Happy Saint Patrick’s Day from Archbishop Molloy High School and its Pipes and Drums Band! Look for us marching down Fifth Avenue tomorrow. For a preview please click here or the image above to view a video clip from the parade in Rockaway last weekend.
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March Madness at Molloy
While area hoops programs like St. John’s, LIU-Brooklyn, and St. Peter’s celebrate their invitations to The Big Dance, a.k.a. the NCAA Basketball Tournament, our own future collegians here at Molloy have a bit of celebrating to do as well. As has been the case for many generations, Molloy develops exceptional athletic talent. Our coaches, several of them Stanners, know what it takes to win, and re-enforce moral values, leadership, and discipline for players to adapt into all areas of their game. From players Kevin Joyce ’69, Brian Winters ’70, Kenny Smith ’83, and Kenny Anderson ’89 to more recent talents like, Mike Baxter ’02, Rosalyn Gold-Onwude ’04, Matt Rizzotti ’04, and Sundiata Gaines ’04, Stanner athletes continue to put Molloy on the national map.
Just the same, Molloy’s current crop of athletes take their school’s storied history very seriously, grinding down the court, around the bases, or over as many hurdles as it takes. This determination isn’t just an idea, it produces championships. Molloy’s freshman boys’ basketball team has earned the CHSAA City Championship trophy after defeating Christ the King on CTK’s home turf by the score of 80-67. For Molloy, it is the 9th time the rookie Stanner boys have won the city championship since 1958. The team is coached by Chris DeSarno and assistant coach Gabriel Hamilton ‘96, who believe the champs have the talent to make a significant impact over the next 3 years. Molloy’s Varsity “B” boys basketball team (pictured) also reeled in a championship, but this one is a first. Varsity “B” brought home their first city championship ever after defeating Christ the King by a score of 56 – 50. Kevin Lawlor’s impressive 13 points and 12 rebounds led the Stanner effort while junior Walter Rodriguez contributed 11 points. Game MVP Ernesto Vega tallied 8 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals. The team, coached by Steve Borhi ’93, believed in their abilities all the way, having carried a 23 – 4 league record into the playoffs. While the Varsity A squad did not make it as far as they had hoped, losing in the 2nd round of the playoffs to Bishop Loughlin in a close contest, College of Saint Rose bound senior Chris Dorgler was named to the all CHSAA team in a pregame ceremony at Fordham.
Continuing the current trend of big wins, the Stanner girls Varsity basketball team, coached by Tom Catalanotto ’75, has won the CHSAA Class “A” State Championship. The Stanners defeated Buffalo’s Nichols School at Holy Trinity in Hicksville. Sophomore Carolyn Gallagher scored 13 of her 15 points in the third quarter, where Molloy began to pull away to an eventual 63-48 win. The State “A” champs look forward to the Federation Tournament in Albany beginning March 24th. In addition, the girls’ JV b-ball team has placed as a Diocesan finalist, as they seek a title of their own.
Molloy’s track teams have dominated the competition at every level. The boys and girls teams have won the Diocesan Championship at every level – quite a wonderful accomplishment and a testament to the hard work they have put in all year, and the hard work by our talented and committed coaches (pictured below). Perhaps the most impressive feat comes from senior Pat Cooney (pictured right). Coming fresh off a great performance at Stanner Games in January, Pat just ran the 800M in 1:55.86 at the National Championships, which ranks as the second fastest time in school history behind the 1:56.2 in the 880Y recorded by Stanner Hall of Famer Tom Farrell ’61. Pat’s time also ranks as 18th on the all-time Catholic high school list. Molloy’s JV bowling team claimed the lanes as their own, winning this season’s Diocesan Championship, while Chris Doherty represented the CHSAA in the State Swimming Championships in the Back Stroke. All this success is no surprise; the spotlight continues to shine brightly in the Jack Curran Gym, on the track and field, and on all other Stanner venues as Molloy’s tradition of winning is renewed and new chapters of the story are written every year.
Around the School
Ash Wednesday, Lent, Alumni Remembered…
On March 9th, Ash Wednesday marked the first day of Lent, a time for reflection and sacrifice leading up to Holy Week and Easter Sunday. Students and faculty at Molloy acknowledged the start of the Lenten season by attending the school Liturgy. Planned by the Liturgy Committee and Mr. Germano, Stanners were reminded to make a sacrifice in their lives much like Jesus made for us by fasting in the desert and later in taking on the burden of the cross. In this way all those in attendance were asked to promise to walk with Jesus during Lent, to share his burden and his sacrifice. Upon making that promise, ashes were given.
After praying for special intentions, everyone was asked to check under their seat. Taped underneath each seat was a footprint symbolizing Jesus’ journey. Each footprint included a suggested sacrifice from one of the Gospels, including “Give up gloom and be more joyful” from the Gospel of Luke and “Give up resentment and be more forgiving” from the Gospel of John. In addition, each footprint featured the name of a Stanner or Stanner family member who has passed away since the start of the school year. Students were asked to remember those names and to bring them on their journey through Lent. It was a wonderful tribute to those in our Stanner community that have passed and an acknowledgment that they will always be remembered.
Upcoming Events
The 25th Anniversary Jim Kinnier Stanner Golf Classic
Have you been practicing your putts? The 25th Anniversary Jim Kinnier Stanner Golf Classic is set to take place on Monday, May 16th, 2011 at Plandome Country Club and North Hills Country Club. For 24 years, countless foursomes have taken to the tees in support of Archbishop Molloy High School and its Scholarship program. Now in its 25th year, the Stanner Golf Classic honors Jim Kinnier and Joe Smith, two men instrumental to the event’s continued growth and standing as one of the most successful High School golf outings in New York City. Spots always fill up fast, so please take the time to register early! Also, if you haven’t heard, a challenge has been issued by the class of 1981 to all other Stanner classes. They believe they can raise more money than any other class in journal ads. To find out more about the challenge visit the Stanner Golf Classic Facebook Page. For information on registering a foursome, purchasing a journal ad, purchasing raffle tickets, or making a donation please call Maria Ford at (718) 943-3186 or send an email to mford@molloyhs.org. For a downloadable invitation, click here. Completed invitations can be mailed to Archbishop Molloy High School, Stanner Alumni Center, 83-53 Manton Street, Briarwood, NY 11435.
Inaugural Molloy Women’s Alumni Network Event
Save the Date for our inaugural Molloy Women’s Alumni Network Event. On Wednesday, April 27th, 2011 we invite all of our alumnae and spouses of alumni to come together at Archbishop Molloy High School for an evening of networking and panelist discussion, led by several women acting in leadership roles in finance, law, medicine, and other industries. We are very excited to give a forum to the women of Molloy to network, build relationships, and gain insight from leaders in the professional landscape. The event will begin at 6:30 PM and include light refreshments. There will be more details to come. If you have any questions please call the Stanner Alumni Center at (718) 441-9210. Please contact Craig Katinas at ckatinas@molloyhs.org with specific interest.
Tommy Ashton Basketball Tournament
The Tommy Ashton 3-On-3 Basketball Tournament is scheduled for Friday, April 8, and Saturday April 9, 2011 at the St. Sebastian Parish Center in Woodside, Queens. Tommy Ashton, class of 1997, was a lifelong resident of Woodside who lost his life on September 11, 2001 while working as an electrical apprentice for Local 3 IBEW. A proud graduate of Archbishop Molloy HS, Tommy was a Peer Group Leader. He also swam on the Varsity Swim team for 4 years and was captain of the team in his Senior Year. A basketball tournament was established to collect donations for those in need in Tommy’s memory. This year’s proceeds will be donated to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital and a project at St. Sebastian School. For more information on this event, please click here.
The Stanner Players Present… “Playing With Power”
The Stanner Players have been working hard on their upcoming show “Playing With Power”, an evening of scenes and songs about people’s relationships with power. This musical and dramatic review, created specifically for the Ralph DeChiaro theater, features scenes and songs from some of the world’s most beloved theatrical pieces, including Les Miserables, Pygmalion, 1776 and more. Currently dates for performances include April 8th and 9th, and April 15th and 16th. Have you been back to Molloy lately? Do you look back fondly on YOUR days as a Stanner Player? Come back and support the Stanner Players as they put their hard work to practice on the big stage in the Ralph DeChiaro Theater. Tickets are $12 and will be sold at the door, or can be reserved by emailing stannerplayers@gmail.com or calling the ticket hotline at (347) 441-0015.
Wine Event
Save the date, June 18th (Rain Date June 19th) for a day of enjoying fine wine, food, and music at the Diliberto Winery in Jamesport, New York. Alum Salvatore Diliberto ‘63 and wife Maryann have been gracious enough to open their venue to fellow Stanners looking to reconnect and unwind on a fine Summer day on Long Island. There will be more information to come, so stay tuned. For more information please contact Craig Katinas at ckatinas@molloyhs.org.
Gaining Momentum
Since mid-November, former Molloy Varsity star Sundiata Gaines ’04 has signed a number of 10 day contracts with several NBA teams looking for depth/injury relief. In the past several months he has played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Toronto Raptors, and is currently playing for the New Jersey Nets. Sundiata provided eight assists and four steals in 23 minutes in New Jersey’s March 9th contest against the Warriors, a performance that garnered a second consecutive 10 day from the Nets. In addition to his recent success on the hardwood, the 6’1” point guard had the privilege and distinction of taking part in the first ever regular-season NBA games played in Europe. Sundiata and the Nets defeated the Toronto Raptors in back to back games at London’s O2 Arena on March 4th and 5th. More recently on Wednesday March 9th the Nets defeated the Warriors due in large part to the efforts of Sundiata Gaines, who’s career high 8 assists along with 5 points and a crucial rebound in the final seconds of the game propelled the Nets to their first 3 game winning streak in well over a year and a half. Nets officials later discussed in local tabloids the possibility of Gaines sticking with the team for the remainder of the season as he is not eligible to receive a 3rd consecutive 10 day contract from the same team. With his undeniable effort and ability to raise his game, there is no doubt Sundiata will continue to make an impact in the NBA.
Non scholae sed vitae
Janelle Boyd ’09 has certainly made a name for herself. The fairly recent Molloy grad has a presentation at The United Nations under her belt, as Janelle spoke at the Church Center for the UN with the Voices of African Mothers on February 26th, 2011. According to the VA Mothers website, their goals as a charitable organization include promoting gender equality and empowering women, achieving universal primary education, eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, and reducing child mortality rates among several other important humanitarian issues. VAM are also open to participation by men as well, urging them to become active in their communities. For Janelle (pictured with VAM founder Mrs. Nana-Fosu Randall), the UN and VAM provided the kind of outlet for her voice to be heard, for her to express her confidence in who she is, and her concerns for her fellow man.
Janelle’s presentation was part of a daylong commission on the status of women, specifically the impact of education, training, science, and technology on rural women. Janelle has been known for her dominance on the softball field as a pitcher and hitter as well as in the classroom for her academic excellence, and while she may have been nervous at first, knew she was up to the challenge to speak to the empowerment of women with these key components of our society. Janelle challenged each woman to seize the moment, to bring change to women in rural communities everywhere. At just twenty years old, Janelle delivered words that were filled with hope, faith, determination and power to transform those listening. Janelle’s presentation was well received by all in attendance, so much so that she has already been asked to return to the UN for future discussions. Congratulations to Janelle on this tremendous honor.
Class Updates
Rob Capuder ’71 sent us the following note after having participated in our ‘Looking Back…’ contest: “I was on vacation…last week. Actually went with fellow Stanner George Mlicko ’71 and his family with whom I’ve been close friends since graduation. Two other Stanners, Gerry Stanick and Brian Lowery, both ’71, are currently on my bowling team. Many long-lasting friendships were forged during my Molloy years. I’m forever grateful for that. Thanks for the look back.”
Robert Meyer ’91 would like us to announce the birth of his first child, Stephanie Nicole Meyer, on 1/11/2011. He and wife April, who met during Robert’s freshman year at Molloy, are very excited about the newest addition to their family. Congratulations!
Michael Russo ’04 visited the Stanner Alumni Center and talked about graduating from St. Francis College in 2008 with a degree in biology and chemistry and information technology minors. Taking his skills to the professional world, Michael worked as a 2 year hospital intern at St. Vincent’s. Michael is currently working on attaining a Masters degree.
We received a message from the son of John Power ‘43 stating that John passed away in November, 2010. Please pray for John and his family.
James Pappalardo ’47 informed us of the passing of his St. Ann’s classmate Peter Rampp ’47. Peter passed away in January. Peter had volunteered to serve his country and later returned to St. Ann’s to finish school with James. Though Peter was 3 years older at that point, they became very good friends and remained so for many years. According to James, “Peter was a great person, and a great basketball player. He played at St. Ann’s and later at St. John’s University.” Peter remained active in his St. Ann’s community, having attended the St. Ann’s Breakfast Event in 2007. Please pray for Peter and his family.
Please pray for Catherine DeNoto, sister in law of Ms. Dorothy DeNoto, niece of Ms. Mary Mallia, and cousin of Mr. CJ Mallia. Catherine passed away after battling an extended illness. Please keep Catherine and her family in your prayers.
We received news that Robert Chrenc, class of 1962, has passed away. Please pray for Robert and his family.
We are sad to share news of the passing of the mother of Michael Shields ’06. Keep Mrs. Shields and her family in your prayers during this difficult time.
We received a note regarding the passing of Ysolina Gavilan, mother of Jessica Gavilan ’09. Please keep Ysolina and her family in your prayers.
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