Upcoming Alumni Events

The fall will bring a number of events and opportunities to celebrate life here at Molloy.

The Harvey Fun Run and Second Annual Molloy Homecoming Picnic

Saturday, October 4^th

Saturday, October 4^th at Molloy The Harvey Fun Run and Second Annual AMHS Homecoming. This day is set aside for our entire Stanner Family to get to know one another, share our Stanner Track Heritage and just plain celebrate surviving the first month of the school year. Last year over 400 people attended the combined event.

We would love to see more of our current student families come to the event this year. Register on line at alumni.molloyhs.org for this fun-filled day of events and activities.

Mass of Remembrance and Stanner Alumni Reunion

All Classes Graduating in years ending in a ’3 0r ’8
November 1st, 2008

Rediscover your roots, reconnect with old friends and remember those who prepared you “not for school but for life”.

Tickets are now available on line at alumni.molloyhs.org
Alumni: $100.00
Alumni and Guest: $150.00

• 5:30 pm - Registration
• 6:00 - Mass
• 7:00 - Cocktail Parties
• 8:00 - Pictures & Dinner
• Reunion celebration wraps up at midnight

The Class of 1968 issues the following challenge to all other reunion classes to beat our numbers and our spirit. According to Mr. Diorio, the class of 1968 are the odds on favorites, but he did hedge his bet with the comment… you are up against a lot of great competition! Typical.

The Class of 2012 has reported for duty!

Opening Day Highlights:

One of the nicest traditions at Molloy is the opening day Mass for the faculty and staff. Father Pat Flanagan gave our opening day sermon at Mass on Tuesday and he encouraged our faculty and staff in their most important work. An educator himself, he clearly understands the challenges faced by teachers at all levels, and reminded us to keep our students on track to become the best they can be by the time they walk the line after four years at Molloy.

Brother Roy opened the session reminding us that this was his 10th Opening Day as Principal and he recognized that keeping this day motivational and fresh requires much thought and reflection. He shared with us a number of quotes about leadership and leading by example. The challenge was offered to the entire faculty to follow the instruction left by St. Champagnat to “lead by example”.

Faculty Anniversaries:

Mr. Niklaus is celebrating his 25^th year at Molloy, (not counting his time as a student), and Mr. Diorio’s 50^th year as a teacher at Molloy has just begun. As we all know, many of the Brothers serve multiple schools in the Marist System throughout their career. Brother Richard Shea is starting his 25^th year of service at Molloy this fall. Everyone else has added one more notch to the belt. Last year we celebrated the Year of the Marist Educator. These three men are outstanding examples of a life of service and commitment to our youth. As we start this year, please remember them, and all Marist Educators around the world in your prayers.

Brother Roy introduced the nine new faculty members who joined the staff over the summer. We will profile them in the weekly blog once they have figured out the classroom numbering system and SmartBoard® technology.

Mr. Sherry commented on the technology upgrades that took place over the summer, the Computers Carts, the Computer Lab for students and the completion of the SmartBoard® installations in all classrooms. Every teacher has a laptop now and we have a technology supported attendance and grade book system this year. These improvements and other technology enhancements have been made possible by your investments in the Stanners For Life Campaign.

He then introduced Jim Sheldon. Jim was the recipient of the first Faculty Grant for continuous study. He attended a Forensic Science class in Schenectady, NY working with other teachers starting this new course in their respective schools. The Faculty Grant program is a key component of the Stanners For Life campaign and Mr. Sherry was pleased that this was a good experience for Jim, and invited others to present proposals for continuous study. We wish him well as he starts this new Forensic Science Class. What’s next - CSI Miami?

Alumni Updates

Congratulations to Kenny Anderson ’89!

Kenny is scheduled to be initiated into the NYC Basketball Hall of Fame at the induction ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, September 17th 2008. Kenny is the seventh member of the Stanner family to be honored by the NYAC. He will join Jack Curran ’06, Lou Carnesecca ’43, Kevin Joyce ’69, Tom Kearns ’54, Brian Winters ’70, and Kenny Smith ’83 as previous honorees.

For more information please contact Pat Downey of the NYAC at 212-767-7093.

Jack Curran ’06 to be honored at the First Annual Frank McGuire Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament

The First Annual Frank McGuire Foundation
Celebrity Golf Tournament
Honoring Coach Jack Curran

Tuesday, September 23 at
The Ardsley Country Club

• 50 Years of dedication to Archbishop Molloy H.S. students.
• Basketball…898 wins / 377 losses and 35 Titles
• Baseball…1603 wins / 465 losses and 41 Titles
• Coach of the Year - Baseball 25 times & Basketball 22 times
• National High School Coaches Association Award 3 times
• National Coach of the Year in 1990
• Inducted into 9 Halls of Fame
• 8 players on All-American Basketball Teams
• 60 players on All-City Baseball Teams
• 5 players who played on Professional Basketball Teams.
• Over 475 Athletic Scholarships & 40 Coaching Professionals

For more information and to register contact: www.mcguirefoundation.org

Another Summer is Over

The summer is over, camps have been shuttered and the Mission Teams have all returned safely. Freshman camp had 115 incoming Stanners prepare for their next four years with activities designed to develop an appreciation for what our motto – Non Scholae – Sed Vitae means.

More than 25 Molloy alumni donated their time and talents to the many aspects of the summer camps this year. Because of our faculty and the alumni staff at Esopus, there are many new people who have experienced the Marist Charism and what that really means.

Talent All Around Us

Frank Gambino ’74 and his Semi-Casual Silver String Mezzanine Band recently released their newest recording. This CD features 12 diverse and witty tracks featuring lyrics by Frank Gambino and music by Frank Gambino and Sonny Speed. This is truly a unique CD, full of twists and turns for the listener Produced to capture the true spirit of the grown up rascal in all of us. For more information, visit their site at: www.cdbaby.com or http://islandsongwriters.com/fgambino.html

Faculty Spotlight – Mr. John Mecca

A lifelong Catholic School student John started his academic career at Blessed Sacrament Grammar School and then graduated from what is now known as Blessed Sacrament – St. Gabriel High School in New Rochelle. He later graduated from Iona College and served time in the Marine Corps from which he received an Honorable Discharge.

His most memorable life event was driving across America. The most memorable moments came from hitchhiking his way back… not recommended in this day and age. He shares these stories as “minutes” with his students. They help to bring his classes to the “man on the street” level, and humanize him as a teacher. This and his singing the classic Sinatra tunes in class and on stage.

He evaluated his options when he received his degree and after interviews in business and industry, and some soul searching, decided to return to college for courses in education. He completed his requirements and in 1961 applied for a position in the Westbury school system. Mr. Mecca taught at Westbury High School for 35+ years and upon his initial retirement worked in a number of public and private schools in Nassau County as a substitute teacher. In his spare time, he has run an adult education program through Westbury Public Schools and has served as an adjunct professor at Hofstra University supervising post graduate students in their Masters Degree programs. For some, 35+ years would be more than enough, but not for John. He felt that there was more to do with his education and his life. He sought out a position at Molloy and was hired in 2001. And, it’s a good thing for Molloy that he is still enthusiastic after 47 years as a classroom educator.

He believes that education is a cooperative venture among the students, family and school. With all of the pressures facing kids today, it is imperative that teachers keep a positive attitude and that they show this to the students to help them overcome their doubts about themselves. In order to be effective, a teacher must be able to be motivational and must be self motivated. They must have respect for students, be organized, caring and loving, and above all, be honest and fair. A teacher must love his/her field of study, be flexible and be able to correct without being punitive. John believes that an education is indeed for life, and not just for a student’s time in school. He wholly supports our motto: Non Scholae - Sed Vitae.

Why Molloy? - “Molloy’s educational environment – students, faculty and administration – continues to stimulate me and sustain my desire to give all I can to each and every person at the school. ”

Educational Background:

BA	Economics / History	Iona College
MA	Social Studies	Hunter College

He has taken additional Coursework from Adelphi, Queens College and C.W. Post College throughout his career – a true lifelong learner.

John and his wife, Cheryl, share their life with their four adult children and two grandsons; Michael and Anthony.

St. Ann’s Corner

From time to time we have visitors from St. Ann’s Academy drop in to see the St. Ann’s Exhibit, the old School Bell and the Statue in St. Ann’s Courtyard.

Jack Nolty ’48 stopped by to visit with Mr. Sherry and the Alumni office. He worked for Edison and served in the Korean War. Graduated college after a 21 year pursuit of a degree – talk about perseverance! Two of his sons attended Molloy, and he remembered his time serving in the Parent’s organization. His time at St. Ann’s was remembered fondly, and his visit meant a lot to our office this opening week.

We also heard from Robert C. Hall – an eleven year student at St. Ann’s Academy. He would have graduated in 1958, but his school moved on him that year. Robert phoned in after learning recently of Donnie Burks’ passing last year. He remembered his time at the school and got to thinking about many of his schoolmates. We have added his name and contact information into the 1958 class data base. A true Stanner, Robert has come home again. Welcome Home!

Vocation Spotlight

Last year as we celebrated the Anniversary Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral I came to the realization that Molloy has, over the years, nurtured the vocations of more than 40 young men to the Marist Brothers, the Priesthood, and Diaconate. It was quite impressive to realize that these men have dedicated their lives in service to the church and their communities. At the end of the school year it was brought to my attention that another Stanner, Jim Shelton ’00 has begun preparation for the Priesthood. Jim stopped by prior to the end of the school year to talk about the next five years of study and what that process looks like. It was a fascinating two hours. In addition to that news, we were informed that another Stanner has chosen to enter the novitiate for the Marist Brothers. Each month we will report on their progress and reflections as these two men set out on their journey. Let us make the commitment to support them with our prayers each day.

In Memoriam

Mr. Julius Vagan – Father of Brother James Vagan – passed away last week.

Michael Lambe ’68, called in to let us know that his mother passed away during August.

A number of alumni wrote in concerning the passing of Mr. Joe Dorsa, father of Stanners Joe Dorsa ’89 and John Dorsa ’93.

Please keep these Stanner Families in your prayers this week. And, as always, let us remember to pray for each other.

This year at the opening of the Mass we acknowledged the loss of Father Pat Primeaux, a Theology Professor at St. John University and great friend. Father Pat came to say early Mass many mornings in the chapel and was always available to members of the Molloy community as “our priest”. He passed away in late August after losing his battle with cancer. One of his last conversations was with Brother Roy was about how he was looking forward to returning to Molloy for Opening Day… we know he was with us in spirit.

God Bless All Stanners!