Willie Hall ’58 Inducted into NYC Basketball HoF
One of the most talented basketball players in St. Ann’s, Molloy, and New York City history was recently honored with induction into the prestigious NYC Basketball Hall of Fame. Willie Hall ’58, also known as “Kid Kangaroo”, was enshrined alongside greats like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Willis Reed, Julius Erving, and Chris Mullin as well as Stanner greats like Lou Carnesecca ’43, Kevin Joyce ’69, Kenny Smith ’83, Brian Winters ’70, Jack Curran, Tommy Kearns ’54, Kenny Anderson ’89, and Jim Larranaga ’67.
Willie Hall started his hoops career for the Varsity team at St. Ann’s Academy. He started out as a freshman on the team, but rose through the ranks over the years to eventually captain his squad and become one of St. Ann’s/Molloy’s greatest rebounders. He had the ability to play anywhere on the court, boasted an unbeatable jump shot, and could score from every conceivable angle. Willie was so good he was recognized in “Dell Sports” magazine as one of the top ten high school players in New York City from 1957-1958. It’s no coincidence, and no fluke, that the Stanners went undefeated under Coach Lou Carnesecca during Willie’s senior year. That team would later be inducted into the Stanner Hall of Fame, as would Willie individually. After graduating from Mollo
y, Willie followed Carnesecca (pictured with Willie) to St. John’s University, where the two pulled off another undefeated season in 1959-1960. “After this period of my life ended, I was drafted into the United States Army,” said Willie. “God again surrounded me with loving and caring people. The General, Chaplin, and many others made it possible for me being alive today. I was sent to Germany instead of Vietnam, where countless American soldiers never made it back home.”
Willie’s amazing life eventually brought him to The New York Athletic Club on September 16th, 2015 for his induction into the NYC Basketball Hall of Fame. The selection committee strives to “promote and encourage sportsmanship, physical contest and academic achievement as a means of building character, as well as physical and intellectual well being among the younger generation in order to prepare them more adequately for their future rolls in society.” The Hall of Fame champions NYC Basketball, honors its legends and heroes, and encourages people of all ages to partake of the benefits the game provides.”
Over 70 Revel in Molloy Baseball Reunion
Molloy welcomed over 70 alumni and family members on Saturday, September 26th for our latest Baseball Reunion. It was a perfect weather day in Briarwood, as the morning kicked off with Molloy’s Varsity baseball team taking on (and eventually defeating) Mount Saint Michael Academy. As alumni cheered on the home team, a tailgate was hosted outside Stanner Field featuring burgers, hot dogs, beverages, and more. After the Varsity game wrapped up, alumni took to the field to play a scrimmage softball game of their own. It was odd years vs. even years, and though some had to shake off some rust, most players showed they haven’t lost too many steps since hanging up their cleats. “It was a really great day that welcomed a diverse group of alumni,” said Matt Rizzotti ’04, Molloy’s Alumni Development Officer who coordinated the event. “We had alumni from many different classes who came together as if they have all known each other for years. Obviously some have known each 
other for a long time, but it’s easy for all the former players to bond. We all played on the same field, we all played for Coach Curran, and we all have stories to share.”
Matt represents one of Molloy’s three most recent pro baseball players who were in attendance at the event. The other two were Dennis O’Grady ’07, who spent time this past season with the San Diego Padres’ AAA affiliate in El Paso, and Mike Baxter ’02, who split time in 2015 between the Chicago Cubs and AAA Iowa. Dennis and Mike both graciously took some time to share insights and stories with alumni as well as some of the Varsity players who stuck around after their game. Other notables in attendance included members of Molloy’s 1987 and 2002 city championship teams, Stanner Hall of Famer Joe Russo ’62, current Varsity Head Coach Brad Lyons, and Assistant Coach Br. James Vagan. “The event was a great success,” said Matt. “This is something we would love to do every year, but it really depends on what our alumni want. Whether it’s every year, or every other year, their feedback would be greatly appreciated.” Have any thoughts on this year’s event or future baseball reunions? Contact us or find Molloy Baseball Alumni on Facebook.
View a full Photo Gallery for the Baseball Reunion on Facebook
Volunteers Needed for Open House
Molloy’s upcoming Open House is a little over two weeks away, and we’re still looking for alumni and parent volunteers to help out. On Sunday, October 18th, seventh and eighth graders and their families will be invited to tour Molloy’s six acre campus. Students, faculty, and volunteers will meet them every step of the way, showcasing amazing academic and athletic opportunities as well as the many talents Stanners learn and nurture through over 40 clubs and activities. It promises to be a busy and important day for Molloy. If you are interested in volunteering as a greeter, a tour guide, or in any other capacity during Open House, contact admissions@molloyhs.org.
Around the School
Congrats to National Merit Scholarship Recipient & Commended Students
PRESS RELEASE – Briarwood, NY – Current Molloy senior Brendan T. Woods ‘16 has been named a Semifinalist in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program’s (NMSP) 61st competition. He is among approximately 16,000 academically talented seniors who will go on to win 7,400 National Merit Scholarships offered next spring. These scholarships are worth more than $32 million in total. Semifinalists must fulfill requirements to advance to the Finalist level. About 15,000 Semifinalists attain Finalist standing. Ultimately, about 190 colleges and universities help fund 3,900 college-sponsored Merit Scholarships. This school year’s Semifinalists competed against 1.5 million juniors from more than 22,000 high schools when they entered the 2016 NMSP by taking the 2014 PSAT/NMSQTs. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists represents less than 1% of the national total of graduating students.
In addition, eight current Molloy seniors have been named Commended Students in the 2016 NMSP. They are recognized for exceptional academic promise and outstanding performance on the qualifying test for program entry. Of those who took the 2014 PSAT/NMSQTs, Commended Students are among the 50,000 highest scoring students. They place among the top 5% of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2016 competition for NMSP awards. Molloy’s Commended Students are: Yves Chen, Jaila T. Guevarra, Kristen Hoyt, Lucia Lin, Jack T. Mangin, Harris A. Mohsin, Laksumi Sivanandan, and Hailey E. Tom.
Current Molloy senior Alexander Gliagias ‘16 has been selected as a National Hispanic Scholar. He scored in the top 2.5% among Hispanic and Latino PSAT/NMSQT takers in our region. National Hispanic Recognition Scholars are recognized as more competitive candidates for application to top colleges and universities because of their outstanding educational achievements.
Mr. Nadeau’s Outdoor Science Lesson
Mr. Nadeau’s AP physics students were recently given the task of calculating the height of the flagpole located on Molloy’s front lawn. “My students were given instruments for measuring distance and angles (for line-of-sight) and had to devise their own method for determining the height,” said Mr. Nadeau. “Most students found an angle for an imaginary line that extends from their eye to the top of the flagpole and measured a distance along the ground. They then used trigonometry to calculate the height.” The focus of the lab activity was to record proper measurements and to think about ways of reducing systemic error.
The Sherry family has asked for prayers for Mr. John Sherry ’61 following recent surgery. Mr. Sherry served as President of Molloy from 2004-2010 and holds many close friendships within the Stanner community. The administration, faculty, staff, and students at Molloy all send their sincerest well wishes to John and the Sherry family as we all pray for good health and a speedy recovery. Please join us in praying for Mr. Sherry and his family.
Lorenzo Cervantes ’98 has been a very busy Stanner over the past 17 years. In Lorenzo’s words: “A lot has happened. I went to college and lived with one of my best friends, Nicanor Lacsina ’98 (Nick). I got married with my brother Christopher Cervantes ’07 as best man, my sister Theresa Cervantes ’09 as a bridesmaid, and my closest friends, Edward Santelices ’98, Michael Mateo ’98, and Nick, as groomsmen. I also went to medical school and later enjoyed a residency in ophthalmology with sub-specialty training in corneal disease. I now live with my wife Heidi and children Luke and Ethan in Connecticut. After all of this, I still feel that my years at Molloy were the best of my life. The friends I made there are still some of my closest. The experiences and mentors I had back then are the reasons why I am who I am today.”
Recently, Lorenzo made local news after some experiences with one of his patients were written about in Connecticut Magazine. Lorenzo is currently an ophthalmologist in Waterbury, Connecticut, with an emphasis in corneal and refractive surgery. His clinical interests include selective corneal transplantation, refractive surgery, and cataract surgery. It is not, however, the first time Lorenzo has found his name in the news. You can view the Connecticut Magazine article, Lorenzo’s professional biography, and a few other interesting things that have happened along the way via the following links: CT Style |Connecticut Magazine |NY Daily News | CBS New York | Professional Bio
Andres Sanchez ’04 was recently sworn in as one of 18 new assistant district attorneys in the Queens District Attorney’s office on September 10th. He will have opportunities in the Criminal Court/Intake Bureau, the Domestic Violence Bureau, and later the Appeals Bureau and Investigations Division. For more information on Andres and his recent success check out the following link: Hofstra Law News
Anthony Durante ’92 and his very successful company Durante Rentals were recently featured in Westchester Magazine. After just six years, and only a few employees to start, Durante has become the largest independently owned equipment rental firm in New York City. It now employs 50 professionals. The company has expanded with locations in Elmsford, Mount Vernon, the Bronx, and Queens, and as a result business has been booming across the city. Anthony, who was once a member of SMILE at Molloy, often references to friends the spirit of the SMILE program as being part of the “DNA and corporate culture” of his company. Read more: Westchester Magazine
We are saddened to share the passing of Joseph A. Horan, also known as Brother Eugene Michael. Joseph became a Brother as a 17 year old in 1948 and taught at St. Ann’s Academy during the 1950’s. Though he eventually left the Marist order, he remained a devoted Catholic. A resident of Tamarac, FL, formally of Eldred, NY, he is survived by his wife, Dolores Horan; his daughters, Gabrielle (Horan) Bruno, Gena (Fiumarelli) Clark, Courtney (Horan) DeBrino and Joelle Horan Crapella; nine grandchildren; and his siblings, Patricia Horan, Richard Horan, Michael Horan, Denise Cimino and Theresa Braun as well as a loving extended family. Please keep Joseph and the Horan family in your prayers.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Celica Londoño, mother of Ariel Londoño ‘91. “My mother was extremely proud of her ability, as a first generation immigrant, to have sent me to such a great school as Molloy,” said Ariel. “I ask that the Molloy community prays for her soul and that she finds eternal peace.”
We ask that you pray for the repose of the soul of Annette Melvin, wife of Robert Melvin ’64. Annette and Robert enjoyed 45 years of marriage together. She will be dearly missed. Please remember Annette and the Melvin family during this difficult time of mourning.
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