Article by Phoenix writer Ryleigh O’Neill ’28:

Latest News
Article by Phoenix writer Sophia Venturino ’26:
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
Spotlight on the Chess Club
College Fairs at Kellenberg Memorial
Drama Club presents
You Can't Take It With You
Athletics News

Varsity and JV Wrestling Opens Season Strong
Article by Phoenix writer Michelle Paszek ’24: On Saturday, December 2nd, the Varsity Wrestling Team competed in the Battle at the Beach tournament at Long Beach High School, which is one of the toughest tournaments in New York State. The 19 Firebirds faced off against wrestlers from All Hallows High

Boys Varsity Bowling Team Wins Opening Match
Article by Phoenix writer Cristina Palmieri ’25: The Boys Varsity Bowling team opened their season on Monday, November 27th with a dominating 9 to 0 win over St. John’s High School. After taking an early 2 to 0 lead after a competitive first game, the team started to click and

Kellenberg Student Athletes Recognized at NCAA Ceremony
Article by Phoenix writer Cristina Palmieri ’25: On November 14th, 2023, eighteen Kellenberg seniors were honored at the annual fall NCAA Celebration. This event honors the achievements of student athletes who have committed to a college for their respective sports and celebrates their advancement to collegiate athletics. The coaches and

Girls Varsity Volleyball Wins League Championship
Article by Phoenix writer Justin McKenzie ’24 November 3rd, 2023 was a joyous scene at SUNY Old Westbury where the Girls Varsity Volleyball team rejoiced in celebration after winning the League Championship against the Sacred Heart Spartans. The Lady Firebirds’ dominance has been displayed throughout the season as the team
Activities News

Fashion Club Learns About Clothing in Different Cultures
Article by Phoenix writer Ryleigh O’Neill ’28: On Monday, February 3, the Fashion club got together in the millennium room for a meeting with guest speaker Isy Odiaka. Isy Odiaka is a Kellenberg graduate from the class of 2019 who has an extensive knowledge of Nigerian culture, which was the

Student Musicians Commemorated at Recognition Breakfast
Article by Phoenix writer Grace Andino ’25: On January 27, students who have excelled musically at Kellenberg were recognized for their commitment and accolades at the Music Awards Recognition Breakfast. New York is nationally known as one of the best places for an aspiring musician to thrive. Nassau Country, in

Kellenberg by Land, Sea, and Air
Article by Phoenix writer Brooke Oldenborg ’26: Our planet is one big, complex, and interconnected system made up of myriad elements and environments. However, it seems that the most fundamental wonders and beauties of Earth can be placed into three iconic categories: land, air, and sea. Kellenberg provides its students

Smashing Success for Gaming Club Tournament
Article by Phoenix writer Molly Driscoll ’26: On Friday, January 17, senior Christopher Gallegra took the initiative to organize a Super Smash Bros. Tournament for the Gaming Club. This event marked the club’s first esports tournament of the year. Students from all grades were welcome to compete in this inaugural
Apostolic News

Kellenberg Celebrates Christmas Vigil Mass
Article by Phoenix writer Grace Andino ’25: On Sunday, December 24th, Kellenberg held the Christmas Vigil Mass to celebrate the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord. Annually, the families of faculty, staff, and students join together on Christmas Eve at Kellenberg to celebrate the coming of Christ. Before the

2023 Advent Prayer Service
Article by Phoenix writer Kate Murphy ’25: Kellenberg celebrated the start of the Advent season this year, as usual, with the Advent Prayer Service. Spanning over the course of two days in early December, the Advent Prayer Service is a Kellenberg tradition. Made up of a video presentation and a

25 Tons Donated to Food Challenge
Article by Phoenix writer Sophia Kelly ’26: A total of 51,212 pounds of food was donated to the Great Ignatian Challenge. The National Honor Society alone donated 10,000 pounds of contributions. Kellenberg was in the spirit of giving from November 5th to the 21st as it began its participation in

Junior CROSS Prays For Peace
Article by Phoenix writer Grace Andino ’25: On Friday, November 3rd, members of Junior CROSS attended a Prayer Service for Peace at the St. Rose of Lima Church in Massapequa. After classes on Friday, twelve Juniors traveled to St. Rose of Lima to reconnect and learn more about their faith.
Last Week at Mass

LAST WEEK AT MASS: “Ja te volim.”
Article by Phoenix writer Paulina Barnjak ’24: “Ja te volim.” With those three words, I am assured that I am loved, in this world and the next. I think it’s universal that society does not know how to handle the loss of a loved one. Even as Catholics, as we

Last Week at Mass: With Eucharist in Hand, I Knew God’s Plan
Article by Phoenix writer Caitlin Hanratty ’25: While many of my peers struggle to know what they are meant to do with their lives, my problem was that I naively assumed I had it all figured out. That was until my junior year of high school. In the past few

Last Week at Mass: My Name, My Calling, My Purpose From God
Article by Phoenix writer Grace Andino ’25: Towards the end of my sophomore year, feelings of unproductivity and concern lingered in my mind. Distracted by the upcoming junior year, I questioned if I followed God’s plan for my life efficiently. Throughout my five years at Kellenberg, I’ve had the unique

Last Week at Mass: A Lady’s Lesson on Grief and Love
Article by Phoenix writer Amely Nuñez ’23: Serving as an altar server has granted me the opportunity to view the Mass in a very intimate and personal light. I have a perfect view of both the altar and the parishioners in the pews. Having seen thousands of congregants, one person
But What Do I Know?

But What Do I Know: New Year, New Me?
Article by Phoenix writer Kevin Kirley ’25: The week between Christmas and New Year’s is full of the post Christmas blues and leftover-induced stomach aches. It is usually here where the mob of people in the world wander aimlessly around their homes, probably asking themselves what day it is for the fourth day in a row. But as the calendar turns into a new year, a mammoth of a question clouds everyone’s minds: “What’s my New Year’s resolution?” And to that I ask: Why do we do this to ourselves year after year? I’ve always found the “New Year, New Me” slogan shallow and unhelpful, bordering on harmful. A ridiculously toxic, pressuring, and anxiety-inducing message portraying the “New Year” as the complete shift in your life that you’ve been waiting for. Now that the calendar year has increased by one digit and a big, shiny ball dropped in Times Square,

But What Do I Know: Don’t Rush the Season
Article by Phoenix writer Mary O’Brien ’27: I love the season of Christmas. It is not only a holiday, but a feeling that every Christian is familiar with. It brings warmth into our lives and reminds us of the comforts of home and family. It starts with childhood, and the anticipation of a break from school and the coming of Santa Claus. Every kid waits patiently for December 25th to arrive by making wish lists and working hard to stay on the “nice list.” Then, the magic of Christmas morning comes and the nostalgic site of a glistening Christmas tree with unopened presents underneath. As one matures, receiving gifts and expecting Santa matter less and less. The real meaning of Christmas is prioritized through spending time with family, giving back to those less fortunate, and above all, the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Christmas is a great holiday and deserves the

But What Do I Know: Is the Movie Theater Dead?
Article by Phoenix writer Griffin Strauss ’25: The smell of butter flavoring and freshly popped kernels overwhelms my nostrils as I step in line for concessions. There is no line, and I walk right to the counter. I walk down the carpeted hallway dressed with lighted movie posters, popcorn and soda in hand, passing auditorium after auditorium in search of theater number six; the corridor is empty, crumpled napkins drifting between walls like tumbleweeds in a deserted western landscape. Finally, I step into the dark theater, and the silver screen displays previews for blockbuster hits and indie gems. I am the only one in the empty theater, and the sound of the kernels between my teeth echoes through the vacant room. This is the reality of modern-day cinema. I will never forget that mid-December night when I was nine years old. I stepped into a packed theater with my

But What Do I Know: Words that Last
Article by Phoenix writer Victoria Vasker ’26: There is something beautiful about a blank sheet of paper— something that awakes the mystery and excitement inside a person born to be a writer until the depths of his soul are stirred and he picks up the pen. The potential, the emptiness waiting to be filled, the lines begging for a pencil to make contact, all cry out with the promise of what could be— and who has never been intrigued by the unknown? My pencil flies across the page, scribbling, scratching, creating worlds and dreams and stories. I am lost to another realm, oblivious to everything but the words forming on the paper before me. The room is silent. The only sounds are the sharp sssht, sssht, of my hand moving along the paper and the furious scratching of my pencil as I lean over my desk. Soon my paper becomes
Academics News

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.
Prose: “Childhood Christmas” by Ciara Bice ’25
“Childhood Christmas” by Ciara Bice ’25 Waking up on December 1 to find the Elf on the Shelf and open the Advent Calendar there is

Renaissance Views Powerful Documentary
Article by Phoenix writer Griffin Strauss ’25: Photo credit: Mary O’Brien The Renaissance gathered together to view the 2015 documentary “I Come From,” a film
Poem: “A dusk was come” by Viktoria Vakser ’26
A dusk was come; the earth a sullen quiet Had raised to protest Night’s impending gloom, And pulled the tired land to noiseless riot, Forestalling
Poem “The freedom we chase” by Kylie Mummendey ’25, The Renaissance Challenge Winner
The freedom we chase Kids’re so quick to grow up, they dream of being “free” They race through long grass barefoot, past playgrounds and climbing
Poem “The Gossamer Curtain” by Victoria Vakser, ’26
Sometimes Time seems but a sad joke Millions of tiny pictures Bright, flashy, Cheap. All crowded Into a frame which reads, Your Life. But if

The Renaissance Challenge Winner: “Energy Doll” by Brandi Licato ’24
“Energy Doll” Illustration by Brandi Licato ’24