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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
Spotlight on Gregorian Consortium
Spotlight on Woodworking Club
Spotlight on Culinary Club
Athletics News
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
Von Receives Coach of the Year Honor
March 13, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Sophia Kelly ’26: This winter, our very own Mrs. Catherine vonSchoenermarck was named Coach of the Year for Region 1 by the AVCA. The American Volleyball Coaches Association awards the top High School Girls Volleyball Coaches for their unwavering commitment to their respective teams. This award
Bowling Team Dominates State Tournament
March 12, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Cristina Palmieri ’25: In a string of athletic victories, three Firebird bowlers travelled up to Buffalo for the state tournament. Outstanding athletes Juniors Chloe Horstmann and Kerri Callahan and Senior Emma Dolan all qualified for the tournament based on their regular season average. The girls not
Activities News
Fashion Club Learns About Clothing in Different Cultures
February 13, 2025
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
February 4, 2025
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
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
Apostolic News
ETV Produces Coverage on Pope Leo XIV
June 2, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Natalie Lezcano ’26: On May 8, Kellenberg Memorial High School students and faculty buzzed with excitement as the papal conclave announced the name of the new pope, Pope Leo XIV. In the hour leading up to the announcement, a few faculty members were granted the opportunity
Students Travel to Spain for Project Understanding
March 25, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Grace Andino ’25: Kellenberg students traveled to Spain as a part of Project Understanding over February Break. Project Understanding is a Long Island based program that facilitates interfaith dialogue between Catholic and Jewish students on a shared pilgrimage. Students are nominated by their church or synagogue
Family XLT Serves As A Reminder of Hope
March 11, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Grace Andino ’25: To begin the Lenten Season, Kellenberg’s ARK hosted Family XLT on Ash Wednesday, March 25. Unlike the other XLTs offered throughout the school year, the annual Family XLT (exalt, praise, and worship) gives students and their families a spiritual opportunity that transcends the
St. Joseph’s Mission Inspires A Spirit of Service
March 11, 2025
Article by Phoenix writer Olivia Iorio ’25: During the week of February break, fourteen Kellenberg students demonstrated their Marianist commitment to service when they helped improve the Stella Maris retreat house and the motherhouse of the Sisters of Life in Montebello, New York. St. Joseph’s Mission has been going strong
Last Week at Mass
LAST WEEK AT MASS: “Ja te volim.”
November 30, 2023
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
November 1, 2023
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
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
How Will They Know Us
Academics News
Poetry Week Celebration Lifts Up Student Body
April 24, 2024
Article by Phoenix writer Michelle Paszek ’24: Kellenberg celebrated Poetry Week from April 15-19 as part of National Poetry Month. As the halls bustled, students scribbled lines from their favorite poems and penciled in finishing touches to their original pieces. The English department hosted an Open Mic on Thursday, April
Students Offered Construction and Project Management Course
January 31, 2024
Article by Phoenix writer Cassandra Odudukudu ’24: From the construction of the Firebird Center of the Arts & Athletics, an innovative idea emerged: the Construction and Project Management Course. This course, run by Mr. Kenneth Conrade, is a fairly new elective at Kellenberg that started last summer with the beginning
Academic Achievement Recognized At Annual Awards Assembly
November 2, 2023
Article by Phoenix writer Keira Quigley ’26: On Tuesday, October 24th, sophomores, juniors, and seniors with outstanding academic achievements were honored at the annual Academic Awards Assembly. This assembly included students receiving pins for being on the Honor Roll, badges for having perfect attendance, and inducting new students into the
Students Shine In Advanced Labs Program
September 22, 2021
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
Firebird Crossword #7: All Saints!
November 18, 2025
PhoenixOnline’s FirebirdCrossword is a monthly puzzle produced by PhoenixOnline Editorial Staff. The FirebirdCrossword is designed for puzzle-lovers of all ages. Feel free to share the link or print the puzzle and do it the good-old-fashioned way!
Firebird Crossword #6: Movie Night
October 23, 2025
PhoenixOnline’s FirebirdCrossword is a monthly puzzle produced by PhoenixOnline Editorial Staff. The FirebirdCrossword is designed for puzzle-lovers of all ages. Feel free to share the link or print the puzzle and do it the good-old-fashioned way!
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.
Rain
Poem by Maeve Culhave, ’27, Photo by Sophia Sontag, ’27. I used to say I hate the rain and how it turned the world to
May 8, 2026
Ekphrastic Poetry Challenge Co-Winner: Ararat
Poem by Aren Saraydarian ’26 O Ararat, thy pure and snow capped peak Shines brighter than the sun that beams above, Where Noah sent the
April 17, 2026
Ekphrastic Poetry Challenge Co-Winner: The Fallen Angel
Poem by Danielle Kercy ’26 Look at yourself: Your fiery hair, heated with passion, matted from your fight, once-graceful, dancing curls now-interlocked threads of flame
April 17, 2026
In a Friendship
Poem by Elizabeth Califano ’28 in a friendship there are days where alone grows colder and darker throughout the day my mind gets busier like
March 13, 2026
“Hollow Tears”
by Anthony Custodio-Pena ’26 One drop, one single torrent of water that lasts for a second, That’s all it takes, so simple, so small, yet
January 16, 2026
