The Most Improved Player Award
This is awarded to the athlete who displayed the greatest amount of improvement and growth in their skills which contributed to the success of their team.

The Bernie Ward Commitment Award
This award is named after our beloved former faculty member, coach and colleague Bernie Ward is for the athlete who has displayed the most passion and commitment towards bettering themselves and their teammates during the season.

The Most Valuable Player Award
This is awarded to the athlete whose contribution to the team contributed most towards that team’s success during the season.

Baseball

Most Improved: John Carroll

John Carroll pitched an inning on JV in 2017.  This year he became the varsity’s most consistent relief pitcher.  In 14 1/3 innings, John struck out 17 batters and pitched to a team-low 1.46 ERA.  The progression John made from day one until the last day of the season was incredible!  John Carroll is this year’s MIP.

Bernie Ward Commitment Award: James May

Having been cut as a freshman and a sophomore James May decided last year to give it one more try.  James worked hard and committed himself to becoming a better hitter.  James ended the season with .300 league batting average and developed into a great fielding third baseman.  James commitment to success has led him to be able to continue his baseball career in college. This year’s Bernie Ward Commitment Award Winner is James May.

Most Valuable Player: Jason Diaz

What all everyone talks about is Jason Diaz’s arm.  Well, this year Jason decided to contribute with his bat as well.  Jason hit a team-high .357 and scored 11 runs for the Firebirds.  Jason led the league in strikeouts as a pitcher with 59 in 31 innings.  This year’s Most Valuable Player is Jason Diaz.

Boys GolfMost Improved: Pat Calpin

Pat Calpin continues to improve all parts of his game and grow as a competitive golfer.  He regularly hits fairways and greens in regulation.  Although he didn’t have any birdies this season, his par amount grew tremendously from last season.  He has grown into a model teammate for some of the inexperienced golfers to rely upon and to look up to.  The coaches hope Patrick will continue to grow into a leadership role on the team. Congratulations to the 2017-18 Boys’ Golf team Most Improved Player:  Pat Calpin

Bernie Ward Commitment Award: Dan Schlossberg

Dan Schlossberg certainly defines the idea of commitment to the game of golf.  After a decent junior season on the golf team, Dan committed himself to working on mastering the finer points of his game.  He spent much of his summer and time during the winter getting ready for this upcoming senior season.  He was not afraid to ask questions about how to make the team or his teammates better.  The coaches will miss his work ethic and his enjoyment of the game as he continues his educational career in college.  Congratulations to the 2017-18 Boys’ Golf team Bernie Ward Commitment Award winner:  Dan Schlossberg

Most Valuable Player: Mark Roder

Mark Roder continued growing into one of the best golfers in the NSCHSAA.  His scoring average continued to drop as the season went on, and he finished the season with an average final score of 1.5 over par.  Mark also had two amazing rounds during the season when he shot one under par and even par.  He continued his leadership role on the team and served as a role model to the other members of the team.  The coaches wish him luck as he continues his educational career in college.  Congratulations to the 2017-18 Boys’ Golf team Most Valuable Player:  Mark Roder

Girls Golf

Most Improved: Emmah Federman

Emmah Federman has steadily improved her golf game throughout the season.  She averaged a score of +7.08 over par per nine-hole round.  She also had 4 birdies during the year.  Emmah also was named the NSCHSGAA Player of the Year for the second year in a row and was the defending League Tournament champion at the beginning of this season.  She has also been a three-time competitor for the NYSCHSAA Girls’ Golf team that will compete at the NYSPHSAA Girls’ Golf Tournament.  Emmah has improved all parts of her game, and she will continue her golf career at Hofstra University.  Congratulations to the 2017-18 Most Improved Player:  Emmah Federman

Bernie Ward Commitment Award: Melanie McManus

Melanie McManus played in eight matches this season and had a record of 6 wins, 1 loss, and 1 tie.  After a grueling freshman season last year, her calm demeanor helped improve her play in matches and worked in helping the new freshmen adjust to the demands of competitive high school golf.  Melanie has committed herself to improving some of the weaknesses in her game, and her ability to bounce back from poor shots or bad rounds demonstrates her resilient character.  Congratulations to the 2017-18 Bernie Ward Commitment Award winner:  Melanie McManus

Most Valuable Player: Ashley Harding

Ashley Harding has been a quiet force on the girls’ golf team.  She plays a very consistent tee to green game and has very few bad shots during a round.  She has also been a four-time competitor for the NYSCHSAA Girls’ Golf team at the NYSPHSAA Girls’ Golf Tournament.  Ashley also won the NSCHSGAA League Tournament this year for the second time in three years, and for the first time in school history, she became the NYSCHSAA Girls’ Golf Champion with her win at the NYSCHSAA Girls’ Golf Tournament on May 21^st.  She will continue her golf career at Union College.  Congratulations to the 2017-18 Most Valuable Player:  Ashley Harding

Boys Lacrosse

Most Improved Player: Jonathan Starcke

JT started out the year as an untested defenseman as he didn’t see much time last year because we had a senior-heavy defense. As we began tryouts and started our non-league schedule, JT started to emerge as a steady anchor to a very young and untested defense. Before we knew it, JT became our best one on one cover man. His offseason commitment to getting in great physical shape, hitting the weight room, and honing his stick work were quite evident.  His personal work ethic inspired us as a coaching staff to really keep him on the field and to show the younger players that hard work in the offseason really pays off.  This work ethic and personal drive of JT will carry him through lacrosse and more importantly through life as he begins his new career at Oberlin College in the fall.

Bernie Ward Commitment Award: Jack Leghart

Leggy has been our offensive rock for the last two seasons.  As a crease attackman, Jack has the tough job of working hard off the ball to get open as much as possible. When he is fed the ball, all of the opposing defensemen converge on him trying to knock the ball loose. As a result, he ends up on the ground quite often, usually after he scores a goal. As a matter of fact, Jack scored 20 goals this year, but Jack always gets up, and he always starts the process all over again. It is a tough job, but Jack excels at it. That is why he is our most committed member. We are proud of his personal fortitude to always hang in there and work hard for the next opportunity for success, on and off the field. Jack will be playing next year at the University of Scranton.

Most Valuable Player: Dylan Willis

Dylan is a two-year starter at both attack and midfield. His explosive speed and tenacious attitude make him a formidable offensive outlet. Although Dylan was a great finisher on the offensive end, he also has great field vision as he amassed 45 points with 28 goals and 17 assists.  His riding ability and aggressive one on one defense make him the complete player that he is. He is literally all over the field. As a captain, he led our team daily through his “never quit” work ethic.  When we needed a spark or a desperate groundball, Dylan was there to provide a lift and carry the team to victory.  He will be playing his collegiate lacrosse at St. John’s University.

Girls Lacrosse

Most Improved: Olivia D’Amico

This year’s Most Improved Player has been a two-year starter for the Girls Varsity Lacrosse Team. Olivia D’Amico has improved drastically over the years into an extremely talented player. In Olivia’s junior year, she earned herself a starting position and was a key player for our team. This past year, she was one of our top defenders and performers on our team. She played an important leadership role as she ran the defense throughout the season. Her stick skills, confidence and overall knowledge of the game made her into a top-tier defender. She will be greatly missed in our defensive unit next year, and we wish her luck and success in her future at the University of Delaware.

Bernie Ward Commitment Award: Maggie Ledwith

Maggie Ledwith is this year’s Bernie Ward Commitment Award recipient. As a senior and captain, Maggie rose to the challenge of leading her team to many victories. Each day, Maggie came to practice with a positive attitude and ready to work her hardest. Throughout the season, Maggie displayed what the true value of hard work, dedication and perseverance is. Maggie continuously put the team before herself as she pushed her teammates to do better. Maggie’s drive, commitment and work ethic will be greatly missed as she furthers her lacrosse career at Lafayette College.

Most Valuable Player: Ali Bigilin

Ali Bigilin has been named this year’s MVP for the Girl’s Varsity Lacrosse team. This past season, Ali was an example of a true team leader on and off the field. She showed extreme commitment and devotion to the team each day. As a key defender, our team greatly relied on Ali to guard many of the top-opposing players. She had many caused turnovers and interceptions in games that were crucial to our success as a whole. She excelled in many ways and will be greatly missed each day. We wish Ali luck as she takes her talents to Mercy College next year. 

Softball

Most Improved: Lindsey Raimondi

This player began the season with much hesitation and unknown ability. She worked diligently in practice to fine tune her changeup and become accurate and precise with spotting her fastball, curve and drop. Perhaps most importantly, she worked on her “circle” presence; in other words, showing poise and ferocity when in the circle and pitching. She pitched a key game when the team traveled to Albany. This challenge prepared her quite well for her next big challenge which was beating first-place St. Anthony’s in extra innings. Over the course of the regular season, this pitcher allowed only 18 hits in 42 innings, and she struck out 65 batters while going 7-0 as a pitcher. For her tremendous improvement and hard work, Lindsey Raimondi is the 2018 Most Improved Player!

Bernie Ward Commitment Award: Caroline Bratichak

This player brought an intense love of the game every day to practice. She inspired her teammates with her tenacity and persistence at becoming an outstanding first baseman. While a talented pitcher in her own right, she recognized the team need for a great glove at first base, and she took on the challenge knowing how it would improve the whole team defensively. In the course of the regular season, she amassed 99 defensive chances with 76 put outs and 23 assists and a 1.000 fielding percentage! Most importantly, she exhibited loyalty and concern for the team and her teammates, thus making us a much more cohesive and successful unit in both practice and game situations. Caroline Bratichak is the 2018 Bernie Ward Commitment Award recipient!

Most Valuable Player: Riley Lim-Ellis

This player enabled us to play an extremely aggressive style of defense featuring three pre-set pick plays, in addition to the usual gamut of options with runners on base. Her knowledge of the game provided confidence to her teammates when on defense, while her pitch receiving skills as a catcher made her a favorite among the pitchers and umpires. Her reputation caused most base runners to not even think about stealing. She only allowed two stolen bases all season while throwing out the other six who attempted. In addition, she logged five pickoffs of unsuspecting base runners. Offensively, she led the team in runs scored, 29, and she hit .443 during the regular season. She drove in 14 runs while walking 9 times, thus yielding a .507 on base percentage. Her contributions offensively and defensively clearly make Riley Lim-Ellis the 2018 Most Valuable Player on the Varsity Softball Team.

Boys Track

Most Improved: Dydro Prosper

Throughout his high school career, Dydro Prosper has always been one of our most consistent runners.  His consistency is strength for team scoring, but with regards to personal times, he still had room to improve.  This year, his senior year, Dydro went above and beyond running to personal bests in the 400 dash and 800-meter run.  He also assisted in both our 4X8 and 4X4 relays during the season.  This award is a major testament to his drive and determination to never give up on himself.

Bernie Ward Commitment Award:Alex Belotte

Alex Belotte is the quintessential captain for this program.  He is the first to arrive and the last to leave.  He is always looking to serve the team in any event but also looking to bring so many boys into the sport.  Alex enjoys the comradery with his teammates on the bus and is always looking to bring Jesus Christ into the sport.  Alex is going to be very difficult to replace, and his leadership has set a tone for this program with stresses the importance of competing for something bigger than oneself.  Alex, you are truly deserving of the Bernie Ward Commitment award.

Most Valuable Player:David Lozipone

David has been our most valuable athlete from wire to wire.  His excellent cross country and winter seasons were only outdone by the memorable and school record-breaking spring season.  In addition to his fine success in the mile, David ran a personal best in the 3200-meter run and is always our most reliable leg on the 4X800 meter relay.  David will continue his fine athletic career at Manhattan College, and we as a coaching staff are confident in his ability to be a key addition to college track.

Girls Track

Most Improved: Chrissy Foster

Coming off a stellar indoor season, this young woman continued on her mercurial improved path from winter. This Spring, she improved to a state-ranked time in the 200 at the Glenn Loucks Games; she ran a crucial leg on Kellenberg’s winning 4×400 relay, and she ran on the winning 4×400 relay at the NSCHSGAA championships after winning the bronze in the 200 meters. She is a team player all the way, and that has set the path for her amazing improvement. We are honored to award the M.I. P. award to Chrissy Foster.

Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy

Bernie Ward Commitment Award: Nora Bennett

Those of us who had the distinct pleasure of working alongside Bernie Ward, know what a great man of integrity, valor, and dedication to his family and job he was. Those honest qualities of “passion of purpose” are alive in this young woman. After losing her whole junior spring season to an injury, she came roaring back this year. She has been the leadoff leg of our nationally ranked 3200-meter relay; she was our sole Individual winner at the Somers Invitational in the 3000 meters; she scored 12 points for us in the team’s defense of the NSCHSGAA title. The soft-spoken Nora Bennett, who will continue her career at Bucknell University, like Bernie Ward is all about action and deeds, and dedication and faith. We are honored to present this meaningful award to her.

Most Valuable Player: Gabby Buissereth

This young woman combines commitment to goals, team and personal, caring for all her teammates, and intense competitiveness. As an athlete, some of her highlights this season have been a runner-up finish in the very competitive Somers Invitational, placing in the Joe Brandi and Iona Invitationals; running on the Nanuet winning sprint medley, and picking up two golds and twelve points in the NSCHSGAA by winning the 400 meters in the CHSAA’s fastest time of the season, and leading off the winning 4×400 relay. As Captain, this is the young woman who you call to reach out and encourage another teammate. She will continue her promising career at Adelphi University. We are honored tonight to present our team MVP to Gabby Buissereth. 

Tennis

Most Improved Player: David Frith

Throughout the 2018 season, all athletes on the Varsity team had shown a commitment and improvement of their tennis skills, but this young man stood out.  Senior David Frith is the 2018 Varsity Tennis Most Improved Player. David has been on the team for two seasons and came back this year with a positive determination to improve his skills.  His uplifting spirit, kind nature and “can do” attitude was respected by all who met him.  A positive role model for our new athletes, he demonstrated great poise on and off the court.  David will be attending Maritime this fall, and we wish him continued success in all he does!

Bernie Ward Commitment Award: Cole Lechleider

The Boy’s Varsity Tennis Team has been incredibly honored to have this young man since he was a freshman.  During the past four years, he has grown as a competitor and has led the team with a quiet confidence.  Captain Cole Lechleider has demonstrated high level of play, good sportsmanship, a commitment to the team and sport throughout his four years as a Varsity, level player!  For the past several years, Cole has also taken on the role as manager for the girl’s tennis team.  He is a talented singles player and has worked with promising new players in our program providing positive encouragement and strategic advice.  Off the court, Cole has maintained academic successes consistently as an Honor Roll student.  But most importantly, Cole always displayed good sportsmanship and a positive enthusiasm that was admired by his teammates and coaches.  Cole Lechleider is my choice for the Bernie Ward Commitment Award!  He will be greatly missed, and we wish him a lifetime of continued successes!

Most Valuable Player: Adam Argento

A Most Valuable Player can be defined as the one athlete who has physically successfully contributed to the team’s success, but this young man has encompassed all that a Kellenberg Memorial High School athlete should be.  Captain Adam Argento is the most obvious choice for the KMHS Varsity Tennis MVP Award of 2018.  Adam has played with the team for the past three years, as a single and doubles team competitor.  His athletic ability and positive attitude were unmatched!  Although Adam may not have won every match played, he grew as a player and improved his game every time he stepped onto the court. Adam displayed a competitive maturity and had an innate ability to adjust to all types of players.  His commitment to the team was undeniable.  Always encouraging his partners and his fellow teammates, Adam was the obvious driving force in many victories.  He was a true sportsman who always gave respect and praise for his opponents.  During practices, Adam was always the first to complete warmup runs and lend a helping hand.  His genuine love and enthusiasm for the game, our team and Kellenberg was contagious!  Very few are gifted with both a talent of sport and success as a student.  But Adam had both, maintaining averages above 95 for the past several years. We are grateful to have had Adam play for the team and wish him continued successes!

Volleyball

Most Improved: Kevin Begis

Kevin Begis has been with the Volleyball program for two years. Kevin is naturally a soccer player; however, when he came into the program, the coaches were excited about his potential. Last year we began to work on his footwork, his approach, and finally his arm swing. This year Kevin came into the season with an eagerness to learn how to become not just our outside hitter but an all-around player and leader on the floor. Each day he constantly worked on improving his hands and footwork to become not only our outside hitter but one of our captains. It has been a pleasure to watch the enjoyment Kevin has had in making this transition, and we can only wish him the best in the future. The program is forever grateful for your hard work, dedication, and positivity. This year’s Most Improved Award goes to Senior Floor Captain Kevin Begis.

Bernie Ward Commitment Award: Christian Coleman

Christian Coleman (C.C.) has been with the Volleyball program for two years. Ever since he entered the program, he was always eager to be a part of something bigger than himself. Last year we eased him into being a defensive specialist, and he was a key member of our back row with his consistent serves. However, this year Christian worked hard in the offseason and wanted a larger responsibility, so we gave it to him. His commitment to this club and his heart to put others before him makes him the ultimate teammate. This year he was truly the heart and soul of this program. No matter the situation, you could watch his mannerisms on the floor and feel the excitement when he made a play that would get the rest of the team so pumped up. He was one of the few players that were given the opportunity to play all the way around, which means that he was never subbed out. It is my pleasure to give this year’s Bernie Ward Commitment Award to Senior Captain Christian Coleman.

Most Valuable Award: Nick D’Amato

This year’s most valuable award goes to a boy who used to play volleyball growing up but due to his rigorous soccer schedule and passion for baseball didn’t try out for Volleyball until he was a junior. After consistent nagging by a certain coach to play, he decided to make a comeback. In the beginning, he was a bit rusty, but after we worked on his hands, footwork, and touch, he looked like he never missed a beat. He became our setter, our leader, and our captain. Some of his career highs included a 42 assist game in the league semi-finals that helped us upset league rival St. Anthony’s. He has put together a fantastic career over the past two years, and his services will truly be missed next year. The 2018 Boys Varsity Volleyball Most Valuable Player is Senior, All-League, and Captain Nick D’Amato.

Article by James Dionisio ‘20

Over Memorial Day weekend, Kellenberg Memorial’s Music Department traveled to Boston, Massachusetts for a leisurely and enjoyable vacation away from home. Spending May 26 and May 27 in the Bay State, this trip was abundant with laughter and joy.

The first day of the trip began with an exceptional performance at Faneuil Hall Marketplace. As the sun shone on the ensemble, the band and orchestra members enthusiastically played their instruments, and the members of chorus sang in mellifluous harmonies. Every passerby cheered and applauded at the melodic tunes that filled the humid air.

Once the successful performance came to conclusion, the music department boarded on the Boston Duck Tours. The amphibious bus drove all around the state, showing our students the iconic sites of Massachusetts, such as the Prudential Tower and Fenway Park. Then, everyone was able to cruise along the Charles River and embrace the view of a marvelous city on a beautiful day.

After eating dinner at the Hard Rock Café, the group had a rather terrifying experience at Gallows Hill, where hair-raising tales of witches and demons left everyone on the edge of their seat. At dusk, the students sauntered about the fearsome cemetery of those persecuted from the Salem Witch Trials.

On the second day of the trip, the music department visited Six Flags New England. The exciting roller coasters of the amusement park took the students to worlds of vintage cartoons and superheroes. Smiles surrounded the group as everyone wandered around the park. Even though storm clouds enveloped the sky, it could never quell the euphoric spirit of Kellenberg. This journey to Boston was certainly one not to forget. Special thanks to Mr. Sean Vegas, Mrs. Grace Hsu, and Mr. S. Clark Blanton for coordinating such an amazing trip and sharing their musical expertise.

Five members of the class of 2018 have elected to serve their country after their time at Kellenberg Memorial High School. Please keep the following graduates in your prayers as they commit themselves to their future endeavors.

Patrick James Darmody ’18
Appointed to United States Merchant Marine Academy
at Kings Point

Dylan Scire ’18
Enlisting in the United States Army

Andrew Suarez ’18
Appointed to United States Merchant Marine Academy
at Kings Point

Anthony Suarez ’18
Appointed to United States Merchant Marine Academy
at Kings Point

Katherine Sweeney ’18
Appointed to United States Merchant Marine Academy
at Kings Point

On Thursday, May 24, at the Levittown Hall in Hicksville, sixth-grade finalists were chosen from twenty-five participating schools and honored for their creative and innovative ideas for new laws. The entries touched on topics such as health care, school safety, environmental protection, child safety, and the use of electronics. John Farrell was the winning sixth-grade contestant representing the Brother Joseph C. Fox Latin School. His law stated that Airline Carriers should be equipped with Epi-pens on their flights and have trained personnel to administer them to their passengers should a need become necessary during a flight. John Farrell was also announced as this year’s Grand Prize Winner. At the conclusion of the ceremony, John received two certificates, a gift card, and a personal photograph with Senator Kemp Hannon.

Congratulations to John Farrell for his wise contribution and participation in the government which is key to the future of all children and our democracy!

The Latin School Math Bee took place on April 24, 2018.  Each of the thirty Latin School participants demonstrated remarkable mental math skills and had a great time competing.  The Latin School champion was John Devereaux (7B), and the runner-up was Henry Noonan (7D).  Both John and Henry advanced to the Invitational Math Bee hosted here at Kellenberg on May 16, 2018.

Our Invitational Math Bee, on May 16^th proved successful once again!  There were 16 schools represented by the 33 participants from all over Long Island.  After more than 14 rounds of math problems, James Kamerer from St. Dominic School prevailed as the winner.  Hayden Dengel from St. Raymond School was the runner-up.  Congratulations to all who participated!

On May 3, the entire Latin School seventh and eighth-grade student body took the nation-wide Language Arts Olympiad Examination to evaluate their acquired skills in spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension.  Our top ten scorers in the eighth grade were the following students:  Vincent D’Addona, James Cross, Declan Welch, Gabriella Radburn, Vincenza Julian, Nicholas Morales, Lance Allen, Nicholas Ciasulli, Thomas DeLuca, and Ryan Gerhart.   Our top ten scorers in the seventh grade were the following students:  Maxwell Matos, John Chigounis, Isabel Connolly, Emily Carroll, Mofe Annabel Awozele, Alden Echaorre, Ella DeCamp, Isabel Louie, Connor Ronan and Anthony Vazquez.   In the Bro. Joseph C. Fox Latin School the seventh and eighth-grade scores ranked our students third nationally.

Congratulations to our winning students in grades seven and eight who received certificates and medals for their high scoring test accomplishments!

Major Award Honorees

Kellenberg Memorial High School General Excellence Award
Outstanding Young Man & Young Lady
Madison Elizabeth Callinan & Kieran Patrick Dennis

Kellenberg Memorial High School Francis T. Keenan, S.M. Valedictorian Award
Kellenberg Memorial High School Father Francis T. Keenan, S.M. Salutatorian Award
Lourdes Elena Rohan & Kieran Patrick Dennis

Academic Excellence Award Awarded to the Young Man & Young Lady
with the Highest Cumulative Averages From Grades 9 – 12
Noelle Erica Maronak & Thomas Joseph Cava

Edward J. Dunn Student-Athlete Award Awarded to the
Most Outstanding Young Man & Young Lady Student-Athletes
Sean Thomas Crotty & Julia Rose Bryant

Brother Richard J. Hughes, S.M. Service Award Awarded to the Young Man & Young Lady
who have shown the Most Outstanding Service to the School Community
Thomas Liam Sorkin &  Shea Byrnes

Civic Award Honorees

Nassau County Award for
Community Service and Academic Excellence
Ismenia Inmaculada Ginebra

Town of Hempstead Award for
Community Service and Academic Excellence
Shane Xavier Jackson

Senator Kemp Hannon Citizenship Advancement Award
Bridget Frances Lapham & Fernand Julius Narr Gay

Third Congressional District Letter of Merit
Thomas Joseph Cava

Awards for Special Activities

Band Award for Excellence In and Dedication to the Band
Dominic Joseph Vesely &Kathleen Mary Peknic

Blue and Gold Award for Excellence In and Dedication to the School Yearbook
Anthony Joseph Ort & Amaya Renee Montalvo

Chorus Award for Excellence In and Dedication to the Chorus
Pauline Kreischer Taylor & Dean Thomas Cooper

Drama Award for Excellence In and Dedication to the Drama Club
Christopher Andrew Draghi & Elizabeth Marian Huggard

 Orchestra Award for Excellence In and Dedication to the Orchestra
Christopher Edward Buzzetta & Michelle Wonhee Lee

Parish Religious Education Program Award for
Contributing the Most to the Teaching of Religious Education
Thomas Robert Brennan & Madison Elizabeth Callinan

Phoenix Award for Excellence In and Dedication to the School Newspaper
Kimberly Morgan Lores & Michael Salvatore Senatore, Jr.

Speech and Debate Award for Excellence In
and Dedication to the Speech and Debate Club
Kaitlin Shea Byrnes & Kieran Patrick Dennis

Outstanding Seniors in Individual Subjects

Outstanding Seniors in American Sign Language
Alexandra Nicole Millisys & Matthew Thomas Kenny

Outstanding Seniors in English
Kieran Patrick Dennis & Kimberly Morgan Lores

Outstanding Senior in Fine Arts
Trevor Jose Bookman-Subira & Rebecca Kristin Schraibman

Outstanding Seniors in French
Christian James Wyland Licato & Kerry Rose Schiller

Outstanding Seniors in History
Kieran Patrick Dennis & Kimberly Morgan Lores

Outstanding Seniors in Latin
Michael Peter Devereaux & Madison Elizabeth Callinan

Alicia Walsh Academic Excellence in Mathematics Award
Trevor Jose Bookman-Subira & Alexandra Michele Klapak

Outstanding Seniors in Music
Andrew Klang & Faith Anne Agolia

Outstanding Seniors in Religion
Brendan Joseph Connelly & Madison Elizabeth Callinan

Outstanding Seniors in Science
Owen Thomas Haffner & Lourdes Elena Rohan

Outstanding Seniors in Spanish
Philip Anthony Salmon &Laura Vasquez

— — — — — — — — — — — —

1. Graduating Class – 524
2. Scholarships and Grants
   1. Total Number of Scholarships/Grants – 2838
      1. Academic – 2826
      2. Athletic – 12
   2. Number of Students Receiving One or More Scholarships – 364
3. College Placement

1. 1. Applications
      1. Total Number of Schools Applied to – 451
      2. Total Number of Schools Accepted to – 367
   2. Number and Percent of Senior Class Attending College – 522 (99.6%)
   3. Number of Seniors Attending Institutions of Higher Learning

1. 1. 1. Four Year Colleges and Universities – 505 (96.4%)
              Catholic – 212 (40.5%)
              Public – 127 (24.2%)
              Private – 166 (31.7%)

              

         In-State – 232 (44.3%)
              Out of State – 272 (51.9%)
              Out of the Country – 1 (0.2%)
      2. Two Year College – 17 (3.2%)
              In-State – 17 (3.2%)
              Out of State – 0 (0.0%)
   2. Number of Seniors Attending
           Four Year Colleges – 505
                including:
                     U.S. Merchant Marine Academy – 4
           Two Year Community Colleges – 17
           Enlisted United States Army – 1
           College Preparatory School – 1

For the second year in a row, sophomores in Mrs. von Schoenermarck’s American literature class were part of an independent reading experiment, one that encouraged them to complete books which extended beyond the school curriculum. From September to June, students immersed themselves into a vast assortment of literary worlds, including such genres as biography, science fiction, mystery, romance, fantasy, and historical fiction.

Using Peggy Kittle’s model from Book Love, all participants embarked on a reading journey that incorporated 10 minutes of in-class reading every Monday and Wednesday and 10 minutes at home on the other nights in an attempt to read an hour per week. The students held “Book Talks” every Friday, introducing two new selections for the class to consider and engage in one-on-one conferences with their teacher at least once a trimester in order to chat about their reading habits and interests. “Book Buddies”–a kind of in-class book club–was held twice a trimester to discuss setting, characterization, use of titles, opening, and closing lines, etc., from whatever book each student was reading at that time.

Members of that seventh-period class tallied an impressive 94 books, roughly averaging out to at least three additional books (beyond required course reading) per student. With summer on the way, they hope to continue the trend by packing a novel in their beach bags along with their customary lunch and sunscreen!

Congratulations to three members of the Varsity Softball team on their recent state and league honors.  

Riley Lim-Ellis ’18

Named NSCHSAA Softball Player of the Year & 2nd Team All NY State Class “AA” – Softball

Stephanie Conrade ’19

Named 3rd Team All NY State Class “AA” – Softball

Julia Piotrowski ’20

Named 6th Team All NY State Class “AA” – Softball

Join Us for a Boys Soccer Alumni Game & Social!

Join us on Saturday, July 14th, for a Boys Soccer Alumni Game at 10:00 AM at Kellenberg, followed by a social at The Greene Turtle!  

The alumni game is a tradition which continues to grow each year.  
Coach Masiulis looks forward to seeing everyone there!  

Please bring with you all equipment necessary to play.  

Following the game, all alumni are invited to catch up at The Greene Turtle in East Meadow with drink specials and complimentary appetizers.

Please RSVP for this complimentary event below.

If you have any questions, please contact Alumni Director, Mr. Thomas Huggard,
at (516) 292-0200 x375 or alumni@kellenberg.org.  

Nick Boffardi ’14 recently began a new position as a Video Producer at Sports Illustrated TV, where he is responsible for the preparation, production and editing for the shows that stream on their website si.tv, and on Amazon.com.  In addition to this full-time position, Nick also balances a number of other professional responsibilities, such as serving as a member of the game day production staff for the New York Mets and as a production coordinator for NYCB Live at Nassau Coliseum.  He also served as a videographer and editor at Kellenberg Memorial throughout his three and half college years. Nick holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Television Production from Hofstra University with a concentration in Production and Post-Production and was an active member of ETV and Auditorium Services (among other things) during his time at Kellenberg.  

How did Kellenberg Memorial shape who you are today?

I’ve been a part of the Kellenberg community for over a decade now. I started with the Latin School in 6th grade in 2007, graduated in 2014, and worked with the ETV Technical Staff until I got my full time job offer from SI.  Nearly everything I’ve done to this point has been influenced in some way by Kellenberg Memorial. As a student I was able to find what I loved in ETV. It gave me the confidence to pursue what I enjoyed doing. As a Catholic, Kellenberg allowed me to learn about my faith and carry it with me into my community and in college.  When I became a staff member, I was able to pass my knowledge to the students and help them learn as much as they could.

How did Kellenberg prepare you for success in college and in your career?

Kellenberg has done so much for me on so many different levels you could probably write a whole piece on that alone. Starting with the academics, while the material of each class is important to know, what’s more important is how I went about learning it all. I had to manage my time effectively and learn how to prioritize projects or papers. It was important to learn how to make time to study and not allow that time to interfere with sports or clubs. Balancing ETV with schoolwork and sports was the groundwork for my entire college life. As a senior Kellenberg, I learned how to be a leaders while serving as a Marianist Mentor for Mr. Kirk’s 7th grade homeroom (and now I feel old because those kids are going to be seniors this September). As a staff member, I was not only able to continue to lead and set an example for the students in ETV, but it also allowed me to mentor them and teach them what I knew. In television a producer is perhaps the most critical element to any successful show. We are responsible for all the content that fills an episode. We come up with everything from topics and themes for shows, to guest bookings and even the design of the set. All of these pieces require strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work with others. Kellenberg was the perfect place to learn these skills as they were incorporated into the curriculum both directly, in the likes of group projects, and indirectly, where I had to know myself enough to be able to determine what methods of organization worked best for me.

Kellenberg prepared me for nearly all aspects of college. Academically, I felt Kellenberg was far more difficult than any class I took in college. I had some college finals that were 50 scantron questions and 2 essays, which by Kellenberg standards should be able to be completed in 38 minutes (and usually done faster than that). Trimester and Comprehensive Examinations are in a class of their own in comparison. I learned how to interact with peers and teachers and how to navigate social situations outside the classroom. When I took my Intro to Studio Production class at Hofstra in my first semester, 95% of the material was what I had already learned through ETV. Coming back as an alumnus to work with the Technical Staff allowed me to put into practice the things I was learning at Hofstra. It not only gave me a place to refine my skills but it also allowed me to produce various types of videos to show as part of my professional experience.

Kellenberg teachers never wanted us to feel like we couldn’t we ask for help, which is what makes them so different. I’m sure nearly every teacher says that, but even the nicest teacher in the world can’t force a student to come for something as small as extra help. It’s the atmosphere at Kellenberg which allows students to feel comfortable in approaching a teacher to discuss what they’re struggling with or perhaps talk about what they’re really good at and enjoying in the class. Kellenberg teachers leave lasting impressions on their students which many of us carry to college. Kellenberg teachers want us to succeed after college and they love to hear how well their alumni are doing. Having been part of the Kellenberg family, I was able to approach my professors and have an open dialogue about what was going well or not so well in a given class.

You made a gift in support of this year’s Day of Giving.  Why do you think it’s important to give back to Kellenberg?

It’s so important to give back because it’s the way we’re going to help shape the future. Tuition isn’t cheap by any measure, and Donations from alumni can help Kellenberg continue to be an affordable option for families seeking a Catholic education. The building as we know it is essentially at capacity and while we make the most of the space, could we do better? The facilities may need to be upgraded or expanded in the future to allow students to get the most out of their education. Giving back can help Kellenberg continue to invest in their students’ futures. Donating as a recent graduate and making a consistent donation for the next decade or so could very well mean that my kids will be looking at a drastically improved Kellenberg Memorial (physically) from the campus I knew as a student.  

Who was your favorite teacher/class, moderator/club, or coach/team when you were a student here, and why?

Jeff Harris and ETV were and are my favorites from when I was a student. When I say ETV, as much as I mean the club itself, I also want to include the people that were part of it because they were the essence of the club. Our first studio was in a literal closet in the back of the auditorium. There were maybe a dozen kids in the club when I joined. I came in as a freshman only knowing that I liked shooting video. I looked up to the juniors and seniors in the club who were there every day morning and afternoon, taking care of anything that had to be done. They’re a big part of the reason I’m in this field and have the work ethic I do. Jeff was always involved in the club and one of the first things he said to me when I joined was, “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” You can’t be shy in this industry and he tried to teach that from Day 1. He wanted us to push our boundaries because it was the only way to learn. He had an idea of what I was capable of and knew how to push me just enough to get a little extra out of me. He was my mentor for high school and one of my biggest supporters when I said I was going to pursue television production in college. When he hired me at Kellenberg, it came with one caveat: I couldn’t stay forever. He was right and I’ve been fortunate that other opportunities have come up that I couldn’t pass on.

You graduated from Hofstra a full semester ahead of your peers.  How did Kellenberg play a part in that accomplishment?  

As a senior at Kellenberg Memorial, I was offered the opportunity to take some of my classes for college credit.  I took 3 credits through LIU-Post for our English class. We had a guest professor visit and lecture a few times throughout each trimester.  I also took Father Philip’s LS Latin 12 class for 6 credits. While we did do some conjugating of verbs or declining of nouns, this class was different from any other Latin class I had taken at Kellenberg. On the first day of school each student was given a binder probably 2 inches thick filled with information not only about Latin, but about Roman and Greek culture too. It was more of a Classics focus than it was about the Latin language. Fast forward to college, where a BA degree in TV Production requires 124 credits. At least 94 of those credits had to fall into Hofstra’s liberal arts designation. Among these 94 credits were core requirements in subjects like math, science, social studies, literature and a foreign language. I called up both St. John’s and LIU-Post to get copies of my transcript and have them sent to Hofstra, and within 10 days I received an email confirming the credits were accepted. The summer after my freshman year, I took a 3-credit writing class over the summer. The following summer, I went abroad to Italy where I took another 3-credit course. With those two summer courses, plus my credits from high school, I had a total of 15 credits not taken in my spring and fall semesters. It actually moved me a semester ahead and my junior year I took two semesters of 17 credits. Entering the Fall 2017 semester I needed just 16 credits to complete my degree and I graduated that December. That was very important for a few reasons. First, it saved money as I didn’t have to pay or take loans for another semester of college. And secondly it allowed me to apply for jobs beginning in October and list a possible start date in January instead of June. I had nearly a 6 month head on my other classmates in my job search. I interviewed for Sports Illustrated TV in March, something I might have been able to do if I were still in school. However they were looking for someone to start as soon as possible so when they called me and offered the job I was able to say, “I’ll be there Monday,” instead of trying to delay it until after finals.

Dear Firebird Alumni,

So excited to get the ball rolling with our Alumni Book Club! As the final days of school wind down, what a perfect time to think about SUMMER READING–wait, not that kind of summer reading where you have to plow through (or Sparknote) a literary tome in order to be tested in the opening week of September. Nooooo! Rather, this is just a suggested title that you may (or may not) pick up, throw into your beach bag, and then dive in!

Since this is our inaugural session, I am offering up the opportunity to share a novel I just finished last week. In the future, the door is open for others to provide titles of books that they would like to recommend. This is going to be such great fun!!!

So here goes . . .

This is an amazing tale that flips back-and-forth between two narrators and two time periods: Rill Foss, a twelve-year-old girl who finds herself thrown into a Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage in Memphis in 1939, and Avery Stafford, a federal prosecutor who has returned home to South Carolina of the present day to assist her father who is in poor health. Somehow, in some way, these two disparate voices will connect, and magic will ensue–thanks in large part to the enchanting writing ability of Lisa Wingate. Check out this treasure of words:

You see, there is one thing I learned from following in Papa
Sevier’s footsteps, as I grew up. Life is not unlike cinema. Each scene has its own music, and the music is created for the scene, woven to it in ways we do not understand. No matter how much we may love the melody of a bygone day or imagine the song of a future one, we must dance within the music of today, or we will always be out of step, stumbling around in something that doesn’t suit the moment.

Ah, passages like that abound in this powerful story. What makes this book even more compelling is the fact that the horrors of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society were TRUE!!! There really was a Georgia Tann who directed this notorious organization by kidnapping and selling poor children to wealthy families from all over the US. Wingate creates an unforgettable experience through her blend of fact and fiction, one that promises to keep you engaged throughout and disappointed when the final page must be turned because it’s over.

We will convene on Tuesday, August 14th at 7PM in Kelleberg Memorial’s library to discuss the book. For all those who are not living locally and can’t join us in person, we will be livestreaming the discussion. If you’d like to take part, please RSVP below. Once you have RSVPed, you will receive an email on Monday, August 13th containing instructions to access the livestream.

For more information or any questions, please reach out at alumni@kellenberg.org.

Happy reading,
Mrs. Cathy (Hughes) von Shoenermarck

GETTING IT DONE ON THE COURT AND IN THE CLASSROOM!

The 2017 varsity volleyball team not only captured a thrilling league championship this past season, but they also snagged the highest academic recognition in the country by being chosen as recipients of the AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association) Team Academic Award.

In the announcement that was just published July 18, awards director Betsey McCamish commented, “This award honors teams who have matched their dedication to the sport of volleyball with excellence in the classroom. Meeting the award standards is an accomplishment of which your team can be proud.”

This marks the fourth straight year that the Lady Firebirds have been selected for this prestigious recognition.  The sixteen players on the roster—Kasey Beggi, Grace Cullen, Jenna Doyle, Gabby Faya, Madison Gale, Kylie Grubb, Tara Hagerman, Brianna Hartmann, Fiona Mahony, Trinity Manning, Francesca Mistron, Colleen Moulder, Heather Oleksiw, Molly Perrotta, Alyssa Pugh, Katie Sweeney—compiled an absolutely outstanding GPA of 92%!

“What can I say?” remarked Coach Cathy von Schoenermarck.  “My coaching staff and I have been blessed by being able to coach young women who are driven in everything that they do.  This award is proof of how they approach each day as champions, regardless of whether or not a scoreboard is visible.”

The Lady Firebirds, NSCHSGAA League Champions for 2015, 2016, and 2017, open up their 2018 season at home on Thursday, September 13 vs. OLMA.

Thanks be to God! On Saturday, August 18, Fr. Daniel Griffin, S.M. ’02 was ordained to the priestly ministry of Jesus Christ in the Society of Mary. The ordination liturgy was celebrated at Kellenberg Memorial High School, where Fr. Dan attended and later taught in the Latin School before leaving to study for the priesthood.

After entering the Society of Mary shortly after graduating from Kellenberg Memorial in 2002, Bro. Dan served as the chaplain for the Bro. Joseph C. Fox Latin School before preparing for the priesthood at the Marianist seminary in Rome. Returning briefly, Bro. Dan taught at Chaminade High School for a short time before returning to Rome to complete his studies.

Presiding over the liturgy was Archbishop Christopher Cardone, O.P., archbishop of the Archdiocese of Honiara, Solomon Islands. In attendance were Bishop Robert Brennan, Bishop Andrzej Zglejszewski, and Bishop Richard Henning, auxiliary bishops of the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Along with a number of priests and deacons from the dioceses of Rockville Centre, Brooklyn, and the Archdiocese of New York were fellow Kellenberg Alumni, Fr. James Hansen ’07, Fr. Jeff Yildermaz ’04, and Fr. Pierre Toussaint Guiteau, C.F.R. ’04.

It is with great joy that we welcome Fr. Dan back to Kellenberg Memorial, where he will once again serve the Kellenberg Family as Chaplain of the Latin School.

Full photo gallery here.

Credit: Richard T. Slattery

By Newsday’s Roger Rubin:

The list of college lacrosse programs that would like to bring Matt Sluka into the fold includes the bluest of the bluebloods. The Kellenberg senior has drawn serious interest from the likes of Johns Hopkins, Denver, North Carolina, Penn State and Loyola Maryland. Most top lacrosse players would envy the situation.

And yet none of these programs is a good bet to land him.

The 6-2, 205-pound Sluka started to fall in love with his other sport – football – as he quarterbacked the Firebirds to a CHSFL junior varsity championship as a sophomore. By the end of a junior season where he helped transform the Kellenberg varsity from a 1-8 afterthought to an 11-0 CHSFL Class AA champion, football had become his true passion.

Read the entire article on Newsday.com: https://www.newsday.com/sports/high-school/football/kellenberg-s-sluka-elite-lacrosse-player-is-hooked-on-football-1.20657265?utm_source=tw_sp

Kellenberg Girls Varsity Cross Country Team with Sgt. Conor McDonald

Over the weekend, the Kellenberg Girls Cross Country team participated in the Fr. Mychal Judge 9/11 Walk of Remembrance. The event began with a memorial Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Manhattan followed by a memorial walk to honor the victims of the attacks on September 11, 2001. The walk, beginning at E1/L24 FDNY 31st St. & 7th Ave. concluded at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church on Barclay St., retraced the walk the late Father Mychal Judge made the day of the attacks. Stops were made at each of the thirteen firehouses to pray for the heroic 343 fallen members of the FDNY. Pictured here with the team is Sgt. Conor McDonald, the son of the late, Det. Steven McDonald.

On the morning of Friday, September 14, Kellenberg Memorial High School welcomed Bishop John O. Barres, bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, at the school’s annual celebration of the feast of the Triumph of the Cross.

The prayer service was held at the foot of the 20-foot cross which faces the front entrance of Kellenberg Memorial. Gathered together for the prayer service were the students and faculty from Kellenberg Memorial High School, including members of the Bro. Joseph C. Fox Latin School, and the students of the nearby St. Martin de Porres Marianist School, the Marianist-run elementary and middle school in Uniondale. With over 3,000 gathered, including parents and alumni guests, the annual event is the largest Catholic school prayer service on Long Island.

Bishop Barres preached from the Gospel of John on the saving mission of our Lord, Jesus Christ, through the power of His Holy Cross. The bishop reminded those gathered of the role of the Cross in salvation and how, “the light of Christ’s mercy streams from his wounds and [so] we celebrate the triumph of the Holy Cross.”

Following the conclusion of the prayer service, Bishop Barres continued his visit of Kellenberg Memorial, first meeting with seniors who participated in a mission trip to serve at the holy site of Lourdes, France this past summer. Joseph Tallini ’19 and Anya Murphy ’19 recalled their experience working with the elderly and infirm of Lourdes and serving the thousands of pilgrims who make their way to the grotto where Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette 160 years ago.

The bishop’s visit ended with a tour of Kellenberg Memorial High School including some of the newly renovated and updated classrooms and other areas of the building. The Marianist community and the entire Kellenberg Memorial and St. Martin de Porres families extend their gratitude to Bishop Barres for taking time to visit the school and celebrate the Triumph of the Cross with the students.

Miss Tara Marsigliano ’06 with Athletic Director and History Teacher, Mr. John Fechtmann at Kellenberg Memorial’s 2018 Homecoming Game.
Photo Credit: Brittany Bernstein

Article by Newsday’s Brittany Bernstein:

For Tara Marsigliano, Kellenberg Memorial High School’s football game against St. Francis Prep on Sunday was a homecoming in more ways than one.

Marsigliano graduated from Kellenberg, a Catholic school in Uniondale, in 2006 with dreams of one day returning as a teacher. But after graduating with degrees from Iona College and Hofstra University, she ended up as a K-4 teacher in Downtown Brooklyn.

That is, until Kellenberg Athletic Director John Fechtmann called Marsigliano, who rowed crew all four years of undergrad at Iona and went on to become a crew coach in Manhasset, with a “crew question” recently.

“I’m thinking it will be something simple — nothing to do with me being hired there, and he said, ‘What about starting our [crew] team and teaching here?’ ”she said.

Her reply?

“When can I sign the contract?”

Read the full article on Newsday.com: https://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/kellenberg-memorial-high-school-homecoming-1.21105223

On September 17, Kellenberg Memorial High School student-scientists traveled to the Cold Spring Harbor DNA Learning Center West. Over the course of the four-hour program, students took part in a hands-on experience where they were able to learn molecular biology techniques in order to isolate DNA and replicate DNA. The trip also included a tour of the Northwell Health Core Laboratory where thousands of medical tests are performed each day. Two more trips to the DNA Learning Center are planned for later in the year.

Willaim Deevy with NY State Assemblyman Brian Curran as he is honored as a Future Leader of New York.

In June, after graduating from St. Agnes Cathedral School, the current freshman at Kellenberg Memorial, Willaim Deevy received the 2018 Future Leader of New York State award. The honor recognizes the academic excellence as well as a strong sense of civic involvement, social conscience, and commitment to making the world a better place.

“I am currently a Life Scout and my goal to become an Eagle Scout,” William says. “I dedicated a lot of my time volunteering at a soup kitchen, as an altar/Bishop server, at school events, fundraisers, and many Boy Scout projects to help improve our community.”