The Beehive, Archbishop Molloy High School’s bi-weekly community newsletter, has returned from its summer hiatus with a brand new design! In redesigning our newsletter, our primary goals were to create a fresh new look while improving legibility and functionality in each section of the page. We hope you will enjoy our new design and features! Here’s a more detailed list of updates:
| + New navigation menu at the top of the page featuring our most relevant links (desktop only) |
| + Navigation menu will stay stickied at the top of the page when scrolling (desktop only) |
| + Updated section headings in left and right columns to clearly label content |
| + Wider content areas / columns |
| + Links appear larger than previous Beehive, improving legibility and access |
| + Clear subscribe and contact buttons at the top of the right column |
| + Event Calendar in right column features larger links with dates in clear chronological order |
| + Easy navigation to Instagram through latest posts in the right column |
| + Background watermark has been removed to improve legibility |
| + Clicking the arrow button in the bottom right corner of the page jumps back to top of the page (pictured below) |
DESKTOP VIEWING: The Beehive is best viewed on a desktop computer, however we always keep your experience viewing on a mobile device or tablet in mind. Some features and design elements may appear different on a mobile device or tablet.
MOBILE VIEWING: Content in the right column will appear at the bottom of each new Beehive when scrolling/viewing on a mobile device, but you can also open the entire right column at any time using the menu button next to the search icon, which is located in the top right corner of the page (pictured below).
Please note that design features and functionality may undergo additional changes and updates over time. We will continue to work toward providing the best Beehive viewing experience possible. We appreciate your support over the years and look forward to sharing more of the latest news from around the Molloy community. Thank you for reading The Beehive!
Jack Curran Gala: Molloy to Honor Curran’s Legacy on Sept 20th
On September 20th, Archbishop Molloy High School will host a special gala celebrating the legacy of Coach Jack Curran. Molloy will recognize Mr. Curran’s New York State record of 972 wins in basketball as well as retire his iconic #5 jersey. Molloy will also officially introduce The Curran Fund, benefiting future students. The event will include hors d’oeuvres, refreshments, dinner and dessert, and more.
GIFT CHALLENGE
The special message in the video player above comes from University of Miami Head Coach Jim Larrañaga ’67, who will serve as MC of the Jack Curran Gala. The Larrañaga family is sponsoring a Gift Challenge that will see all gifts to the Curran Gala and Curran Fund matched 2:1 up to $50,000 now through September 20th. Every $2 donated will be matched by $1. We hope you will consider making a gift in honor of the great Jack Curran, in turn enabling Molloy to help more students in the future.
ABOUT JACK CURRAN
Mr. Jack Curran (1930-2013) was a unifying, inspiring force for Archbishop Molloy High School and the greater sports community. The winningest coach in New York State history, Mr. Curran served Molloy and its student-athletes for nearly 60 years. He was committed to advocating for youth to receive access and opportunities. Mr. Curran’s impact as a leader, mentor, colleague, and friend has inspired the creation of “The Curran Fund.”
ABOUT THE CURRAN FUND
The Curran Fund’s goal is to provide a deserving student with a four-year scholarship to attend Archbishop Molloy High School. This scholarship will perpetuate the extraordinary legacy of Mr. Curran and ensure that Molloy continues to change lives for the better for years to come.
Support The 24 Hour Run for 2 Causes!
Molloy is excited to announce that social studies teacher Mr. Joe Beaudet will be participating in a 24 Hour Run for 2 Causes, right on Stanner Field! The fundraiser has two goals: to support the Kaitlyn Mendoza Fund and raise awareness of pediatric cancer in memory of Kaitlyn Mendoza ‘22; to support the Karina Vetrano Memorial Scholarship and raise awareness of runner safety in memory of Karina Vetrano ‘04. Beginning at 3:00pm on Friday, September 22nd and ending 3:00pm Saturday, September 23rd, the event is open to all and will feature Mr. Beaudet in perpetual forward motion for 24 hours straight!
A Beloved Daughter, Friend, Teammate, and Student
Kaitlyn Mendoza was a talented student and tennis player who was beloved by her family, friends, and teachers. Devastatingly, after a battle with cancer, Kaitlyn passed away prior to the start of her senior year. As her history teacher, Mr. Beaudet admired every aspect of Kaitlyn. All of his memories of her are of a stellar honors student and gifted athlete that never missed class, never required extensions on assignments, asked poignant questions, and had a genuine love for school. “Kaitlyn was not only one of the most impactful students I’ve ever taught, but one of the most impactful people,” shares Mr. Beaudet. He continues, “She embodied characteristics that I hope to have myself. Her traits and qualities should not just be remembered, but celebrated.”
The Kaitlyn Mendoza Fund was created to provide scholarships for young women attending Molloy and to provide grants to the Girls Tennis Program. When Mr. Beaudet learned of the scholarship, he knew immediately he wanted to do something to support the fund and honor Kaitlyn. In collaboration with Executive Director of Development Mr. Craig Katinas ‘93 and Principal Dr. Darius Penikas, a fundraising run was suggested, considering Mr. Beaudet’s running history. An avid runner, Mr. Beaudet has participated in countless running events, including the Boston Marathon, the NYC Marathon, the Leadville 100 in Colorado, the JFK 50 Mile Memorial in Maryland, the Rocky Racoon 100K in Texas, and the Trail Malt Blanc in various European countries. Mr. Beaudet has also previously completed a 24 hour run.
A Continued Legacy
As the 24 Hour Run for 2 Causes took shape, Mr. Katinas and Dr. Penikas suggested Molloy also raise awareness for runner safety in memory of Karina Vetrano, a Molloy alumna from the Class of 2004 who was tragically killed in August 2016. Karina was on a run when she was unexpectedly attacked, and the 24 Hour Run will help raise awareness of safety initiatives for women while running alone. Mr. Katinas says, “It is important to raise awareness about health and safety to make a positive difference for present and future generations.” Mr. Beaudet adds, “I have four daughters, two of which run track. My running coach is a talented woman. I’m surrounded by strong women, many who run, and it just makes sense that this event promotes their safety and that of all women.”
A Community Effort
Students, families, friends, alumni, and the entire Molloy community are welcome to come out and show their support for Mr. Beaudet at any point during those 24 hours. Support can be shown by walking, jogging, or running alongside Mr. Beaudet for as little or as long as possible, standing and cheering from the sidelines, or making a donation to one or both of these wonderful causes!
Click Here to make a gift and support this effort today. Click the button below to read our full story.
Molloy’s 1st Annual Summer Enrichment Camp a Success!
This past June and July, Molloy offered rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders the opportunity to attend fun, academic courses led by Molloy faculty. During two separate sessions, the first ever Summer Enrichment Camps introduced students to real-life, relevant lessons, while simultaneously allowing them to meet Molloy teachers and make new friends!
Courses included: Video Creation and Production; Programming and Game Development; ENERGY, A STEAM-based Approach; Web Design, Robotics, and AI; and Chess.
Mr. Joe Touzin, the Chess instructor, taught campers the fundamentals of the game, including basic strategy and simple endgames. After learning the game, students then participated in tournaments! Mr. Touzin shared that “at the end of the first session, the students said that they enjoyed the class, and one student said that he now thinks he will be able to beat his dad in chess!”
Mr. Alex Van Winkel, who instructed the Computer Science courses, taught his students to code on a website called “REPLIT,” teaching them the basics of the computer language “Python.” Campers also flew a drone and coded their own video game. In terms of his teaching style, Mr. Van Winkel shares, “Since I ran the camp in a way that promoted ‘fun,’ but also keeping the rules still somewhat strict, the students actually learned a lot during those days. Since the time-per-day working on Computer Science was much more than regular classes, they learned a lot in a very short time.”
Instructor of ENERGY, physics teacher Mr. Chris Autera, included multiple fun activities in his course, such as building balloon rockets, making egg catching devices, and circuiting Christmas lights. “We studied different forms of energy, including potential, kinetic, electrical, thermal, sound, and light,” says Mr. Autera, continuing, “We started the week with building a room-wide Rube Goldberg machine (think chain reaction, “Mousetrap” type set up), which the kids enjoyed!” Mr. Brian Klimas, teacher of Video Creation and Production, taught the basics of Adobe Photoshop. He said his students were a pleasure to work with, and that “hopefully some of them got exposed to a potential career option.”
First Full-Class Freshman Retreat Before School Year
For the first time ever, Molloy hosted a one-day Freshman Retreat for the entire Class of 2027 prior to the start of school on Thursday, August 31st. Held in-house on Manton Street, the day introduced incoming students to retreat life at our school, generating excitement for the next four years full of trips to Esopus, service projects, and class prayer services.
Throughout the day, our newest Stanners heard various presentations about the five Marist Pillars of Presence, Simplicity, Family Spirit, Love of Work, and In The Way of Mary. With this knowledge fresh in their minds, students then broke off into small groups led by upperclassmen to complete various games and activities that represented each pillar. Activities included being led through an obstacle course using only a partner’s voice for direction, figuring out how to get an entire team of people under a jump rope without missing a rotation, and making tote bags full of school supplies that were donated to Queens Borough Hall as part of Project: Back to School, organized by the Coalition for the Homeless. The service project was led by Campus Minister Ms. Rose Haslbauer, who estimated the number of bags donated to be about 80, and that “it was wonderful to watch the freshmen live out the Marist Mission of giving to others.” The day ended with a full-class photo, as the freshmen made the shape of a 27 on Stanner Field.
In addition to learning about being Marist, the Class of 2027 used the day to make new friends, as well as strengthen ones made over the summer at Freshman Camp. One student shared that she “loved her group and hopes she has classes with each of them!” From the adult perspective, Director of Marist Life and Mission Ms. Lori Wilson says the retreat “was a great way to meet the freshmen and introduce them to what makes Molloy unique,” continuing, “they were engaged, thoughtful, and present. It was a very successful day!” Campus Minister Mr. Matt Corrado said that he loved “witnessing our five pillars in action,” and that the day was “filled with family spirit and community building.” All involved were excited to see the freshmen get so involved with the activities, make new connections, and experience the meaning of Marist for the very first time!
According to Ms. Haslbauer, “seeing an entire class come together for the first time before the school year begins was something we hadn’t ever done before, and it was a huge accomplishment.” The day would not have gone so well if it weren’t for the 36 student leaders who helped make the freshmen feel welcome and comfortable, as well as the adult leaders that made it their mission to connect with students so they could see recognizable, friendly faces on their first day of school!
Class of 2027 Enjoys Freshman Camp at Esopus
In July, members of the Class of 2027 visited the Marist Brothers’ Center at Esopus for the very first time! Counselors, faculty, alumni, and the group of new Stanners participated in one of Molloy’s most exciting and beloved traditions: Freshman Camp!
Freshmen spent the week getting to know one another, as well as a number of upperclassmen, teachers, and Molloy staff. Our newest Stanners had the opportunity to bond through sports, crafts, and outdoor activities, as well as celebrating Mass, journal writing, and a Q&A about day-to-day life at Molloy. By cheering each other on during Flag, making friendship bracelets together, and taking turns riding Go-Karts, all Stanners created lasting relationships and memories.
Camp Director Mr. Jim Sheldon shares, “Camp is a very important part of the evolution of our students into the Molloy and larger Marist family. It’s a unique experience; no other school around has the opportunity to gather so many freshmen, current students, alumni, and faculty in one space for that amount of time. I’m happy that this year’s camp was one of the BEST in recent memory!” English teacher and alumna Ms. Shannon Winters adds, “It’s so amazing to see current students, faculty, and alumni come together for a week to continue the tradition of welcoming the newest Stanners to the family. From someone who wanted to go home during my freshman camp to now being a part of making the week happen, it’s always so rewarding to watch it all come together. A big shout out to our current junior and senior counselors who really go above and beyond to make every camper feel welcomed.”
Campus Ministry Updates
During the week of July 17th, Campus Ministers Ms. Lori Wilson and Mr. Matt Corrado, and other representatives of the Molloy community attended a Marist Youth Leadership Camp at the Marist Brothers’ Center at Esopus. Members from all US Marist schools, as well as our fellow Marist school in Quebec, attended the camp.
Stanners learned leadership skills such as creating prayer experiences, writing speeches, leading small group discussions, initiating ice breakers, and debriefing activities. Students and faculty from all schools were able to share experiences, make new friends, and learn from each other. At the end of the week, Br. Robert Dittus ‘15 and Br. Ryan Richter made their first vows in front of the Marist community, which included the Provincial Council, many fellow brothers, and Molloy’s Campus Ministry team! Br. Dittus is the first Molloy alumnus to profess his Marist vows since Br. Dan O’Riordan ’85, the current US Provincial.
Ms. Lori Wilson shares, “The 12 students that attended are now ready to lead our Freshman retreat this year. It was an amazing week!”
Congratulations to Alexandria Russell ’06, who was recently spotlighted by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association as an ASHA Innovater. Alex is a Speech-Language Pathologist based in Pennsylvania. In her Instagram spotlight she discusses how she “uses innovation to find solutions and help patients return to doing things they used to do with as much independence as possible.” See the full spotlight on Instagram by clicking the button below.
In case you missed it, recent graduate Grace Murphy ’23 was featured on WPIX’s Student-Athlete of the Week TV segment back in June! Grace, a multi-sport athlete at Molloy and part of a historic girls Track & Field team, has since taken her talents to Marist College. You can watch the full segment via the player above. Congratulations, Grace!
Over the summer, Ed Shannon ’84 caught up with comedian Chris Distefano ’02 after a performance at Borelli’s in Long Beach. The two chatted for a while, including about when Shannon coached Distefano to the JV basketball City Championship in 2000.
We are saddened to share the passing of Eileen Gambino (September 3, 2023), mother of religion teacher Frank Gambino ‘74, James Gambino ’77, and John Gambino ’79; aunt of John Peterson ’72; sister of James, Bill, and John O’Neill, graduates of St. Ann’s Academy. Please keep Eileen and the Gambino family in your prayers during this difficult time. Information regarding services has been shared below. | Click Here for Memorial Page
Please pray for the repose of the soul of John Quattrocchi (September 5, 2023), father of Ciro Quattrocchi.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Joseph F. Kosor (August 24, 2023). Joseph attended Molloy through his Junior year in 2004. | Click Here for Memorial Page
Molloy is saddened to share the passing of Michael A. Friend ’68 (August 26, 2023). Michael was a beloved member of the Class of 1968 and was part of a group of classmates that would regularly reunite on Long Island each year. Please keep Michael and his loved ones in your prayers.
Molloy joins the Marist world in mourning the passing of Anuar Jobi (August 26, 2023), a 12th grader from St. Joseph Academy in Brownsville Texas. Please keep Anuar, his loved ones, and the SJA community in your prayers.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Jeanette Coletti (July 24, 2023), mother of Carmine Coletti ’81. Carmine shares, “She was a great mom and was like a mom to all who met her. She is reunited with my dad Carmine L. Coletti, who passed away March 2022.” Please keep Jeanette and the Coletti family in your prayers.
We are saddened to share the passing of Kevin Turner; beloved father of Paul Turner ’85, Thomas Turner ’87, Mark Turner ’90, and Daniel Turner ’92; beloved grandfather of Jack Turner ’17 and Peter Turner ’19. Mr. Turner was a proud Stanner parent and grandparent, having worked with Molloy’s Parent Association for many years. He and his wife, Maria, were always ambassadors for Molloy, endearing themselves to many members of our community over the years. Mr. Turner was a wonderful person and a true gentleman, and he will be deeply missed. Please join us in prayer for Mr. Kevin Turner and his family.
We are saddened to share the passing of Anthony J. Capo, Sr. ’59, (July 14, 2023). Anthony grew up in Yonkers, NY and excelled in basketball and baseball at Archbishop Molloy High School. He attended The College of the Holy Cross on a baseball scholarship helping lead the team to college world series in his junior and senior year. He received his MBA from Boston College. Tony also spent 3 years playing for the Cotuit Kettleers, winning Cape League Championship for three years. He was also MVP in 1962. Tony met his wife of 58 years, Kathleen, in Cotuit where she was a lifeguard. Kathleen and Tony had 3 Children, Anthony of RI, Christopher (deceased) and Giovanna of MA. He also had two grandchildren, Anna and Joseph of MA. They were the joy of his life. He also leaves his brother, Thomas of FL and sister, Angela of NY. Anthony had many friends and enjoyed being with all of them. | Click Here for Memorial Page
We are saddened to share the passing of Carol Ann DeNoto (July 6, 2023), mother of Dorothy DeNoto. Please keep Carol and her loved ones in your prayers.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Madeline Wissemann (May 19, 2023), mother of Frederick Wissemann ’68, William Wissemann ’70, and Matthew Wissemann ’78; grandmother of Angelo Cigna ’00; cousin of Jerry Schumm ’68; aunt to a number of nephews who attended Molloy.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Joseph E. Van Nostrand ’67 (May 17, 2023). Joseph served as an archivist with the NY County Clerk for many years. A memorial service will be conducted at the New York County Surrogates Court on Friday, September 22, 2023 at 1pm by the NY Catholic Court Attaches Guild. | Click Here for Memorial Page
Please join Molloy in prayer for Douglas J. Hoffmann (January 7, 2023), beloved son of Stephen Hoffman ’62 and Barbara Hoffmann.
We were recently informed of the passing of Donald W. McKeen ’68 (July 24, 2019). Please keep Donald and his loved ones in your prayers.
