By Grace Garcia ’23:
It is hard to believe that we are at the bridge, the end of our senior year, one which is decorated with rites of passage and anticipation of next steps. It’s a bittersweet moment in which we often sneak a glance at our parents and find them simultaneously tearing up and cheering our accomplishments. We cannot possibly have completed this journey as a solo performer.
While we have studied many hours and excelled academically, Kellenberg leadership and faculty recognize the need to celebrate our social connections. Extracurricular clubs and activities are gifts from Kellenberg faculty to students which allow exploration and development of our talents. We are blessed to have the opportunity to celebrate our friendships and interests through Kellenberg’s traditions of the Class Trip to Disney, the Senior Luncheon, the Senior Send-off and a long list of clubs and events sponsored by the Faculty and Administration at Kberg.
It’s been a long time since the Freshman Dance, and the Senior Send-off reminded us all that sometimes our life outside the classroom can be as valuable as our schoolwork is. The Senior send-off, a cruise that provides an evening of dining and dancing accented with Manhattan in the background, took place on June 1st. The view was breathtaking as the sun was setting as we floated past the Statue of Liberty.
Senior Holly Gannon said, “I thought send off was a lot of fun and a great way to come together one last time as a class.”
Senior Lianne Chu said, “Send off was one of my favorite memories from Senior year. The views, music, dancing, and friends made it an unforgettable night.” This was a very special night for all Seniors as it was the last time before graduation that the entire Kellenberg Class of 2023 would be together and create memories that will last a lifetime.
The Class of 2023 also attended Kellenberg’s annual Senior Disney trip which took place from April 27th thru April 30th, 2023. Students look forward to this trip from the first day of school, demonstrated by every Senior wearing a Disney themed backpack. Throughout the first three days of the trip, Seniors spent time in Universal Studios, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Volcano Bay Waterpark.
Though each day started with early wake up times, every student can attest that being an early riser was worth it. Faculty chaperones went above and beyond to secure exclusive, private events for Kellenberg students at night. The first private event was held at Superhero Island in Universal Studios. Students were given dessert and exclusive access to select attractions such as The Incredible Hulk Coaster.
The second private event was held in Epcot where students had exclusive access to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, which was a fan favorite ride. Most students rode the ride two or more times, one of the highlights of the trip. The last private event was held at Volcano Bay Waterpark. Students ate dinner together and then had access to select rides. This was a great way to spend the last night on the trip.
Senior Aliya St. Louis said, “I enjoyed spending time with friends and the waterpark at night. I especially liked riding the Guardians of the Galaxy ride three times at night.”
Senior Jared Carpentier said, “The trip was very organized and even better than I could have imagined.”
The Disney trip gave the Senior class an opportunity to make memories with their classmates outside of school.
Another Kellenberg tradition is the Senior luncheon. The Senior luncheon took place on the last regular day of school before Comps, May 8th. Every Senior was invited to have lunch in the lobby, instead of the cafeteria, with their peers and teachers during their lunch period.
Senior Alexander Hill said, “The Senior luncheon was great. The food was awesome and it was awesome to spend my last lunch with just my classmates.”
The Senior luncheon was a nice addition to the Seniors’ last day of regular school.
The Class of 2023 also has forged friendships through our participation in faculty led clubs. Due to the pandemic, the Class of 2023 demonstrated creativity while engaging in clubs over the course of our four years of high school. At the beginning of freshman year, everyone joined their respective clubs and started to settle into high school. Unfortunately, in March of 2020 our lives changed dramatically as COVID-19 was rapidly spreading. At that time, the impact of COVID was not clear and without treatments or vaccines, it was determined that social distancing was the best intervention and classes transitioned to a virtual experience. 
While Clubs could not meet in person either, they maintained a connection virtually. Some clubs such as CROSS and SALT would send out weekly assignments or tasks that could be completed at home.
In addition, Wednesdays were designated Activities Day. In an effort to avoid the screen fatigue of the Virtual School Day, the KMHS Administration organized a extracurricular schedule for students to virtually meet with their club moderator and friends.
Once Sophomore year (2020-2021) started, clubs continued having virtual meetings. After a couple of months, clubs and activities began to meet in person but had a limited capacity and students had to sign up in advance. For students who choose to continue school virtually, in person clubs meetings were broadcasted virtually through Schoology so they were accessible to any student.
Finally, once Junior year (2021-2022) started, clubs went back to normal and were able to meet weekly in person, with no limit of attendees.
Kellenberg’s vast array of clubs and activities have had a profound impact on the Class of 2023. 
In only a couple of examples, senior Micaela Maywald said, “The Prep program is so rewarding because I am making a difference in other people’s faith,” and senior Carolina Ginebra said, “Being a part of Kellenberg’s Health and Science club was an amazing experience. Participation in this club allowed me to learn more about health and wellness, connect with like-minded people, and inspired me to pursue a nursing career at the University of Pennsylvania. I am so grateful for the opportunities it has provided me with.”
I’ve learned so much at my desk at school, but I know I’ve learned just as much in my extracurricular life. I think we all have. I will leave you with the words of one of my favorite artists, which I believe illustrates the Kellenberg experience: “Not a single one of us here today has done it alone. We are each a patchwork quilt of those who have loved us, those who have believed in our futures, those who showed us empathy and kindness or told us the truth even when it wasn’t easy to hear. Those who told us we could do it when there was absolutely no proof of that. Someone who…offered up some moral code of right and wrong for you to try and live by. ….I hope you’ll find your own way to express your gratitude for all the steps and missteps that have led us to this common destination.” -Taylor Swift (NYU graduation speech, 2022)