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Salutatorian Andrew Visceglia \u201919<\/strong> (pictured right<\/em>) opened this year’s commencement exercises with a few remarks. \u201cOur class has grown over the past four years, probably some of us more than others. We came in as young, naive freshmen, and now we leave our mark on Molloy as mature seniors,\u201d said Andrew. \u201cWe\u2019ve worked hard to manage our time between extracurricular activities, academics, and enjoying our time with friends. The time and effort have paid off, and I am so happy to see the progress we\u2019ve made as a class.\u201d All that time spent participating in extracurricular activities, sports, retreats, and service trips was fun, but Andrew noted that above all these experiences built community. \u201cWhile we all did a variety of activities, it\u2019s not necessarily the things we did that stand out; it\u2019s the impact we had on others that makes the difference.\u201d<\/p>\n Later in his remarks, Andrew singled out several teachers that inspired him throughout his high school journey. \u201cMr. Kelly was my English teacher twice. His idea of reading to understand, and not just to get it done, not only encouraged me to analyze books with a deeper meaning, but also made me more interested in reading. I had Brother James Norton for Peer Groups in sophomore year, and I was a peer group leader for him in senior year. Whenever anyone was worrying about something that hadn\u2019t happened yet, he would always remind us that the future doesn\u2019t exist, and you can only control what’s happening right now. I\u2019ll always remember walking into Mr. Kilkelly\u2019s junior English class everyday: he\u2019d give everyone a fist pump and tell us that today was going to be a big day, which was always true. Mr. Harrison, my personal finance teacher in senior year, had a knowledge and passion for finance that was infectious, but his love for squirrels really made the class interesting.\u201d Each of these teachers had a hand in Andrew\u2019s formation. \u201cMolloy made me a more confident person, and helped strengthen my leadership qualities.\u201d<\/p>\n Later, valedictorian Stephanie Szpylka \u201919<\/strong> (pictured left<\/em>) addressed her classmates and spoke about the meaning of simple words with big impact, including those that help define \u201cNon scholae sed vitae.\u201d<\/em> \u201cValues:<\/strong> I believe that human beings are born with a sense of morality, but the environment they\u2019re in is responsible for enriching those values. Molloy has built upon that foundation in providing us with Marist values.\u201d Stephanie cited small acts of kindness like holding the door open or listening to a friend as the foundation that eventually led her classmates to become peer group leaders, retreat leaders, team captains, and class officers. \u201cNon scholae sed vitae<\/em> on the most basic level means applying our morals to everyday life. We have the capacity to make differences in others\u2019 lives with kindness and compassion,\u201d said Stephanie.<\/p>\n Stephanie then considered the word adjustment. <\/strong>\u201cOur time at Molloy was a lot like the daily task of climbing the stairs from floor to floor. Each step represents minute changes that we experience constantly, which require adjustment, whether or not we notice them,\u201d said Stephanie. She referenced starting out as a shy freshman who, over the years, grew into a confident and outgoing upperclassman. \u201cEven while we were ‘comfortable’ there were constantly ways we had to adjust. As the years went on, we had to adapt to new friends, new classes and teachers, new seasons of sports. Each coming year was a little bit like starting all over again, but not quite.\u201d Stephanie assured her classmates that though they are about to start all over again as college freshmen, this will be less daunting because of their successful Molloy experience. \u201cLife outside of a controlled environment is random, but our experience of constant adjustment will make future transitions smoother.\u201d<\/p>\n The Class of 2019 has been accepted into a plethora of outstanding universities across the United States and abroad including but not limited to: Barnard College, Boston College, Brandeis University, Brown University, Columbia University, Drexel University, Fordham University, Johns Hopkins University, Loyola University Maryland, Marist College, Northeastern University, Pennsylvania State University, Pratt Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Seton Hall University, St. John\u2019s University, SUNY Geneseo, Syracuse University, United States Air Force Academy, University College Dublin, University of Notre Dame, Vanderbilt University, Vassar College, Villanova University, Wagner College, and Yale University.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Congratulations, Class of 2019. Remember that you will always be Stanners, and that you are always welcome back home. Please stay in touch, read the Beehive, and let us know how you\u2019re doing! Contact the Stanner Alumni Center any time at alumni@molloyhs.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/168.62.170.58\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/3E4A9440_header.jpg\")
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\nGraduation Photos by Sal Graffeo ’01.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>On Saturday, June 1st, the Class of 2019 were the stars of Archbishop Molloy High School\u2019s 126th commencement exercises, which took place at the Colden Auditorium at Queens College. 380 seniors ceremoniously moved the tassels on their caps from right to left, signifying the completion of their academic careers at Molloy. The Class of 2019 were collectively awarded over $100,000,000 in college scholarships and grants. Among their ranks are future scientists, engineers, computer programmers, journalists, writers, educators, lawyers, doctors, performers, athletes, public servants, and so much more.<\/p>\n<\/a>In closing, Andrew left his classmates with some profound words: \u201cWhat will matter is not what you bought, but what you built, not what you got, but what you gave. What will matter is not your success, but your significance. What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught. What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage, or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>Lastly, Stephanie examined self-understanding. <\/strong>\u201cA big part of why our personalities are the way they are involves the intangible. We have defining experiences, yet we can\u2019t pinpoint exactly what makes us, us right now\u2026. Everything we encountered during this time period caused us to evolve into who we think<\/em> we are now. I say \u2018think\u2019 because there is no way to completely know ourselves, and that\u2019s okay. What is most important is our conscious effort to grow as people. Non scholae sed vitae<\/em> means accepting that some parts of ourselves can\u2019t be explained, but utilizing experiences and lessons can free us to grow into our best selves.\u201d<\/p>\n