Senior Whit Molnar was named the Rome Noon Optimist Student of the Year in the Community Involvement category after being selected as Darlington School's nominee.
"I have never met a student with more heart than Whit Molnar," said Heather Shores, Upper School history teacher and Molnar's college adviser. "I first met Whit in his sophomore year as a shy student in my class. In the past two years I have watched him grow both as a person, a student and as a valued member of both the Darlington and local community. One thing that I admire about Whit is his heart for serving others. I learned of Whit’s passion for baking the first time I met him as a student. His enthusiasm for the culinary arts shines through his eyes anytime he talks about baking. During his freshman year, Whit opened the Lemonade Stand, hosting an annual event selling baked goods and lemonade to benefit the Open Door Home in Rome, Georgia, a non-profit organization that assists abused and neglected children. As of the summer of 2024, Whit has raised $124,000 for this organization! For his efforts with the Lemonade Stand, Whit became the youngest recipient of the Young Heart Award in our local community during his freshman year. Whit has balanced his charitable work with an active academic schedule as well as competing in pole vault for the Darlington track team. He is truly one of the most caring, responsible, and generous students I've ever had the pleasure to know. It has been a joy to watch Whit Molnar blossom into the young man I see today. His shy smile may illustrate his humility, but his actions in this community speak volumes. If anyone can change the world through a cookie, it will be Whit Molnar."
A five-year day student from Rome, Molnar has taken two Honors and is currently enrolled in one AP course at Darlington. He is a member of the Senior Ventures program, the community service committtee and is a four-year varsity track athlete. An avid baker, Molnar is the owner of BossmanBakes and sells his culinary creations at local events. He was the youngest recipient of the Heart of the Community Foundation’s Young Heart Award in 2020 after raising more than $124,000 for the Open Door Children’s Home through a lemonade stand fundraiser he started at the age of 5. At his church, Molnar volunteers as an acolyte, a member of the breakfast crew and a Vacation Bible School leader.
The son of Sarah and Dr. Jon Molnar, he will be attended Auburn University in the fall.
Molnar was honored along with the other finalists at a banquet on Thursday, April 24, where he received a $1,000 scholarship from the Noon Optimist Club.
