Support Molloy’s Christmas Gift Challenge Now Through 1/5
This Christmas, we have a lot to be grateful for here at Molloy: amazing students, dedicated faculty, impactful service and retreat programs, an abundance of extracurricular activities, championship sports teams, and so much more. Your generous support of the Fund for Molloy makes all this a reality. In addition, it is through our Needs Based Tuition Assistance program that we can keep Molloy accessible and affordable for so many students, so that they may enjoy such fulfilling experiences.
Thanks to two extremely generous anonymous donors, we are offering a Christmas Gift Challenge through January 5th! For every $2 raised, these donors will match $1, up to $125,000. All donations will support the Fund for Molloy, benefiting Needs Assistance. With your help, we hope to raise as much as possible to continue positively impacting the lives of many Molloy students, present and future. Click the button below to make your gift.
Thank you for your continued support today and every day! If you have any questions about the Gift Challenge or how to make a gift, please email Craig Katinas ’93 at ckatinas@molloyhs.org.
Molloy Celebrates Advent Liturgy & Spreads Christmas Cheer
Today was filled with such Christmas spirit as students, faculty, and staff gathered together in the Jack Curran Gym to celebrate Molloy’s Advent Liturgies (one welcoming freshmen and sophomores, and one welcoming juniors and seniors). Our celebrants, Fr. Anthony Rosado and Msgr. David Cassato, shared the story of Mary and Joseph’s humble beginnings, and how they used God’s light to prepare themselves for Jesus’s birth. Fr. Rosado reminded everyone that God has given all of us gifts and blessings, which make up our own personal light. Msgr. Cassato reiterated that it is light and love that must be shared with one another, especially during times of darkness. Once we know the light within us, and we understand the darkness around us, we are then left with one option: to continue walking forward, just as Mary and Joseph had done.
Our Advent Liturgies included a beautiful violin solo by Ariana Ashby ‘24, as well as performances by our choruses. Thank you to all who helped prepare our wonderful Liturgies. Merry Christmas!
Later in the day, as students were packing up for Christmas break, Assistant Principal Dr. Des Flynn ’97 led a group of students and faculty through the halls – the Christmas Cheer Committee (pictured below) – as they sang Christmas songs and playing instruments while trekking through Molloy’s third, second, and first floors. The cheerful songs left everyone with a smile as they headed home! Thank you to Dr. Flynn and the Christmas Cheer Committee for continuing this new and wonderful tradition.
Molloy’s Annual Winter Concerts
On December 18th and 19th, our community was delighted by the performances of many talented Stanners as Molloy presented its annual Winter Concerts!
Monday’s concert showcased Molloy’s Freshman/Sophomore Chorus, directed by Ms. Ya-Ting Yang, and Junior/Senior Chorus, directed by Mr. Jim Sheehan ’75. Molloy also welcomed accompanist Mr. Kenneth Farnum Jr. and his MultiQuire, which included students from Molloy, Fordham Prep School, and St. Catherine Academy.
The Freshman/Sophomore chorus led off the evening, presenting nine classic songs to ring in the season. Selections included Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, and Christmas Pop Trio. This program also included a lovely duet of Silent Night sung in Italian by sophomores Isabella Fortunato and Sofia Crino! The evening continued with the Junior/Senior Chorus, who sang nine wonderful songs of their own, including Away in the Manger, White Christmas, and I’ll Be Home for Christmas. The evening progressed with the MultiQuire taking the stage, followed by the return of the Junior/Senior chorus for another set. The concert concluded with a blend of all choruses as they sang Ring on Christmas Bells, O Holy Night, and Rejoice With Joyful Song! Congratulations to all performers and our directors and thank you for providing a festive and memorable evening!
Tuesday’s concert was a showcase of Molloy’s instrumental performers, featuring the String Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, and Concert Band. Presenting the theme “Winter Wonderland,” the String Ensemble began the evening with a diverse set that ranged from Pastorale from Christmas Concerto to Christmas Tree Farm by Taylor Swift. The Guitar Ensemble then blended classic Christmas tunes with classic rock, with songs including Jingle Bell Rock, Electric Guitar Battle / Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry, and Let It Be by The Beatles. Later, the Concert Band took center stage, performing several popular songs including Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, White Christmas, and Let It Snow, among others. Finally, the Concert Band and String Ensemble combined to round out the evening, sending the crowd home happy with We Wish You a Merry Christmas.
The evening also included an acknowledgment of this year’s Tri-M Music Honor Society Inductees and NYSSMA Award recipients. Congratulations to our Tri-M Inductees: Ariana Ashby, Taylor Burgos, Jada Chico, Sumaiyah Chin, Charlize Collado, Carlos Delgado, Ava Goldfeder, Bridget Jamshahi, Bridget Jiang, Ariana Lalanne, Bailey Meier, Veronica Nerone, Shathia Lupi O’Brien, Michelle Ramirez, Valerie Savage, Sarah Toner, Sarah Torres, and Angela Zhang. Congratulations to our NYSSMA Solo Gold Medal recipients (NYSSMA scores of 95 and above): Veronica Nerone (Level 6 Double Bass and All-Eastern Honors Symphonic Orchestra); Alexandra Aronis (Level 6 Piano Solo); Ariana Ashby (Level 6 Violin Solo); Jillian Kahn (Level 5 Voice Solo); Amir Ally (Level 5 Piano Solo); Austin Chan (Level 5 Piano Solo). Congratulations to our Ensemble Outstanding Medal recipients (NYSSMA high score of 26 and above out of 28): Imani Germano and Carolina Badamo (Level 3 Clarinet Duet).
Special thanks to Mr. Sheehan, Ms. Yang, Mr. Farnum, and everyone who helped make our Christmas Concerts truly special! Thank you to Photography Club for photographing both evenings.
This Advent, Your Presence is Our Present
During the season of Advent, Stanners have lived out the theme “Your Presence is our Present.” During the week of December 4th, Campus Ministers Mr. Corrado and Ms. Haslbauer accompanied students to Lawrence, Massachusetts where they volunteered at a shelter, food pantry, and soup kitchen. They also prepared Christmas gifts for Project Bethlehem, benefiting Lawrence families in need. Also during Advent, students donated new, unwrapped toys to Catholic Charities of Brooklyn-Queens to go to children who might otherwise not receive presents. Thank you, Campus Ministry and Stanner volunteers, for continuously representing the Marist ideal of serving others!
Our Lady of Guadalupe Prayer Service
On December 14th, Molloy held a prayer service celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe. Mr. Corrado, Dr. Mangar ’09, Mrs. Cuomo, Mr. Kilkelly, and members of the Catholic Culture Club led the service, calling on the Mother of Mercy to guide us as we reflect on her message of hope, love, and unity.
Mr. Kilkelly began the service with an opening prayer, joining the group together in the presence of Our Lady of Guadalupe. One member of the Catholic Culture Club recited the Gospel story of the angel Gabriel being sent to Mary to tell her she will give birth to Jesus, and another offered a prayer of Thanksgiving, thanking God for our Lady as she represents a beacon of hope and mercy to all of God’s people. Dr. Mangar asked the group to reflect, asking participants how they can be messengers of love within our communities. Ms. Cuomo led the litany of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and a Stanner then recited a Prayer for Unity, asking for grace to build bridges of understanding and unity. Mr. Corrado ended the service asking those in attendance to light a candle and offer a personal prayer for the intentions of our communities, families, and the world.
Computer Science Education Week
by Ms. Edit Boral
In sync with the global initiative, Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) took place at Archbishop Molloy High School from December 4th to 8th, aligning with the birthday of computing luminary Admiral Grace Hopper on December 9, 1906. The week served as an annual rallying point to promote computer science, champion equity in education, and acknowledge the remarkable contributions of students, educators, and partners to the dynamic field.
Molloy’s CS Education Week commenced with a dynamic kick-off featuring a series of virtual class chats. Intro to Computer Science students engaged with Brian O’Keefe, a Senior Neptune (Graph) Specialist Solutions Architect at Amazon, while Boeing Engineer and Molloy alumna, Nirmala Ariel Narine ‘19 (pictured below right), made an appearance in sophomore and senior coding classes.
Venturing beyond the classroom, students embarked on a virtual Callisto™: Space Innovation Tour at NASA. This cutting-edge virtual experience allowed them to explore NASA’s latest innovations and advancements in space technology. From virtual visits to mission control centers, to glimpses of groundbreaking space missions, the tour provided a captivating insight into the limitless possibilities of careers in STEM.
The week continued as students in computer science classes gained firsthand insights into the intricate workings of cloud computing and cutting-edge technologies through an immersive virtual tour of Amazon’s Web Services Data Center. This virtual expedition provided students with a unique opportunity to witness the scale and sophistication of Amazon’s infrastructure, fostering a deeper understanding of real-world applications of computer science.
During the week, sophomore CS110 students learned how to harness their creativity to generate abstract images using AI, such as DALLE 2. These images will be utilized in creating an immersive experience installation that will integrate coding, technology, and AI skills in their Advanced Computer Graphics class in the upcoming semester. Adding another layer to the week’s activities, students and educators explored the integration of Generative AI into their projects and curriculum, with Ms. Liz Murdocca leading the way in utilizing Generative AI to enhance writing instruction.
Freshman students faced a thrilling challenge in the school-wide Escape Room Knowledge Competition, where solving Python questions was the key to progressing through rooms. The winners of the competition are: Enda Connolly ‘27, first place; Braden Eddy ‘27, second place; and Katelyn Remon ‘27, third place. STEAM club members also showcased their creativity in the annual 3D Christmas Ornament Design competition held during the week. The competition yielded top-notch designs, with recognition bestowed upon the first, second, and third-place winners.
Thank you to the teachers in the CS&E Department, Ms. Boral, Mr. Touzin, and Mr. van Winkel, who organized Computer Science Education Week at Molloy!
Social Studies Students Promotes Voter Registration
Last week, Stanners in Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society and the Political Science Club ran a Voter Registration Drive during junior and senior lunch periods on back-to-back days. The goal of the drive was to raise awareness among soon-to-be voters and to encourage them to pre-register to vote. Mr. Bill Flemen ’94, Chairperson of the Social Studies Department, estimated that approximately 120 registration forms were collected. Thank you to the student leaders who organized the drive!
More Stanners Volunteer This December
Molloy’s Step Team recently visited Little Neck Nursing Home for a special service opportunity. The team performed several routines for the residents, and then provided a quick lesson on some basic moves! To spread holiday cheer, the team handed out holiday cards and ornaments, wishing everyone a very merry Christmas and happy holidays. Coach Ms. Dorothy DeNoto said she’s “glad the team had that experience.”
Also this month, Molloy’s Athletics Department and student-athlete volunteers collected and shipped uniform donations to be distributed to children in need in the Dominican Republic.
We are so grateful for these and all the service our Stanners participate in out of the goodness of their hearts!
Class of 2024 Goes to Disney World!
Earlier in December, the Class of 2024 enjoyed their senior trip to Disney World! Our Stanners visited parks including Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. The class and faculty chaperones all had a great time!
Congratulations to Molloy’s Varsity Bowling team, who defeated La Salle Academy 4-1 on December 19th to capture the Brooklyn/Queens Championship! MJ Sim Jr. ’27 tallied scores of 204 and 214, while Nick Tolentino ’25 scored a 202 and 204. The team’s next match will be against Salesian High School on January 8th as they compete for the City Championship.
| *The Parents Guild event on 1/27 will be held in Molloy’s student cafeteria. |
Biggest Alumni Zumba Night Yet – Christmas Edition!
On Monday, December 18th, the Stanner Alumni Center hosted the last Alumni Zumba Night of the calendar year. Participants dressed in festive clothes and the whole class was holiday-themed, with both Christmas and Hanukkah songs!
Stay tuned in the new year for a full calendar of winter and spring Zumba Night dates. A big shoutout to Liz Murdocca, Chris Autera, and Cheryl Albrecht for leading amazing dances that get everyone up and moving!
Stanners Reunite: A few members of the Class of 1966 got together for a Luncheon at Leo’s Tavern in Garden City, NY on December 5th. The guys get together every three months including around Christmas, keeping their tradition going!
Right to left: Gerry Villares, Jack Ryan, John Trustey, Tom Ryder, John Mansfield, Al Ruggeri, Ken Farrell, and Bob O’Kane.
Assistant Principal for Student Services Mr. Ken Auer recently joined six players from the Class of 1988 Varsity Baseball team for a special Christmas dinner at Maggiano’s in Little Italy. Pictured with Mr. Auer: Anthony Manno, Michael Genduso, Bob Metzger, Vic Pugliano, Anthony Vicari Jr., and Howie Storm.
Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. ’82 Visits Molloy
Thank you to NY State Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. ’82 (15th Senate District) for visiting Molloy on Monday, December 18th to serve as a guest speaker in social studies classes throughout the day! Sen. Addabbo discussed his career in New York politics, explained the role of a NY State Senator, and how he engages with his constituents in District 15. He encouraged students to be active in their communities and to engage with their local representatives even if they are not yet of age to vote. Sen. Addabbo also fielded a variety of questions from students in each class period.
Thank you to social studies teacher Ms. Diana Rayappa ’04 for arranging for Sen. Addabbo’s visit!
Stanners Gather at Garden City Turkey Trot
Oops! In our last Beehive, we forgot to give a shoutout to the all the Stanners and family members who participated in the Garden City Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning!
An inaugural Stanner team was formed for the run with over 20 participants taking part. Click the button below for all the results. Didn’t make the Trot? Another Stanner team will be formed next year, so save the date next Thanksgiving!
Vincent Pernetti ’97 shares that he completed his 11th NYC Marathon this past November. His time was an impressive 4:22:45. His best-ever time was achieved in 2018, when he completed the marathon in 3:56:25. Congrats, Vincent!
Pictured: Coach Lou Santos recently enjoyed a dinner with members of his 2013 JV Softball Championship team!
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Joel Wilcox ’99, who passed away on December 9, 2023. Joel was a proud Stanner. He is survived by his mother Laura Carr Wilcox, his sons Dylan Jacob Wilcox and Julian Lennox Wilcox, and his brothers Jason Wilcox, Jesse Wilcox ’96, Jeremy Wilcox ’97, Donnie Wilcox ’02, Joshua Wilcox ’04, and Timothy Wilcox ’08.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Michael V. Marino ’59, who passed away on December 2, 2023. | Click Here for Memorial Page
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Camille M. Lovelace (November 23, 2023), sister of Kawan Lovelace ’94.
