Congratulations to Michelle Lee ’18, National Merit Scholarship Program semi-finalist, and to Gerasimos Copoulos ’18, Bridget Lapham ’18, Thomas McKenna ’18, and Faith O’Connor ’18 on their commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Michelle is one of about 16,000 semifinalists in the 63rd annual National Merit Scholarship Program and has the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million that will be offered next spring. About 90% of Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing.

L to R: Faith O’Connor, Bridget Lapham, Gerasimos Copoulos, Thomas McKenna

A letter of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation has been awarded to Faith O’Connor, Bridget Lapham, Gerasimos Copoulos, and Thomas McKenna. About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.6 million students who entered the 2018 competition by taking the 2016 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

“The young men and women being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancements of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success. ”

NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 420 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.

Article by Rachel Siegel ’20:

On a cold and rainy Tuesday evening, Kellenberg students traveled to Rockville Centre to take part in Molloy College’s STEM Day. Upon arriving, the students and their peers attended a presentation in the Madison Theater, which covered brief overviews of seven different categories of STEM careers ranging from Allied Health Sciences and Biology to Computer Science and Mathematics.

From there, the eager students went into two consecutive breakout sessions with Molloy professors and alumni to learn more about their potential career paths. The smaller breakout sessions provided a one-on-one experience and allowed students and their parents or teachers to ask any questions they might have had.

The Molloy College staff encouraged the students to learn more about STEM jobs online and explore their passions to determine what branch of STEM they should consider studying in college. The professors also urged the students to take part in STEM-oriented activities over the summer, such as Molloy’s own biology summer camp. Molloy College’s STEM Day was a great way for students to get a taste of their possible future career and consider pursuing science as a lifelong profession.

Article by James Dionisio ‘20

On November 9, 2017, the sophomore division engaged in friendly competition during Kellenberg’s ANOINT Day. Flaunting a wide array of brightly colored shirts, each sophomore homeroom is represented by a certain color. For the class of 2020, ANOINT Day was surely a success.

The day began as the class gathered in the auditorium to pray and watch a movie. To motivate the students about performing their best and teach them about coming to terms with loss, the film “When the Game Stands Tall” was shown. It centered on the 151 game winning streak of the prestigious De La Salle High School football team. However, once the team loses, a series of tumultuous events arise, including the death of a beloved player and the parental abuse of the team’s captain. The sophomores proceeded with the schedule after the moving video.

Most would agree that the best part of the day was the various sports and games. Every homeroom eagerly participated in the various athletic activities ranging from a tug of war to soccer to gaga ball. In addition, the students had the opportunity to listen to the insightful faith experience of alumnus Jay Asparro (‘97). They had also learned how to perform CPR and the Heimlich maneuver from the members of the school’s health department. Though exhausted after the long afternoon and frigid weather, everyone was ecstatic to eat lunch and socialize with their fellow peers.

ANOINT Day concluded with Eucharistic adoration. The multitude of clubs and sports had selected members offer a relic to the altar to honor their specific prowess. Father Phillip Eichner delivered a homily stating that one should be prideful in his or her God-given talent and take the time to figure out their passion.

In the end, the class of 2020 grew a more inseparable bond, strengthening their everlasting friendships. This was definitely an unforgettable experience for the sophomores, and we anticipate more fun-filled events, much like ANOINT Day, here at Kellenberg Memorial High School.

Early in the morning on January 11, a busload of sophomore and junior chemistry students from Kellenberg Memorial ventured to Queens College for their 21^st Annual Science Open House. As students toured the campus and took to the laboratory, they participated in a number of hands-on experiments.

In the lab, students were shown how to use liquid nitrogen to make ice cream. Later in the day, students were treated to the Thomas J. Hayden Chemistry Show where they watched chemical compounds react, change color, freeze, thaw, and explode.

The trip was a positive experience for all involved and allowed students to develop ideas of how chemistry is helping to solve problems in our world.

Congratulations to Michelle W. Lee ’18 who has been honored as a 2018 National Merit Scholarship Finalist. 

From the National Merit Scholarship Corporation’s website:

The National Merit^® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT^®)—which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.6 million entrants each year—and by meeting published program entry and participation requirements.

Of the 1.6 million entrants, some 50,000 with the highest PSAT/NMSQT^® Selection Index scores (calculated by doubling the sum of the Reading, Writing and Language, and Math Test scores) qualify for recognition in the National Merit^® Scholarship Program. In September, these high scorers are notified through their schools that they have qualified as either a Commended Student or Semifinalist. 

In February, some 15,000 Semifinalists are notified by mail at their home addresses that they have advanced to Finalist standing. High school principals are notified and provided with a certificate to present to each Finalist.

Assemblyman Brian Curran along with Malverne Deputy Mayor Keith Corbett recently honored Benjamin Truncale ’20 as part of Curran’s annual Youth Leadership Event.

Press release from Assemblyman Curran:
Assemblyman Curran Honors Local Malverne Youth Leader

Recently, Assemblyman Brian Curran (Lynbrook-21^st AD) honored Benjamin Truncale of Malverne as part of his second annual Youth Leadership Event.

“I am very proud to honor Benjamin,” said Curran. “He is a very talented vocalist and bright young man. Benjamin has shared his talents with our community, singing at various village events and serving as cantor at St. Agnes Cathedral. We look forward to great things from Benjamin and his beautiful gift.”

Benjamin is currently a sophomore at Kellenberg Memorial High School. While he has many interests, a great majority of his time outside his studies has been focused on music. To that end, his high school activities include drama club, chorus, Firebird Swing Jazz Choir and the Gregorian Consortium. Benjamin is often asked to lead his school liturgies in song. He is a Bishop’s Chorister and a member of the St. Agnes Cathedral Choir. Benjamin also volunteers at St. Agnes Cathedral as a cantor for masses. 

Benjamin had the honor of being chosen to sing with the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra at Carnegie Hall this spring. Over the years, he has had the privilege to perform at the village of Malverne events including Veterans Day, Flag Day, Memorial Day and the annual tree lighting. While not singing, Benjamin is a member of both Kellenberg’s Model UN club and the Speech and Debate team, with whom he will compete at the state championships this spring. He has also been chosen to be the representative for his sophomore class as a HOBY Leadership Delegate.

The Kellenberg Memorial High School Class of 2018 has voted on their superlative awards.
These students have been chosen by their peers as the most deserving in each category. Congratulations to the winners!

Most Artistic:

Catherine Cherpelis and Harrison Keller

Most Athletic:

Maggie Ledwith and Sean Coakley

Most Friendly:

Sophia Montoni and Fernand Gay

Most Humorous:

Colleen Wing and Robert Egan

Most Involved:

Kate Byrnes and Thomas Brennan

Most Likely to Succeed:

Lourdes Rohan and Kieran Dennis

Most Musical:

Erin Gallagher and Andrew Klang

Best Smile:

Shannon Farrell and Justin Harvey

Most Spirited:

Sophia Capsis and Robert Hegarty

Most Studious:

Noelle Maronak and Brendan Connelly

Most Talkative:

Rosariana Lubrano and Patrick Darmody

29 Firebirds will go on to compete in NCAA Divison III Athletics in college.

L to R: Andrew Steidle (Baseball – King’s College), Patrick Harinski (Football –
SUNY – Maritime), & Connor Sheridan (Ice Hockey, Adrian College)

L to R: James May (Baseball – SUNY – Purchase), Thomas Consiglio (Baseball – Fairleigh Dickinson University), & Paul Christopher (Baseball – SUNY – Oswego)

L to R: Madeline DeMarco (Swimming – Marymount University), Jonathan Starcke (Lacrosse – Oberlin College of Arts and Sciences), & Jacqueline Lindsay (Soccer – Mount Saint Mary College)

L to R: Robert Egan (Baseball – Geneva College), Emma Dougherty (Cross Country & Track and Field – The University of Scranton), & Patrick Darmody (Lacrosse – United States Merchant Marine Academy)

L to R: Aidan McManaman (Volleyball – Endicott College), Madison Keller (Softball – Rhodes College), & Christina Faber (Rowing & Track and Field – The Catholic University of America)

L to R: Denzel Honore (Football – Alfred University), Ariana Baldwin (Track and Field – The University of Scranton), & Dydro Prosper (Track and Field – SUNY – Farmingdale)

L to R: Anthony Suarez (Cross Country & Track and Field – United States Merchant Marine Academy), Kathryn McQuillan (Lacrosse – Mount Saint Mary College), & Andrew Suarez (Cross Country & Track and Field – United States Merchant Marine Academy)

L to R: Katherine Sweeney (Volleyball – United States Merchant Marine Academy), Briana Gomez (Basketball – St. Joseph College (Brooklyn)), & Madison Gale (Volleyball – College of Mount St. Vincent)

L to R: Halle Conklin (Lacrosse – The University of Scranton), Alexander Belotte (Track and Field – The University of Scranton), & Kaitlyn Remhild (Basketball – Alvernia University)

Sean Crotty (Lacrosse – The University of Scranton) & Trinity Manning (Volleyball – The University of Scranton)

View more photos here.

On May 17, 2018, the members of the Class of 2019 took part in the annual Junior Blood Drive which takes place each spring at Kellenberg Memorial High School. During the drive, juniors who meet the necessary requirements are allowed to donate blood, either in the traditional manner or by donating using the Alyx machine. The technology used by the Alyx machine doubles the number of red blood cells collected and allows for donors to donate more frequently, increasing the number of lives potentially saved by the donors’ gift of life.

The total number of pints collected for the day totaled 226, which has the potential to save 678 lives. Congratulations to the junior class and all the volunteers involved!

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

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!

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.”

One of the highlights of this past week at Kellenberg Memorial took place on Tuesday, September 25th as we celebrated the academic excellence of our student body during the Academic Awards Assembly.   Students received pins for their first, second or third year on the Honor Roll as well as for perfect attendance for the 2017 – 2018 school year.

New members of the junior and senior divisions were inducted into the National Honor Society and the officers for the current year were announced. Voted on by the current members of the National Honor Society, they are President William Hom ’19, Vice President Rachel Nemeth ’19, Corresponding Secretary Jack Russell ’19, and Recording Secretary Madeline Lay ’19.

Congratulations to all for your hard work and high achievement.

Meredith Kass ’19 gives Pope Francis a t-shirt from the Catholic Experience Summer Program at Kellenberg Memorial

Article by LI Herald’s Timothy Denton:

Make-A-Wish grants wishes for those with serious chronic disorders that affect the quality of their lives, Kass said. “Some of my friends thought it was strange that I didn’t wish for something else,” Kass said. “But I’d been interested in him since he was elected when I was in sixth grade,” she said of the pope.

Her church history class had read about papal elections, she explained, so she followed the progress of then Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio from his position as archbishop of Buenos Aires to bishop of Rome. If all goes well, she will attend the pope’s Sunday Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square, a general audience next Wednesday and a more private meeting with a smaller group.

While she was excited to go to Rome, Kass said, she felt that Make-A-Wish should have singled out someone else. “It’s like, others might need it more,” she said.

Read the full article here: http://liherald.com/stories/teen-with-lupus-to-meet-pope,108481

Article by Gabi Zawadzka ’20:

Last week leading up to Election Day, 20 students from Kellenberg Memorial set out to Molloy College to learn how citizens can discover new sources reliable information related to the political candidates in the upcoming election. Hosted by Molly College, VoteSmart.org’s presentation was aimed to inform voters this election day.

Vote Smart, based in Montana, has one mission, to uphold informed democracy. Americans of all demographics were informed of the thousands of political candidates and elected officials and how they can research their past voting records, public statements, campaign finances, and other information regarding each candidate’s reputation. For those voters who aren’t certain of which candidate represents their political positions, there is even a quiz users can take to help them sort out the candidates by issues and positions.

Just as James Madison said, “People who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives,” it is our duty to protect our democracy by becoming citizens aware of the issues at hand.

Meredith Kass, a senior at Kellenberg Memorial High School in Uniondale, has been donating blankets to those in need. Photo Credit: Kass Family

By Newsday’s Michael R. Ebert:

A Seaford teen who suffers from an autoimmune disease has been spreading warmth to those who are sick or have experienced a loss.

Meredith Kass, a senior at Kellenberg Memorial High School in Uniondale, was diagnosed last year with systemic lupus erythematosus , a disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue.

Kass subsequently launched a project, called Meredith’s Favorite Blanket, in which she started making blankets that were sent to individuals, including hurricane victims, in Texas, survivors of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Florida, and children at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.

Read the full article on Newsday.com: https://www.newsday.com/long-island/li-life/meredith-kass-1.22846686

Kaitlin Long shows assists Earth Science students in their lab exercise.

The Senior Lab Assistant program is a new opportunity at Kellenberg Memorial for seniors who excel science and who want the chance to mentor classmates during their laboratory demonstrations in their science classes.

In addition to her daily Honors Physics Seminar course, about once a week, instead of having a study hall period, Kaitlin Long ’19 has been working with freshmen Earth Science classes during their lab periods. “Many of the labs are more thought based rather than experiment based, so I walk around and answer questions,” Kaitlin explains. During this week’s lab (pictured above), Kaitlin helped freshmen learn how to analyze the angle of insolation to better understand the cause of Earth’s seasons using the iPad and Vernier probes.

Kaitlin Long ’19

Kaitlin’s time in the lab doesn’t end at Kellenberg Memorial. In the spring of 2018, Kaitlin was accepted into the Partners for the Future program at the Sheltzer Lab in Cold Spring Harbor, NY. Kaitlin applied for this opportunity through Kellenberg Memorial and following the interview process, was accepted for this year’s program.

Over the summer, Kaitlin spent between five to ten hours each weekday (depending on the research) in the lab. Since the start of the school year, she is able to continue her research for a few hours after school in addition to time on the weekends. “I am assisting in the cancer research at the lab,” Kaitlin explains. “Specifically, I am running protein assays called Western Blots to validate results for our lab’s upcoming paper.”

While she is undecided on where she will study next year, Kaitlin plans on double majoring in Environmental Science and Biology.

On November 13, Kellenberg Memorial’s College Placement Office launched a new series called, “Coffee Talk with College Placement.”  This installment addressed the topic of NCAA and college athletics and was led by Mrs. Jennifer Strauss, a former Division I college athlete and College Placement Counselor.  Given the enthusiastic response to this event, we look forward to future programs on a variety of topics!