June 3, 2017, was a historic day for Archbishop Molloy High School. That morning, in the confines of the Colden Auditorium at Queens College, faculty, family, and friends witnessed the 125th commencement in the history of St. Ann’s Academy / Molloy. 125 years of faith, service, and excellence in academics and athletics, was perpetuated by this outstanding class, which boasts future teachers, doctors, lawyers, public servants, business owners, and so many other leaders of tomorrow.
During the ceremony, Salutatorian Stephanie Lechki addressed her fellow graduates. She began by referencing the service and learning opportunities her classmates have enjoyed over the years, including service trips with the St. Marcellin Champagnat Society, Harlem Tutoring, volunteering at Briarwood Shelter, and spring trips to Europe. “We have had the privilege to accept and understand lessons that are vital to our success in life: that we should have confidence in ourselves, but not be too easily convinced; that there are situations for which it is impossible to prepare, but which we will spend a lifetime looking back at, trying to accept, interpret, and comprehend; that listening and reserving judgment is a matter of infinite hope, but action creates change and defines leaders.” Stephanie also asserted that her classmates are resilient, adaptable, and capable of forgiveness. “As Stanners, as human beings, we must take the lessons we have learned, the memories we cherish – even the moments we yearn to forget – and use them to make the world a better place…It is our duty to accept this responsibility with open arms and open minds.”
Valedictorian Jillian Hubert also addressed the full auditorium. She attempted to answer the following question: “How do we achieve and refine our character and our confidence?” Refining character, Jillian believes, is an ongoing process. “Our character is always being put to the test. Standing up for what we believe in when the whole world seems to oppose us- is character. Tending to the sick and the outcasts of society- is character. Our every act of intricate care and exceptional bravery strengthens our unique character.” Regarding confidence, Jillian encouraged her classmates to look within. “Confidence is our self-assurance, our inherent self-appreciation. It must be upheld carefully and practiced with purpose. Trusting our intuition and following our gut- is confidence. Using our intellect to better society- is confidence. Genuine confidence is powerful.” Jillian ended by noting that her classmates have all been prepared after four years at AMHS. “We carry memories, empowerment from our teachers, and relationships that will extend far beyond our high school years…We carry life lessons that will strengthen us along our journeys as we bridge our past to our future.”
The Class of 2017 will attend colleges around the US and abroad, including Adelphi, CUNY-Macaulay Honors College, Fordham, Georgetown, University of Mass. Amherst, Molloy College, NYU, Pratt Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, St. John’s University, SUNY Geneseo, Tufts University, Vanderbilt, Villanova, US Air Force Academy, Wagner College, and HZ University of Applied Sciences (Amsterdam) among many other outstanding schools.
Check out some photos from Graduation on our Facebook page!