17th Annual Stanner Games
Molloy hurdlers, pole-vaulters, track stars and more were in full force at the Armory in Manhattan on January 14th for the annual Stanner Games, a nationally recognized invitational indoor track meet. The Stanner Games have been impacting the high school track and field landscape for 17 years, matching up stellar athletes from all corners of the country to showcase their talent, represent their schools, and to always strive for record-breaking performances. Events and races covering the full spectrum of track and field are held throughout the day for boys and girls at all high school grade levels. Over 150 schools participate in Stanner Games each year, an extremely impressive number as the event has grown bigger and better since 1995. The quality of talent has been the draw for many out-of-state schools. Finishing first at Stanner Games really means something to so many people, from the athletes, to the proud track coaches, to the teenagers reading full results online a week later. Molloy track coaches A.J. Power ’84, Joe Dombrowski, and Br. Bob Andrews are among the many architects of the event, with tedious and exhausting planning consuming their schedules for up to 4 months prior to the big day. They would tell you, however, that the true stars are our Stanners – like Kathleen Woods breaking her own AMHS school record by over 10 seconds with a 5:14.21 time in the 1600m, or Niamani Morrison placing 3rd in the Long Jump, or the girls Varsity team placing 4th in the Shuttle Hurdle Relay, or the freshman girls placing 5th in the Sprint Medley Relay. These athletes take the challenge of representing Molloy in front of the entire country, and they do extraordinarily well.
We know that A.J. and Joe attend to so much preparation for Stanner Games, but there are so many people behind the scenes that help to make the run smoothly each year. With so many events to coordinate, athletes to direct, numbers to crunch and times to record, it takes a the work of a large number of volunteers to handle the load. Luckily Molloy had over 75 volunteers at this year’s event many of whom are dedicated track and field alumni who make the trip to The Armory to keep the tradition alive and well. Stanners across generations get involved, from graduates of the 1960’s to current students in the class of 2015. Their passion for the sport and for Molloy is what drives them, and they deserve so many thanks for what they do.
Alumni and current student volunteers that made their mark on the 17th Annual Stanner Games included Isabele Angrisani ’15, George Arcarola ’07, George Arcarola ’74, John Boomer ’76, Alison Brennan ’08, Brian Carney ’89, Stanner Hall of Famer Bob Corrigan ’63, Donald Cotter ’76, John DiGirolamo ’78, Robert Dittus ’81, Sharron Dittus ’10, Artie Dohler ’82, Brittany Dombrowski ’09, Kevin Farley ’68, Brian Farley ’71, Jim Feeney ’82, Tonika Forrester ’11, coach Jeff Gallagher ’88, coach Frank Gambino ’74, Teresa Governale ’10, Charles Harms ’73, Patrick Harvey ’01, Eddie Harvey ’05, James Harvey ’99, Arasu Jambukeswaran ’92, Molloy President Richard Karsten ’81, Alumni Development Director Craig Katinas ’93, teacher Brian Kelly ’94, teacher Brian Klimas ’98, Peter Kramer ’11, Zach Kramer ’07, Jeannett Llave ’11, Olympian Kawan Lovelace ’94, John MacAvoy ’83, Anthony Maio ’84, Alanna McCoy ’11, Guidance Counselor Ted McGuinness ’81, James Mcinerny ’92, Matt Megerdichian ’06, Brother Dan O’Riordan ’85, Juan Ovalle ’84, Steve Param ’88, coach A.J. Power ’84, Mary Grace ’16, Rebecca Power ’08, Matt Powers ’10, Stephanie Rey ’11, Robert Rossi ’80, Vincent Ryan ’85, John Salidono ’06, Sabrina Spataro ’11, Brian Sullivan ’67, Michael Sweeney ’72, Michael Sweeney Jr. ’95, Robert Treadwell ’07, Anthony Vernaci ’03, Ramiro Vidal ’03, Brendan Walsh ’92, and Buddy Woods ’79. Special thanks to all of you, along with other Stanner family members and members of the Molloy faculty and coaching staff, for making this event such a success. Molloy is always looking for more alumni that are willing to get involved in any way they can. If you are interested in volunteering at next year’s Stanner Games you can contact A.J. Power at apower@molloyhs.org or Joe Dombrowski at jdombrowski@molloyhs.org. Pictured below are some of Molloy’s very dedicated alumni in action. All photos for this story are courtesy of Melissa Gabriel ’12.
Around the School
JV Softball Team Visits Ronald McDonald House
The JV softball returned to the Ronald McDonald House once again for a very special volunteer opportunity. Along with Mr. Lou Santos, the team visited with children suffering from illness to help lift their spirits. These children spend significant time in hospitals, and their families devote much of their time to caring for them away from home. The JV girls brought gifts and baked delicious treats for the children, who were very excited to spend time with their new friends. Julianna Mugnolo ’15, a freshman on the team, noted one child in particular that she interacted with. “As soon as we walked in the door I went to helping a boy named Jake. He is 5 years old and he’s had a problem with his pancreas since he was a baby,” said Julianna. “I gave him a cookies and a present and it really brightened his day. It made Jake happy, and it made me feel really good.” Teammate Grace Crockett ’15 had similar feelings. “It was a moving experience,” said Grace. “We have a lot of advantages in our lives that many other people don’t have. Being able to help them made everyone feel good.”
Peer Tutoring Program
Molloy students are some of the busiest of any school in New York City. There’s never a time during the school year when you don’t see Stanners trying their hand at numerous sports and activities, or volunteering in and around the community, or staying after school to study for the next big exam. Over 55 students have found another way to get involved – by helping their fellow classmates by accepting roles as volunteer tutors. Ms. Jeanne Longerano helps to run workshops for the tutors to be fully prepared for the extra help they will be giving their classmates. It is a great example of “Stanners Helping Stanners” and speaks volumes for the lessons taught by Molloy’s Marist Brothers and dedicated faculty.
National Merit Scholarship
Archbishop Molloy High School is proud to announce that students Christine Georghiou and William Hannigan have been named Semifinalists in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship competition. 1.5 million juniors in 22,000 high schools entered the 2012 the NMS Program by taking the 2010 Preliminary SAT/NMS Qualifying Test. The national pool of semifinalists represents less than one percent of US high school seniors and includes the highest scoring entrants in each state. Several other Stanners received special recognition through this process. Commended students include Maverick Alzate, Jeffrey Cheng, Jennifer Hwu, Christina John, James Kasakyan, Marilena Orfanos, Margaret Rooney, Victoria Tan, Samantha Walker, and Alexandra Woods. Inaddition, 5 Stanners were awarded certificates of recognition by the College Board as part of the National Hispanic Scholars program. These students include Maverick Alzate, Stephanie Cruz, Brando Fermin, Thalia Guzman, and Katherine Rosero. Congratulations to all of our distinguished students!
Sports Update
Outside of Stanner Games, Molloy runners recently set an all-time mark that qualified them for the Milrose Sprint Medley Relay (400m, 200, 200m, 800m). The new school record is now 4:21.51 and was achieved by Mary Ellen Woods (63.3), Niamani Morrison (27.1), Tiana Salas-Ali (26.9), and Kathleen Woods (2:24.1). On January 5th, the girls ran a 1600 meter at Manhattan College (each girl runs 400m). This run qualified them for both the US Open at Madison Square Garden on January 28th as well as the Boston Grand Prix on February 4th. More recently, the Varsity and freshman track teams each captured Brooklyn/Queens Sectional Championships last week. Congratulations are also in order for the the girls swim team, who captured the Brooklyn/Queens Championship this season. Since 2002 the team has won 2 city championships, 3 individual championships, and swam to two undefeated seasons.
We are still currently accepting submissions from any alumni who want to be included in the next issue of our Stanner Life Magazine. If you would like to be highlighted in the magazine’s Class Updates article, please send roughly a one paragraph update about yourself, your family, your job, or any of your recent special achievements (preferably along with a photo) via email to Alumni Communications Coordinator Joe Sommo ’03 at jsommo@molloyhs.org. While we can’t guarantee that we’ll have room for all submissions in the magazine, we will do our best to find room in future issues of The Beehive. Thank you for your consideration of this request. We look forward to hearing from you.
Non scholae sed vitae
Another Stanner was saddened by the loss of Brother Edward Francis in December. Carmine Coletti ’81 sent the following: I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Brother Ed Francis. I had him in my freshman year for Algebra. I struggled mightily that first marking period, but with his help, guidance and understanding I became one of his best pupils by the end of that year. I have carried that memory with me throughout my life. Whenever I am facing a challenge, I always remember Br. Ed and how I was able to overcome my challenge with Algebra. I use that memory to help me in my challenges today. Thank you Br. Ed and God Bless!
Class Updates
Shelby Boggio ’62, back in New York visiting friends, decided to come back to Molloy for the first time in nearly 50 years. Boggio moved to upstate NY sometime after college. He would eventually earn a Doctorate degree at Boston University and then pursue his true passion: music. Boggio traveled the world as a soloist, playing clarinet and flute for many years around the world. He ended his travels when it came time to raise his son – which resulted in him settling in New Mexico. It was at this point that he began his 20 year teaching career. He taught at the College of Santa Fe, Hamilton College, College of St. Rose, Stone Hill College, and Emmanuel College. Though he is retired, he still occasionally teaches masters classes and plays music (with an upcoming performance planned in Russia) when opportunities arise. Asked what his favorite international locations are, Boggio immediately said Italy; specifically Rome and Milan. Flipping through his 1962 yearbook, Boggio found a picture of himself playing clarinet in the school band (pictured far left) and also pointed out classmate George Harmel ’62, who he remembered very well from their time at Molloy.
John Rabbitt ’67 recently published his first book, More Like Christ, which according to the author, “offers fresh insights on familiar Gospel passages and provocative modern-day parables – challenging Catholics to be more active in their faith through generous service to others.” You can learn more about John’s book here. In addition to this great achievement, John has another interesting story of note. Nearly 40 years after graduating from Molloy, John met classmate Dennis Green ’67 in 2009 in a residential community near Hilton Head, South Carolina. John and Dennis have since become great friends; a blessing considering they did not even know each other while students at Molloy.
Joseph LoGiudice ’06 asks for the prayers of the Stanner community this week as he deals with an illness. Joseph is currently admitted to care in South Nassau Community Hospital.
It is with sadness that we share news of the passing of Arthur Loeffler Sr. on Saturday, January 7, 2012. He enjoyed almost 91 good years on earth – he was a great Father (to Arthur Loeffler ’73), Father In Law, Grandfather and friend. Please remember Arthur Loeffler Sr. in your prayers.
We are saddened to announce that Mrs. Langabeer, mother of Liz Langabeer ’05, passed away on January 17th. Please pray for the Langabeer family during this difficult time.
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