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
Game, Set, Match for Girls’ Varsity Tennis Champs
October 16, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Jazmeen Osae-Kwapong ’26: After a series of hard fought matches against St. John the Baptist on October 8, the Kellenberg Girls’ Varsity A Tennis Team claimed a 4-3 victory and secured the NSCHSAA League Championship title. This win is monumental for the team because they were
Spirit Rally
October 16, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Ailish Blaney ’28: The Fall Spirit Pep Rally on Friday, September 26, initiated the enthusiasm of the first athletic season of the 25-26 school year. The yearly tradition gives students the chance to show pride for individual teams and the school community. These teams went all-out
Boys Varsity Volleyball — Truly Perfect
June 4, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer James Watkins ’26: The Boys Varsity Volleyball team rose to the occasion and made Kellenberg proud finishing with an undefeated spring 2025 regular season. The boys met their goals due to their unstoppable persistence and dedication to see a new version of themselves on the other
Firebirds Defeat Chaminade for NSCHAA Championship
June 4, 2025
With a walk-off hit in the eighth inning, the Kellenberg Varsity Baseball team clinched a 3-2 victory over Chaminade on May 27 to claim the NSCHSAA League Championship title in a ceremoniously grand fashion at Hofstra University. In the bottom of the extra frame, sophomore Andrew Noe struck the clutch
Activities News
Spring Concert Showcases Student Talent
May 9, 2024
Article by Phoenix writer Allison Cortese ’26: Friends and family gathered on April 25 and 26 to see Kellenberg’s fine arts programs performing in the spring student concerts. Members of the bands, orchestras, and choruses displayed their talents through the pieces they had been working on all spring. On April
Speech and Debate Takes on the State
May 2, 2024
Article by Phoenix writer Cristina Palmieri ’25: Kellenberg’s esteemed Speech and Debate Team qualified three members for the New York State Forensic League State Tournament, held at the Bronx High School of Science. The tournament was held over the course of two days, Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13.
Ryan Greenberg Talks EMS with Students
April 24, 2024
Article by Phoenix writer Cassandra Odudukudu ’24: After months of anticipation, New York State EMS Director Ryan Greenberg spoke to students interested in the field of emergency medicine on Wednesday, April 17 in the chorus room. His presentation focused on his own experiences in the field, the future of EMS,
Captain Mike Riley Speaks to Aviation Club
April 20, 2024
Article by Phoenix writer Griffin Strauss ’25: On April 17, the Aviation Club had the privilege of listening to speaker Captain Mike Riley, a former pilot in the U.S. Marines and a current pilot for United Airlines. Around 20 eager aviation club members learned about the business of flying in
Apostolic News
Kellenberg Marches for Life
February 4, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Sophia Kelly ’26: On January 23, members of our junior and senior classes headed down to Washington D.C. for the annual March for Life held on January 24. The March for Life began in Washington, DC in 1974. This peaceful, national protest is in response to
Kellenberg Welcomes the Jubilee Year
January 29, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Michaela Dennean ’25: On Thursday, January 16, Kellenberg celebrated its first Mass of the New Year. This year is particularly special in the Church, as it is a Jubilee Year. The jubilee takes place every twenty-five years, with this year’s focus being Hope. When Pope Francis
Students Grow Closer to Jesus at XLT
January 22, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Keira Quigley ’26: On January 8, 2025, the Kellenberg family came together in prayer for this year’s first XLT. But this XLT wasn’t any ordinary New Year XLT, it was the first XLT of the Jubilee Year, the Year of Hope. This XLT was extra special
Aquinas League Pilgrimage
January 16, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Mika-Ella Accardi ’25: On Saturday, December 14, the Aquinas League traveled to St. Barnabas Church in Bellmore to visit the relics of their patron saint, St. Thomas Aquinas. The pilgrimage included 12 Juniors and Seniors of the Aquinas League along with Mr. John Ruhl and Mrs.
Last Week at Mass
Last Week at Mass: My Name, My Calling, My Purpose From God
October 17, 2023
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
January 18, 2023
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
Last Week at Mass: Feeling Alone, I Went to Mass
October 26, 2022
Article by Phoenix writer Grace Garcia ’23: Recently, the future and what it holds has been on my mind. I thought once I turned in some of my college applications, my stress would be gone. I realized very quickly that it does not work that way. If anything, I felt
Last Week At Mass: A New Normal
April 1, 2022
Article by Phoenix writer Michelle Paszek ’24: Everybody tends to have the same idea of what Mass is: going to a Church building on Sunday, sitting in a pew, and listening to a priest say prayers and preach his homily before receiving the Eucharist and going home. This past Sunday,
How Will They Know Us
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 Is Alive and Well at Kellenberg
June 4, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Keira Quigley ’26: Poetry Week, an annual week-long event sponsored by the English department, was held from April 28 to May 2 this year. During Poetry Week multiple events were hosted by various English Department teachers after school. Mrs. Tochelli hosted an event called Rhyming Rendezvous,
Senior Writers Focus on Journaling
February 27, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Michaela Dennean ’25: “Staring at the blank page before you…” Above is easily one of the most instantly recognizable lyrics of the 2000s. “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield acted as a powerful ballad for young and old, and it continues to be a hit today, over twenty
Junior History Trip Sparks Appreciation for the U.S.
October 30, 2024
Article by Phoenix writer Mary O’Brien ’27: From Washington’s Headquarters to West Point Academy: On October 18th, the class of 2026 made their own trip down the Hudson on an academic journey to broaden their knowledge of American History. Leaving Kellenberg at 6:15, the 42 sleepy juniors made their first
Students Send Shivers Down Your Spine at Fright Club
October 22, 2024
Article by Phoenix writer Griffin Strauss ’25: On October 22, Bro. Peter Sennett, S.M., held a meeting for the creative writing contest Fright Club in room 122. Middle and high school students alike joined to share their ideas for horror short stories and get assistance from Bro. Peter to make
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.
October 21, 2025
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
October 21, 2025
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
October 10, 2025
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
September 22, 2025
The Renaissance, Artwork by Lauren Reyes ’26, “New Friends”
Artwork by Lauren Reyes ’26, “New Friends”
June 2, 2025
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
June 2, 2025