Honoring Br. Ron Marcellin

Alumni, parents and friends joined together once again on Sunday, January 20th to honor one of the most beloved Marist Brothers in the history of Molloy. The Br. Ron Marcellin Annual Event & Raffle, hosted by Mike McGuire ’81 and Trinity Bar & Restaurant in Floral Park, honors Br. Ron, a member of the Class of 1952 at St. Ann’s Academy and later an influential teacher and guidance counselor. Br. Ron made it a point to think “outside the box” in his mission to help students tap into their full potential. He related to students, guided them through the difficulties of youth, and encouraged them to always seek to better themselves. Br. Ron impacted the lives of a great many students during his tenure at Molloy. Sadly, his passing after a heroic battle with cancer also affected many. However, the Stanner community sought to continue Br. Ron’s mission to help Molloy students. The Brother Ron Marcellin Scholarship was subsequently established with intent to:

• Offer financial assistance to a student either enrolled or entering into Archbishop Molloy High School.
• Provide funding to ensure the mental health and well-being of a student.

Since its creation, countless Stanners have received critical assistance and scholarship support. With this in mind, the Br. Ron Marcellin Annual Event & Raffle was created to further support the scholarship and sustain Br. Ron’s legacy. This year, many of Br. Ron’s former students, as well as administration and faculty, parents, family members and friends who knew him came together and raised money for this great cause. “This event is a wonderful example of Stanners coming together for the greater good,” said Alumni Development Director Craig Katinas ’93. “Not only are we able to celebrate the life one of our school’s most beloved treasures, but we can also help present and future Molloy students through Br. Ron’s Scholarship.” Attendees enjoyed dinner, an open bar, a prize raffle and a 50/50 raffle. The winner of the 50/50 raffle was Anthony Gvale, a colleague of Jim Galowski ’81. The 3rd prize winner of the raffle was John Michels ’81, who claimed 1 Night at the Fitzpatrick Hotel and 2 theater tickets of his choosing. 2nd prize winner Ryan Phelan, son of Frank Phelan ’69, took home a 55″ flat screen TV. Perhaps most impressive of all the offerings, 1st prize winner Daniel Campbell ’64 claimed 7 days in Costa Rica with airfare included! It was a fantastic night capped off by some great prizes, and we would like to thank Mike McGuire and Trinity Bar & Restaurant, the Br. Ron Committee, and all who came out to celebrate Br. Ron’s memory and help our students.

The 2013 Stanner Games

Molloy track and field athletes geared up once again on January 12th for the highly anticipated 18th Annual Stanner Games. A full day of events and races, Stanner Games is an invitational track meet conducted at Manhattan’s legendary Armory Track and featuring well over 100 competing schools. In its present day form, coaches and athletes alike from across the nation recognize Stanner Games as the largest indoor track meet on the east coast, and one of the premiere high school meets in the world. Setting a record at Stanner Games is a monumental achievement, and a goal that all participants strive for. From cross country runners, sprinters and relayers to hurdlers, pole-vaulters and shot-putters, nearly every track and field event under the sun is represented here by some of the top talent in the country, including many athletes from Archbishop Molloy High School. You may think that representing one’s school in front of such a large audience would be an intimidating proposition, but Stanners have some of the best mentors around to support them each step of the way. Molloy’s entire track and field coaching staff is just as passionate about Stanner Games as the athletes, and all work together to show that their “AM pride” is second to none. “Molloy athletes performed at an exceptionally high level,” said Coach A.J. Power ’84. “The entire meet was fantastic.”

Of course, no Stanner Games would ever be complete without the help of some very enthusiastic members of our alumni. The track and field community is an incredibly tight-knit one. Friendships built between teammates in high school often last well throughout adulthood. Parents and their children often share a bond based on their track experiences as well. Molloy sees countless alumni, parents and friends getting involved in the “behind-the-scenes” work of Stanner Games every year. From officiating, to measuring, to shooting off the starting gun, our community lends its help in small yet profound ways. Their innate passion for track and field is still strong, and volunteering at Stanner Games not only satisfies that passion, but fuels it further. It truly is remarkable how many volunteers come back year after year to help sustain this tradition, and you wouldn’t find a member of Molloy’s coaching staff or track teams that isn’t appreciative of their efforts. Thank you to all who took part in this year’s Stanner Games. If you are interested in volunteering at next year’s event, contact A.J. Power at apower@molloyhs.org or Joe Dombrowski at jdombrowski@molloyhs.org.

Around the School

Softball Team Lends A Hand

Each year, Coach Lou Santos and his Girls JV Softball squad volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island. The team most recently participated in the “Little Hands, Helping Little Hands” program, which helps enrolled families supporting ill children to “experience a feeling of ‘home’ during very trying times.” Families are able to enjoy home-cooked meals in a comfortable environment, which ultimately gives them some much needed added energy as they continue to meet the demands of raising an ill child. Mr. Santos and the team received a personal thank you from Matthew Campo, Executive Director of the program, on behalf of every family that benefited from the team’s support.

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Boardwalk Empire Star Visits Molloy

While some students excel in the classroom, on the court or out on the field, there are also many students that develop a deep passion for their work on the stage. A place where creativity and personal expression reign supreme, Molloy’s Ralph DeChiaro Theater has been home to some of our most talented Stanners. After school activities such as Theater and Improv Club and the Stanner Players provide an opportunity for students to express their artistic interests through various skill-building lessons, theater games and, most importantly, public performances. Students quickly learn the basics and soon establish strong fundamentals in Theater. Many individuals use the lessons they learned at Molloy as they move on to have successful performance careers. In addition, many alumni return to their alma mater to help encourage current students to continue the tradition of Theater Education at Molloy.

Last week, Vincent Piazza was invited by Mr. Jim Sheldon ’88 (a fan of his work on stage and in film and a fellow lover of hockey) to visit the theater where the humble beginnings of his career first took shape. Vincent shared advice and stories based on his own experiences with a group of extremely attentive Stanner Players, many of whom sought autographs after his fascinating lesson. Vincent is no stranger to the big stage. The Stanner Player alumnus has portrayed characters in numerous TV series and films including Law & Order, The Sopranos, Rescue Me, and Rocket Science (2007). Most recently, and perhaps most notably, Vincent has been front and center portraying Lucky Luciano in all 36 episodes of the hit HBO series Boardwalk Empire. Starring Steve Buscemi and Kelly Macdonald, “Empire” reveals the trials and tribulations of some of the most notorious real-life gangsters that once held power in Atlantic City during the 1920’s. Executive Producer Martin Scorsese, show creator Terence Winter, and others saw something in Vincent during his audition. In turn, his role in the show is critical to the plot, and a true testament to his remarkable abilities as an actor. When watching him play such a hard-nosed individual on screen, it’s hard to believe that he was once just a kid from Maspeth. However, while his success has certainly grown in recent years, Vincent’s roots are still firmly planted at Molloy. Impressed by the enthusiasm shown by students during his visit, Vincent hopes to make future trips out to Briarwood amidst his busy filming schedule to say hello and share his gift with a great many Stanners who aspire to attain similar success in their careers. You can catch Vincent Piazza on future episodes of Boardwalk Empire, which was just recently renewed for its 4th season.

Class Updates

Jim Nealis ’78 is happy to share several announcements regarding his family and friends. Jim is happy to share that his son, Jimmy Nealis, a graduate of Georgetown University, was drafted in the second round of the MLS draft by the Houston Dynamo. Similarly, Jim shares news that Don Anding, nephew of Tony Todaro ’79, was drafted in the first round of the MLS draft. Not to be outdone, Jim informs us that Emma Nealis, a high school junior at the American School in London and daughter of Kevin Nealis ’79, won a gold medal at the UK National Championships for Single Scullers.

We are saddened to share news of the passing of Br. Alphonse Justin Matuga, FMS, on December 12th. Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, he entered the Marist Brothers novitiate in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, in 1940. He professed first vows in 1942. Br. Matuga taught at St. Ann’s Academy from 1944-1947, Cardinal Hayes High School from 1947-1952, and later at Archbishop Molloy High School. He would also teach in West Virginia and Georgia. Br. Matuga spent 41 years at St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset as a science teacher and coach. He retired to Champagnat Hall in the Bronx in 2008. A Funeral Mass was offered on December 17th at the chapel of Mount St. Michael Academy, the Bronx. Burial was at the Marist Brothers’ Cemetery in Esopus.

Howard Skeggs ’69 informed us of the passing of his father, Harry J. Skeggs, on July 20, 2012. According to Howard, “He never missed one of my track meets, or any of my brother Mike’s (’78) basketball games at Molloy.” Howard asks that the Stanner community pray for his father.

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Phyllis Perrotta, grandmother of Joe Sommo ’03 and John Sommo ’95, on January 18th after battling a recent illness. We ask that you please pray for the Perrotta and the Sommo families during their time of mourning.