Members of the French Club enjoy the New York City experience.

Article by Phoenix reporter Isy Odiaka  ’19:

On December 1, 2018, the French Club, moderated by Mrs. Delbrune and Mrs. Ryan, ventured to New York City.

First, they enjoyed a dinner at La Bonne Soup. “It was the first time we went in eight years,” said Mrs. Delbrune.

After dinner, students traveled to Rockefeller Center to witness the annual tree lighting.

To end the evening, students walked around and enjoyed the beauty of Times Square.

“I had a great time walking around Rockefeller and eating French cuisines in the city,” said senior Ryan Romaine.

As soon as Thanksgiving passes, we all begin to prepare for Christmas. Our lights are now up, our trees are decorated, we shop for those we love. It is exciting, yet can become tedious and consuming. However, Christ calls us to celebrate the advent season in a more spiritual and fulfilling sense. As stated in John 1:9-10 “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.” These very first words of John’s Gospel invite us to welcome Jesus into our lives this Christmas and always. He explains that although Jesus was coming into the world, he was always in the world, we just failed to recognize him. This is extremely significant when referring to the holiday season, Jesus has always been here with us but sometimes we fail to celebrate him daily. This advent season, I am going to try and focus on the reason we have the Christmas season, to grow closer to Christ so we may let Him into our hearts and our lives on Christmas morning.

By Phoenix Editor Maya Tadross ’19:

You aren’t “really OCD” for liking your clothes to be organized by color. He isn’t “so ADHD” because he fidgets in his seat. She is likely not “depressed” because of a single poor test grade. This is my biggest pet peeve. No one would call someone “diabetes” for eating too many sweets! Using mental illness diagnoses as adjectives simply diminishes the true struggles of the people who actually suffer from them. Further, this adds to the toxic stigma that keeps many people from reaching out for help, which can only lead to negative consequences like worsening symptoms, decreased functioning, isolation and too often, suicide.

To some extent, we all have the unfortunate flaw of speaking before we think, and often we even forget the deep meaning behind the words we are using. For instance, the colloquial insult “dumb” seems almost harmless on the surface. However, its original Old English denotation is “unable to speak,” and people used to falsely believe that people who could not speak were unintelligent. Therefore, by calling someone “dumb” we are not only offending one person but essentially the Deaf community as well as everyone with speech disabilities. Similarly, words like “crazy,” “lame,” “lunatic” etc. originated centuries ago to refer to people with varying disabilities and health conditions, and we are just beginning to recognize that they are derogatory to use in any capacity today. One label I find especially pejorative is the “r-word.” Although it began as a clinical description decades ago, its slang forms are used today to insult and perpetuate false negative stereotypes of people with intellectual disabilities. The use of the “r-word” is downright sinister. We can view the most physically attractive people as ugly solely based on the vulgarity of their language. Words can be ugly, and using them to hurt others ironically makes us look bad in return. When we view insulting and cursing at others through this lens, suddenly doing so becomes much less appealing towards us. “You’re so stupid,” I snapped at my sister for forgetting to bring her sneakers to the playground several years ago. Immediately our younger cousin having overheard us ran to our mother, shouting, “Maya said the ‘s-word!’” Defensively I hastened after him to clarify to my mom that I hadn’t said that “s-word,” just “stupid.” But in hindsight, it shouldn’t matter which forbidden word I had said: both would have been unkind and demeaning towards her. As my parents used to tell me, “if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”

In this chaotic world in which we are all undergoing some sort of suffering, I propose that we all simply practice being kind to one another. Expressing kindness is free, and it can make the world a little happier for everyone, so why not?

In this pursuit of being nice to others, however, we will be forced to face our greatest challenge- being kind to ourselves. It is said that everyone is his or her own worst enemy. We may not even recognize how often we engage with our own inner critic, also known as negative self-talk, or how much of an impact it can make on us. Just like external critics, our inner critics can limit our value of ourselves and therefore our potential for positive growth. According to verywellmind.com, negative self-talk can lead to limited thinking, perfectionism, feelings of depression and relationship challenges.

How many times have you insulted yourself, called yourself derogatory names or cursed at yourself? This is your inner critic. The first step towards minimizing negative self-talk is catching your inner critic by noticing when it is speaking. Some people like to give their inner critic a name like “Negative Nancy” to separate it from themselves. Observe the words of your inner critic and then try to shift your perspective on them. This process is much more easily said than done and takes a lot of practice, but its positive results are worth the effort. Imagine if all the damage caused by insults and negative-self talk could be erased. It cannot be completely eradicated, but we can prevent it for the future by choosing not to use offensive language towards others and practicing skills to minimize the impact of our inner critic on ourselves. We can make the world a happier place by being careful when choosing our words and actions. But I’m just a teenager battling my own inner critic as I write this- so what do I know?

At the annual Phoenix Christmas Concert on December 14, a greater audience will be able to enjoy the performance by our student musicians. Leading up to their concert, while members of the Phoenix Chorus have been rehearsing their numbers, students taking American Sign Language (A.S.L.) have been practicing signing the words to some familiar Christmas songs.

The A.S.L. Program was introduced at Kellenberg Memorial High School in 2009-2010  and is a World Language option for students in their junior and senior year, depending on their academic program.

Professional A.S.L. interpreters Lynn Mastromano and Laura Romer have been working with students in preparation for the concert. “We feel blessed that we have been given the opportunity to work with young people who are using the signing medium to grow creatively and spiritually.” In her final Christmas concert as a student, Janelsy Paredes ’19 remarks, “I’m more than happy to be participating in this for the Christmas concert, it’s a time where we’ve created great bonds in ways others don’t.” 

Music department chairman and Phoenix Chorus director, Mr. Clark Blanton explains, “I have tried for quite a few years to include something for the A.S.L. students because the language is so beautiful and really enhances what we are singing. I have always thought that we are so fortunate to be able to hear this beautiful music and want to try in whatever way we can to bring it to a wider audience. It is our way of letting the deaf community know that we recognize and respect them and want to include them in what we do!”

For some students, this is their final Christmas concert at Kellenberg Memorial. Senior Sydney Cifuentes ’19 recalls, “Being able to sign for the second year is such a privilege. I am so blessed to have this opportunity because others don’t have the privilege,” and Gabriella Correia ’19 says, “It’s an honor to be able to sign, not once but twice for the Christmas concert, especially with my closest friends.”

The Phoenix Chorus is Kellenberg Memorial’s senior-most chorus, predominantly composed of members of the junior and senior divisions. Members perform in two school concerts each year, the Christmas Concert and the Spring Concert. Many members are also involved in additional performance ensembles including NYSSMA and other select groups at Kellenberg Memorial.

One of my favorite memories of my time here at Kellenberg took place nearly a year ago, when winter set upon the island with a particularly chilly vengeance. It was a Friday night, the night of the Phoenix concert, and my friends and I opted to stay through till the concert started rather than go home. It had been snowing that afternoon, and as the day turned to evening, the blizzard picked up again and intensified, the sky darkening to a near orange. My friend and I, mystified, stepped into Kellenberg’s central courtyard into a world of eerie darkness and beauty. It was completely silent save the softness of the falling snow, and anything and everything was covered in a beautiful layer of soft, fine white powder. Lights on in the Millennium Room meant we could see the massive Christmas tree and all of its ornamentation reflected in the floor-to-ceiling windows, and for a brief moment in a very hectic time of trimester exams and concerts and stress, life seemed to stand still.

I’d imagine the coming of Christ to be like that snowfall I experienced. Christ is like the snow itself- white, pure, sinless and spotless, and when He came into the world, time seemed to stop as the world rejoiced. I am an ordinary, everyday person who got caught in the flurries, just like the shepherds when they were stopped by angels from heaven, proclaiming the birth of a Savior. I still remember that evening; even all this time later it remains one of my favorite memories of high school, and dare I say I am a different person because of it. Beauty is found in the simple things, just like Christ is. If Christ is peace, then I found Him on a snowy December evening, in the midst of exams and frustration- in the place where I least expected to.

During the 2017-18 school year, along with other talented music students across the United States and overseas in military base schools, Marie Rose (Rosie) McCumiskey from Kellenberg Memorial High School practiced with the dedication to gain a chair or part in her local, district, and state music honor ensembles.

Rosie joined the “best of the best” for the National Association for Music Education’s (NAfME) 2018 All-National Honor Ensembles November 25-28, 2018, at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. The Jazz Ensemble and Mixed Choir concerts took place on November 27, and the Guitar Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra and Concert Band concerts performed on November 28, in the ballroom at Disney Coronado Springs Resort.

As a senior at Kellenberg Memorial High School, Rosie has been a member of the Chamber Music Society, the Phoenix Chamber Ensemble, and the National Honor Society. Rosie has also been a member of a number of campus ministry activities as well as the equestrian and lacrosse teams.

The All-National Honor Ensembles (ANHE) performers represent collaboration and creativity in its highest musical form. The All-National Honor Ensembles consist of a jazz ensemble, mixed choir, guitar ensemble (new this year), symphony orchestra, and concert band. Students were chosen through an audition process. The jazz ensemble included 20 instrumentalists, the mixed choir 240 vocalists, the guitar ensemble 47 guitarists, the symphony orchestra 122 instrumentalists, and the concert band 121 instrumentalists. Eligible students qualified for their state-level honor ensemble program (not applicable to guitar students) and competed against top students for a spot in these national honor ensembles.

Selected students rehearsed a challenging repertoire in preparation for performing under the baton of five of the most prominent conductors in the United States: Todd Stoll (Jazz Ensemble); Dr. Amanda Quist (Mixed Choir); Dr. Michael Quantz (Guitar Ensemble); Dr. Jean Montès (Symphony Orchestra); and Dennis Glocke (Concert Band). All conductors have received top honors in their field and spent several days rehearsing with students before the concerts.

Names, schools, and states, as well as music directors, of the 550 2018 All-National Honor Ensemble students are available on the ANHE website: nafme.org/ANHE.

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National Association for Music Education, among the world’s largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association orchestrates success for millions of students nationwide and has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century. With more than 60,000 members, the organization is the national voice of music education in the United States.

By Phoenix reporter Sean Ronan ’20:

Many children face the struggle to find a family that will love and support them through all circumstances. In a recent poll, AdoptionNetwork.com reported that about 135,000 children are adopted in the United States each year.

I am one of those 135,000 children. 15 years ago, in 2004, I was adopted from Moscow, Russia.

Experiencing the difficulty of infertility for a few years, my parents, Kathleen and Brian, decided to conduct a research on adoption. It didn’t take long for them to make a decision. In July of 2003, they partnered with Children of the World Adoption Agency, Inc., led by president and executive director Justin Herscovici and adoption coordinator Phyllis Herscovici. It was the only agency accredited by the Russian Federation that was licensed and headquartered in New York.

Upon being shown a video of me playing with various toys, my parents quickly knew that I was the “right” child to take home.

It took my parents at least nine months to complete the adoption process. Within that time, they visited Russia twice — the flights lasting 10 hours each — to submit paperwork and various documents, to attend court hearings, to get fingerprinted and to visit the orphanage, Baby House #2, in which I was situated. A woman named Alla guided my parents and translated for them throughout their trip.

Scripture tells us that a new name symbolizes a new mission. My parents were excited for this new opportunity for me. When asked what my new name would be, my parents chose “Sean Michael Ronan” from the former, “Artem Aleksandrovich Stepanov.”

Time had gone by fast. It was finally the day that the adoption process would be finalized and I would be brought into the care of my new loving parents. Upon landing at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York on April 24, 2004, I was greeted by my new grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, who had all anticipated my arrival for many hours. I was showered with hugs and kisses.

Since then, I have had the blessing of growing up in a home with a sister whom I consider to be my best friend and a family in which I am cherished for all that I am and have accomplished. I was given a second chance to grow up into the person I am destined to become.

Children of the World, Inc. invited my family and me to their annual picnic for many years until its closing in 2008. It was an opportunity for kids to get to mingle with other children from Russia and for other people to ask questions about the adoption process.

For several years, my family and I memorialized my arrival annually on April 24 by going out to eat for dinner.

I have always known my story. Throughout my life, my parents have encouraged me to share it. To my surprise, Kellenberg Memorial High School has allowed me to meet other individuals who share the same, but unique, stories as mine.

Pictured L to R: Zhenya Pierce ’20, Sean Ronan ’20, Mrs. Alice Accardi, CJ Peknic ’21, Mrs. Margaret York ’03

Mrs. York, moderator of Homeroom 11M, teacher of Freshman Scripture and moderator of the Business and Finance Club, was adopted from Long Island, New York.

Mrs. York’s adoptive parents were blessed with great luck: it took just a few years until they were at the top of the adoption waiting list of the adoption agency, Catholic Charities.

When asked about how her story differs from that of an individual who was brought up by biological parents, Mrs. York commented, “For me, that ‘natural creation’ of a family was there, and so was love — so much love my parents were willing to give me what they thought was a better life.”

Every year, Mrs. York shares her adoption story with her Freshman Scripture classes and emphasizes the importance of adoption versus abortion.

She stated, “Adoption is so important because there are so many families out there struggling to have children and are so willing to take a baby who needs a home.  Every human should be given an opportunity to be loved. Being adopted is a blessing. Every day I thank God that my birth mother chose life for me, and was so selfless as to make a huge sacrifice by putting me up for adoption. I also feel blessed that God chose my adoptive parents to be my new parents.”

Mrs. York currently has one child of her own. Inspired by her own story, she has always thought about “paying it forward” and adopting a child in the future.

CJ Peknic ’21, a charismatic sophomore at Kellenberg Memorial High School, was adopted from Taiwan in 2009.

Following CJ’s birth, his biological mother had placed him in St. Lucy’s Orphanage. Just when he was several months old, he was then placed with a foster family until he was nearly two-and-a-half years old. Later, he was moved to another foster family until he was 6 years old and adopted into his current family.

CJ’s father stated that adopting CJ and bringing him into his family was, “the best birthday gift he could ask for.”

CJ commented, “Being adopted is unique. God had a purpose for me to have a good and happy life, so He gave me to my family who loves me unconditionally. One of my favorite quotes from Isaiah 30:21 is, ‘Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’’ To me, this means there is always a meaning to something that has happened to you in the past, and for me, it means following the path God has set for me.”

If he gets the chance, CJ would like to travel back to his home country and meet his biological parents in the future.

“If I got to meet my parents in person, I would like to know why they had put me in a foster care, if I had any siblings, and what happened in the past that had made them think the way they did,” he reflected.

Zhenya Pierce ’20 was adopted from Ukraine at six years old, in 2008. His sparse memories of his young life include sleeping in big rooms lined wall-to-wall with twin beds, though his knowledge of his native Russian language has decreased over time.

Zhenya’s happiest memory is of when he began his journey home with his adoptive parents, running around a hotel room in Ukraine in excitement over his newfound family. Zhenya described feeling exhilarated and scared as Finding Nemo, the first Disney movie he had ever seen, played on the hotel room TV.

While the stories of adopted children are compelling, the stories belong as much to the parents who gain the love of a new child. Mrs. Alice Accardi has been a junior and senior math teacher at Kellenberg since 1987. She and her husband have two biological children named Kira and Julia, and one child adopted from Korea named Brian.

Mrs. Accardi and her husband were trying to have a child for at least 10 years. One day at church, they met a family in the pew behind them who had two biological sons and one two-year-old daughter named Rosie, who was adopted from Korea. Following church, Mrs. Accardi and her husband went to the diner. Inspired by their new friends’ story, they decided to adopt.

“I firmly believe that God wanted us to adopt, and to be Brian’s parents in particular,” stated Mrs. Accardi.

Provided with a six-week hiatus from work to initiate the adoption process, Mrs. Accardi, along with her husband, initiated the undertaking through an adoption agency in Mineola named New Beginnings. Following extensive paperwork, Brian was adopted within 7 months on January 12, 1998.

Mrs. Accardi took a five-year sabbatical to raise her children after adopting Brian. She also did volunteer work with New Beginnings, working as a “Greeter” at John F. Kennedy Airport. Once babies came over from Korea, brought by an “escort,” they had to clear Customs and Immigration. Once Mrs. Accardi received gate clearance, she would go to the gate, find the escort and the child, clear the child through Immigration and bring him or her out to meet the new family.

For many years, every Mother’s Day, Mrs. Accardi would send a letter to New Beginnings and ask them to translate it and send it to the agency in Korea.

She commented, “It was my hope that, should Brian’s birth mother or foster mother ever wonder how he was doing, they could see that he was happy and healthy.”

Every January, Mrs. Accardi and her family celebrate Gotcha Day to remember the day that Brian was adopted. Brian gets to choose what restaurant he and his family goes to. As tradition, he chooses a Japanese restaurant.

Today, Brian serves his community as a firefighter.

It is imperative that all children grow up in an unconditionally loving home. Kellenberg Memorial High School has given me the blessing of meeting others with similar stories, which I hope inspires them to further share their stories so that others may become encouraged to do the same.

My personal meaning of Christmas has become more and more apparent to me as I continue my journey through Kellenberg. Beginning here in freshman year as a little 9th grader, I thought of Christmas as a time for presents and a nice long break to relax. As I grew, spirituality and mentally, I soon learned that Christmas is more of a time to reflect on my faith and spend time preparing for Jesus with my family. I have learned through our supplies drive for the Little Sisters of the Poor that this is the season for giving rather than always receiving. Christmas is also very much a time for family. It is sometimes hard to spend time together with such busy schedules and my sister at college, but Christmas brings us all together.
This Advent I plan to get closer to God through service. In the past years I used this time more to reflect and pray for thanks, but this year I want to be different. Especially during the Christmas season, many families need extra help. I hope to volunteer and donate a lot more to drives and collections to provide help for these people during the holiday season. Hopefully, I can get my friends involved, and we can all do donations together.

Elizabeth Killian ’16 is a junior in the College of Education at Marquette University.  On April 22, 2018, she received the University’s Magis Award, which is given to a student who has exemplified Marquette’s Mission in a significant way.  Elizabeth received the award in recognition of her involvement with the Center for Peacemaking, where she worked extensively with the Near West Side Partners and started a student organization, CAMPus Impact.  Through CAMPus Impact, Elizabeth has been able to organize events and experiences to get students involved with the communities surrounding Marquette. She has also dedicated herself to Campus Ministry by serving as a Retreat Leader and a facilitator for the Marquette Action Program.  

How did Kellenberg Memorial shape who you are today?  

Kellenberg has shaped me by showing me the value of faith and how important it is to give back to the community. I would not be as involved with my faith without the guidance from the faculty and staff at Kellenberg. Kellenberg has pushed me to be a well-rounded student, which is a quality I have been able to carry over into my college career. I will never forget a piece of advice that I received in Calculus from Bro. Gary which was something like, “Every decision you make will be the right decision because it will lead you to where you need to be.”  This piece of advice has encouraged me to never be afraid to try new things and take on new experiences.

How do you manage to dedicate such an incredible amount of time to Campus Ministry and outreach efforts at Marquette while still maintaining a successful academic performance?

Adjusting to college was not an easy task, but Kellenberg definitely prepared me to not only put my studies first, but to also prioritize the things that matter most to me, which is service. Time management is definitely something that I have struggled with; however, I have gained the skills throughout my time at Marquette to find the time for the important aspects of my life, especially faith.

What inspired you to give back to the communities surrounding Marquette, and what have you learned from this important work?

Marquette is a Jesuit University, and throughout my time at Marquette I have been able to learn and understand about many of the Ignatian Values including, Cura Personalis, Men and Women for and with Others, Magis, and AMDG. These values, on top of what I have learned from Kellenberg, along with Milwaukee’s urban population, has pushed me to want to go out into the community. I have learned that there are amazing people that live in the neighborhoods surrounding Marquette, even though it often has a negative reputation among students.

Who was your favorite teacher/class, moderator/club, or coach/team from your time as a student here, and why?

My favorite class was Christian Existence my senior year with Mrs. Strauss. I learned so much and we explored so many interesting topics relating to life and philosophy.  I also was a part of Stage Crew for four years, in which I had amazing guidance and support by Mrs.Farrell, not only backstage but in my everyday life as well. It was also wonderful to work with Mr. Murphy, and to hear his directions through the headphones backstage. S.A.L.T and S.P.I.C.E. were also two amazing groups that I was a part of at Kellenberg. I learned so many skills and I loved working with Bro. Kenneth, Mr. Brennan, Mr. Kahn, and I will never forget the many times I had to confirm my working schedule with Mrs. Renaghan.

On Saturday, December 15th, almost forty alumnae, as well as current students and their families, came to celebrate Coach Marty Brown’s induction into the Armory’s Hall of Fame. Alumnae traveled in from as far away as Texas and Pennsylvania (some just for the day so they could return to resume taking finals!) and cheered enthusiastically for Marty and Kellenberg Memorial at the ceremony which took place in the infield in the middle of the meet. Some alums who could not make it to New York were represented by their parents – now that’s KAPA dedication! Kellenberg received some terrific added attention at the meet when the announcer interviewed Jazmine Fray ’15 over the PA system.  Following the ceremony, the celebration continued at Coogan’s Pub and Restaurant. 

Congratulations to Coach Marty Brown!  It is quite an honor for Kellenberg Memorial to have its name on the wall thanks to Marty’s dedication to the girls track program and the talented students and alumnae he has mentored and coached for the past twenty years.

The Boys Varsity Basketball Team is off to a great start this season after winning the Championship game in the Southside Holiday Classic this past Friday.

The Firebirds defeated a tough Island Trees Team in the Semi-Final Game by the score of 56-34. Nick Spinoso led the team with 22 points and 14 rebounds while Sean Lachman scored 20 points on 5 for 8 from three-point range.

In the Championship Game against first-place Conference AA-1 Syosset High School, the team’s defense shined as they jumped out to 30-12 halftime lead before winning by the score of 48-34. Nick Spinoso was named MVP of the Holiday Classic and Sean Lachman was named to the All-Tournament Team. A great team effort was on display by Sean Boll at the point guard position, Joe Braskey and Jake Cosgrove as the off guards and Dan Wilson and Sean Wilcox as power forwards.

The team’s record now stands at 6 wins against 2 losses as they head into a tough schedule in CHSAA league play. The team would like to thank all the fans and families who came out to support their team as the players look forward to what should be an exciting season.

We are pleased to invite all alumni to participate in the upcoming meeting of the Alumni Book Club!

On Monday, January 28th, we will gather at Kellenberg Memorial at 7 PM to discuss our winter selection, Educated by Tara Westover. 

Mrs. Cathy vonSchoenermarck, moderator of the Alumni Book Club, provides a synopsis below:

Harkening back to books like A Tree Grows in Brooklyn or the more recent Glass Castle, Tara Westover’s memoir Educated is a triumphant tale of overcoming a tragic upbringing and gaining a broader perspective on life thanks to learning and education.

Westover grew up in the mountains of Idaho in a family of “survivalists” whose patriarch continually injected fear into the clan about the imminent approach of the end of the world.  Stockpiling food, gathering ammunition, and clutching “head for the hills” bags, the Westovers distrusted all forms of societal influence:  the children never saw doctors, they were never enrolled in school, and some of them didn’t even have birth certificates.  In fact, only when one of Tara’s brothers “escapes” to college does Tara herself begin to imagine a life away from her home near Buck’s Peak.

The story is a riveting one–all the more so because it’s true.  In fact, when you read of the many frightening events that occurred in Westover’s life, it’s amazing that she even survived to tell the tale!  This is a wonderful book about the difficulty in reconciling childhood memories with present experiences and future dreams.   

For those who are unable to attend the meeting in person, we will be live-streaming fully interactive coverage of the event.   Please register using the link below by Thursday, November 24th.  Any questions may be directed towards the Alumni Office at (516) 292-0200 x396 or alumni@kellenberg.org.

Phoenix Article by James Mooney III ’20:

On Friday, January 4, 2019, a group of Kellenberg students traveled to Queen’s College for STEM Day. The day began with high school students from three different schools speaking about their experience at the Garcia program and how it helped in their college searches and preparations. After that, there was a speaker who spoke about the significance of STEM cells and recent developments that will lead to more people getting organs that they need. After the speech, we went to our first lab activity,  a liquid nitrogen lab, where we were able to make and try our own ice cream that we made,  which was incorporated with a liquid nitrogen substance. We then went to a math conference where we learned about the significance of numbers and how computers cannot accurately solve everything, but we can. We then heard a talk on disasters that have occurred due to human error in physics and engineering. The speaker specifically pointed out the Hindenburg and the Explorer. We then participated in another lab, where we were able to see non-Newtonian fluids — liquids that, when left alone, become a solid when put under pressure.  Later, we attended the Hayden Memorial Chemistry Show. Several Chemists, including Mr. Sangorgi, demonstrated experiments involving fire, liquid nitrogen, dry ice, Helium, among others. The day concluded with more labs in which we were able to block out light waves and then make our silly putty.

Join us on Saturday, February 9, 2019, as we present Hi-jinks on the High Seas, featuring KAPA members Grace Hackett, Brian Miles, and Cathy Scahill. Tap into your inner sleuth as we gather clues and use them to deduce the identity and motive of the “murderer.”

In addition to the fully immersive show, the evening will feature beer/wine and dinner, followed by dessert, coffee, and tea. The cost for the evening is $30. There will be a prize for the winning table. Additional clues may be purchased during the evening with cash only.

Registration closes Monday, February 4th. Sorry, no walk-ins for this event.

By Phoenix Online Reporter Isy Odiaka ’19:

On Wednesday, January 9,  at the first Kellenberg STEM talk of the new year, Mr. Christopher O’Brien, an undergraduate student from Rutgers University, spoke to students about the brain. Health Sciences Club, S.T.E.M. Cluster, and Psychology Club all came to listen to Mr. O’Brien’s talk about psychology.

“Various fields were brought together to help topics that would later help them in their fields,” said senior Catie Sullivan.

Mr. O’Brien spoke about how the brain is also known as the computer and how each part of the brain functions. He further explained how certain parts of the brain control our reflexes, personality traits or how the prefrontal cortex controls our impulse control.

Article by Rachel Siegel ’20:

On Wednesday, January 9, 2019, members of the Psychology and Health Sciences clubs met in the chorus room to welcome Chris O’Brien, a Ph.D. student at Rutgers University. Mr. O’Brien discussed his work and study in the field of neuroscience and its crossover with the parallel field of psychology. Mr. O’Brien began his talk by explaining the origins of neuroscience, and how cultures like Ancient Greece and Egypt explored the field with their own ideas of how the brain worked. He delved into different types of neuroscience, along with how injuries to the brain affect us psychologically (most notably in cases such as Phineas Gage’s).

Questions were asked by both students and teachers alike, curious about how far we’ve come in our study of the brain and how our knowledge has grown exponentially compared to the past. Mr. O’Brien also shared some of the research work he has done as an undergraduate, including live imaging of a mouse’s brain cells firing in response to stimuli.

Inspiring a large audience passionate about their interest in the human brain, Mr. O’Brien encouraged all to pursue deeper research into the parallel fields of psychology and neuroscience.

Article by James Dionisio ’20:

On January 16, 2019, ninety-two Kellenberg juniors traveled to Washington, D.C. to defend the lives of unborn children around the world. The students were accompanied by Bro. Michael Gillen, S.M. and faculty chaperones Mr. Cicalese, Mr. Healy, Mr. Sorkin, Mr. Kennedy, Mrs. Strauss, and Miss Fiore. All were eager to journey around our nation’s capital to be a voice for the voiceless.

The first day of the pro-life retreat began with a visit to the United States Holocaust Museum. This experience gave the students insight on the horrors of the Holocaust and provided a new understanding of Viktor Frankl’s book Man’s Search for Meaning, which the juniors are currently studying. Following the tour of the museum, the juniors went on a sightseeing trip. They were able to view the iconic monuments of our capital, including the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the World War II Memorial.

During the second day, the group explored the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The beauty of the exquisite architecture and stained glass mosaics left many in awe. Being the largest Catholic Church in the country and continent, the magnitude of the place amazed everyone as well. To conclude the visit to the basilica, the students and teachers gathered together to partake in a Rosary prayer service.

The focal point of this retreat was the annual March for Life. The peaceful protest centered around the theme “Unique from Day One: ProLife is Pro-Science.” Kellenberg students and faculty dressed in golden hats and royal blue scarves enthusiastically marched around Washington, D.C. to protect the unborn from the dangers of abortion. The environment radiated with energy and positivity as the members of the pro-life community marched for one common goal: to preserve the beauty and sanctity of life. The day concluded with a short prayer service at St. Joseph’s Church, where the juniors had the opportunity to meet Bishop Barres.

Those who were able to participate in this pro-life retreat are grateful to experience something so meaningful. The March for Life left everyone with a new perspective on God’s great gift of life.

Michael Anderson ’88 recently retired after 25 years of active duty service with the United States Air Force.  He retired at the rank of Colonel, with his last post being at Maxwell Air Force, AL. His ceremony was held on Lexington Green, the site of the battle of Lexington and Concord outside of Boston, MA, and he was awarded the Legion of Merit.  Michael now lives with his wife, Sara, and children, Marcus (13) and Erin (11), in New Hampshire and is pursuing a Ph.D. in history at the University of New Hampshire.

What inspired you to serve our country by joining the United States Air Force?

I always felt I had a calling to the military.  When speaking to family, I thought the Air Force would be the best fit, so I applied for the ROTC program at Boston University.  I didn’t get a scholarship at first, but after a semester of good grades, I was offered a full ride. I can partially thank Kellenberg – they helped me take 4 AP exams, of which two qualified for college credit.  That allowed me to take a lighter load during my first semester in college, which helped boost my GPA and that was critical to the scholarship and my eventual commission as a second lieutenant.

How did it feel being awarded the Legion of Merit?

It was a big honor, especially since it was not automatic.  Normally, you have to be a higher level commander, but General Kwast was a great leader and mentor, and he supported me fully.  But I think the Bronze Star was my most rewarding. Earning that as a Captain for my deployment right after 9/11 is one of my proudest moments.

How did Kellenberg Memorial shape who you are today?  

Kellenberg, and St Agnes before it, had a great combination of excellent education, good discipline without being stifling, caring teachers, and sports programs that were serious, but focused on development as much as winning.  I was able to be in the Math Club, Computer Science Club, and play baseball and soccer. All those things helped me with my military career, assisted me with mentoring others since I had so many good examples myself, helped drive me to stay physically fit, and since I had a career as a telecommunications officer, gave me a very good educational foundation to build upon.

You recently attended your 30 Year Reunion.  Did you enjoy reconnecting and being on campus again?

I am a very nostalgic person, so it was fantastic to see everyone.  I cannot believe how much the campus had changed from when I graduated!  It is incredible. And my fellow classmates are just fantastic. I only regret that more could not come, especially those who have passed away.  So it was bitter-sweet. Still, it was a great experience.

Who were some of your favorite teachers from your time as a student here?

There were so many.  Ms. Pospisil (now Mrs. Dugal) was one of my first teachers my freshman year and certainly inspired me towards science.  Mr. Gigliotti was a fantastic math teacher, very down to earth, and one of the funniest people ever. Mr. Buckley’s History classes were always fun and interesting – I am actually pursuing a Ph.D. in history and I know he had some influence in that.  There were so many, I could go on and on.

Pictured L to R: Matthew Sluka ’19, Matthew Mongelli ’19, Jordan DeLucia ’20, Dan Wilson, ’19, Thomas Cipolla ’19, and Coach Kevin Hanifan

Congratulations to the five members of the Firebird Varsity Football Team who have received All-State honors for the 2018 football season. Matt Sluka ’19 (First Team), Dan Wilson ’19 (Second Team), Thomas Cipolla ’19 (Fourth Team), Jordan Delucia (Fourth Team), and Matt Mongelli (Honorable Mention).

Matt Sluka ’19 QB – 1st Team All-State
Matt was a true dual-threat Quarterback as he threw for over 1,000 yards and ran for over 1,00 yards this season.  He also accounted for a league-leading and astonishing 36 Touchdowns combined with his arm and his legs.  Matt’s accuracy as a passer was also on display as he completed nearly 75% of his throws while only throwing 1 interception (his lone turnover of the season).  The stats and numbers tell a great story but more telling is the fact that Matt started under center 22 games in two years for the Firebirds and 22 times the team walked off the field victorious.  

Dan Wilson ’19 LB — 2nd Team All-State
Dan was the leader of the defense as the middle linebacker for the last two seasons.  Dan was the leading tackler on the team both seasons accumulating 96 tackles this season, he did this as most teams were attempting to double team him with their blocking schemes.  In addition to being a run stopper, Dan was an effective blitzer many times rushing the Quarterback on pass attempts and sacking or hurrying opposing quarterbacks out of the pocket.  

Thomas Cipolla ’19 OL/DL — 4th Team All-State
Thomas was both the anchor on the offensive line and the defensive line.  Behind him and his fellow linemen, the Firebirds rushed for over 3,000 yards this season and 48 Touchdowns both leading the league.  On the defensive side of the ball Thomas gave offensive players fits all season from his Defensive End position with his burst off the ball, blowing up lead blockers, and nose for finding the ball carrier.  

Jordan Delucia ’20 RB – 4th Team All-State
Jordan ran for a league-leading 1,380 Yards this season averaging over 125 Yards per game.  Finding the end zone 19 times this season it was Jordan’s big-play ability that made him so hard to stop, averaging over 10 yards per carry it became common to see Jordan ripping off 50+ yard runs against the opposing defenses.  Flexing his muscles as a receiving threat as well Jordan also hauled in 15 receptions for 271 Yards.

Matt Mongelli ’19 WR — All-State Honorable Mention
The top receiving threat for the last two seasons of the Firebirds consecutive championship campaigns it would be easy to overlook the aerial attack as the ground game for the Firebird offense was so good.  However, any time the Birds needed a big chunk of yards or a long conversion the ball was usually going in the air to Matthew.  The 19 receptions may not seem overwhelming but the 521 Yards explains that any time Matt touched the ball the Offense was averaging a gain of 25 Yards.  In addition, Matt hauled in 9 Touchdowns meaning almost every other time he caught the ball he was bound for the end zone.

By Phoenix reporter Isy Odiaka ’19:

On Friday, February 1, 2019, Kellenberg alumna Katie Van Loan ’01, MA, MT-BC, LCAT came to Kellenberg to speak about music therapy to the members of the Phoenix Chorus and Band.

Ms. Van Loan, whose job requires her to perform various musical exercises with patients to assist in assessing emotions, discussed the diverse elements of music therapy: clients, therapists, interventions, evaluations, and assessments. These exercises can range from having patients create lyrics and sing to express their emotions or calm them, playing instruments to help premature babies develop certain feeding patterns and many more things.

“Music therapy requires you to truly love music and working with people,” concluded Ms. Van Loan.

After the presentation followed a question and answer session, during which Ms. Van Loan discussed how to become a music therapist.

“I especially enjoyed the videos of patients who are infants and seniors,” expressed senior Andrea Smith. “There is so much more to music therapy then I was aware of.”

Ms. Van Loan graduated from Kellenberg in 2001, and while she was a Kellenberg student she participated in Chorus, Drama, Tennis and Firebird Swing. She has had a career in music therapy for over ten years, beginning with a job working with premature babies. Currently, she works at Mt. Sinai Hospital with psychiatric patients.

Katie Van Loan ’01 with Mr. Clark Blanton, Music Department Chairman