$35,000 Gift Challenge – Support The Br. Ron Marcellin Memorial Scholarship
REMINDER: You can support the Br. Ron Marcellin Memorial Scholarship Gift Challenge now through May 1st!
The Br. Ronald Marcellin Memorial Scholarship has provided life-changing support to students facing extraordinary hardships. This scholarship, supported by a dedicated community of alumni who were personally impacted by the inspiring Br. Ronald Marcellin ’52, is now within reach of a historic milestone: $1,000,000 in total funds raised!
Br. Ron dedicated his life to lifting others up, ensuring that every student, no matter their circumstances, had the opportunity to succeed. Thanks to our community’s generosity, his legacy continues to shine.
An anonymous donor has stepped forward with a $35,000 Challenge Gift! For every $2 you give, $1 more will be added, allowing your generosity to go even further in supporting students who need it most. This gift challenge has been offered now through May 1st. Click the button below to visit our website and make your gift today. THANK YOU for your generosity and your support of this wonderful scholarship!
Molloy Inducts Five Into The Stanner Hall of Fame
On Saturday, March 22nd, Archbishop Molloy High School welcomed members of our school community to the Jack Curran Gymnasium in celebration of five distinguished individuals who now claim membership in the Stanner Hall of Fame. Since 1983, Molloy has honored those in our community who have not simply achieved fame, but who have led remarkable lives of faith, honor, service, generosity, and excellence. The men and women selected for induction into the Stanner Hall of Fame exemplify our school motto, Not for school, but for life.
This year, Molloy was pleased to honor longtime Molloy education and administrator Ms. MaryAnn Safrey, renowned Canadian basketball coach Stephen Konchalski ’62, elite varsity soccer coach Andrew Kostel, devoted advocate for the DeafBlind community Joseph McNulty ’64 (posthumously), and lifelong humanitarian and public servant Dennis Lazarus ’71. Each of these outstanding individuals has led an inspiring life, making a positive impact in their profession and on the lives of those around them. Read each inductee’s full bio on our website at: www.molloyhs.org/stannerhof
The first inductee to be honored was Dennis Lazarus ’71, who dedicated 30 years of service to the United Nations. A passionate public servant and humanitarian, whose career included living in a South Korean leprosy village as a Peace Corps volunteer and coordinating international disaster relief programs, Dennis embodies the Marist ideals of selflessness and putting the needs of others before your own. In his remarks, he shared numerous lessons and stories from his travels. “The key lessons I took from Molloy were we all matter, do the right thing, work hard, and persevere. These lessons served me well in my public service career. I visited Indonesia in 2004 after the tsunami, where over 100,000 people died. We were overwhelmed working, helping them, but we were not the ones it was about. It was about the people who were affected by the disaster. Every day we just had to work on and on to try and find solutions to make it better for them ,and little by little we were able to improve their lives.” Just one of many incredible stories, it is emblematic of how Dennis has always given of himself for the betterment of others throughout his life.
Next to be inducted was renowned Canadian basketball coach Stephen Konchalski ’62. Coach Konchalski enjoyed a 46-year career as a nationally recognized coach, including leading the Canadian Men’s National Team and coaching at the Olympics in 1976 and 1984. As head coach of the men’s basketball team at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, he was a fierce leader, coaching the team all the way to the national tournament 13 times. He was named Atlantic University Sport (AUS) Coach of the Year six times, and led the team to nine AUS titles. Coach Konchalski is a member of the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame, the St. Francis Xavier University Sports Hall of Fame, and the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame. A man who earned these and many other accolades throughout his life, Coach Konchalski spoke first and foremost of his brother, fellow Stanner Hall of Famer Tom Konchalski ’64. “Tom was one of the most renowned high school basketball scouts in the United States, and moreso was a total gentleman and allowed his faith to guide his career. To join Tom tonight on that wall is one of the special moments of my life.” Coach Konchalski is a co-founder of the Thomas C. Konchalski Foundation, which provides scholarships and other assistance to deserving students.
Our third inductee was the late Joseph McNulty ’64. Speaking on behalf of Joseph was his son Brian, who highlighted his father’s devotion to the DeafBlind community. Joseph, serving as Executive Director of the Helen Keller National Center for DeafBlind Youths and Adults, secured grants to improve services and technology at the center, visited the White House with DeafBlind children to champion national Helen Keller Awareness Week, and traveled from state to state to help grow a national network of DeafBlind specialists. Joseph helped build the center into an internationally recognized institution that served thousands, all the while improving the lives of countless people. Brian McNulty shared, “Molloy taught my dad the values of commitment, fortitude, perseverance, and striving for excellence. They stuck with him. It can be objectively stated that the impact Molloy had on dad was real. It was evident in the lessons he taught to [my sister] Kate and I. It was evident in the career path he took, one of service to a community in dire need.”
Next, Coach Andrew “Andy” Kostel, Molloy’s boys varsity soccer coach of nearly 50 years, took to the dais. Coach Kostel has helped make boys soccer one of Molloy’s most successful athletic programs. His teams have won two NYS titles, 15 NYC titles, and 17 B/Q titles, as well as three consecutive Metro Bowl championships. His outstanding coaching career earned him induction into the CHSAA Hall of Fame in 2010 – the first soccer coach to receive the honor. Beyond the championships, Coach Kostel has been a positive influence in the lives of generations of student-athletes. He has acted as an advocate for scholar athletes, with his work ethic and positivity serving as a model for his players to emulate on the field and in the classroom. During his remarks, Coach Kostel credited his players and assistant coaches, often calling on them to stand for applause. “My coaches taught me the game, they gave me a passion for the game, but more importantly, they taught me the aspect of teamwork. But my induction is mainly because of the players – all the players, for all these years, who worked hard and did the best they could on the field – they’re the ones who really made this work.”
Our final inductee of the evening was MaryAnn Safrey, who served Molloy as a beloved English teacher and administrator for 29 years. She taught across the English curriculum, instilling a passion for literature and learning in generations of Stanners. After 19 years of service, MaryAnn was appointed as Molloy’s first lay female administrator. As Assistant Principal for Academics, she pushed for new and thoughtful courses and electives, as well as the expansion of our Molloy’s AP program, which now features 24 AP courses and counting. In 2018, MaryAnn worked with members of the senior class to co-found GERLL Club, which stands for Girls Empowerment for Real Life Leadership. GERLL Club empowers and encourages female Stanners while driving initiatives to raise money for the Girls’ Leadership Scholarship Fund, benefiting future young women entering Molloy. In her remarks, MaryAnn credited Molloy for giving her “more opportunity than I ever could have imagined in 1991 as, at the time, one of the few women in a male dominated building.” She went on to create new courses that continue to thrive, teach all grades, create liturgies, moderate National Honor Society, run Shakespeare Festivals, and start a Theater Arts & Improv Club. She also thanked Molloy for “giving me a seat around the administrative table, and an opportunity to exercise my voice and air my thoughts,” as well as subsequently approving the creation of GERLL Club to serve as a space for Stanner women to be inspired. “What Molloy has always done best in its classrooms, on its fields, and in its many clubs and activities is to foster and encourage leaders. This room and its many alumni tonight is proof of that. When you train leaders and nurture their sense of mission, integrity, and justice, they go back to their communities to touch infinitely more lives for the better and for the collective good.”
Stanners Celebrate “Spirit Week”
During the week of March 24-28, Molloy was buzzing in celebration of Spirit Week! Every year, Stanners spend a full week showing their school spirit, dressing downs based on different themes and participating in a variety of fun games and activities. The more spirit shown, the more students can earn points for their grade. The grade with the most points at the end of the week earns their own grade-exclusive dress down day later in the school year.
Dress down days saw students and faculty attend school dressed in everything from pajamas, to colored wigs and tutus, to popular characters and historical figures. The dress down days sparked everyone’s creativity, resulting in some truly fun and hilarious outfits!
Spirit Week offered various contests, such the Faculty Picture Match (match the faculty member to the correct picture of their parent or parents), and the Candy Count (guess the exact number of candies in a jar). As for activities, the Jack Curran Gymnasium hosted several high-energy events throughout the week. On Tuesday, Stanners participated in the Lip-Sync Battle, performing original dance numbers and skits set to popular music (this event included a special cameo by Mr. Ken Auer!). Wednesday saw the Spirit Games unfold, featuring Field Day-style events such as soccer and basketball challenges, accuracy toss, relays, and the Tug of War (with the seniors coming out on top at the end). Thursday was Cultural Day, during which students wore cultural attire and participated in the Festival of Cultures after school (continue reading The Beehive for more on this event). Finally, Friday night saw the most electric event as the seniors faced off against the faculty in a basketball showdown (continue reading The Beehive for more about the game).
Spirit Week is a fun and memorable week every year. Students and faculty come dressed to impress, the gym gets louder than ever, and everyone has the opportunity to do their part to add to the amazing family spirit of our school. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this wonderful week, especially Ms. Murdocca as lead organizer, Dr. Mangar ’09 and Ms. DeNoto for coordinating the Festival of Cultures, Mr. Dougherty ’91 for running the Seniors vs. Faculty Basketball Game, and all the student and faculty performers and volunteers that made this week special.
Stanners Take Trip Around the World During Festival of Cultures
During Spirit Week, one of the most exciting themes was Cultural Day! Throughout the day, students wore clothes and traditional outfits that represented their heritage! The day began with a Parade of Flags during homeroom and concluded with the Festival of Cultures, an event that has been hosted at Molloy in various forms since 1980.
During the festival, students and faculty enjoyed delicious samples of foods from around the world, while Stanner dancers, musicians, and members of our cultural clubs took to the stage to perform. The event finished with a fashion show starring our students, who confidently walked across the stage showcasing many unique cultural outfits.
Thank you to all who contributed to this fun and spirit-filled day!
Faculty Bests the Seniors in Annual Basketball Showdown
On Friday March 28th, Spirit Week ended with the highly anticipated Seniors vs. Faculty Basketball Game in the Jack Curran Gymnasium! The Class of 2025 faced off against the faculty in front of a sellout crowd, with the seniors looking to protect a 5-year winning streak!
The atmosphere in the gym was electric, highlighted by Molloy’s concert band, who performed the National Anthem and then played between scores and during the action throughout the game. Molloy’s new Cheer Squad also performed to lead off the evening, afterward lining one end of the court to continue their cheers. The First Ladies Step Team and Dance Team hyped up the crowd with performances between quarters, while the Sassy Seniors provided an amazing spectacle with their spirited routine at halftime!
The game was a back-and-forth affair for most of the first half, but the seniors established what seemed like a comfortable 11-point lead in the third quarter. However, the faculty came back in a big way in the fourth quarter, tying the game several times before pulling ahead for good in the final two minutes. The faculty enjoyed huge games from several team members, especially Mr. Quinn, Mr. Beaudet, and Basketball Coach Mr. White. The seniors fought hard until the end, but the faculty ultimately came out as the winners of this one by a score of 67-63, finally putting an end to their losing streak!
Congratulations to all who participated in the game, to all who provided music and dance, and to Mr. Dougherty for his work to organize the game. What a great way to cap off Spirit Week! Go Stanners!
Photos by Ryota Sato ’25
GERLL Club Hosts Finance Panel, Welcomes the First Recipient of Molloy’s Girls Leadership Scholarship!
To close out Women’s History Month, GERLL Club hosted a Finance Panel! Molloy’s Principal Dr. Darius Penikas and Molloy’s Tuition Manager Ms. Danielle Santucci-Gracchi spoke to students about working in finance and how saving and investing money is important to start at a young age. Dr. Penikas began the panel with a presentation that explained the difference between saving money and investing it, and then both panelists answered students’ questions. Inquiries ranged from what it means to invest smartly, career options for people who are interested in finance, advice for women wanting to pursue a male-dominated career, the benefits of purchasing a home, and how to stay out of debt.
Dr. Penikas assured all in attendance that they “do not need a lot of money to invest,” and that “investing young is smart because it gives you time to learn, and time for your money to grow.” He added, “It will be scary at first, but starting small will help prepare you for the larger investments in your future.” Ms. Santucci-Gracchi shared that one of the most important pieces of advice she was given was to “invest in your 401K,” and to “make sure your assets are diversified.” She also told Stanners, “It’s extremely important to be confident, speak when you have something to say, and let your presence be known, especially as a woman.”
At the conclusion of the panel, Ms. MaryAnn Safrey, co-founder of GERLL Club and recent Stanner Hall of Fame inductee, spoke about the Girls Leadership Scholarship Fund. She mentioned the fundraising initiatives taken over the last seven years to build up the fund so that for the first time, Molloy and the GERLL Club could offer the very first Girls Leadership Scholarship! In attendance was Jennifer Koss, a stellar 8th grader that was chosen to receive the scholarship and who will be attending Molloy as part of the Class of 2029. Congratulations, Jennifer, and thank you to the GERLL Club, Ms. Safrey, Ms. Henning, and Ms. Kobinski ‘04 for all of their hard work!
Stanners Attend Marist Youth Mission Conference
During the weekend of March 21st-23rd, 14 Molloy sophomores and one senior leader attended the Marist Youth Mission Conference at the Marist Brothers’ Center at Esopus. Students were able to take a deep dive into our Marist Mission, and how that mission is being lived out in other schools around the country and the global Marist world. Not only did we learn about the depth and breadth of our Marist Mission, but we also shared ideas and different ways we can further our mission as we return to Molloy. Our Senior leader, Anabelle Montano, gave a presentation to students from six other Marist schools about the various programs and initiatives started at Molloy that foster our Mission of making Jesus known and loved. It was a beautiful and enriching weekend sharing Faith and community!
Molloy’s First Pep Rally a Grand Celebration of Stanner Athletes
On March 20th, just after classes concluded for the day, the Jack Curran Gymnasium was filled for Molloy’s very first Pep Rally! Featuring performances by our concert band, the First Ladies Step Team, and the new Cheer Squad, the Pep Rally centered the hard work and achievements of Molloy’s many talented student-athletes. The event MC, Ms. Wagner ’14, announced each of the fall and winter teams and their members, giving each one the spotlight and giving their classmates the opportunity to cheer them on. Even though most of the spring teams were at practice or off site, they still received a shoutout from all in attendance in hopes of a successful season.
Organized by Ms. Gerold and Ms. Mallia from Molloy’s Advancement Department, the Pep Rally reflected Molloy’s commitment to celebrating the legacy of all our wonderful student-athletes. After the success of the first Pep Rally, Molloy has plans for several rallies during the 2025-26 school year.
Stanner Athletes of the Week + Sports Roundup
| Check team info, schedules, and results on our website all spring! Visit: https://www.molloyhs.org/athletics/teams |
| Stanner Athletes of the Week Week of 3/17-3/23: Lacrosse player Savina Foy ’25 scored 10 goals in Molloy’s 11-10 win over St. Joseph’s by the Sea, including the game winner with just 9 seconds left. She scored 4 goals and had an assist in Molloy’s 10-9 win over Kennedy Catholic. | In the first four scrimmages of the varsity baseball season, Patrick DeSarno ’25 hit .667 with a .786 OBP. He notched 6 hits in 9 at bats including 2 doubles, 1 home run, 3 RBIs, 4 walks, and 5 runs scored. He also played elite defense. Congratulations Savina and Patrick! Week of 3/24-3/30: Softball player Nataliya Harricharan ’28 hit .500, scored 3 runs, had 2 RBIs, and 4 stolen bases during this week! Lacrosse player Isaac Contreras ’27 led the offense in scoring in a Saturday contest, notching six goals to help Molloy achieve the 13-5 Win against Cardinal Spellman. |
| Nike Indoor Nationals: At the Nike Indoor Nationals, Antonio Hernandez ’25 placed 19th in the High Jump with a height of 6’4.75″. |
| Adidas National Championships: In Girls Distance Medley Relay, Riley Devaney ’28, Emily Potkanski ’28, Kylie Liriano-Montalvo ’25, and Aoife Garvey ’25 placed 6th, making them All-Americans! | In Boys Shuttle Hurdle Relay, Jamel Rankine ’28, Jayson Reyes ’25, Olivier Alexandre ’25, and Antonio Hernandez ’25 placed 4th, making them All-Americans! | In Boys Sprint Medley Relay, Brandon Notice ’26, Ben Paula ’25, Arnario Briggs-Garcia ’25, and Garrett Ryan ’25 placed 6th, making them All-Americans! | Jamel Rankine ’28 placed 9th in Freshman Hurdles. |
| Baseball: The varsity squad started their season with a record of 5-1-2 in scrimmages. They opened their regular season with back-to-back wins against Holy Trinity (11-6) and St. Edmund’s (10-0). | The JV team started their season with a 2-1-3 scrimmage record. They opened their regular season with a 10-0 win against Holy Trinity. |
| Softball: The varsity team started their season with a 2-0 record in league play. | JV softball began their season with a 1-2 record in league play. |
| Lacrosse: The girls varsity team started their season with a 2-1 record in league play. | Girls JV started their league season at 3-2. | Boys varsity lacrosse began their regular season 1-1 including a 13-5 win against Cardinal Spellman. |
**Attention Former Softball Players!**
**LAST CALL! LUAU IS THIS SATURDAY!**
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Please pray for the repose of the soul of Claire Levens (March 25, 2025), mother of Daniel Levens ’92, Timothy Levens ’95, and Patrick Levens. | Click Here for Memorial Page
