Welcome to the Beehive Version 2.0!
In September 2010, The Beehive debuted with great success, arriving via email to over 10,000 Stanner alumni, family members and friends. Since then The Beehive has become a wonderful way in which to communicate with the Stanner community. With The Beehive we have strived to keep you updated and informed with news about alumni events, happenings around the school, photo galleries and more. Today we unveil The Beehive Version 2.0! We have added links to Molloy pages on several social media websites including Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Also included with these links is a green button to participate in a survey every 2 weeks that will be specific to the Molloy community. Your participation in these surveys will be greatly appreciated and could help to define future events in and around the school. Also revamped is the content in the right column of The Beehive. Here you will find a few new features including information about Alumni Networks, Stanners in the News, Photo Galleries, and links to Contact Us. With these additions, The Beehive is easier to navigate and more functional than ever before. Please take a few moments click the following thumbnails and explore the new additions to The Beehive and see firsthand what Version 2.0 has to offer. As with everything we do, it all starts with you, the Stanner community. Your readership and participation has been greatly appreciated since the beginning, and we look forward to evolving The Beehive into an even greater experience in the future.
Wine Tasting Event
In rounding out the winter season, Molloy hosted a unique event for wine enthusiasts both amateur and experienced. On the evening of March 15th, a group representing Stanner alumni, family members and friends as well as Molloy faculty and administration gathered in the William J. Murphy Library for a “Wine Tasting 101” experience led by English teacher and in-house “tastemaker” Mr. Jim Sheehan ’75. Sheehan, widely recognized as an astute wine enthusiast, highlighted 6 different wines within various price ranges during the tasting, which included exercises in comparing color, aroma, texture, and of course taste. Part of the process, the group learned, is to reserve judgment on a wine until you discover how its taste fully evolves on your palate after first sipping.
Sheehan has some special tips for Beehive readers as well. 1: Wine is about being patient. When you sip wine…Relax. Pay attention. Enjoy. Get to know the wine, but also get to know your own palate. 2: Take chances. Take the time to seek out wines you haven’t tried. Wine-making techniques around the world have improved dramatically over the past twenty years, so there’s a very good chance these days that a wine you haven’t heard of is made well. 3: In the current market, exciting values can be found in wines from Portugal, Spain and Washington State.
A surprise was also in store for Beehive editor Joe Sommo ’03, who got a chance to catch up with Larry Keller ’03, a friend he hadn’t seen in almost 9 years! Everyone had a wonderful time, and Mr. Sheehan hopes to host another wine tasting again in the future. You can view some of the photos from the evening as well as the complete photo gallery below:
Click here for a photo gallery from the evening
Around the School
Molloy Pipes & Drums Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
This past March marked another busy season for Molloy’s talented Pipes & Drums band. Always showcasing their skills during the school year, the band participated in weekend festivities at several local Parishes including Our Lady of Mercy, St. Margaret’s and St. Pancras – just to name a few. Truth be told, the Molloy Pipes and Drums band is booked up throughout this busy season as communities around New York City and parts of Long Island celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Representing Molloy and the Stanner community, the band marches proudly in several major parades including those taking place in Garden City/Mineola, Ronkonkoma, Rockaway (New York City’s second largest parade) and of course the parade down 5th Avenue in Manhattan (Take a special survey HERE and let us know if you’d like to march in next year’s 5th Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade with Molloy!). Marching with the band as always, Mr. Jim Sheldon ’88 and Br. James Norton FMS are great leaders and work to inspire the pipers and drummers constantly. That inspiration leads to great results as the band attracts plenty of attention from local newspapers as well as alumni. While attending the 5th Avenue parade, President Richard Karsten ’81 met some friends from Mount St. Michael’s, Br. Dominick Pujia and Dr. Anthony Miserandino, as well as Stanner alumni including Paul Krische ‘81, Brittany Dombrowski ‘09, and Timothy Henning ’93. Click the following links to watch several videos capturing parade moments. Rockaway Parade, Mineola/Garden City Parade, 5th Avenue Parade.
Operation Dreamcatchers Back at Molloy
Operation Dreamcatchers is Melissa Bhikham, Melissa Buchan, and Stacy Lalman – all class of 2008. A NY-based charitable not-for-profit organization, the Dreamcatchers raise medical and health-related supplies for underprivileged medical facilities worldwide. The Dreamcatchers are returning to Guyana in August to pick up where they left off. Last year, with a generous donation from Archbishop Molloy High School, the Dreamcatchers were able to purchase nebulizers, disinfectants, blood pressure equipment and oxygen concentrators. This year, they plan to reach out to more health centers, orphanages, and other institutions in poor communities within the isolated areas of the 
country. Much of their work is hands on, and they work tirelessly to improve conditions in these facilities. Hopeful of more volunteer support, the 3 Stanners want to make lasting changes on these communities. “One of our goals is to donate several more oxygen concentrators to area hospitals as part of the Clinton Global Initiative (started by former President Bill Clinton at George Washington University). They provide a more sustainable way to replenish oxygen to patients,” explains Melissa. “Currently they have heavy oxygen tanks that are difficult to transport – and we witnessed a patient die because of that problem. These machines can save lives.” The Dreamcatchers also wish to sponsor an award that will help advance pediatrics in these hospitals, including new materials that will benefit children. That may coincide with Health Awareness Day, which will take place during their stay in Guyana. The Dreamcatchers will speak to the public about improving their healthcare. “If people are better educated about healthcare they can have more frequent access to it,” Stacy explains. To get the project started off on the right note, the Dreamcatchers have teamed up once again with Mr. Lou Santos to collect donations to bring to needy Guyana hospitals. These items include crutches, medical gloves, and other tools.
Operation Dreamcatchers is preparing for an event on June 2nd, which includes entertainment and food provided by local restaurants. They hope to reach out to the community to update them on their progress, raise awareness for their new mission, and possibly recruit more volunteers. You can contact mission@operationdreamcatchers.org for more information.
Upcoming Events
26th Annual Jim Kinnier Stanner Golf Classic
Time is running out to register for the Jim Kinnier Stanner Golf Classic. We have gotten a great response from our alumni, Stanner family members and friends, and many generous corporate sponsors. Both courses, Plandome Country Club and North Hills Country Club, are filling up with foursomes extremely fast. Golfers of any skill level are welcome to come out for a day that includes brunch, food and adult beverages both on the course and in the clubhouse, opportunities to win some great raffle and auction prizes, and of course some quality time with great company. Time is also running out on sponsoring a journal ad. By sponsoring an ad in our journal you can promote your business, congratulate a family member or friend on an achievement, or express any other special intentions that you wish. Sponsorship options include a quarter page for $100, a half page for $200, a white page for $300, a blue page for $400, a silver page for $500, and a gold page for $1,000 – all while supporting Archbishop Molloy High School and its scholarship program. We look forward to seeing you tee off at the 26th Annual Jim Kinnier Stanner Golf Classic. To register a foursome, sponsor a journal ad, purchase raffle tickets, or make a donation please call 718.441.9210.
Firefighter Michael J. Cawley Memorial Foundation Annual Benefit
The 10th Annual Benefit in honor of firefighter Michael J. Cawley ’87 is set for April 14th at Mulcahy’s in Wantagh, Long Island. Michael Cawley gave his life in the struggle to save others in the World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001. Michael’s passion for life and his tremendous spirit has touched many lives, and he will always be remembered as a hero. Please help remember Michael J. Cawley by attending the 11th Annual Benefit in his name. For more info on attending this event, please click on the accompanying flyer for more information.
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10th Annual Tommy Ashton 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament
The Tommy Ashton 3-On-3 Basketball Tournament takes place on Friday, April 13th, and Saturday April 14th at the St. Sebastian Parish Center in Woodside, Queens. Tommy Ashton ’97 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 Molloy, Tommy was a Peer Group Leader and Captain of the Varsity swim team. A basketball tournament was established in Tommy’s memory to raise money for individuals in need. This year proceeds will be donated to No Greater Sacrifice, a non-profit organization dedicated to the children of our nation’s fallen and wounded Service members. For more information read the event flyer here, or click here for sponsorship information.
Non scholae sed vitae
Christian Ventura ’08 stopped by Molloy last week to visit with some of his biggest supporters, including Mr. Diorio, Coach Vinny Leonardo, and Mr. Rich Rodgers ’65. Christian is working toward a degree in Finance with a minor in economics. “He has a 3.9 GPA, and considering the Finance courses at PACE, that’s excellent,” said Mr. Diorio, who is very excited for his former student’s future. While living in the dorm he has had the opportunity to work as a Resident Assistant, which has allowed him to make plenty of friends and contacts at PACE. Christian is currently working as an Investment Associate in Wealth Management at Merrill Lynch where he assists financial advisors in client prospecting, creates proposals, and works with an Investment Planning Team with $2 billion under management – among many other responsibilities. His goal is to be a financial advisor with his own service where he can directly help clients face to face. “Some people start out doing that, but I don’t mind working my way up,” says Christian. He also hopes to do some work with an equities desk or alternative strategies. Christian said he misses Molloy all the time. He was a member of the Asian club and the handball, step and track teams. “I just got into everything. I made friendships everywhere.” One such long-lasting friendship was with Coach Leonardo. “He gave me lessons on not only how to improve my game, but my life as well,” Christian explained. He went on to say that while Mr. Diorio helped bring practicality to his life, Mr. Rodgers helped him see that there’s a lighter side to it all too. Toward the end of Christian’s visit, Coach Leonardo said, “I’m not going to rest until he finds the job he wants.” Christian is hoping to expand upon his already great experience in the Finance world and make a lasting impact. With such a large network of Stanners in Finance, the possibilities for Christian are endless.
Class Updates
Last week, members of the Class of 1990 set out to show that wisdom truly comes with age as they came together to celebrate their collective turning age 40 in 2012. With the rendezvous set at Florio’s of Little Italy, Stanners gathered in the venue’s cigar lounge to have a few drinks, reminisce and reconnect. Those in attendance included Matt Coyne, Peter Lang, Alex Fox, John O’Brien, Mike Connolly, Mike Gillespie, Ed Maher, and Joe Grimpel among others. The event served as a great way to recognize the special bench mark in the lives of these Stanners President Richard Karsten ’81 and Alumni Development Director Craig Katinas ’93 joined in to wish the ’90 grads well and to share some updates on the school. Congrats, gentlemen!
Deborah De Pinto ‘11 and Michelle De Pinto ‘07 are asking the Stanner community to pray for their younger sister, Mary. In late March, 10 year old Mary was diagnosed with a pelvic tumor. The tumor was found to be malignant and has since been diagnosed as Ewing Sarcoma. Deborah and Michelle ask that you please keep Mary in your thoughts as she courageously fights this disease.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Mr. Patrick Long, father of Debbie Vasatoro, a Teacher’s Assistant at Molloy, and grandfather of Vincent Vasatoro, class of 2012. Mr. Long passed away last week. Please also keep the Vasatoro family in your thoughts.
We are very saddened to share news of the passing of Mr. Vincent Cama ‘80. Mr. Cama is the father of current senior Nicholas Cama. Please pray for Vincent, and keep the Cama family in your prayers during this time.
The following information comes from Tony Distasi ’61: “My friend and classmate, Ed Commender, advised me that Wally Brown ’61 passed away last week. Wally had been ill for the past few years. I remember Wally as a sincere, caring and fun-loving person. Wally and his wife, Mary Ann, have a son, daughter and one granddaughter. God bless Wally and his family.” Please keep the Brown family in your prayers.
We received news from Damon Pouyat ’63 that classmate Victor Brotz ’63 passed away late last year. Please say a prayer for Victor.
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