The Beehive – 8/29/24
Reunion welcoming the Classes of: St. Ann’s Alumni, 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, & 2019.
State Champion Varsity Baseball Team Honored at Citi Field!
On Thursday, August 15th, our CHSAA State Champion Varsity Baseball team was welcomed to Citi Field by the New York Mets for a pre-game ceremony on the field! In recognition of Molloy’s first-ever State Championship, and the first Queens team to win the CHSAA state crown, the Mets treated the Molloy’s varsity team, coaches, and administrators to an “amazin’” experience they won’t soon forget.
Mr. Donovan Mitchell, Senior Director of DE&I and Player Relations for the Mets, served as Molloy’s wonderful guide for the day. The experience began with a visit to the press room, where the manager and players hold press conferences. Mr. Mitchell was kind enough to invite one of the Mets players in for a brief Q&A with our Stanners: none other than closer Edwin Diaz! Diaz answered questions about playing in New York, his pre-game rituals, his grip on certain pitches, and more. Thank you, Edwin!
After meeting the Mets closer, our Stanners visited the home bullpen, where they got to view the stadium from the perspective of Diaz and other Mets relief pitchers. Following this, the team finally made it onto the field! Molloy was even invited into the Mets dugout for a walkthrough and a quick greeting from second baseman Jeff McNeil!
After taking more group photos, including with Mr. and Mrs. Met, our Stanners suddenly saw themselves on the jumbotron, as footage of the final out of their championship win played on the big screen. The public address announcer then acknowledged Molloy and their outstanding accomplishment in winning the CHSAA State Championship. Shoutouts included Head Coach Mr. Chris DeSarno, Assistant Coach Ms. Stephanie Staiano, Pitching Coach Michael Kondel, CHSAA Player of the Year Patrick DeSarno ’25, and All-League players Charlie Lods ’26, Dylan Payano ’25, and Sean Stoney ’24. As if that wasn’t cool enough, Molloy and Mets alum Mike Baxter ’02 then shared a special congratulatory message on the jumbotron!
It was truly a historic and memorable day for Molloy! We would like to thank the Mets, Donovan Mitchell, Bree Nasti, Nick Trotta ’95, Mike Baxter ’02, Edwin Diaz, and Jeff McNeil! Thank you to our parents, coaches, families, and administrators for coming out to support the team at the game, and for all the support you provide them throughout their academic and athletic journey. Go Stanners!
Summer Enrichment Program Welcomes Enthusiastic Learners
This summer, Molloy offered rising 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th graders the opportunity to take fun and interesting classes during our second annual Summer Enrichment Program! The program allows prospective Stanners the chance to participate in hands-on activities while learning about engaging topics that pique their interest. In addition to the courses they selected, students enjoyed recreational time during which they socialized and played fun games!
In just its second year, Molloy’s Summer Enrichment Program saw more than double the number of participants, with even more courses added. This year’s majors and minors included: Computer Science (Programming and Game Development), Computer Science (Web Design, Robotics, and AI), ENERGY – A STEAM-based Approach, Fine Art (Sculpture, Painting, Artifact Creation), Fine Art (Traditional and Digital Drawing), Theater, Video Production, Creative Writing, Chess, Broadcast Journalism & Podcasting, Video Production, and Principles of Rocketry. Each class was taught by a member of Molloy’s faculty, introducing prospective students to what education at Molloy is all about! According to Principal Dr. Penikas, one of the organizers of the program, Molloy will consider new course offerings year-to-year to ensure that the program will have wide appeal to many students.
Interested in next year’s Summer Enrichment Program? Contact our general office at 718-441-2100 or email Ms. Cassillo at scassillo@molloyhs.org.
Class of 2028 Enjoys First Molloy Experience at Freshman Camp
During the week of July 7th-13th, members of the Class of 2028 spent a week at the Marist Brothers’ Center at Esopus during Molloy’s annual Freshman Camp! Incoming freshmen had the opportunity to meet some of their new classmates, future teachers, Molloy staff, and a number of enthusiastic alumni.
During the week, sophomores, juniors, and seniors introduced the Class of 2028 to the family spirit that makes Molloy special. Groups went on hikes, took field trips, made crafts, met in small groups, and learned how to play Flag!
Freshman Camp is a beloved tradition that allows incoming students to make new and lasting friendships, while learning what it means to embody our school motto of Not for school, but for life. Thank you to all who make Freshman Camp possible, and welcome Class of 2028!
Stanners Attend Marist Youth Leadership Camp
Over the summer, 22 Stanners attended the 4th annual Marist Youth Leadership Camp in Esopus. For one week, these students received training on how to run Molloy’s One-Day Freshman Retreat, learning new skill sets while strengthening their existing leadership qualities. From participating in ice breakers, to organizing prayer and leading small groups, our Stanners took a deep dive into what it really means to be a leader in a Marist school. Our student leaders brought what they learned from the camp back to Molloy on August 29th, when Molloy held its One-Day Retreat for the entire Class of 2028. Read our next Beehive for more news about the retreat!
Rising Sophomore Finishes 4th in National Bowling Tournament
Congratulations to Mel “MJ” Sim ‘27 on his performance at the Junior Gold National Bowling Tournament this summer! After playing 26 games with an average score of 220.62 on 6 different challenging bowling patterns, MJ finished in 4th place out of 600 participants. This achievement advanced him to bracket match play, where he won three matches. As a result, he earned the title of 4th best bowler in the nation in the U15 division! MJ also bowled a side event called the DV8 shootout, during which he bowled another 6 games, averaging 221 and achieving first place! MJ now looks forward to a great 2024-25 season with his teammates at Molloy.
Recent Grad’s Prestigious Softball Honor
Congratulations to Ava Hershkovitz ’24, who has received the prestigious honor of being named an NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) Second Team All-Star! We wish Ava all the best as she continues her softball career at Adelphi University this fall.
2nd Annual Br. Robert Andrews “Harriers Hangout“
In August, members of Molloy’s Track & Field and Cross Country teams and coaches attended the 2nd Annual Br. Robert Andrews Harriers Hangout in Dover, Vermont. This event providers an opportunity for our runners to bond with one another, connect with coaches, and do some training before the official start of the season. According to Coach Joe Chowske ’81, the coaches prepared and served approximately 420 individual meals to the hungry athletes, while the team ran an estimated 1,000 miles collectively.
Gearing Up For Molloy Oktoberfest
In early August, a group of Stanners spent the weekend in Kitchener, Canada, for the annual Gottscheer Treffen! The event is hosted annually as a celebration of Gottscheer heritage. Along with many other attendees, it was a fun weekend full of dancing, good food, and friends.
A special shoutout to Krista Schemitsch ’20, who is representing the community this year as Miss Gottschee 2024!
You’ll see many of these Stanners at this year’s Molloy Oktoberfest on Friday, October 25th! Join them for a great evening of German music, food, drinks, and more! Start training those arm muscles for our stein holding competition, as winners get prizes and all the glory! We hope to see you there!
Pictured L-R Back Row: Edmund Rom ‘87, Kevin Ropenus ‘90, Erich Wagner ’84, Rick Mezic ’86, Walter Schemitsch ’88, Alexander Rom ’25, Lukas Mezic ’20, Erich Neubauer ’22, Nick Mezic ‘19 | Front Row: Rebecca Wagner ’14, Krista Schemitsch ’20, Dorothy Ann Neubauer ‘10, Haley Kirmaier ’20.
Join Molloy’s Alumni Book Club! Parents Welcome Too!
Love reading? 
Now is the perfect time to join the Stanner Alumni Center’s official alumni book club, Buzz Words! This fall will kick off the group’s 3rd year together and we are excited to read a variety of new books throughout the upcoming school year.
Meetings take place the first Tuesday of each month and members have the option to facilitate book discussions. If you can’t make a meeting, no worries! Read what you can when you can. Can’t attend in person? Join us on Zoom! Many alumni, parents, faculty, and friends have already joined and are having a great experience. This is a great opportunity to build community and make new connections at Molloy. Oh, and membership is free! Click the button below to visit the sign up form. We hope to see you this fall!
Cheers to the Stanners and spouses from the Class of 1968 who gathered for a mini-reunion on Long Island this summer! Pictured: Joe Fitzgerald, Rick Sliasky, John Mullin, Paul Higgins, Donny Stanton, Graham Kistler, Mike Sommers, Ed Berkman, Fred Ammann, Chris Kilroy, Gene Murtha, Bob Miola, and Kathy Gremse.
Congratulations to Nicole Kelly, Esq. ’12 and Ethan Kirschner, who were married on July 27, 2024! Many Stanners attended the beautiful wedding ceremony, including the following pictured above: Walter Rodriguez ‘12, Tonika Forrester ‘11, Paulina Stefanowski ‘12, Julia Rosa ‘12, Tiana Salas-Ali ‘12, Ashley Mayer ‘12, and Kawan Lovelace, Esq. ‘94.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Kathryn E. Licata, who passed away on July 23, 2024. Kathryn was beloved mother to Joseph Licata ’78 and Christopher Licata ’82. Kathryn was also beloved by countless family and friends. She took great pride in her involvement at the Columbus Citizens Foundation, working with the Ladies Auxiliary Club as both Treasurer and President. Kathryn is predeceased by her husband, Joseph, and is survived by her beloved son Joseph and his wife, Carol, and Christopher and his wife, Kristin, and her seven beloved and most cherished grandchildren, Alexander (Kathryn), Olivia, Sofia, Ariana, CJ, Joseph and Talia, and great grandson Jack.
A scholarship honoring Kathryn and her husband, The Joseph and Kathryn Licata Scholarship Fund, was created at Molloy by sons Joseph and Christopher in recognition of their parents for their love, support, and belief in quality Catholic education. | Click Here for Memorial Page
We are saddened to share the passing of Jeffery DiMeo ’96, brother of John DiMeo ’92 and Doug DiMeo ’95, and nephew of Br. James Norton ’63. | Click Here for Memorial Page
We are saddened to share the passing of Richard (Rick) Marshall ’72 on June 13, 2024 following a long illness. Richard was beloved brother of Dr. John (Jack) Marshall ’70 and James Marshall ’72. Please keep Richard and his loved ones in your prayers.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Matthew C. Link ’61, who passed away on July 8, 2024. According to his obituary, Matthew was an excellent athlete at Molloy and Manhattan College who later developed a passion for competitive softball. He traveled the US playing for nationally ranked teams while winning many championships, including several “World Series” titles. He proudly worked for over 31 years in Law Enforcement before retiring as a Lieutenant in the DeKalb County Police Department in Georgia in 2006. Please keep Matthew and his loved ones in your prayers. | Click Here for Memorial Page
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Vishnu Mangar (July 9, 2024), father of World Language teacher Dr. Jonathan Manger ’09.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Gloria Andino, grandmother of Br. Luis Ramos.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Mrs. Norma Jean Pujia, sister-in-law of Br. Dominick Pujia.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Denny Karas, husband of Paulette Karas.
We are saddened to share the passing of Thomas W. Rice ’69 on May 29, 2024. Thomas was a proud U.S. Navy Veteran and enjoyed working with IBM for over thirty years. Please keep Thomas and his loved ones in your prayers.
