Article by Phoenix writer Sophia Venturino ’25:Read

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

Varsity Cheer Takes on Nationals
Article by Phoenix writer Sophia Venturino ’26: On February 9th, the Kellenberg Varsity Cheer Team traveled to Orlando, Florida to compete in the National High School Cheerleading Championship. The vigorous competition lasted multiple days and concluded on February 12th. The cheerleaders competed in two different divisions with Medium Varsity taking

Lady Firebirds Achieve Winning Streaks
Article by Phoenix writer Justin McKenzie ’24: In sports, streaks can be like catching lightning in a bottle. It’s challenging to win a game and it’s an entirely different game trying to maintain success. Teams have to work together like a well-oiled machine. It takes a special mindset to perform

Varsity Bowling Teams Complete a Winning Season
Article by Phoenix writer Cristina Palmieri ’25: On Saturday, March 2, the Boys Varsity Bowling team brought their winter season to a close as Richard Deem represented the team as the only qualifier in the New York State Tournament. Deem represented his team very well by winning the high game

Girls Varsity Bowling Victorious as League Champions
Article by Phoenix writer Michelle Paszek ’24: On Thursday, February 8th, the Kellenberg Girls Varsity Bowling Team won the League Championship against St. John the Baptist by a score of 6-3. The girls opened the match strong, winning game one with a score of 880-771. However, in a nail-biting game
Activities News

Kellenberg SMART Program: “The Greatest of these is Love”
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
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
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

Cultures Club Promotes Black History Month
Article by Phoenix writer Karim Adetayo ’25: The KMHS One Heart One Mind Many Cultures Club celebrated Black History Month with presentations on fashion, dances, HBCUs, food, music, and a fun Family Feud event to end the celebration. These events that took place throughout the month showcased the vast, rich,
Apostolic News

First XLT unites in Faith and Friendship
Article by Phoenix writer Amelia Campbell ’26: Nearly 200 firebird faithful gathered to celebrate the first XLT of the year on October 1st. This month, we had not only one guest speaker, but two. Students witnessed firsthand as Mr. and Mrs. Campbell recounted and reflected on their experiences during multiple

New Mosaic Illuminates Marianist Faith
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
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
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
Last Week at Mass

Last Week at Mass: A Russian Orthodox Girl at Liturgy
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
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

LWAM: The Opportunity of a Lifetime
Article by Phoenix writer Grace Andino ’25: “Are you interested in becoming a Eucharistic Minister?” The bolded letters on the front of St. Thomas the Apostle’s Church bulletin made my heart jump. Though an 8-year-old me who received her Sacraments of Initiation and altar served for St. Thomas would have

LWAM: Trusting What I Can’t Change
Article by Phoenix writer Brooke Oldenborg ’26: On Sunday, November 17, I decided to end my weekend with my home parish’s evening mass. This is the first mass I’ve attended fully in a while. As the priest started talking, it seemed like a normal mass, but as he continued it
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.
Academics News

Students Offered Construction and Project Management Course
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
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
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
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.
The Renaissance: “Mourning Dove” by Danielle Kercy ’26
Mourning Dove by Danielle Kercy ’26 Its cheeks are round with youth, and its eyes are wide with innocence, Bringing me to recall my
The Renaissance, “Miles” by Elizabeth Califano, ‘28
Miles by Elizabeth Califano, ‘28 You’re close to me because my heart holds you there holds a house for you with a freshly made
The Renaissance, “Eden” by Aren Saraydarian ’26
“Eden” by Aren Saraydarian ’26 Beyond the depths and pits of earthly grief, A pasture lies with treasures yet unseen, With trees and bushes each

The Renaissance, Artwork by Lauren Reyes ’26, “New Friends”
Artwork by Lauren Reyes ’26, “New Friends”
The Renaissance, “The Road of Friendship” by Theresa Stender ‘29
The Road of Friendship by Theresa Stender ’29 The road of friendship is difficult to know because sometimes it lasts a lifetime while sometimes it