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 Dance Whirls Through Nationals
Article by Phoenix writer Mika-Ella Accardi ’25: Kellenberg’s Varsity Dance Team brought the heat to Orlando, Florida as they competed in the NDA High School National Dance Competition from March 7th to the 11th. The team made it to finals in all four small varsity categories. Overall, they placed 7th

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
Activities News

Junior Class Braved the Rain to Tour Saratoga National Park
Article by Phoenix writer Brooke Oldenborg ’26: On Friday October 20th, 37 Kellenberg juniors along with several of their history teachers took a coach bus to Saratoga, the site of the Battle of Saratoga and a turning point for the American Revolution, for a day trip to learn more about

Hispanic Heritage Month Kicks Off with Salsa Dance Instruction
Article by Phoenix writer Cristina Palmieri ’25: On Friday, September 22nd, the One Heart, One Mind, Many Cultures Club hosted a dance class to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which began on September 15th. Kellenberg alumnus, Mario Cadavid ‘97, led the class along with Lourdes and Daniel Cruz. Over forty students

Paulina Barnjak Leads Speech and Debate Team in Louisville
Article by Phoenix writer Griffin Noumair ’24: Select members of the Speech and Debate team competed in the prestigious National Catholic Forensic League Tournament over Memorial Day weekend. This year, Kellenberg was not only invited to attend, but also was able to qualify seven students for the tournament, which is

Meghan Lazzarini Represents Kellenberg at Youth Leadership Conference
Article by Phoenix writer Griffin Strauss ’25: Sophomore Meghan Lazzarini represented Kellenberg Memorial High School at the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference (HOBY) at Adelphi University on May 2-4. Throughout the weekend at HOBY, Meghan Lazzarini was grouped with several other sophomores also from New York and took part in
Apostolic News

Freshman F.A.I.T.H. Day Encourages Students to Ascend Socially and Spiritually
Article by Phoenix writer Eva McLaughlin ’26: On Wednesday, October 23rd, the freshman class participated in Kellenberg’s annual Freshman F.A.I.T.H. Day. The freshman F.A.I.T.H. Day is an opportunity for students to get to know the people in their homeroom on a social and spiritual level. The acronym “F.A.I.T.H.” stands for

Lourdes Pilgrimage: The Power of Peace
Article by Jenna McQuaid ’25: This past summer, I went on a ten-day mission trip to Lourdes, France, a small southwestern town that attracts approximately 5,000 people daily. Nestled in the foothills of the Alps, the Virgin Mary appeared to 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous in 1858 and asked her to return

Kellenberg’s LIFE Team Travels to Catholic Underground
Article by Phoenix writer Sophia Kelly ’26: On Thursday October 3rd, 2024, Kellenberg and Chaminade’s Marianist LIFE teams journeyed into New York City where they experienced Catholic Underground. Hosted by the Franciscan Friars, Catholic Underground is held in response to Pope John Paul II’s call for youth evangelization. The LIFE

Christ Takes Center Stage at XLT
Article by Phoenix writer Keira Quigley ’26: On Wednesday October 2nd, Kellenberg students and faculty gathered for the first XLT of the 2024-2025 school year. XLT is a monthly religious activity that focuses on Eucharistic adoration and a witness talk from a member of the Kellenberg family. As always, XLT
Last Week at Mass

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

LWAM: Make the Time
Article by Phoenix writer Kevin Kirley ’25: Walking into St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre on Sunday, September 24 was a cathartic experience. I didn’t expect the church to be as full as it was: there were dozens of families, Moms bringing their kids from a soccer game, filling up

Last Week At Mass: Goat or Sheep?
Article by Phoenix writer Cristina Palmieri ’25: Something I have always struggled with is judgment. Especially in this society of scrutiny, I find myself passing judgment on others far too often. I would deem somebody bad for spreading rumors or for breaking rules. I would deem someone good for helping
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

Junior History Trip Sparks Appreciation for the U.S.
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
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

Kellenberg Seniors Attend Molloy Common Read
Article by Phoenix writer Mika Accardi ’25: On Wednesday, October 9, ten Kellenberg seniors had the opportunity to visit Molloy University for Molloy’s annual freshman Common Read. Each year, Molloy assigns a book to their incoming freshmen class, after which the author of that book is invited to give a

Students Dominate the Courtroom at Yale Invitational
Article by Phoenix writer Sophia Kelly ’26: On September 13, the Kellenberg Mock Trial team set out on their first invitational of the year, the Yale Bulldog Invitational. The team skillfully delivered examinations of the witnesses, presented their case, and introduced evidence in their greatest attempt to prevail in the
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