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
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
Firebird Wrestlers Dominate at Battle at the Beach
December 12, 2024
Article by Phoenix writer Griffin Strauss ’25: On Saturday, December 7, 26 Firebird wrestlers competed in the prestigious Varsity Battle at the Beach Tournament in Long Beach. Senior Elijah “Conquering” Carrington dominated his weight class pinning the second ranked wrestler in Nassau County and beating the fifth ranked wrestler in
FCAA Celebration Honors Benefactors
November 20, 2024
Article by Phoenix writer Caitlin Hanratty ’25: On November 16, the Firebird Center Completion Celebration was hosted in the FCAA for its major benefactors to celebrate the official opening of the new building on the 1400 Glenn Curtiss property. More than 500 benefactors, faculty, staff, and additional guests attended the
Girls Varsity Wins State Volleyball Championship
November 18, 2024
Article by Phoenix writer Grace Andino ’25: For the second consecutive year in a row, Kellenberg’s Girls Varsity Volleyball team took home the title of CHSAA State Champions. The Lady Firebirds have been sweeping wins all across Long Island this season, tallying up an undefeated score of 14-0. After beating
Activities News
Kellenberg by Land, Sea, and Air
January 29, 2025
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
January 29, 2025
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
Health Science Brings Joy to the Elderly
January 21, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Sophia Venturino ’26: Before Christmas, the Health Science club sent cards to senior citizens living in nursing homes via the “My Dear Friend Card Creating” program begun by Glamour Gals. This is an organization that seeks to raise awareness about elderly solitude, while also working to
Kellenberg Musicians Perform the Annual Christmas Concert
January 16, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Brooke Oldenborg ’26: On the evenings of December 11, 12, and 13, musicians from the Latin School, Firebird, and Phoenix groups held their annual Christmas concerts. The concerts opened with a performance of the “National Anthem” in tribute to the many Kellenberg family members that serve
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: 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
LWAM: The Opportunity of a Lifetime
January 9, 2025
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
December 3, 2024
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
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