Our fiftieth year has come and gone with much fanfare and celebration. When I started this journey last September I did so with the wide-eyed anticipation of a freshman. In point of fact, there were many new things to learn and see. Hundreds of alumni have sat and visited with me through this year, and each brings with them their own fresh perspective on what it means to be — a Stanner. It has been a wonderful year.

Some things I have learned this year.

Photo: Frank Bailey

Throwing a 50th Anniversary picnic for 300 people is no picnic… details, details, details… and we will do it again in October — this time we will call it Homecoming and it will be linked with the Harvey Fun Run again.

Though we have a formal reunion for classes celebrating their various reunions, each group has their own unique story and mix of very individual Stanners. I would not trade one of them for the competition. We are unique and that is part of what makes us a Stanner. Those of you in graduation classes ending in either a 3 or 8 are slated for an evening to be remembered. Log on to the registration site and commit to coming out to see the latest changes at Molloy. Windows, Chemistry Lab renovations and a whole lot of minor changes you may not notice but support our educational program here at the school will be available for you to see… or experience that evening.

Photo: Maria Bastone

The Liturgies that are held, in addition to smaller, more intimate chapel Masses held daily bring a sense of purpose to this school. I have said it before and will say it again, we are a Catholic high school in the Marist Brothers Tradition. Our spirit is alive and held us together through the loss of Katy Grogan and Dr. Patrick Murphy.

One of the most meaningful liturgies held each year is the Mass of Remembrance. Each year at the reunion, the bell from St. Ann’s Academy is brought into the theater and the list of all Stanners and members of the Stanner family who have passed is read and for each name, the bell is rung. It is a bittersweet reminder that we are here for such a brief moment in time.

Photo: Matt Amore

Esopus retreats and freshman camp are a vital part of the development of a Stanner. The bonding that takes place in that idyllic setting creates a large part of the commitment between Stanners — Non Scholae Sed Vitae… not for school, but for life.

Photo: Tom Harrison

The Year of the Educator was celebrated and the Hall of Fame inductees were all faculty members. The representatives from our outstanding faculty who were selected as new members brought a new perspective to the Hall of Famers. Mary Pat Gannon became the first female member of the Hall of Fame this year. The dedication of the new wall exhibit and kiosk were all part of the evenings festivities.

Photo: Tom Harrison

Commencement - New beginnings for our newest Stanners. Ring night, Retreats, The Senior Liturgy, graduation practice, Commencement and the Senior Breakfast were all part of the process of becoming the next generation of Stanners. Memories that will last a lifetime all created in four short years.

Two of the more prominent citizens of Molloy will not be returning this fall. “Dino” and Steve Marton have announced their retirement from the Maintenance Department at Molloy. We had parties for each of these two men recently and when you add it all up, they were in more ways than one, “the glue that held this place together” for many years.

Photo: Mary Grennan

This will be the final E-News for this school year. I will issue updates over the summer in mid-July and mid-August. Of course, any breaking news will be sent via e-mail. Please take a few minutes to update your mailing and contact information in your member profile.

I will end this note with a series of sign-offs from the various members of the Stanner Community who have led Molloy over the years.

God Bless all Stanners!
Non Scholae Sed Vitae

Good St. Ann — Pray for us
St. Marcellin Champagnat — Pray for us,
And, remember, to pray for each other.