Original Stanners Return for St. Ann’s Breakfast

This June, Molloy welcomed alumni of St. Ann’s Academy and their guests to the St. Ann’s Communion Breakfast. This event has been a long-standing tradition, and it was a great privilege for the Stanner Alumni Center to revitalize in 2014. Molloy cherishes the opportunity to celebrate its past, and to honor the “original Stanners” that set the standards for academic and athletic excellence that have challenged each generation since. The day began with tours of Molloy for those unfamiliar with the campus. Some gravitated toward the St. Ann’s display case, which features a number of historical artifacts from Lexington and 76th street. Others were struck by the modernized William J. Murphy Library and the Stanner Hall of Fame, which are two of the most impressive parts of our school. Following the tours, alumni and their guests made their way to the school’s chapel, where Father Patrick Flanagan celebrated Mass. Father Patrick reflected on the fact that this was also graduation day for Molloy’s Class of 2014, and while they still have lives to mold and create, our St. Ann’s graduates can take great pride in knowing they have already accomplished great things – and that they maintain a relationship with their alma mater so many years later is truly special.

After Mass, our Stanners moved to the faculty café for a breakfast spread featuring bagels, omelets, pancakes, French toast, sausage, and more. President Richard Karsten ’81 greeted the original Stanners as they sat down to enjoy their meals. “It’s been more than a century since Br. Zephiriny started our legacy at St. Ann’s in 1892, but the seeds that he and all the Marist Brothers planted still live on today at Molloy,” said Karsten. “The seed of our Catholic identity has grown over the years, and every day you can see our students in action, making Jesus known and loved through our Campus Ministry and service programs. And just this morning, our Valedictorian summed up her commencement speech by talking about the traditions that were started at St. Ann’s. I’m proud to say that the faculty, alumni and students have St. Ann’s at heart with all that we do here on Manton Street.” President Karsten then introduced Andrea Muntean ’15, a student volunteer who spoke eloquently to our original Stanners. “Today we all come together to celebrate what it means to be a family. We may not be related by blood, but we are joined together with laughter, fond memories, friendship, and a love that doesn’t diminish over time,” said Andrea. “Here you are years later, and your friendships haven’t faded one bit. You love each other just as much as you did at St. Ann’s, and that’s what it means to be a Stanner – the bonds that never break, the values that we remember our entire lives.”

As the breakfast continued, alumni mingled with each other and spoke candidly with our student volunteers as well as several Marist Brothers on hand. They flipped through yearbooks, took pictures, and reminisced about the good old days, and it is our hope that they took comfort in seeing that many of the traditions from the good old days are still inspiring students today. We would like to thank everyone who came attended this year’s St. Ann’s Breakfast, and encourage you to remain in touch with other St. Ann’s graduates. We look forward to sharing the tradition of the St. Ann’s Communion Breakfast with all of you in the many years to come.

View the full photo gallery from the St. Ann’s Communion Breakfast.

Around the School

Cafeteria and Chapel Renovations in Full Swing

Several weeks ago, Molloy’s student cafeteria started undergoing a transformation that will, upon completion, make it a more comfortable, functional, and eye-catching space. The plans, drawn up several years ago, call for improved lighting, climate control, wider food service areas, easier access to the Jack Curran Gymnasium, better security, and a more functional space for teacher assistants. Part of the original infrastructure of the cafeteria included a number of skylights that spanned much of the room. These skylights have been hidden by the drop ceiling for many years, but will now serve as dramatic highlights for the impressive new room. Improved access to the gym will alleviate bottle-necking when students or guests attending events must move between each room. All of these improvements will make Molloy’s student cafeteria a much more inviting and useful space year round.

Elsewhere, work to improve the school’s first floor chapel also began earlier in July. The room will feature improved lighting, carpeting, climate control, and a new built-in altar. While the work in the chapel is not as extensive as the cafeteria, these upgrades will create a more comfortable and spiritual atmosphere for our students, faculty and friends to celebrate Mass each day.

These upgrades were made possible in large part due to the generosity of our students and their families during the 2013 Walk-A-Thon last October. The kindness of our Stanner families has helped to ensure that Molloy will continue to offer a premier learning and spiritual environment. Check out The Beehive this September as we feature photos of the completed projects!

Marist Brothers Celebrate Anniversaries

2014 marks special anniversaries for five Marist Brothers who are either currently active at or recently retired from Molloy. Celebrating 60 years as Marist Brothers are Br. Charles Marcellin and Br. Richard Shea. Br. Charles taught at schools in Queens, the Bronx, and New Jersey before serving as treasurer at Molloy beginning in 1983 until his retirement in 2012. After entering the Marist Brothers Novitiate in 1954, Br. Richard taught in the Philippines before returning to New York to serve as a principal at schools in Poughkeepsie and Manhasset before fulfilling the role at Molloy. Br. Richard also served as Provincial for the Esopus Province from 1986 to 1992. He currently works as a guidance counselor at Molloy.

Celebrating 50 years as Marist Brothers are Br. Kevin Brogan ’63, Br. Michael Fisher, and Br. James Norton ’63. Br. Kevin taught and served as assistant principal at St. Joseph Academy in Brownsville, Texas as well as Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Florida. Most recently, Br. Kevin has taught science and worked as a counselor at Molloy for many years. Br. Mike, born in Mexico City, entered the Marist Brothers Novitiate in his home city in 1964 before teaching at the Colegio Mexico and other Marist Schools throughout the country. He would eventually relocate to New York and teach at St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset before settlting at Molloy. He has been teaching Spanish here at Stanner High for over 17 years. Br. James, a Brooklyn native, taught language at Molloy for a number of years before serving as a guidance counselor, a role he has fulfilled since 1968.

Other Marist Brothers celebrating their anniversaries this year include Br. Joseph Teston (75th), Br. Joseph Maura (60th), Br. Hugh Turley (60th), Br. Kenneth Hogan (50th), Br. Thomas Petite (50th), Br. Frederick Sambor (50th), Br. Henry Sawicki (50th), and Br. Joseph Scanlon (50th).

Congratulations to our beloved Marist Brothers, and best wishes en route to your next anniversaries!

Scholarships Awarded to Molloy Students

Molloy is proud to announce that students Thomas Brinskelle and Shannon Pizzella were each awarded a $1,500 Merit Scholarship from the Kiwanis Club of Maspeth. The awards were announced by Scholarship Chairperson Leonard Masone ’64, and the presentation of the scholarships took place on Thursday, June 26th at Maspeth Town Hall. The Kiwanis Club has provided 67 years of service to the Maspeth community. Congratulations Thomas and Shannon!

PRESS RELEASE — Wilson Forte LLP is pleased to announce that member Andre M. Forte (AMHS Class of 1987) was named 2014 Lawyer of the Year by the D.C. Defense Lawyers’ Association (DCDLA) at the organization’s annual banquet held on June 20, 2014. The D.C. Defense Lawyers’ Association consists of lawyers who devote substantial time to the defense of civil cases in the District of Columbia courts. The association’s mission includes: elevating the standards of trial practice, eliminating delays in civil litigation, and increasing the quality of service that the legal system provides to the community. Andre received the honor for his excellent record as a litigator. In addition, the award also recognized his past record of service to the DCDLA, including a term as president, and his leadership in various bar and professional organizations.  The award was presented by the Honorable Nan R. Shuker, former presiding judge of the Civil Division of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

In June, Bob Corrigan ’63 attended the annual “Gentlemen’s Dinner” sponsored by St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School in West Islip. During the dinner, the school celebrated their annual Men of Vision awards and presented one to a close friend of Bob’s, Robert DiOrio ’75. Robert was the recipient of the school’s Jack Lessing Meritorious Service Award. His children, Austin and Lynn Marie, both attended SJB while he maintained an active role as a parent volunteer, benefactor, and member of the school’s Board of Advisors (Read a Press Release regarding Robert DiOrio’s award). Also in attendance at the dinner was Don Rudolph ’73, who was previously unaware that a Stanner would be honored that evening. Don ended up connecting with both Robert and Bob, and the three talked about Molloy and their experiences at alumni reunions in the past several years. “It was great meeting these gentlemen. Indeed it is a small world,” said Don.

Jerry Simonelli ’69 and Brian Mitchell ’69 recently got together in Vail, Colorado for an adventurous weekend featuring spectacular views and lots of exercise. The trip was a precursor to this November’s Stanner Alumni Reunion, which both alums plan to attend. “We encourage all of our 1969 classmates to join us at sea level in Queens this November, rather than the 12,000 feet Jerry and I met up at this summer,” said Brian.

We extend our deepest sympathies to the Dombrowski and Hines families following the passing of Mrs. Maria Hines. Maria is the wife of teacher/coach Joe Dombrowski and mother of Dylan Dombrowski ’07 and Brittany Dombrowski ’09. She was remembered by friends, family, and members of the Stanner community during memorial services earlier this week. Please keep Maria, the Dombrowski and Hines families in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Molloy is saddened to announce the passing of William J. Murphy ’42. Mr. Murphy was an adament supporter of education, faith, and Stanners. His humbling generosity helped pave the way for the full modernization of Molloy’s library. The William J. Murphy Library now boasts improved technology integration, more exciting learning tools, college prep stations, a conference room, a reading lounge, and a research lab. In addition, Mr. Murphy’s deep respect for the Marist Brothers and their mission led him to form a lifetime connection to St. Ann’s and Molloy. As a result of this connection, Mr. Murphy’s legacy will forever impact Stanners looking to make their mark not for school, but for life. We ask our community to please keep Mr. Murphy in your thoughts and prayers.

The Stanner Alumni Center was recently informed of the passing of Timothy O’Halloran ’85. The following is an except from Timothy’s obituary: “Tim attended the Brooklyn Campus of the Long Island Univeristy where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree. Tim went on to become a Financial Planner where he worked on Wall Street in New York for Aegis Capital, he was very well respected by his peers and did great things during his career there. Tim also honorably served his country in the United States Marine Corp and he witnessed and helped many people during the Terrorist Attack on the World Trade Center on 9/11/2001. Tim relocated to Orange, Texas four years ago after becoming acquainted with his wife, Sheenah, coming from a loving Irish family, Tim’s family was extremely grateful that he had found love in Sheenah and came to cherish the happiness that they shared. Within his family Tim will be remembered as a great son, brother, uncle and most of all he enjoyed being a father to his children, Sasha and Shayla, they loved him very much. Tim was a diehard New York Mets Fan, he enjoyed fishing, he was a member of the Rotary Club and of the Chamber of Commerce in the Beaumont community where he worked.”

We are saddened to share news of the passing of Chris Kaiser ’79 this past June. Chris passed away following a valiant battle with leukemia. The professional engineer, and a member of the Notre Dame Parish in New Hyde Park, is survived by his wife and three daughters. Please keep the Kaiser family in your prayers.