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Saturday, June 4th, marked Archbishop Molloy High School\u2019s 124th commencement ceremony. The Class of 2016 made their proud procession to the stage in the Colden Auditorium at Queens College in front of friends and family \u2013 a culmination of four years of hard work. Like many classes before them, the Class of 2016 has left their own unique imprint on Molloy. They have made a lasting impression on their teachers and on one another, and they have also set a new standard in academics and athletics for future classes to reach. Amazingly, the Class of 2016 has earned over $100 million in college scholarships. 1,353 scholarships were awarded to 252 students (63% of the class) from many of the top universities in the world (list<\/em>ed below<\/em>).<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you do now?\u201d asked Principal Darius Penikas<\/strong> during his commencement remarks. \u201cYou will soon begin your college career and, before you can blink, will find yourselves in the professional world. Judging by your record, you will rise quickly to positions of leadership and influence\u2026I recommend that you make your future decisions, especially the most important decisions, based on the core principles that you learned at Molloy. Let the life and example of St. Marcellin Champagnat be your guide. Like Marcellin, be bold, be kind, be present, work hard, be generous with your time, be thankful for all you have been given, and allow God to be present in your life.\u201d<\/p>\n Valedictorian Remarks<\/a> | Salutatorian Remarks<\/a> | Principal’s Remarks<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Class](\"http:\/\/thebeehive.molloyhs.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Grad_1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>Salutatorian Shania Chua \u201916<\/strong> addressed her peers during the commencement ceremony. \u201cRemember, academics are important, but they aren’t everything. No number on a paper is capable of indicating your potential. It is what you take from the experience. It is how you are affected. It is how you have changed as a result of the experience that shows your true maturity because the only person stopping you from success is yourself. Thank you, Molloy. Thank you for placing me amongst such a bright group of students that challenged me on a daily basis and showed me the true meaning of friendship. Feeble steps as freshman have led to huge leaps as seniors. Like a baby experiences his first, we have experienced our firsts of adulthood. Firsts are what force us into uncomfortable situations. Firsts are what change us and develop us into the people that we are today. So my fellow graduates, I ask you to never stop experiencing your firsts.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>Valedictorian Shibangi Saha \u201916 <\/strong>shared her remarks as the commencement ceremony continued. \u201cWhat can I possibly say that justly describes our journey together as classmates? What advice or thoughts can I offer to such a talented group of individuals who have survived so much, and emerged from every obstacle stronger and wiser? Today we celebrate the constant perseverance and determination that got us to this point, and will carry us for the rest of our lives.\u201d She continued, relating her own very personal struggle within her Molloy journey. \u201cIn the summer before my sophomore year, I lost my mother. I had lost my identity as a daughter and had no one to call \u2018mom\u2019. My mother\u2019s death changed me in profound ways\u2026I learned that tomorrow is never certain. I also learned that when everything in your world seems to fall on you, you can emerge from under the rubble and breathe again\u2026I am sharing my story with you to offer hope and strength for your new life\u2026Things do go wrong. Losses of opportunity, dreams, hope, and even life. What happens next? We must overcome the adversity, no matter when or how it hits.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>This year\u2019s graduates are attending colleges including Amherst, Barnard, Baylor, Boston College, Marist College, Northeastern, Purdue, Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, University of Arizona, University of North Carolina, University of Notre Dame, University of Pennsylvania, Tufts University, United States Naval Academy, University of Edinburgh (UK), Vassar, Villanova, Williams College, and Yale among many other fine schools. 18% of the Class of 2016 will attend nearby St. John\u2019s University. 7% of our graduates will make their way to Adelphi in the fall. 3% will call NYU home, while another 3% will continue their journey at Fordham. (See more in the Senior Issue of The Stanner newspaper by clicking the thumbnail to the right<\/em>)<\/p>\n