cheer. Christmas music filled the halls as students and faculty enthusiastically decorated classrooms. Before Thanksgiving break, each homeroom came up
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
How Will They Know Us
How Will They Know Us: My Trip to Israel, My Prayers for Peace
Article by Phoenix Writer Mary O’Brien ’27 Less than a week after I had flown home from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, missiles were being fired by the United States, Israel and Iran across the Middle East. Over the Winter Break, I journeyed to Israel with five other Catholic students from Kellenberg and four Jewish students, with the intention of gaining a deeper knowledge and understanding of my own faith and that of others. A sacred place rich in both Christian and Jewish traditions, we spent 10 days in the Holy Land together, four of which were in Jerusalem, which is divided into the Jewish quarter, the Christian quarter, the Muslim quarter, and the Armenian quarter. Unlike the news and media might make us believe, this city does not live in constant conflict. Instead, these people’s daily lives are spent in community with one another through peace and acceptance. While
April 16, 2026
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.
Ekphrastic Poetry Challenge Co-Winner: Ararat
Poem by Aren Saraydarian ’26 O Ararat, thy pure and snow capped peak Shines brighter than the sun that beams above, Where Noah sent the
April 17, 2026
Ekphrastic Poetry Challenge Co-Winner: The Fallen Angel
Poem by Danielle Kercy ’26 Look at yourself: Your fiery hair, heated with passion, matted from your fight, one-graceful, dancing curls now- interlocked threads of
April 17, 2026
In a Friendship
Poem by Elizabeth Califano ’28 in a friendship there are days where alone grows colder and darker throughout the day my mind gets busier like
March 13, 2026
“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