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Cross Country’s Six Flags Race Is a Success

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Article by Phoenix writer Amir Jeudy ’22:

On Saturday, September 25th, the Boys and Girls Cross Country teams competed at the 2021 Six Flags Wild Safari Invitational. The race is run over a 5K course in Six Flags Great Adventure’s Wild Safari Drive Thru in Jackson Township, New Jersey. The race is an exciting tradition for the teams, and this year was a refreshing return to form as last year’s race was canceled due to COVID-19. The Boys and Girls teams huddled on to their buses to leave Kellenberg bright and early, prepared for the intense day of competition ahead of them.

Many runners put up impressive performances, but three firebirds really stood out. Senior Jeremy Martinez ran a time of 16:46 placing 14th overall in a field of 107 in the Boys Varsity A race. His performance led the Boys Varsity team to a respectable 7th place finish out of 14 teams. Senior Kathleen Healy ran a time of 20:23 and placed 20th out of 113 runners in the Girls Varsity A, guiding the Girls Varsity team to a solid 7th place finish out of 17 teams. Senior Noel Jackson ran to a time of 18:48 placing, 9th out of 112 in the Boys JV A race. Noel’s astonishing performance earned him the honor of being named Kellenberg’s “Firebird Strider of the Meet”. When asked about his Six Flags Experience over the last 4 years, Senior Jeremy Martinez said “Six Flags was always the highlight of my season. It’s a great bonding experience for the team as well as a competitive race. I’ll always look back fondly on the team bus rides there and back.”

Though many Kellenberg Cross Country runners would be content with going to Six Flags just to race, that’s not the extent of the day. After racing, runners from both the Boys and Girls teams were able to enjoy the day in Six Flags Great Adventure, riding roller coasters and making lasting memories.


Veterinarian Brittany Perfetto Inspires Students In STEM Talk

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Article by Phoenix writer Michelle Paszek ’24:

On Wednesday, October 6th, the second STEM talk of the year was held in honor of Biology Week. From 3:30 to 4:15 in the Collab Lab, Veterinarian Brittany Perfetto spoke to students who are thinking about going into veterinary medicine or who have a general interest in the subject. She spoke about what it’s like to be a vet and discussed her experiences in the field. She also shared helpful tips for anyone interested in pursuing a career as a veterinarian. “I’ve always wanted to be a vet since I was little”, Sophomore Isabella Parra said. “So when I heard there was going to be a vet at the school who would give a talk, I thought it would be a good idea to go talk to her to see if it was something I would be interested in.”

Dr. Perfetto also aspired to be a veterinarian when she was young. Having graduated from St. George’s University with a degree in Veterinary Medicine last year, she currently works at a general practice clinic in Valley Stream. “Despite the long hours, it’s something I love and I wouldn’t change my career for anything”, Perfetto shared.

With only 28 total veterinary schools in the United States, acceptance to one of them is bound to get competitive. Dr. Perfetto shared her own experience – the first time she applied to St. George’s, she was not accepted due to a lack of experience in the field. However, she didn’t give up and gained experience, leading to her acceptance, graduation, and current successful career as a vet. “Don’t get discouraged if that’s what you really want to do,” Perfetto told the students. “You don’t need perfect grades to be a great doctor.”

Rosary Prayer Service

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Article by Phoenix writer Nick Cortese ’23:

Kellenberg held its annual Rosary Prayer Service on Thursday, October 7. After homeroom, moderators distributed Rosary beads and pamphlets for the ceremony. Students from the Latin School and Junior divisions were then escorted to the auditorium, while the Freshmen, Sophomores and Seniors viewed the service via online stream.

Fr. Thomas Cardone, S.M. led an introduction and prayer prior to the First Luminous Mystery. The decades were recited by groups of students from all grades. They were followed by reflections from teachers such as Mrs. Marconi and Mr. Murphy and then a reading for the subsequent Mystery, read by the likes of Mr. Kirk and Mr. Lyons. The service was then concluded by Fr. Daniel Griffin, S.M. with the praying of Hail Holy Queen.

Everyone was moved by the ceremony, including Junior, Nikolaos Stamatelatos, who stated, “I pray the Rosary every Sunday night and this service made me feel blessed and gave me positive vibes.”

Mrs. Fraoley dove into the importance of an event like this towards the school’s unity. “It is a grace to come together, with one heart and one mind, to pray a Rosary together.”

Kellenberg hopes to continue in spreading the idea of one heart and one mind among the Kellenberg community, and the Rosary Prayer Service is one of the best ways that they’ve reflected that.

(Photo credit: Maeve Duggan ’22)

Fall Sports Spirit Rally

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Article by Phoenix writer Colleen Bayley ’23:

Kellenberg had its annual Fall Sports Spirit Rally on Friday, October 8th to conclude the school day. The students watched the assembly of athletes participate in an array of games on Matthew Field live from their homerooms. Senior Ava Petrosky performed the National Anthem and was followed by an electric routine from the Varsity cheer team.

The first game that was played was the potato sack race, with the winners being both soccer teams, both cross country teams, and cheer. The semi-finals were water balloon toss games, and the cross country teams were both able to come out on top.

After the thrilling performance from the dance team, the final game was tug-of-war. After a collection of compelling non-competitive matchups, the boys’s cross country team prevailed in its contest and was crowned as the Fall Sports Spirit Rally champions.

The excited coaches and athletes were happy to share their thoughts on the event. Mrs. Meisse said, “It was the best pep rally we have ever had in years.” Senior James Bayley, who is the captain of the varsity soccer team, stated “It was exciting and competitive. It brought teams together to work on teamwork and thinking alike. It was a good break from the season to show how important it is to be on a team and have good friendships with your teammates.”

Kellenberg pep rallies have never failed to stimulate energy among the student body. This year’s rally will surely be remembered for years to come.

Hispanic American Heritage Month: Honoring Mr. Miguel Araya

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How many years have you worked at Kellenberg Memorial?

I have worked here from the time before it was KMHS. I started in 1984 when it was St. Agnes Cathedral H.S., so I’ve been here for 37 years. 

What are some of the different jobs you have had here?

I have been blessed to work in many different areas in Kellenberg. I started in maintenance, then became a bus driver (I received my Commercial Driver License in 1985 and it remains active until this day!) and worked in the athletic department for a long time. Now, I work in the finance office and assist with catering and hospitality.

We are celebrating “One Heart, One Mind, Many Cultures” this year. Right now it is Hispanic American Heritage Month. In terms of your Hispanic background, where are you from and what traditions do you treasure? 

I grew up in Chile and was educated by the Society of the Divine Word, a Catholic missionary congregation. After my graduation in 1963 I worked both at a bank and in imports and exports.  I was a civil-military pilot in the Chilean Air Force before emigrating with my wife to Miami, FL, in the USA (the country of opportunity and dreams!) in 1977. I came to New York in 1984 and began working at St. Agnes Cathedral High School (which was here on this campus).  Family unity is an important tradition in the Hispanic culture, along with honor, respect, and hard work. It is to honor these traditions that I belong to the Knights of Columbus (Fourth Degree) and am an honorary member of the Civil Air Patrol. I am also a sacristan at my parish, Our Lady of Hope in Carle Place. I have been an American citizen for several years and feel proud to be a part of this country that gave me the tools I needed to go forward in life. I am very happily married to my wife for 47 years and we have two wonderful daughters of which we are very proud and one beautiful granddaughter. I thank God for my family and the immense support, trust, understanding, and love they show me. 

What is your favorite memory from your time at Kellenberg?

I have so many memories going all the way back to when the school was being restructured and new goals were being set. I remember the increase in the student body… back in 1987 there were 1350 students and now we have over 2,600! There have also been so many wonderful improvements made to the building and the campus. The Marianist community has always had a clear future vision for the school and I am so grateful to them for allowing me to be a part of the legacy of Catholic education that shapes tomorrow’s youth. Working here has strengthened my love and respect for all people and has taught me to put my trust in God and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Thank you, thank you, thank you! 

Do you have any words of wisdom you would like to share with the Firebird Family? 

I would say never forget the Marianist education you received at KMHS. Take advantage of all the opportunities that are given to you and work hard to achieve your goals. Try your hardest to be exemplary citizens and take everything you learned here at KMHS with you throughout your life.  

Do you have anything else you’d like to mention?

I want to wish the best for everyone who is or has been part of Kellenberg. I would also like to thank the entire Marianist community for having the confidence in me to continue working in the different positions that I have had in KMHS. I won’t try to name everyone that I would like to thank because it isn’t possible to list them all. From the bottom of my heart, thank you and may God bless you. 

Latin School Witness Day

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Article by Phoenix writer Amir Jeudy ’22:

On Wednesday, October 7th, the Latin School Division came together to participate in Witness Day. The day combined some of the themes Kellenberg holds dear: faith, community, and athletics.

October 7th is also the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, so the Latin School began the day by attending Kellenberg’s annual Rosary Prayer Service in the auditorium. Students sat attentively as they prayed the Rosary, joined in song, and listened to reflections on the Luminous Mysteries from several teachers. After the service, the Latin School remained in the auditorium where they learned about Blessed Carlo Acutis.

Born in 1991, Blessed Carlo Acutis was a devout Catholic youth from Italy. Carlo Acutis is best known for his remarkably strong devotion to the faith and in particular the Eucharist, at such a young age. Blessed Carlo Acutis also has the ability to relate the current generation to Christ. Typically when reflecting on the lives of saints they are from ages past, making them difficult to relate to. This does not apply to Blessed Carlo Acutis however.

Carlo Acutis was in high school when he decided to make a website documenting Eucharistic Miracles. His life gives an amazing example of how young people can engage in the faith, relative to our modern world. Carlo Acutis passed away from a rare form of cancer in 2006 at the age of 15. He was beatified on October 10th, 2020. He is the patron of youth and computer programming.

Latin School chaplain, Father Daniel Griffin S.M., gave a reflection on Blessed Carlo Acutus. He urged the students to view him as an example of how they can take action to pursue Christ. Fr. Dan told them Blessed Carlo Acutis showed “witness” to the faith and that they could do the same. After this, the students watched a documentary on the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis.

Accompanied by their Marianist Leaders, the Latin School students were then led outside to participate in several athletic games and competitions. They played a variety of games including volleyball, football, ultimate frisbee, gaga ball, and soccer.

After lunch breaks out on the fields, students were led back inside for the culmination of the day. Students were spoken to by Brother Stephen Balletta, S.M., from Chaminade. Bro. Stephen spoke about “Three M’s”: Mission, Message, and Motivation. He told the students about how previous Marianists exemplified the values of Christ.

The students then participated in Adoration. For many Latin Schoolers, it was their first time attending Adoration, making it a truly unforgettable experience. When asked about Witness Day, seventh-grader Jack Lollo said “The day was really fun. I liked all the games we played, and the talks they gave were great.”

Witness Day was a truly exciting opportunity for the Latin School to come together in faith and fun.

Hispanic Heritage Month finishes with a Celebratory Kahoot!

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Article by Phoenix writer Grace Garcia ’23:

On October 14, 2021, the Student Life Office hosted a kahoot about Hispanic heritage culture. The event was led by Mrs. Mulligan and Snr. Moncada in the auditorium.

The competition was meant to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which ended on Friday, October 15th. Thirty-eight students entered the auditorium at 3:00 p.m. determined to win either a Chipotle gift card or a Miles Morales (from Into the Spider-Verse) pop figure. The Kahoot! consisted of forty-eight questions that had to do with Hispanic culture. Some questions were: (1) What does the “white stripe” signify in the Mexican flag?, (2) When was the first Hispanic Heritage month celebrated in the United States of America?, and (3) What is the currency in Guatemala?
The competition remained tight until the last couple of questions when the person in first place kept changing. Safe to say, during the last question -, “What is a Latin American soap opera called?”, -everyone was on the edge of their seat. The first-place winner was Adrian Rivera, and he chose a $30 Chipotle gift card as his prize.

Student Life’s new Student Passport Program will host events throughout the year that celebrate other cultures and the heritage of the student body. The Student Passport Program is an initiative that encourages students to attend Student Life Office events. There will be multiple events that commemorate and celebrate many ethnicities represented in our school community. At every event, you will receive a “stamp” or signature acknowledging that you participated or attended the event. At the end of the year, the students who have accumulated the most “stamps” will be eligible to win prizes.

Any student can participate in this program, as long as they attend the events. Snr. Moncada commented, “We’re hoping that the Passport Program will encourage students to go to events to learn about the cultures of their classmates and/or enrich the knowledge they have in their own culture.”

Freshman Enjoy FAITH Day Fun

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Article by Phoenix writer Michelle Paszek ’24:

On Wednesday, October 13, the Kellenberg Freshman class took part in FAITH Day. With matching shirts, the homerooms spent time together attending Mass, in competition, and watching a film. “Freshman FAITH Day is, in my opinion, one of the most important faith days”, Marianist Mentor Skylar Goodman ‘22 stated. “It allows the freshman to get to know each other a little more outside of homeroom and classes but also shows them the first steps of what their faith life can be”.

Mass was led by Father Thomas Cardone, S.M., who spoke about the parts of the Mass as well as its importance. Shelby Regan, a Freshman participant, shared, “The instructional Mass felt so personal and it gave me such a greater insight on how it works. I think that often when it comes to Mass we just go through the motions never taking a moment to think about or ask what it all means but having Father Tom explain to us all the details of Mass was something special and something I know I’ll only get at Kellenberg.”

The Freshman then participated in a friendly homeroom competition, which was won by Miss Lamonica’s homeroom, 9D. This included games such as volleyball, Gaga ball, crab soccer, football, and kickball with the opportunity for frisbee, bean bag toss, and spike ball on the side.

The day ended with watching the movie “I Can Only Imagine”, a true story about Bart Millard, the singer and songwriter of the Christian band MercyMe. The film showed his early life and its difficulties: an abusive father, being told his band wasn’t good enough, and struggles in his relationship with his girlfriend. But God was there for him, helping him. Millard forgave his father, wrote MercyMe’s first single “I Can Only Imagine”, and reunited with his girlfriend.

Overall, the Freshman FAITH Day was a great experience for all participants. Freshman Isabel Larrea said, “I think my favorite part of it all was seeing how the homerooms, including mine, came together to make such a fun and exciting day.”


Paws-itive Thinking: Dogs On Campus Help Wellness Effort

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Article by Phoenix writer Isabel Connolly ’22:

Every student who passes through the halls of Kellenberg knows of Beato or has played with Goretti. Many students joke that the “Kellenberg Dogs” were one of the deciding factors in their decision to come to Kellenberg. Kellenberg is so unique in the fact that it’s completely normal for a dog to come running through a classroom with its “master” (who’s kidding who? We know who’s really in charge). Everyone would agree that the Kellenberg dogs are an integral part of the community and atmosphere at Kellenberg.

As a simple Google search will reveal, in recent years, there has been a noticeable influx in the use of dogs around workplaces and schools.
In fact, in many schools, therapy dogs are trained and certified to provide psychological and physiological therapy to individuals or groups who are not their handler. No doubt, sometimes there is no better medicine than the love of a dog.

But Kellenberg seems to have been ahead of the curve when it comes to having dogs in school.

Before the first bell even rings, students may pass by Principal Bro. Kenneth Hoagland’s Samoyed, Beato, or Assistant Principal for Activities Bro. Roger Poletti’s little Yorkshire terrier, Matthias.

Senior Francis Binkley says, “I love Beato. He’s just a giant fluffy dog. He’s really well-behaved and it’s super relaxing to just pet him.

Sometimes I go down to the General Office just to see him. He’s just a really cool dog.”

Kellenberg’s Assistant Principal for Guidance, Mrs. Marconi noted that she often sees a student come into guidance stressed out. If one of the dogs is there, the stress seems to immediately dissipate as the student starts petting the dog. While the student body loves these dogs, they are not, in fact, certified therapy dogs.

Ms. Talita Ferrara, Director of Molloy College’s Student Personal Counseling Center, is the owner of Molloy’s own certified therapy dog, Lucy. Ms. Ferrara had Lucy for several years before two years ago when Lucy became a therapy dog. The certification process was very involved. To get Lucy certified, Ms. Ferrara and Lucy had to go to meetings with program volunteers. The volunteers would check to see how Lucy and Ms. Ferrara interacted. A therapy dog must be friendly, patient, gentle and at ease in all situations and with everyone they interact with. Lucy had to pass a test where she was touched from head to toe to see if there were any triggers. Following these tests, Ms. Ferrara had to take Lucy to various sites such as a nursing home where she interacted with patients.

Ms. Ferrara decided to certify Lucy because of one of the therapy dog events Molloy hosts. She has worked with Molloy for eleven years and had always noted that the event was well attended. She finally realized that Lucy would be the perfect candidate to become a therapy dog and pitched the idea to Molloy.

Lucy

Ms. Ferrara cited multiple studies illustrating the benefits of therapy dogs. The demographic most aided, besides hospital patients, is college and high school students. In fact, the National Institutes of Health conducted an experiment with 82 university students. They had students watch dog videos and then directly interact with a dog after giving an anxiety-inducing test. Their findings indicated that all participants regardless of condition had a reduction in their anxiety and an improved mood. According to the American College Health Association, stress is the most commonly reported barrier to a student’s academic success. Other studies have indicated pet owners have enhanced self-esteem, reduced levels of loneliness and anxiety, more ambition, and more positive moods. With the countless studies proving their effectiveness, it is apparent why an increasing number of schools are employing therapy dogs.

Ms. Ferrara noted that within the past three years she has seen more and more directors of college counseling centers looking into therapy dogs for their schools.

Mrs. Marconi commented that she looked at Kellenberg as “the brothers sharing their home.” The dogs have evolved into a living symbol of the community that the Marianists foster at Kellenberg. Inarguably, the presence of dogs around the building makes students feel welcome.
This welcome might be an important ingredient in the recipe to wellness and belonging. And that goes for the dogs too!

Junior Joaquin Chungata, a self-professed dog lover, has a Maltese-Havanese mix named Daisy at home. And like so many of us, he misses his pooch while he’s at school. Thankfully, Kellenberg’s dogs can fill that void! Specifically, Joaquin spends some time nearly daily with Chaplain Fr. Thomas Cardone’s mini-golden doodle, Goretti. Named after the famous St. Maria Goretti, the energetic pup loves going for walks with students and playing fetch with her ever-present lacrosse ball.

Joaquin loves taking Goretti for walks, saying, “I think it’s peaceful. Spending time with Goretti breaks up the day. You know, school can be a lot sometimes, so I look forward to any time I can get with her.”

Mrs. Marconi herself brings in her dog, Scout, named after the famous Harper Lee To Kill a Mockingbird character. The Guidance AP and ninth-grade English teacher believes her dog benefits from being in the school just as much as the students who get to see her do.

Molloy’s Ms. Ferrara also noted this in her work. Ms. Ferrara says, “The dogs enjoy the attention they receive from students. It brightens the dog’s day just as much as it does the students’.”

Perhaps most importantly though, Ms. Ferrara believes therapy dogs “normalize counseling.” Many students may come in uncertain about therapy. The therapy dog eases their nerves. The dog makes counseling feel like going to a friend’s house, similar to the effect the cuddly pups have at Kellenberg.

Mrs. Marconi also noted the impression the Kellenberg dogs make on the students and how each dog seems to carry its own following of students. Groups of students will often come to walk Matthias or Goretti. At the beginning of each lunch period, students will flood through the A.R.K. just to pass by and pet Goretti. Mrs. Marconi recalled that a few years ago on their last day, several seniors came into the general office solely because they wanted to say goodbye to Beato. Some of the students were even moved to tears at the thought of saying goodbye to the dogs at Kellenberg.

While Kellenberg may not have certified therapy dogs like Molloy’s Lucy, the students certainly benefit from the joy and love of all the dogs.

Autism Speaks Walk Supported by KMHS Tennis Team

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Article by Phoenix writer Elizabeth Mooney ’22:

On Sunday, October 10th, twenty-eight members of the Varsity Tennis AA and A teams along with their coaches met at 8:30 AM at Jones Beach Field 5 to begin a four mile walk with the objective of raising awareness and funds for Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks is an organization dedicated to promoting solutions for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.

The tennis team along with their parents all wore their Kellenberg Royal Blue Tennis Sweatshirts, which is the color that represents Autism Awareness. The color blue’s association with autism originated from Autism Speaks’ campaign known as “Light it Up Blue”.

Many teams from several other local schools were in attendance. As the walk progressed, rain began to fall, but it did not keep the Tennis Team and others from supporting the cause. The walkers were both cheering and cheered on as they marched on. The event had many booths that offered information regarding autism research, family resources as well as support services. A DJ was in attendance to entertain the participating families and supporters.

Coach Simonelli inquired about Autism Speaks several years ago because she felt the walk was an opportunity for the KMHS Tennis team to come together in service to support a great cause. The team raised $1,000.00 dollars this year, and Junior members Ava Finnegan and Ashley Glynn received t-shirts for their personal contributions to the cause. Collectively over the years, Kellenberg’s Varsity Tennis has raised over $3000.00 for Autism Speaks to assist in research. Coach Simonelli and the team are extremely proud to be part of this event and will continue to support Autism Speaks going forward.

New Lunch Service Resumes for In-Person Lunch Periods

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Article by Phoenix writer Brooke Federico ’24:

CulinArt, the new cafeteria company that Kellenberg has partnered with for its school lunch program, has improved the lunch service for this year’s renewed in-person lunch periods.

CulinArt offers a wide variety of foods from hot meals to snacks in the mini-market. The hot lunch section includes items such as pizza, chicken fingers, french fries, cheeseburgers, mozzarella sticks, sandwiches, salads, and even sushi.

The mini-market features snacks such as chips, candy, cereal, granola bars, yogurt, and more.

Drinks, offered in both the mini market and the hot meals counter, include, among others, cranberry juice, lemonade, iced tea, milk, water, orange juice, Gatorade.

The new CulinArt lunch program offers a wider selection, faster service, and some tastier options.

Sophomore Valentina Papavero, who’s been attending Kellenberg since the 6th grade, says, “Between Latin school and high school the school lunches this year are by far the best.”

The payment for this service is also well controlled and efficient. It is under a program called MyKidsSpending and is offered to students to allow them to purchase items in the cafeteria from their student ID card which is with them at all times. To make a purchase, the ID is simply scanned by the person working at the register. Cash is also accepted; however, many find using their ID card easier. The ID card also allows the students’ purchases to be monitored by their parents.

As a daily lunch buyer, freshman Maria Contreras loves the cafeteria service. She said, “Using the ID card to pay speeds everything up. The first day the line was really long, but it moved really fast, so I was able to enjoy my Crispy Chicken Sandwich for lunch and still have my time with my friends.”

Sophomore Brooke Bowen, a pizza lover, looks forward to the CulinArt pizza, as she says, “Just about every day! Pizza, a granola bar, and a Brisk. It’s good food, and it fills me up. My lunch period is fourth period, so I don’t want to be feeling hungry at the end of the day.”

The Cafe remains open until 5 p.m. for students looking for a snack in the mini-market, or a place to do work or socialize.

CulinArt, based out of White Plains, New York, is a complete dining service provider which serves 250 schools and businesses in 18 states.

Business and Finance Club

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Article by Phoenix writer Sophia Paulich ’24:

Kellenberg students in grades 9 through 11 have been learning the ins and outs of the business world through the Business and Finance Club. The club meets in the library after school alongside alumni and college professors to hold lectures on how students can enhance their knowledge in professional fields.

Kellenberg has also enhanced its club by partnering with Molloy College in Rockville Centre and offering informational courses. Junior, George Pappas, remarks, “I am hoping the course will continue to expose me to the world of business and give me a deeper insight on the ability to properly run a business.”

The Business and Finance Club consists of three branches. The main section of the club explores various elements of business like stocks, investments, and entrepreneurship. The second branch focuses on achieving Bloomberg Certification. Attaining this certification early on is extremely valuable in certain fields. Lastly, the third part incorporates college-level courses through Molloy College that can lead to students attaining three college credits.

Senior, Krystal Raymond, credits Business Club for developing her love for stocks, saying, “Through the club, I was able to learn about various business topics I am interested in such as the stock market.”

The club provides the Kellenberg students with the much-needed ability to focus on specific elements that they take interest in.

Emporium Bookstore Sells Gear, Spirit, and More!

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Article by Phoenix writer Michelle Paszek ’24:

The Phoenix Emporium Bookstore is a place where the members of the Kellenberg Family can buy necessary school supplies as well as Kellenberg merchandise. From uniform pieces to loungewear, to gifts for family and friends, the bookstore has it all.

According to Emporium Assistant Moderator Mr. Armoia, “Our biggest selling items are definitely sweatshirts and sweatpants and a new LI Firebird t-shirt we have. And of course, the Kellenberg car magnets are a very popular item.”

“The Kellenberg Phoenix Emporium is a great way for students to be able to show their school spirit at events and in their communities,” said John D. Gaffney Jr., an eighth-grade Emporium staff member.

Eighth-grade member John Furlong shared, “If you need something to do then come join the Phoenix Emporium. And if you need something in general, you can probably buy it here too!”

Located at the end of the cafeteria hallway next to the ARK, the bookstore is open in the mornings from 7:45 to the start of Homeroom every day and from 2:50 to 3:45 on Tuesdays through Fridays after the end of the school day. However, the website is available at all times at https://shop.kellenberg.org.

Due to COVID, the store has mainly been online, where orders have been shipped directly to the customer’s house or by using an added feature of local pickup. This is where online orders can be picked up in school at the bookstore, saving both time and money. Even though this was meant to continue business safely within the school during cohorts, it will continue on into future years.

Students with a real interest in retail experience or who want to support school spirit can also join the bookstore staff. Anyone interested can contact Bro. Peter Sennert, S.M. or assistant moderators Mr. Armioia and Mr. von Elm.

Girls Varsity Volleyball Meets with Sports Psychologist Dr. Larry Widman

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On Tuesday, October 26th, the varsity volleyball team conducted a very special “practice” of sorts, spending an incredible training hour in a zoom call with Dr. Larry Widman, author of the sports psychology book, Max Out Mindset.  Generously responding to Coach von’s email thanking him for the many ideas the team had adopted throughout the course of the 2021 season, Dr. Widman offered to voluntarily meet with the team to discuss the four main ingredients shared by exceptional athletes, “ingredients that, if mastered, ultimately lead to the development of an elite mindset” (Widman).
As Widman introduced his “max out” theory, team members were encouraged to identify, discuss, and react to the four pillars:  Commitment, Confidence, Concentration, and Composure.  Sprinkled throughout his lecture were videos of outstanding volleyball players like Crissy Jones of the U of Washington, Madison Lilley of the U of Kentucky, and Jordan Larson of the USA Olympic team, along with featured clips of Patrick Mahomes of the KC Chiefs and Monty Williams, head coach of the Phoenix Suns.  Each video reinforced the importance of role clarity, self-talk, visualization, mindfulness, and resiliency.
One recurring theme throughout entire presentation was the power of “team” and the interconnectedness that develops among players who unselfishly strive for a common goal, something the 2021 KMVB squad has embraced since the doors of the gym opened for the first practice on August 23rd.  As the squad begins its march into the post season, Widman’s visit takes on added significance because the stakes are higher and the spotlight more intense.  Hopefully, with Widman’s wisdom packed into their gym bags right alongside their knee pads, the Firebirds can max out every moment on court by playing with commitment, confidence, concentration, and composure.

Latin School Students Celebrate Halloween With Outdoor Dance

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Article by Phoenix writer Brooke Federico ’24:

On October 29th, 2021 Kellenberg Memorial hosted a Halloween dance for the Latin Schoolers in grades sixth through eighth. The dance took place underneath the outside tent from 3 PM – 5 PM. It was a beautiful and spooky day.

Scarlet Harvey, a seventh-grade student at Kellenberg, states, “I am so glad I attended. I met new people, had fun dressing up, and the games and food were amazing.”

Attendees feasted on chips, candy, and other Halloween-themed treats. The Latin Schoolers showed their creativity with costumes such as Taylor Swift, blow-up dinosaurs, pandas, Barbie Dolls, gorillas, and more. Archer Davy, seventh-grade student, states, “I loved seeing all of the creative costumes and enjoyed all of the activities.”

There was dancing, Halloween games, and they even played gaga ball. In the popular game of Gaga ball, the students stood in a circle and hit the ball, trying to make it touch their opponents’ feet; if the ball touched one’s foot, they were out. The games brought everyone closer together, and it was a great way to meet new people. Decorations also flooded the outside tent with Halloween posters, streamers, balloons, and more.

About 200 Latin school students came to this event ready to share in the Halloween spirit. Seventh-grade student Riley Fanelli said, “It was a fun and amazing experience getting to spend time celebrating Halloween with our friends.”


Students Achievements Recognized at Academic Awards Assembly

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Article by Phoenix writer Valentina Papavero ’24:

On October 26, 2021, Kellenberg held its annual Academic Awards Assembly. The assembly started with all the teachers and seniors walking in the auditorium and solemnly walking up to the stage.

Brother Kenneth congratulated students for their accomplishments, before handing out the awards. Sophomore Rayven Rospide stated, “I felt uplifted as I accepted my pin upon the accomplishments that I have achieved throughout the last year.”

Sophomore Brooke Federico declared, “the amount of people who achieved an award shows how Kellenberg Memorial was able to grow within their academic achievements, even with the covid pandemic occurring.”

Lastly, sophomore Holly Schoeffel stated, “It was a beautiful assembly that made me realize how much a family Kellenberg can be.”

Throughout the assembly, the band led by Mr. Vegas performed a medley of music.

At the end of the assembly, Mr. Kennedy inducted new members into the National Honor Society.

Spanish Club Celebrates Dia de los Muertos

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Article by Phoenix writer Angelo Tsassis ’22:

On Thursday, October 29th, the Spanish Club met in the Millennium Room. The club has been rapidly gaining popularity, and many members were present at the meeting on the 29th.

This particular meeting was to celebrate the Day of the Dead, or in Spanish, Día de los Muertos.

Dia de los Muertos is a multi-day holiday that consists of a joyful celebration honoring the memories of family members who have passed away. Members of the club learned about the origins of the holiday and why it is so important. They also participated in a coloring activity that pertained to the holiday.

Senior member Belen Pisaniello says, “The club helps me learn about Spanish culture while having a great time with friends.”

In 2021, Kellenberg’s Spanish Club has been a rousing success.

Kathleen Healy Wins 2021 Girls Cross Country League Championship

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Article by Phoenix writer Angelo Tsassis ’22:

On Sunday, October 31st, Kathleen Healy won the 2021 girls championship in 16 minutes, 44.72 seconds on the 2.5-mile course at Sunken Meadow State Park, battling down the stretch to keep two hard-charging St. Anthony’s runners behind her. It was the result of years spent trusting the process and trusting the training. “I knew that if it came down to a sprint at the end, I could trust my training, and it worked.”

Earlier in the season, the Girls’ Cross Country team attended Ed JJ Bowes Invitational, and almost every Kellenberg athlete that competed earned some hardware.

The Freshman Team started off the day with a 3rd place finish, led by Sienna Pimentel and Shannon Pulis, who finished 6th and 7th respectively, leading the way for the Lady Firebirds.

The JV Team was up next, finishing in 2nd place to Mary Louis Academy by one point. Juniors Mackenzie Casey and Saniya Hayden, and Sophomore Danielle Tercynski led the way with terrific 5th, 7th and 9th place finishes. 9 other Lady Firebirds also medaled in the race.

Closing out the day was the Varsity Team, who finished 6th place in the team standings. Kathleen Healy led the way with a 10th place finish. Also earning medals were Seniors Tess Rundo and Lauren Tarpey as well as Juniors Caleigh Hopkins and Brooke Hoffman.

JV Volleyball Brings Home League Championship

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Article by Phoenix writer Isabel Connolly ’23:

On November 1st, Kellenberg’s JV Volleyball team traveled to a neutral site to defend their undefeated season and bring home a league championship. The Firebirds capped off their stellar season with a victory over the Friars of St. Anthony’s in two straight sets with scores of 25-21 and 25-20.

Winning a league championship is an exceptional accomplishment, but having played and defeated the Friars eight times in one season is what legends are made of. The 2021 JV team has indeed proven legendary.

This group of 23 individuals created a formidable team. Brooke Mollica stepped up to the plate and ferociously defended the back court. Grace Canade provided her proven leadership, playing smart with unparalleled tenacity. Setters Nora Butler and Hayley Lipinski ran the offense as well as any varsity players in the league. Middles Jaclyn Bricca and Olivia Orphanos dominated the net. The offense was led by Julia Maniscalco, Bianca Sapano, and Stella Becker.

Congratulations to all the girls who were a part of this winning team for all their hard work.

Let’s go Firebirds!

Over 1,000 Attend Fall Festival

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Article by Phoenix writer Mia Habert ’22:

There is nothing that anyone enjoys more than dressing up and getting candy during Halloween. This past weekend on Saturday, October 30th, the Kellenberg family had a scary good time at the Firebird Fall Festival. The festival was a way for families to be able to have a fun night while also welcoming them onto campus and introducing them to Kellenberg’s student life.

The initial plan for the evening was for students to be outside in the parking lot, trunk or treating, and playing Halloween-themed games. However, the weather had other plans. The event was moved into the gymnasium and cafeteria where the senior volunteers, dressed as various animals, gave out candy to the attendees. But the fun did not end there – various games, pumpkin painting, a family photo booth, and other creative activities kept guests entertained for the night.

Mr. James O’Brien shared, “We had a small expectation for the event but about 1,053 people wound up attending.” There was even a strong alumni presence at the festival, showing the lasting bond created within the Kellenberg Family.

This Halloween’s Fall Festival was one enjoyed by the Kellenberg Family collecting candy and making memories at the school that never sleeps.

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