Remembering - Archbishop Molloy High School

Storm recovery
I
n November 2012, many of our neighborhoods were compromised
in ways we never thought possible due to the unexpected force of
Hurricane Sandy. Loss of life and property was devastating, and many
were left wondering how to begin again. The ripple effects of Sandy
are still being felt more than 8 months later, and perhaps will be
for years until the last home is rebuilt. Despite the challenges that
continue to burden our community, there is still much hope for a
return to normalcy. Molloy’s top priority is to ensure that there is a
safe and caring learning environment for all of its students, especially
those whose lives have been altered by Sandy. Since the storm,
Molloy has attempted to address the very real and immediate needs
of many Stanner families by establishing the Storm Recovery Fund,
which has helped many currently enrolled students and their families
who were most affected by Sandy. The fund has helped cover partial
tuition costs, provided counseling services for students, and made
available basic school essentials such as uniforms, textbooks, school
supplies and cafeteria credit.
Update
Students volunteer in Breezy Point and the Rockaways in
post-hurricane clean-up.
Since the storm, the outpouring of support for our Stanners has
been inspiring. Thanks to the very generous support of our alumni,
including some as far as California, and in addition to the $150,000
Walk-a-thon proceeds, over $90,000 has been raised in support of
students and their families who have been affected. In addition,
Molloy collected a great number of donations of food, clothes and
hygiene items during its Storm Recovery Week. The Saint Marcellin
Society has organized several service projects for student and faculty
volunteers to help clean up Breezy Point and the Rockaways. Others
here in New York, including individuals who have no affiliation with
the school, have offered their homes, their wares and more. Through
adversity, we have seen the true meaning of the Marist Tradition in
the way of “Stanners in Action.”
Teeing Up
For Molloy
Scholarships
by Joe Sommo ‘03
For 27 years, Archbishop Molloy High
School has been blessed by the generosity of
its alumni community in support of the Jim
Kinnier Stanner Golf Classic. The Classic provides
alumni, family members and friends the
opportunity to enjoy beautiful weather and to
fine tune their swings. More importantly, the
outing lends support to Molloy’s scholarship
program. A significant portion of the money
raised by the Stanner Golf Classic funnels
directly to deserving students through named
scholarships, giving their families the financial
flexibility needed to enroll them at Molloy.
These students, many of them extremely
gifted, may otherwise be unable to attend
Molloy. In essence, every swing truly makes a
difference in a student’s life.
On May 6th, 2013, over 270 golfers teed up
at North Hills Country Club and Plandome
Country Club on Long Island. Golfers enjoyed a
buffet breakfast, food and adult beverages on
the courses, cigar holes, cocktails, and gourmet
dinner selections. Prizes and takeaways
were abundant, including golf balls, hats, golf
shirts, bags, and larger door prizes. There were
also opportunities to earn big-ticket items by
participating in auctions as well as our raffle.
Live auction items including lunch with Police
Commissioner Ray Kelly ‘59, a meet and greet
with Mets Outfielder Mike Baxter ‘02, dinner
prepared by Molloy President Richard Karsten
‘81, and dinner at Rao’s combined to raise over
$16,000. The raffle drawing also offered great
prizes, including a 50 inch Sharp TV, a trip to
Las Vegas, and 2 tickets to Super Bowl XLVIII.
There are many individuals that make the
Classic possible, and this year the Stanner Golf
Classic Board honored 3 in particular. Founding
Chairman Joe Gordon ‘64 sadly passed away
last year, but his work continues to impact the
success of the Classic to this day. In honoring
Joe, Jim Kinnier said, “He was a rock, someone
who was always there to see things through.
He made so much possible.” The Board also
named Neal Duffy ‘93 as this year’s Golf Chairman.
Neal, a long-time Board member and
dedicated alum, provided many new corporate
sponsors as well as ideas and innovation
during the event’s planning stages. “Molloy
changed my life. It is the reason I have my
career today,” Neal said as he addressed guests
at dinner. The Board also recognized Alumni
Relations Director Maria Ford as this year’s
Honorary Chairperson. Maria, the event’s main
organizer for over 17 years, truly believes in
the event’s mission. “Since this began 27 years
ago, we have raised over $2 million dollars in
support of Molloy scholarships. That is a
phenomenal amount of money raised by a
high school for a 1 day annual event.”
Sara Rudomen ‘17 will join the Molloy family
as a freshman this coming fall. Sara is the latest
recipient of the Jim Kinnier Scholarship, and
she chose to speak to the crowd. “Thank you
for this amazing opportunity. Your generosity
has pushed me to work even harder, and I will
take full advantage of my time at Molloy.” Sara
joins many other students who have benefited
from Stanner Golf Classic scholarships. “Molloy
is a wonderful school,” said Hanna Ventura ‘13.
“I’ve grown up so much here, and I’ve become
a leader. None of that would be possible
without my scholarship.” Jake Mella ‘16 said,
“Earning my scholarship took a big burden
off of my family. Now I love to represent the
school on the soccer team. I have a purpose at
Molloy.” Giancarlo Mayor-Valencia ‘13 plans to
continue his success in college. “My scholarship
at Molloy provided me the opportunity to
get a stellar education both academically and
spiritually. I will forever be grateful.”
The 27th Annual Jim Kinnier Stanner Golf
Classic ensured that Molloy had successfully
secured the futures of more bright young
Stanners. Their great potential in life is what
drives this outing each year. Thank you to all
who have supported the Stanner Golf Classic.
We hope to see you all next Spring as we
celebrate our 28th year. For more info on this
event, please contact Maria Ford at (718) 943-
3186 or email mford@molloyhs.org.
Stanner Life Magazine . Summer 2013 11