Kellenberg’s Clare Calabro had one thought before overtime.
“Play clean,” the junior guard said.
She could have also said: play great.
Calabro scored six points as the Firebirds’ scored the first eight points of the extra session, and held off a tough St. John the Baptist, 68-63, in the CHSAA girls basketball Class A final before a crowd of 700 at St. Joseph’s College Tuesday night.
Calabro ended up with 16 points, six rebounds and three assists, and was named the championship game’s MVP.
“Clare had some big baskets and free throws,” Kellenberg coach Matt Kirk said. “She helped settle us down.”
The settling down part came because St. John the Baptist (16-6) rallied from a 12-point hole in the second half and forced overtime after a wild fourth quarter. Kellenberg senior center Morgan Staab picked up her fourth foul early in the fourth and spent stretches on the bench. She still finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks, and senior guard Alyssa Boll added 10 points for Kellenberg (12-7).
Ah, yes, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players….” Senior English students ventured to the 68th Annual Shakespeare Festival at Hofstra on Monday, March 6th, for a special matinee performance of Hamlet in the newly refurbished playhouse, one that largely resembles the original Globe Theater of Shakespeare’s time.
Prior to the opening scene of the tragedy, the “players,” in full regalia, mingled with the Kellenberg contingent, describing their acting experiences and inquiring about the students’ familiarity with Shakespearean drama. After the verbal interaction and a brief musical interlude, the action began with the chilling appearance of King Hamlet’s ghost sighted from the balcony area of the two-level stage.
The actors were sensational as the drama came to life. Indeed, Emily Roff observed, “I had no idea that the words of the play were that sarcastic! The performers were so sharp with their delivery and voice inflection that the sentiment came through quite clearly.” Riveting soliloquies by Hamlet, William Ketter, evoked silence from the audience as all theatergoers listened intently to the young man’s conflicting emotions. Ophelia’s mental collapse, captured so powerfully by Samantha Haviland, shocked the audience as they witnessed her physical and emotional demise.
Like any good Shakespearean play, the moments of comic relief provided a brief respite from the heaviness of the drama, and students enjoyed the sycophantic behavior of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and the incisive commentary of the Gravedigger.
Because the playhouse is designed to mirror the experience of seeing the play in the original Globe–no roof, open air–there is little or no lighting, other than the house lights. Electing to perform the show in this manner forces the theatergoer to pay even greater attention to the lines of verse as the poetry itself becomes, in effect, the necessary “special effects.” There is no better way to spend an afternoon, therefore, than to listen to the lyrical words of the Bard and to witness those words come to life through the voices of an exceptional cast!
Close game. Final minutes. It doesn’t matter. Kellenberg’s Alyssa Boll wants the basketball in her hands.
“I was feeling very confident the whole game,” said the senior guard and captain. “I was ready to go to the free-throw line and secure the win.”
That’s just what Boll did. She went 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the final 1:27, and the Firebirds were 14-for-14 from the line in the fourth quarter, defeating Buffalo-Sacred Heart, 53-44, in the CHSAA state Class A final at Fordham’s Rose Hill Gym, Saturday night.
“She’s such a competitor, and the girls feed off that,” said Kellenberg coach Matt Kirk of Boll. “We say, ‘Bleed blue and gold’ and give 110 percent effort and she’s the epitome.”
In Celebrating Women’s History month, the Cradle of Aviation hosted its annual “Salute To Women” event. Every year the museum honors women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) featuring an extraordinary panel of women. This year panelists include: Betty Tiburzi, the first female commercial pilot; Chelsea Stein Engberg, commercial pilot, flight instructor, and aerobatic pilot; and LT Natalie Schibell, Environmental Health Officer, Division Officer of Preventive Medicine and Industrial Hygiene Division, and founder of the “Chef N’ You, LLC”.
The event was designed to motivate young girls to consider a career in STEM and celebrate active role models in STEM fields. Panel members discussed their specific career, how they got there, and the importance of women in America’s growing shortage of STEM professionals.
I am writing this on behalf of my brother, Archbishop Chris.
Three Volunteers are needed for the Solomon Islands. Archbishop Chris is in need of three volunteers to teach in the following programs. Volunteers are needed for at least three months and this can be done on a tourist visa. Volunteers are also welcome for six or more months. He is looking for volunteers to begin in June or anytime after that. Below are listed the three places needing help.
1) Holy Name of Mary Major Seminary / Tenaru -about 20 minutes outside of town (Honiara). NEEDS English and computer teacher for our 45 major seminarians who come from our 3 Solomon Dioceses.
2) Catechist School which is also the site of our Pre-seminary where 24 students have a 2 year program of catechism / English and Religious studies to prepare them for the seminary. The students also include religious sisters who are beginning their training. NEEDS English and Religious Studies Teacher.
3) Clare Carroll ’10 (a KMHS alumnae is doing her second tour in the Solomons) is at Visale HS living with the sisters doing English and computer and doing some pastoral work like training lectors and working with the eager youth. It is our most picturesque site; she swims and runs everyday. She also helps the DMI Sisters -Sr. Anna Ngosanna is Principal with the Vocational school there too.
Sometimes it’s tough to stay motivated when you’ve already reached the mountain top, but according to Kellenberg‘s Head Coach Chris Alfalla, his team is motivated by making school history and becoming the first back-to-back CHSAA league champs.
“These guys are hungry,” said Alfalla. Even though they won last year, they are not satisfied,” he added.
Last year’s squad was dynamic–compiling a record of 19-5– thanks in large part to a phenomenal offensive season by Robert Weissheier (now at Hofstra), who could be tough to replace. Alfalla noted that it will take a team effort to not only replace his level of production but also his leadership ability.
“He was basically an extension of the coaching staff. He was a great team leader,” citing that he was one of the main reasons they won the championship last year.
On March 17, co-founder of Grassroots Films, Joe Campo, allowed for a special advanced screening for Kellenberg Memorial High School students of his new documentary, Outcasts. The film follows the work and ministry of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, a branch of friars of the Capuchin Franciscan tradition whose community was founded in 1987 in New York City with only eight friars. Today, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal are made up of men from 14 different countries and serve in the United States, England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Nicaragua, and Honduras.
The film documents the ministry of the friars around the world. In each community featured, the friars encounter men, women, and children in desperation who have resolved to survive by any means necessary; who have turned to crime and substance abuse to cope with the hardships of life and their rejection from society. The friars in the film meet these people where they are in life and extend compassion, service, and assistance to the marginalized and forgotten about according to the Gospels.
In addition to his film work, Joe Campo is also the Director of St. Francis House, a Christ-centered and structured home designed to help young men who need a second chance in life. For many years Joe served as a drug and alcohol counselor and now fulfills the role of “surrogate father” to the young men who live at St. Francis House. He is a Third Order Franciscan and the producer of Grassroots Films.
Kellenberg Memorial will welcome Joe Campo who will be speaking at our
30th annual Communion Breakfast on Sunday, April 9.
For information or to register for the Communion Breakfast on Sunday, April 2 (Grades 6, 7, 8, & 9)
or Sunday, April 9 (Grades 10, 11, & 12), please visit kellenberg.org/communionbreakfast.
This young lady started the season out running an underwhelming 2:55 leg on the Freshman 4×800 relay at the inaugural meet of the season, the CHSAA Intersectional Relays. She looked to her accomplished older teammates who provided her with an inspiration of focus dedication and drive. She improved twenty seconds to 2:35, running important legs on the bronze medal winning “B” 4×800 at the NSCHSGAA Varsity championship meet, and a leg on the 4th place scoring “B” squad at the Varsity CHSAA Intersectional Championship Meet. We are happy to award the freshman MIP to Catherine Cooke.
Bernie Ward Commitment Award: Cutting her teeth in high school competition during the cross country season, this young woman really came into her own this past winter season. Her improvement was due to her new found sense of determination. She was part of the successful freshman sprint squad, and joined with teammates Sydney Insall and Clare O’Regan and Chrstine Flammia in running one of the all time best freshman 4×200 relays. We are happy to award the freshman Bernie Ward Commitment Award to Eliana DeFreitas.
Most Valuable Player: Camryn Beckford
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Most Valuable Player: A young lady with a bright future…this young lady combines a smooth sprint style of sprinting and a nuanced sense of spirituality. She smashed the existing freshman 300 meter school record running a scintillating 41.67, placing her fourth on the all time Varsity list for that distance. It is an impressive list! The three ladies ahead of her on that list were all CHSAA Intersectional champions during their Kellenberg high school career, and one is the current NCAA indoor record holder at 800 meters. We are happy to award the latest of a great Lady Firebird legacy of freshman MVPs to Camryn Beckford.
The Most Improved Award goes to Jason Diaz. At first glance, you might wonder why Jason is receiving this award when he was one of the most consistent players on the court throughout the year. However, he is receiving this award because in addition to his consistency, he also managed to get better and better as the year went on. During the course of the season, Jason became a better rebounder, a better free throw shooter, and a better defender. Most importantly, however, he became a better leader. As one of our
The Bernie Ward Commitment Award goes to Joseph Braskey. Joe transferred into the school late and due to the rules he could not start playing in any games until January 27th. Working hard in practice and not even getting the opportunity to play for 2 months is a tough pill to swallow. Any other player would have given up and not tried out for the team. This did not deter Joe, however. Joe did not let those two months define him, but instead used them to learn as much as possible and work as hard as possible toward bettering both himself and the team. When he did return to the court on January 27th, it was as if he had been playing the whole time. He slid right into a playmaker’s role and helped the team push toward the end of the season.
This year’s Most Valuable Player is Sean Lachman. Sean’s offensive ability can be described as chaotic and a masterpiece all at the same time. His style of play is unlike any I have ever seen as a coach, but it has been nothing but effective for Sean and for the team. When he is “on,” he is “on” and cannot be stopped, having the ability to score from anywhere on the court. Sean averaged 12 points a game, the most of any player on the team. His non-stop, up-tempo style of play was the driving force for the team and our offensive capabilities all season.
This year’s recipient for the most improved player award is Samantha Lombardi. Not knowing much about being a forward, Sam took the challenge and excelled in all aspects. She worked day in and day out on her post moves, rebounding, and how to be fierce underneath the basket with a smile on her face. She was rising to the challenge and eventually became one of the most vital players on the team. During the championship game, Samantha was quick to step onto the court, grabbed 9 rebounds, stayed strong under the basket, and scored 8 points to contribute to the championship win. Sam improved exponentially and I cannot wait to see what there is to come!
The Bernie Ward Commitment Award for this season is presented to Colleen Bowles. Colleen moved to the forward position without any hesitation and excelled tremendously as she grew to learn the position. She quickly solidified her spot in the starting five and that never faltered. She became the most reliable player on the court and a primary scorer in the most crucial of games. Colleen has a sense for the game that is truly remarkable, and quite frankly, hard to take your eyes off. She plays with such smoothness and finesse that is extraordinary. Colleen, in my mind, is a true basketball player to the core and she will only keep excelling in the future.
This season’s Most Valuable Player is Alyssa Pugh. Coming back from last season, Alyssa got stronger and even better than before. She worked extremely hard at practice to make herself better and always gave 110% into everything she set her mind to. As one of this team’s captains, Alyssa was a leader. I believe she led by example. How she played is how she motivated others. Alyssa brought a sense of calmness to the court. When the game was down to the wire, she was consistently the one needed on the court to score the basket, get a defensive stop, or simply control the tempo of the game. Alyssa is an outstanding player and tremendously contributed to the success of this team.
James Watterson is one of the boys who never wrestled before coming to Kellenberg. By the end the season James placed at the NSCHSAA League Tournament at the 220 pound weight class. James tremendous enthusiasm and work ethic led to a trip to the CHSAA State Tournament. The future looks bright for this young man who most guys on the team would call, “a great teammate!”
Convinced by the coaching staff to try out for the team Matt Alamia also came into the season with little experience. One of the most coachable kids the program has ever seen Matt worked his way into the starting Varsity line up, something he should be very proud of. Matt Alamia worked his hardest at every practice to improve and his commitment to succeeding will lead to a future place on the podium.
Joseph Foley is one of the boys who did come into the season with experience. A gifted athlete with a ton of potential, Joseph will be the foundation of the Firebird Wrestling Program over the next 3 seasons. Congratulations to this year’s Most Valuable Wrester “Joey” Foley!
Coming off of a concussion that had her benched for almost an entire year, Danielle was determined to try a new sport. Being a former gymnast, she already excelled at tumbling. Stunting was brand new to her, but she not only picked skills up with ease, but quickly became one of the most talented and reliable bases on the team. Watching her on the mat, it was impossible to tell that she was new to the cheerleading program. She works hard every day to leave practice better than she did the day before. We are excited to see her continue her journey through the cheerleading program, and look forward to watching her grow as a cheerleader.
Commitment is not a new trait for Meredith Kass. Having been a part of the cheerleading program since she was in the Latin school, Meredith’s dedication and commitment to not only the team, but the program itself is unwavering. As a captain she consistently drives the team toward positivity and growth. At practice she is constantly motivating others, and setting an example of what it means to work hard. Her positive attitude is contagious, and she is always setting an encouraging tone to practices and events. Whenever a job needs to be done, we know we can count on Meredith.
Dominique is one of the most positive, hard-working, grateful and determined young women that coach Checkers and I have ever coached. Her commitment, drive, and attitude towards cheerleading, paired with her natural abilities, made her an essential asset to the team this season. She constantly put others first, to make sure they were working to be the best cheerleaders they could be. Fully understanding what it means to be a team player, she was happy to do whatever we needed her to, in order to achieve success for the team. Her effort and ambition are unmatched, and she is truly deserving of the title of Most Valuable.
Junior Varsity Dance Team
Most Improved: Kelly McCutchan
The Most Improved Award for the 2016-2017 JV Dance team goes to Sophomore, Kelly McCutchan. During try-outs and team practices, her strive and dedication to improve was evident. As coaches, we appreciate her hard work and consistency to perform better. Her enthusiastic hip-hop dance faces are superlative and paramount! Kelly has excelled tremendously, and she is definitely a girl to watch out for!
This year’s Bernie Ward Commitment Award goes to a JV dancer who at our first competition battled with an illness that would normally have taken any member out of dance, but this girl pushed through the pain and devoted herself to perform all three routines. Freshman, Isabella Cascone is very skilled dancer and an asset to our team. She completely worthy of such a prestigious award, and we are proud to have been able to be her coach.
The recipient of this year’s JV Dance team Most Valuable Award is Freshman, Elisabeth Casey. She naturally takes control of her team as a leader, and she is an inspiration to others. Innovative, creative, and bubbly are all words that best describe this dancer. Elisabeth contributes to dance routines, maintains positive attitude, and a superb well-rounded dancer. We as coaches are proud to say that she is one of our strongest dancers, that she is passionate, and that she is a pleasure to have on our side.
Ryan came to winter track off of a cross country season where he experienced improvements of his own. However coming off the course and onto the track provides its own set of challenges. Ryan never missed one practice, and dug his feet into every workout. Every workout did not produce the same result and Ryan often had to recalibrate his strategy to meet the demands of the practices and meets, but he never once made an excuse to find something to someone to blame. He kept driving towards his next goal and improved in both the 1600 meter individual race and his 800 meter leg on the relay. It is our pleasure to award Ryan Murphy the most improved award.
Commitment is a word used too loosely. Well, not when it comes to Logan Karpowitz. Logan is a fine athlete who brings a raw speed and agility to the sprinting events. But his true talent was extended to the 400 meter dash where Logan was the fastest member on our 4X400 meter relay which earned bronze medals and valuable points at the League Championships. Logan embraced the idea of running the 400 which is in stark contrast to most short sprinters who feel the 400 is some sort of “long distance event” or some impossible task. The commitment level Logan showed from the first day of tryouts to the last day of the season was unmeasurable and we are proud to present him with the Bernie Ward Commitment award.
The most valuable award was clearly one Anthony Bradshaw earned right out of the gate. Coming off a successful football campaign, Coach Citrano saw great potential in this young man. Although not the quintessential shot putters build, Anthony possessed an interior strength that propelled him to a runner up finish at the Freshman League Championships. Anthony took great care of himself in the weight room, and during the conditioning portion of the season which resulted in him being the clear choice for the most valuable award for freshman boys track and field.
Brendan started the season as one of our backups in the point guard position. However, through his consistent work ethic in practice, Brendan finished the final third of the season as our starting point guard. Thanks to Brendan’s calm demeanor, he helped reduce our team turnovers and brought poise to our half-court offense.
Kyle had one of the most difficult seasons any player who is trying to start their basketball career can have. Kyle suffered a concussion earlier in the season and at the end of the season he suffered a dislocated shoulder. Though this would disappoint any athlete, Kyle continued to have a positive attitude and support his teammates in whatever capacity he could.
It should come to no surprise that Jordan is this team’s most valuable player. Jordan always showed up ready to play. He brought a level of intensity to the court that made him incredibly difficult to play against. Jordan also finished our season with the most points on the team. Congratulations Jordan!
Sophia has grown tremendously since the first day of her cheerleading career. Three months later she has proven to be one of the strongest bases on the team by mastering any skill asked of her and doing so confidently and with a smile. She has pushed herself throughout the season to perfect her jumps and motions and getting her backhandspring. Sophia’s work ethic and drive have helped her become an extraordinarily talented cheerleader and we are so excited to see her develop even further as a Kellenberg Cheerleader.
has shown 100% dedication to the sport of cheerleading since she first put on a Kellenberg cheerleading uniform. Her positive attitude and drive for perfection have demonstrated what being a member of this team means to her. There are no limits to the hard work and drive Peyton puts into each practice. The coaches can rely on her to fill any position and do so happily. Her commitment towards her teammates, coaches and the sport shows each and every practice and we are so lucky to have her as a member of this team.
truly represents what it means to be a Kellenberg cheerleader. Throughout the season the coaches could always count on her to have a positive attitude and an open mind to anything put her way. As one of the strongest tumblers on the team she never once complained that something was too difficult or scary for her. She has excelled in her stunting throughout the season and never settled for anything less than perfect when asked to be a base or flyer. She demonstrates exceptional leadership values and truly has a bright future within the cheerleading program.
Coming into the season, Jessie Brower was one of the returning starters for last year’s team. While one could be complacent with returning to a similar role, Jessie relished in the idea of improving her overall game so that it would aid the growth of the team. As the season wore on, Jessie became the “spark” the team needed on the court and the “glue” the team needed off the court. Jessie’s worth ethic was second to none and the passion she brought every day to practice is one that the program will truly miss next year. This year’s Most Improved player goes to senior captain, Jessie Brower.
Every successful team has an individual that is able to lead by example. This year, Alyssa Boll was that player for the Girls Varsity Basketball team. Assuming a new position as the team’s starting point guard, Alyssa’s grit and determination everyday were an inspiring example to her teammates as well as her coaches. Whether it was diving all over the floor during games or being an extension of the coaching staff at practice, Alyssa earned the title of team captain midway through the season. This year’s recipient of the Bernie Ward Commitment Award is senior captain, Alyssa Boll.
For the last three seasons, Morgan Staab has been the driving force behind the successful Girls Varsity Basketball program. Morgan again led the team in multiple categories including points, rebounds, and blocks. More impressively, Morgan finished her final season at Kellenberg by averaging a double-double, scoring 13 points and 12 grabbing rebounds a game. While basketball statistics are important, Morgan’s greatest contribution to the Girls Basketball program has been her example as a model student-athlete. The coaches wish her the very best as she continues her basketball career at Adelphi next year. This year’s Most Valuable Player is senior captain, Morgan Staab.
Due to a talented front line last year this player saw little playing time during the season. However, after meeting with the coaches at the conclusion of last year on ways to improve his skills and talents, this player worked hard in the off season to become a vital member and contributor to this year’s team. He averaged six points and six rebounds per game and scored a season high fifteen points and grabbed ten rebounds on Senior Night. The 2016-2017 Most Improved Award goes to Nolan Grubb.
This two sport athlete came into the season demonstrating excellent leadership abilities and a strong desire to win. Throughout the year the coaches relied on this player to be an extension of their philosophies and a role model of what is expected as a player on the Kellenberg Varsity Basketball team. As Co-Captain of the team his work ethic and maturity were instrumental in the team’s success this year. The winner of the Bernie Ward Commitment Award goes to Liam McAdams.
Chosen as a Co-Captain of this year’s team this player was expected to fill many roles on the team throughout the year. He was the team’s leading scorer and assist leader and set the Kellenberg single game scoring record of 45 points against St. Mary’s High School on January 27, 2017. He was named game MVP in the Crotty Classic and chosen to the All-Tournament Team at the Southside Holiday Classic. This player was also selected by opposing coaches as a member of the NSCHSAA All League Team. The winner of this year’s Most Valuable Player Award goes to Mike Geisweller.
This year’s most improved player had only been on the team for two years and initially joined the team on a whim. It turned out that Mike Repoli had a lot to give to the team and proved it throughout this year. Mike was an incredibly consistent bowler this year and his personality always helped bring up the team’s morale. After spending the majority of last season on the practice team, Mike finished this year with a 181 average and earned himself a spot in the individual championships. Congratulations to this year’s Most Improved Player, Mike Repoli.
This year’s Bernie Ward Commitment Award winner has been with the team for four years. He has been a consistent starter and is always looking to improve no matter how well he does in a match. Jamie Boffardi has been a pleasure to coach and has a unique talent of energizing the team at just the right moment. Jamie was never satisfied with his score and always wanted to improve. His hard work paid off this year as he finished with a 189 average, the second highest on the team. Congratulations to this year’s Bernie Ward Commitment Award winner, Jamie Boffardi.
This year’s most valuable player was a quite leader throughout the season. Our only captain this year, Alex Cruz could not wait to show the rest of the league that he was more than a one time perfect game last season. He exceeded that goal by far, finishing with a 208 average. That average led the league, earning him the title of Most Valuable Player in the league. His average was also the second highest in all of New York State. Alex’s hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed by the coaches throughout his four years on the team, and we wish him well in all his future endeavors.
Each and every girl on this bowling team improved tremendously during our season. This was one of the best seasons on improvement I have ever coached. This year the athlete that improved the most was Chrissy Fox. She started on the practice team and worked her way into the starting line up every match. She began bowling in the low 100’s and eventually worked her way into the 120’s with an occasional 140. Chrissy has been a vital part of the team because she was also enthusiastic and encouraged her fellow teammates to be the best they could be. Congratulations Chrissy!
Madison Callinan has been the most committed to this bowling team from the first day of tryouts. She was always asking what she could do to improve and what she could do for the team. Her high energy and constant positivity helped each and every member of this team to bowl their very best. She is a standout young lady who will continue to get better at bowling next year. Each day Madison came to practice or a match with a smile and a poster and she encouraged and supported all of her teammate’s day in and day out. Congratulations Madison.
I knew this player would be special after watching her during tryouts. Daisha Howard ended the season with a 163.3 average which is one of the highest averages the girls bowling team has had in a while. She is only a freshman and we expect to see great things to come for Daisha in her future as a Firebird bowler. Daisha never let the pressure of the anchor on the A team get to her and she preserved through the silence on the day of the championship, knowing she had to make a strike to win the match. She was always willing to help her teammates become better bowlers. Congratulations to Daisha on becoming the MVP!
The most improved Varsity cheerleader is a girl that has worked extremely hard in improving herself in all aspects of cheerleading. She has become one of the best flyers on our team and we are very confident in her stunting abilities. We have seen great improvement in her jumps as well as her tumbling. We are very happy to have this opportunity to recognize how far she has come as a cheerleader and how enjoyable she is to coach.
This season’s Bernie Ward commitment award goes to a cheerleader who has fully dedicated herself to this team. She is one of the strongest bases on the team and she always pushes herself and others to be better. Each year she came from doing gymnastics in the fall to cheer in the winter and she was able to pick up all the skills that we put before her. We are so proud of her accomplishments as a Kellenberg Cheerleader.
This season’s MVP is a cheerleader who has been truly valuable to our program for the past four years. Her strength and positive attitude make her a leader and role model for every girl on our team. She is an all around cheerleader, with strong stunting skills, phenomenal tumbling, and beautiful jumps. The coaches turned to her to motivate and set an example for her teammates. Even with her elite skill set, she always pushed herself to be better and worked tirelessly at each practice. It has been a pleasure to watch this young lady master the sport of cheerleading and she will truly be missed.
This year’s Most Improved Award goes to a dancer who has continuously worked hard for her team. She is constantly pushing herself at practice to become a better dancer. She has continued to improve her dance moves and adjusted her own dancing style to dance as one with her team members. Her attitude in and out of practice makes her an asset to this team. She is constantly looking for ways to progress her dance abilities by asking for help from her coaches, captains and team members. We know because of this, she will maintain her ability to be a crucial and helpful member of the dance team. This year’s Most Improved Dancer goes to junior, Lara Hanley.
This year’s Bernie Ward Commitment Award goes to one of the most enthusiastic and passionate dancers on our team. Her technique and ability to pick up choreography has only improved throughout the entire season. As a senior and captain, she was truly committed to making our team better. At practice, she was always willing to help a fellow team member and never hesitated at improving her own skills. She has always been committed to developing her technique even further. When watching her dance, her passion for this sport shines through. She has been an asset to the program since day one and she will be sincerely missed next year. We are extremely proud to have had her as a member of the Kellenberg Memorial Dance Team and we are looking forward to her continued development in her dance career. This year’s Bernie Ward Commitment award goes to senior and captain, Daniella Silva.
From the beginning of her dance career at Kellenberg, this young lady has been one of the strongest dancers. As a senior and a captain, she has gone above and beyond our expectations. As a dancer, her technique is impeccable. She is always working hard on her craft to continue to grow and learn. One of her strongest assets is the ability to take constructive advice and become an even better dancer. As a captain, her dedication is unmatched. She is always there to review choreography with other members of the team and help them if necessary. No matter what, she has put her team first and is always ready and willing to do anything for them. She pushes herself and her teammates and has always supported her peers. Her personality throughout the season and passion for the team has made her a pleasure to coach. As a senior, her absence next year will have a strong impact, but we know she will continue to impress us in her dance career. We cannot wait to see all that you will accomplish. Your teammates and coaches wish you the best of luck. This year’s Most Valuable Dancer goes to senior and captain, Natalie Fox.
Sean started the season with one main goal, to qualify for the CHSAA City Championship in the 100 breaststroke. Last year as a junior, he missed the qualifying time by 5 seconds, and this year, during tryouts, he was still 3 seconds away. He showed up to practice determined to improve his technique. He sought the expertise of more seasoned swimmers whenever possible. By midseason, Sean had not only dropped the 3 seconds needed to qualify, but he had also dropped an additional 3 seconds! He also constantly encouraged and inspired others to meet and surpass their goals as well.
Joseph joined the team for the first time this year as a sophomore; however, after the first few practices, he could have easily been mistaken for a four year returning senior! During practices, he lead his lane and continuously encouraged his teammates to keep going. There was not a moment that passed during which Joseph was not seen cheering for his teammates during meets, even if he was about to dive into the water! Joseph has exemplified the highest level of respect and admiration towards his teammates and has been a consistent source of support and encouragement for his teammates.
Patrick is an exemplary swimmer and teammate. Seamlessly sustaining the example he has set in previous years, this season Patrick has been an unparalleled leader and role model for the team. He has always selflessly worked with his teammates to help them improve their technique, while at the same time working hard and qualifying for the states championship in the 100 breaststroke and 50 freestyle, in which he is ranked 10th and 16th respectively. Patrick, his dedication, and his talent have truly been and inspiration for the team.
David took the track season by storm. Often getting lost in the crowd of the senior accomplishments, David made a name for himself this year by improving mightily in the 1600 meter run, by finishing 2nd at the NSCHSAA League Championships and earning All-League honors, and running the most courageous third leg on the “A” 4X800 meter relay. David has become one of the greatest success stories this season and this relatively unknown is now a household name to league coaches.
To the boy’s track and field program, Jarrett is the epitome of commitment. From his first year at Kellenberg Jarrett was eager to learn from his older teammates and be a teacher to his younger teammates. Jarrett lives and breathes the philosophy of the program and works so hard individually to achieve his goals. In addition to his individual accolades, Jarrett brings a respectful and passionate tone to the team and a message of WE and not of I in a sport that lends itself but not solidifies individual achievement. It is with great joy and confidence that we bestow Jarrett Gilreath the Bernie Ward Commitment Award.
It is a rare feat when a sophomore boy competes at the Varsity level with such success. But this year Erik Brown led the team in overall accomplishment. Erik was the NSCHSAA and CHSAA Sophomore champion in the 300 and 4X400 meter relay. However at the CHSAA Varsity Intersectional Championships, Erik placed an outstanding third place in the 600 meter run, qualifying him for the New York State Championships, our lone student athlete to qualify this year and only our second sophomore in ten years. Erik is clearly a diamond in the rough athlete and the coaching staff is very excited to see the next two years in his high school career.
This young woman realized the dimensions of her prodigious talent by turning the corner with a focused work ethic. The result of that was her winning the NSCHSGAA High Jump title in a personal best clutch jump of 5’1, and taking bronze in the triple jump on that championship day. She continues to take that work ethic into spring where she has her eyes and focus set on the oldest school track and field record, the 5’4 jump of Megan Barnes from 1992. We are happy to award the MIP award to senior Kayra Theodore.
This young lady, always a committed and dedicated athlete, continued utilizing those personal traits with great rewards this season. She made great improvements not only in her high hurdling, but in her sprinting where she was a valuable leg on both the 4×200 and 4×400 relays. She was a valuable scorer in both the NSCHSGAA Sectional Championship Meet, and the CHSAA Intersectional Championship Meet. We are happy to award senior Megan Carelus the Bernie Ward Commitment Award.
Many coaches around the New York Metropolitan area are calling this young woman, “the most improved mid distance runner in the State this season.” With good reason, as she has improved an incredible 17 seconds in the 1000 meters and thirty seconds in the 3000 meters. She scored fourteen points for our team in the NSCHSGAA championship meet in three events. Her biggest day came in a tactically brilliant 1000 meter victory in the CHSAA Intersectional Championship, and a tough lead off leg on the winning 3200 meter relay. We are happy to award junior Nora Bennett the MVP award.
Four years ago, during the 2013-2014 season Cassidy was not on the wrestling team, however during practice we would often see him looking into the room and watching practice. The next year Cassidy decided to wrestle, the following two seasons he had some successes and failures but was not able to crack the lineup. Heading into his senior season Cassidy trained extensively in the offseason and was looking good. Unfortunately, he was injured in the very first contest of the season and was sidelined for over a month. This fueled him and when he finally came back he had the season he was waiting for and finished his career as an All Catholic State wrestler in his first trip to the tournament.
This seasons Bernie Ward Commitment Award goes to a wrestler who cares more about the success of the Firebird Wrestling program than anyone else I know. By far not the most gifted or talented wrestler Anthony committed himself to becoming a better wrestler and a better young man going into his sophomore year, always attending offseason workouts and tournaments and getting his teammates to attend as well. This all did not happen without a number of bumps in the road but Anthony stayed the course and it culminated his senior season as a captain, league finalist, and all NY CHSAA wrestler.
Sean Coakley was our most valuable wrestler this past season, he finished the season a League runner-up and a Catholic State runner-up dropping his finals match by only one point. Throughout the season Sean was our most consistent performer in tournaments and duals as he amassed 28 wins with 12 of them being pins, likewise Sean did not give up a pin in any of his losses the entire season. Often the hardest worker and the ultimate student of the sport Sean will look to come back in his senior season next year and claim the Catholic State title he covets and captain the team to a Team Championship as well.
On March 11th and 12th, the Kellenberg Memorial High School Science Olympiad A team competed at the 32nd annual New York State Competition hosted by Le Moyne College in Syracuse.
New York State is one the most competitive states in the nation, with over 400 teams competing throughout the state. The top 55 teams in the state qualified for the state tournament. Kellenberg Memorial’s students competed in 23 events and 2 New York State trial events, in areas of science ranging from astronomy to forensics to anatomy. Students interested in engineering were also able to compete in building events, such as electric vehicle, towers, and robot arm.
The competition concluded on Saturday afternoon with an award ceremony held in the LeMoyne College gymnasium. Kellenberg Memorial competed very well in the competition. Taking home a 5th place medal in Fermi questions were senior Tom Greco ’17 and sophomore Tyler Martinus ’19. A 7th place medal in Rocks and Minerals was won by sophomores Natalie Jean-Michel ’19 and Chelsea-Faith Florita ’19. Finally, a 7th place medal in Dynamic Planet was awarded to senior Calvin Bernic ’17 and junior Polly Taylor ’18. Overall, Kellenberg Memorial placed 22nd out of 55 teams.
In 2016, Chris Cappas helped lead the Kellenberg baseball team to a feat it hadn’t experienced in a decade — a CHSAA championship.
“It was amazing,” the dominant lefthanded starting pitcher said. “Definitely an experience I’d love to have again.”
In order for Cappas to guide the Firebirds to the pinnacle again in his 2017 senior year, the group must reach new heights. According to coach Chris Alfalla, the program never has won back-to-back league titles.
Cappas tossed a one-hit shutout in a 4-0 victory over St. Anthony’s in the first game of the best-of-three CHSAA championship series on May 29. He struck out 10 and had an RBI single.
Article Written by Samantha Gentile ’18: The 2016-2017 school year has proven to be an amazing year for the Kellenberg Mock Trial team. The team started off the school year with a bang; as they placed in the final four in the first ever Moot Court Competition to be hosted for Nassau and Suffolk County teams. The Moot Court Competition was designed to test students knowledge of the law and how to apply their knowledge to different cases in front of real judges. As the students read their prepared scripts, the judges interjected, asking confusing and probing questions; judging as to how well the students know the law as well as their ability to stay on topic and maintain their courtroom presence. Christian Licato, a junior on the team, stated, “the Moot Court competition was a unique experience that gave the team insight to the realm of the appeals process. The competition was truly a memorable experience for both myself and my teammates.” The students prepared for weeks, and it showed. Never participating in a competition of the sort before and competing against the most competitive high schools in both counties, the team was proud of their accomplishment and ready to compete in their State Competition.
In November, the team received their case file for their annual New York State Bar Association High School Mock Trial Competition. The team immediately began to work on the case, staying after school for numerous days a week, and even coming in on weekends to speak to their attorney advisors. On January 20th, the team gave up their Friday afternoon and took a trip to see their friendly rivals, Our Lady of Mercy Academy. In a well-matched scrimmage, Kellenberg came out victorious and the amount of potential the team had became clear. Senior Co-Captain, Erik Hansen, stated, “The Our Lady of Mercy trial really instilled confidence in the team and proved that our team had everything we needed to make it farther in the competition than we ever have before.” As the days went by, the team increased the time they spent practicing at school. After their daily practices, they would even call from their homes to make sure their case was “up to par.” The team hoped their hard work would pay off when they faced their league rivals, Clarke High School, in their first trial. After a thrilling 3 hours, Kellenberg came out victorious. The team, excited about their victory, was determined to work even harder and continue their winning streak. Every Wednesday the team would travel to the New York State Supreme Court to compete against a new school from Nassau County. They were optimistic about their trials and walked in hoping to obtain another victory for their team and for their school. And they did. The team went on to win trials against Carey High School, Schreiber High School, and the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway. After these victories, the team proceeded to the “Elite Eight.” This was a new milestone for Kellenberg; as Kellenberg has only advanced as far as the “Sweet Sixteens” in previous years.
The team walked into the “Elite Eight” round with a record of 4-0, yet another milestone for the Kellenberg team. They were, at this point, in the top eight teams, beating out over 60 other teams in Nassau County. The team was led by attorneys Gerard DeAngelis, Samantha Gentile, and Aria Marino. The team was also comprised of members Erik Hansen, Kat Cuneo, and Linda Flor who played the witnesses. During the case, the team displayed a valiant effort and most certainly were a force to be reckoned with. In the end, the judge ruled against Kellenberg but spoke with the team stating how incredibly close the decision was and how he had a hard time choosing a winner. Senior Co-Captain, Gerard DeAngelis, states “The time I’ve spent with this team has been the greatest experience of my life. They are like a second family to me. I’m happy knowing we gave up a good fight this year and got to finally beat the ‘Sweet Sixteen’ round!”
The team has become closer than ever before and they all agree that they will miss the three seniors leaving them next year. Saying goodbye to these extraordinary seniors will be tough, but even with the goodbyes, junior Samantha Gentile believes that the team will come back next year better than ever. “This year, I saw our team live up to the name ‘Firebirds’, we rose from the ashes and showed other teams that Kellenberg is a team they should remember. I am going to miss the seniors more than they know, but I believe that next year, everyone should remember our name.”
The team would also like to thank their moderator, Mr. Christopher Cartier, for all the hard work and dedication he put into this team and for bringing them together. They would also like to thank their attorney advisors: Mr. Karl Seman, Mr. Christopher Casa, and Mrs. Lisa Casa for all their time that they contributed to helping the team. Without them, the team would not have made it as far as they had. We look forward to seeing great things from the Mock Trial Team and wish them the best of luck in their future competitions!
Pictured here with Bishop Barres are members of the Kellenberg Track and Field program who Saturday ran and volunteered at the annual “Run for Hope,” starting at finishing at St. Joseph’s Grammar School. The race, a 3.2 mile race through the streets of Garden City, was a fundraiser for the “Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation” which supports the legacy of Catholic education for all.
GLENS FALLS – They each received their own curtain call, each walking off the court to a loud ovation from the appreciative Kellenberg crowd in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
It wasn’t the closing moments of a New York State Class A Federation semifinal victory, but it almost felt like it on the bench before Jamesville-DeWitt closed out a 62-31 win Saturday afternoon at the Glens Falls Civic Center.
That’s because the three senior captains – Alyssa Boll, Jessica Brower and Morgan Staab – each had a great appreciation for the journey rather than the end result.
“I could not be more proud of everything we’ve done and accomplished,” Staab said. “It was the best way to end my senior year. It was awesome.”
The Adelphi-bound forward, who had 14 points and seven rebounds, fouled out with 5:47 left in the fourth. She was soon joined on the bench by Boll, who had nine points, and finally Brower.
The fleeting disappointment was quickly replaced by laughter.
“These girls are like my family,” Staab said. “When we’re on the bench, my two best friends, we just look at each other and we just smile.”
On Sunday, March 12th, over 300 Firebird alumni and their parents, grandparents, and children returned to campus for the 1st Annual Alumni Communion Breakfast. This wonderful event was co-chaired by Dr. James McBrien ’89 and Mrs. Ann-Marie (Batule) Woodruff ’93. The day began with a Mass which was concelebrated by Father Albert Bertoni, S.M. and Father Philip Eichner, S.M., while the Gospel was proclaimed by Deacon Michael Plona ’07. Following Mass, attendees enjoyed a full breakfast in the cafeteria and listened to an address by Father Philip, who is celebrating his 50th Anniversary of school administration.
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Standing, from left to right, Lauren Doodian ’12, with her parents, Carolyn and Thomas, and Annie Rohrecker ’10, with her mother, Karen. Seated: Meg (Doodian) White ’08 and her husband, James.
Father Philip reflected on his 60 years in the classroom, saying, “Our Gospel today talked about being on top of the mountain with Jesus, and I feel that way; I feel like Peter, James, and John, when I go into a classroom. It’s awesome…to be there standing before a group of students, young people, who are in the process of becoming adults. Sometimes it’s so awesome you’re almost paralyzed. These are all unique souls, minds, and hearts with fears and anxieties. The privilege that a teacher gets to deal with the human mind, with human personalities, is awesome.”
Father Philip went on to say, “Here at Kellenberg, we are blessed with our faculty. They are people who really love what they do… Teaching is like parenting – it’s very personal. The quality of the person is what catches the attention of the student. At Kellenberg we say that atmosphere educates. Many things are caught, not taught. They catch it in the atmosphere. And I’m grateful for the faculty that we have because they do create quite an atmosphere.”
Kelly (Agostinacchio) Forquignon ’99, a member of Kellenberg Memorial’s Alumni Board, enjoyed the event with her family, saying, “I was fortunate to attend the Alumni Communion Breakfast with my parents, four siblings, our spouses and children, and I was pleased to see so many other tables that also spanned multiple generations of Kellenberg families. What a great opportunity for alumni families to return to our school, reconnect with faculty and friends, and have the privilege of hearing Father Philip speak!”
On Saturday, twenty-eight Kellenberg students training to become EMT’s traveled to the Nassau County EMS Academy to take part in an extrication training class. The day started off by being taught the basics of extrication and how to help free somebody if they were ever to be trapped in their vehicle. Each of us had the opportunity to use devices to stabilize a car, take air out of the tires, shatter the windows, and even take a crushed door and open it using a hydraulic tool. Being able to be hands on and learn how to use the different tools gave each and every one of us some experience and knowledge of how to perform and put our skills to the test in a real-life emergency.
Teamwork, safety, and communication are vital skills an EMT must use in order to save a person’s life. In the second part of our class, we were given a mass casualty incident scenario on a train where injured patients were to be triaged, treated, and brought to safety by us students. This situation taught us how to not only manage our time, but use our life-saving skills that we had acquired over the course of the six months of training in EMT class as well. I, along with my classmates, learned how important time management and communication with my team is. By working together as a team, we were able to successfully accomplish getting all of the patients out of the train safely. We were put to the test in a stressful situation and were able to learn so much with each passing hour that we spent at the academy. My classmates and I are thankful for all the patience and time Mr. Ditrano and Mrs. Loeber have invested into training the EMT class. Without them, we would not be on our way to becoming EMT’s.
We would like to Thank all members of the Kellenberg family who participated in the St. Vincent de Paul Lenten Drive. We had well over a thousand pounds of clothing to assist the less fortunate on Long Island. Thank you for assisting in this Corporal Work of Mercy.
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On March 9th, 2017 the NSCHSAA Coaches met to wrap up the Indoor Track and Field Season. During this meeting, a consultative vote was taken by all league coaches and the Kellenberg boys winter track program was chosen as the Sportsmanship Award winner for the 2016-2017 Indoor season. This award is a tribute to the coaching staff, athletes, parents, school administration, and alumni community who all support and represent the school’s mission. The team is eternally grateful for the honor from our Catholic League.
Girls Varsity Winter Track
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Finishing up a tremendous season where the team had taken the third place Bronze plaque at the Catholic State (CHSAA) Intersectional Championship Meet, the “Lady Firebirds” were voted to “The Sportsmanship Award” by the NSCHSGAA member coaches at their season end meeting. This is an honored award for at team who at Championship time saw the 4×200 sprint relay of Gillian Blackwood, Olivia Coletta, Chrissy Foster, and Camryn Beckford set a new school record in the 4 x 200 relay, and the 4×800 relay team of Nora Bennett, Maya Richardson, Julia Bryant, and Maureen Lewin achieve “All-NY State” honors with their fourth place finish at the NY State Federation Meet, and tenth place at the National Championship Meet!
Varsity Wrestling
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This past season the Kellenberg Firebirds Wrestling team added another chapter to its history of great wrestling and great character. The season was a successful one both on the mat and off. Dating back for the last 10 years Kellenberg Wrestling has either been recipients of the League or Catholic State Sportsmanship award every year. This year was no different as the team took home the League Sportsmanship Award at the 2017 NSCHSAA League Championships, the team also earned a 3rd place finish on the day garnering numerous all-league wrestlers as well as a league champion. The award is important to the program because the Firebird Wrestling motto is to stress not only developing great wrestlers and competitors but also developing successful young men of high character.
Girls Varsity Basketball
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The 2016 – 2017 Girls Varsity Basketball team was the recipient of the League’s Sportsmanship Award for the second consecutive year. While it is impressive that the team was able to have a memorable run in this year’s playoffs, it is a testament to the program that the team takes the phrase “Lady Firebird” to heart. Countless coaches, players, and referees commented throughout the season how pleasurable it was to encounter our student-athletes on and off the court. The coaching staff could not be happier to add this prestigious recognition to what was already an incredible season! Go Firebirds!
Boys Junior Varsity Basketball
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Congratulations to the boys JV Basketball team for receiving the Sportsmanship Award for the 2016-2017 season. This award is presented each year to the team that displays the characteristics of respect, graciousness, and integrity to opposing teams, schools and referees. It was voted on by all of the basketball officials for the CHSAA. The coaches and players would like to thank the league, as well as all the parents and fans for their support and encouragement throughout the season.
Tuesday March 28, 2017 Kellenberg’s Troop 87 presented two scouts at their Eagle Scout Boards of Review. Liam Schmitt completed his Eagle Scout project this past summer by leading his the troop to build a 60 foot long 4 foot high retaining wall along the field at St. Martin de Porres M.S. In the fall Greg MacGown lead the troop in building six 6ft long by 2ft. wide portable planter boxes for the playground at St. Martin de Porres M.S. Their combined efforts have enhanced the atmosphere for the students and faculty at St. Martin’s. Each scout was reviewed by the board and found to meet all the requirements for the rank of Eagle Scout. Troop 87 is very proud of their accomplishments and there many years of service to our troop and the Kellenberg community.
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Dean Cooper did not have a normal journey to the Boy Scouts. He began with the Scouts at age 14, a few years later than most members get their start. Nevertheless, he is well on his way to achieving his dream of becoming an Eagle Scout.
Now 16, Dean recently undertook his Eagle Scout project and collected pet food for Pets Of The Homeless, a national organization focused on feeding and providing veterinary care to pets of homeless people. Representing Troop 332 out of East Rockaway, the Bay Park resident collected over 500 pounds of pet food on Feb. 25 and 26.
“I learned that animals are an extremely important aspect of a person’s life,” said Dean, a junior at Kellenberg Memorial High School, when reflecting on his project. “Some of the people on the street only wake up and do something everyday for the sake of their best friend.”
