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
Boy’s Varsity Track Earns the “All State” Title
April 3, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Cristina Palmieri ’25, Victoria Vakser ’26, and Sophia Venturino ’26: On March 8, Kellenberg’s Boys Track and Field team competed at the New York State Federation Championships. The team was one of only two Long Island Schools to qualify for the 4×200 relay and the highest
Kellenberg Dedicates Softball Field to Coach Ken Conrade
April 3, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Grace Andino ’25: On Saturday, March 22, Kellenberg blessed and unveiled the new Ken Conrade Softball Field. After 2 years of construction, Kellenberg’s new softball field, located on what was once St. John’s field, now serves as the center for the ever-advancing softball program at Kellenberg.
Varsity Wrestlers Make History
March 20, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Griffin Strauss ’25: The Kellenberg Wrestling team made Firebird history from February 28 to March 1, having two wrestlers place top six in the New York State Federation Championship for the first time in program history. Seniors “Juggernaut” Jonathan Hoffman and Elijah “Conquering” Carrington traveled to
Dancers Finish Winter Strong at Nationals
March 20, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Grace Andino ’25: Over the February Break, Kellenberg’s Varsity Dance Team traveled down to Orlando, Florida on Wednesday, February 12 to compete in the NDA (National Dance Alliance) High School National Competition from February 13 to February 17. The team made it to finals in all
Activities News
Kellenberg SMART Program: “The Greatest of these is Love”
March 18, 2025
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
March 12, 2025
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
March 12, 2025
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
March 6, 2025
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
Kellenberg Missionaries Serve Overseas
September 25, 2024
Article by Phoenix writer Brooke Oldenborg ’26: This past summer, two groups of missionaries were chosen to go to Lourdes, France to help the pilgrims who traveled there in hopes of not only physical but spiritual miracles. The trips left on June 26 and July 10, and for two weeks
Students Celebrate Salvation with the Triumph of the Cross
September 19, 2024
Article by Phoenix writer Victoria Vakser ’26: Singing the entrance hymn, the Gregorian Consortium opened this year’s Triumph of the Cross prayer service. Members of the student body joined in prayer and exaltation as they watched the service from their classrooms. The familiar and beautiful song “At the Cross” initiated
May Crowning Ceremony Honors the Blessed Mother
June 4, 2024
Article by Phoenix writer Caitlin Hanratty ’25: Students and faculty gathered outside to celebrate Kellenberg’s annual May Crowning on May 23. Every year, the statue of Mary outside the main entrance is adorned with flowers by a selected member of the Kellenberg staff. This year, Mrs. Neeson did the honors
May XLT Closes Off School Year
May 28, 2024
Article by Phoenix writer Brooke Oldenborg ’26: The last XLT of the school year was held on Wednesday, May 22. Each XLT welcomes students to come together, have fun, and celebrate in the Adoration of Christ. After a dinner in the school cafeteria, students and faculty moved into the auditorium
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