2016 Summer Irish Ayes

Summer 2016 Volume XLIII Number 2

FEATURE STORIES

From CSP To Med School: Ashley Manson ’07 Remembering Father Philip Breen ’57 90th Graduating Class’s Memorable Commencement w w w. f a t h e r r y a n . o r g

®

HISTORY OF LIBRARY WINDOW UNCOVERED

Board of trustees Executive Committee Judy Komisky Orr ’75, Chair David Glascoe, Vice Chair David Tehle, Finance Chair Bill Stejskal ’79, Membership Chair Rev. Mark Beckman

Committee Chairs John Siedlecki, Advancement Brett Wesnofske ’88, Facilities

Ex-Officio Members Most Rev. David R. Choby ’65 James A. McIntyre Dr. Therese Williams

Board Members Tom Bauer David Bohan ’66 Tommy Bradley ’81 Mary Brennan John Bumpus ’78 Betty Lou Burnett Lee Clark Dave Gallagher ’88 Warner Hassell Judy Hoover Steve Janicak Rev. Pat Kibby ’73 Dr. Robert Labadie Phil Mattingly ’69 Bob Mendes Pat Nolan ’69 Julie Norfleet ’88 Jack Polson Ralph Schulz

Life Trustees

Several readers wrote in to tell us that they remembered the new stained glass window in the library from the Elliston Place Faculty House. Recently purchased by an interested alumnus at an estate sale, the window is now on display for today’s students. Thanks to all who wrote in with comments.

Here’s the description from the auction report, sent in by Pat Creswell ’66.

Victorian Stained Glass Window #1 from the historic Elliston-Buford Mansion, Nashville, Tennessee. Multi-colored slag and textured leaded glass in a floral and scroll design with colored jewels, in oxidized hardwood frame.

The Elliston-Buford Mansion was built on Elliston Place circa 1860-1880 and was the home of Lizinka Elliston Buford and husband Edward L. Buford, a Nashville businessman and Confederate War veteran. Lizinka’s grandfather was Nashville Mayor and silversmith Joseph Thorpe Elliston (18141817). Around 1928, the five-acre Elliston Place site (which included another mansion, Burlington) became part of the original Father Ryan High School campus. This window was removed when the mansion was renovated in the 1970s. The home was destroyed by fire in 1992. Overall very good condition.

59 1/2” x 40 1/4”. Circa 1881.

Thomas G. Connor, Sr. ’60 William H. Farmer ’65 Edward B. Gore J. Terry Hunter Vincent T. Phillips William F. Smith Edward A. Stack

Administration James A. McIntyre, President Paul Davis ’81, Principal Sara Hayes, Vice Principal and Academic Dean Michael La Haie, Dean of Students E lizabeth Coyle ’02, Dean of Campus Ministry and Student Life Connie Steinmetz, Chief Financial Officer Fr. Gervan Menezes, Chaplain

©2016 FRHS 22272

CONTENTS

Summer 2016 Volume XLIII Number 2

Feature

Cover Photo: Irish alumni are not only artists, they are curators of art, staging distinctive shows here and in other parts of the world. See how several Father Ryan alums are making the art world more interesting, beginning on page 16.

Table of Contents

2} In the News - On and Off Campus Celebrating Bishop Choby’s 10th Anniversary with new Service Award.

Service Award honorees. New Staff. Science Olympiad soars. Annual Fund sets new record. Amy Johnston ’93 Teacher of the Year.

8} Athletics

State championships #60-61 claimed. Season roundup. Familiar name takes helm of storied Volleyball program. Swimming champions in and out of the pool.

11} Military Academy Appointees Honor Memorial Day Tennessean Op-ed features three newest appointment recipients.

12} Honoring the Class of 2016

Commencement and Baccalaureate Ceremonies. College plans. Valedictorian and Salutatorian head to Notre Dame. Academic Achievements.

16} Cover Story: Curating Art Around the World 20} Ashley Manson ’07: From Cooperative Support Program to Med School 22} Irish Fashionista: Katherine Todd’s New Line Headlines Belk

Page 16

23} Remembering Fr. Philip Breen ’57 24} Reunion Celebration 2016

Celebrating Golden Grad Class of 1966. Lou Graham Tournament results. Class Reunion parties.

26} Class Notes, Births, Weddings & In Memoriam

Page 20

Page 22

1

In The News summer 2016

BISHOP CHOBY CELEBRATES HIS 10TH YEAR AS BISHOP

“I can’t think of a way that pleases me more for the school to remember my time here… than to have my work among you, and with you, associated with your service.

You’re carrying on a wonderful tradition.”

Bishop David Choby ’65 recently celebrated a very special milestone in his life, his 10th year as the Bishop of Nashville. Father Ryan High School, honored him by, renamed their service award in his honor. This award is given to graduating seniors, recognizing their service to others. The renaming was announced on Friday, January 29, during a school Mass celebrated by the bishop. The award is now called The Bishop David R. Choby ’65 Christian Service Awards.

2

-Bishop Choby ’65 Jim McIntyre was quoted in the Tennessee Register saying, “We wanted to say ‘thank you’ for all he has done and continues to do to lead our diocese, to be a powerful voice for vocations, to strengthen Catholic education and to inspire our community to be good servants of Christ.” He continued to say, “One of the aspects of our Catholic faith that has been a

FIRST AWARDS PRESENTED TO SEVEN SENIORS Bishop Choby has some company now for his award, as seven seniors received the inaugural Bishop David R. Choby ’65 Christian Service Awards at Baccalaureate in May. JACK ABRAMS, LULU HAWKEN, KELSIE HUBBUCH, JULIANNE MOORE, KARA ROWAN, GINA SCHMID, and NICK TEHLE were honored as the first recipients for their longstanding and impactful commitment to service while at Father Ryan.

hallmark of the Bishop’s message is his belief in the power of service to change the lives of those who are served and to change the lives of those who serve.

That belief, that tradition, was formed in him by his parents and by his education in Catholic schools, and it is a fundamental part of the experience each of you enjoy here at Father Ryan.”

Senior Gina Schmid, a graduate of Christ the King School who was involved in multiple service activities during her time at Father Ryan, presented the first Bishop David R. Choby ’65 Christian Service Award to the Bishop on behalf of the school at the end of the Mass celebrating Catholic Schools Week.

“I can’t think of a way that pleases me more for the school to remember my time here… than to have my work among you, and with you, associated with your service. You’re carrying on a wonderful tradition,” said Bishop Choby.

Bishop Choby was installed as the 11th Bishop of Nashville on February 27, 2006, at the Cathedral, where he was also baptized. After Bishop James Niedergeses ’37, Bishop Choby is the second native in the diocese’s 169-year history to become its bishop.

Bishop Choby was born in Nashville, the son of Raymond and Rita Choby. He has one sister, Diane C. Dyche, who lives in Forth Worth, Texas. He attended Aquinas College in Nashville for one year, then entered seminary at St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa. He also studied at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., before he was ordained as a priest in 1974 by Bishop Joseph A. Durick at St. Henry Church in Nashville.

His numerous assignments in the Diocese of Nashville have included associate pastor at St. Joseph Parish, Madison, administrator of St. Ann Parish, and three years in residence at Christ the King Parish while working at the diocesan tribunal. In his last years before becoming bishop, from 1989 until 2006, he was the pastor at St. John Vianney Parish in Gallatin, where he has been an active member of the community and in the local ministerial association.

Bishop Choby earned his Canon law degree from the University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

From 1984 to 2006, he served as a faculty member at The Pontifical College Josephinum and seminary in Columbus, Ohio. He is still on the seminary’s board and has served two five-year terms on the diocese’s Presbyteral Council and College of Consultors.

NEW POSITION ADVANCES MISSION Tessa Lemos Del Pino has joined the school’s staff as the new Advancement Information Manager.

Mrs. Del Pino has over 10 years of experience with project and systems management in both academic and non-profit settings.

Before coming to Father Ryan, she gained experience both in the advancement and academic setting at St. Bernard Academy, where she served as the Advancement Officer and Grant Writer.

“We are delighted to have Tessa join our staff here at Father Ryan High School,” said Mr. Jim McIntyre, “Her extensive background in advancement, gift records, and research will enhance our advancement efforts. We could not have selected a better person to lead this new initiative,” he added.

Mrs. Del Pino also brings experience in database management from her time as a Communications and Data Consultant with a local real estate agent, and also as the Executive Director at the Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women.

In addition, she served as an Administrative Manager at Columbia University, where she administered all financial, personnel and administrative matters, including budget planning and reconciliation, pre-award grant application process, center operations, space and strategic planning, and recruitment.

Mrs. Del Pino completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Washington School of Business in 1994, and her Juris Doctorate at the University of Washington School of Law in 1997.

VALLETT NAMED REGISTRAR Erin (Corrigan) Vallett ’95 has been named the Registrar for Father Ryan High School.

Mrs. Vallett came to Father Ryan in 2015, working in the front office, after working for three years as a Registrar at Vanderbilt University’s Medical Center.

She earned her B.A. in Sociology from the University of Notre Dame in 1999, and she says that she loves being back at Father Ryan.

“The community, the atmosphere, the family that is Father Ryan makes this such a special place for students and a wonderful place to work. I am delighted to be a part of my school,” says Mrs. Vallett.

3

FATHER RYAN SAYS GOOD-BYE TO LONGSTANDING FACULTY MEMBERS

AMY JOHNSTON ’93 NAMED TEACHER OF THE YEAR

In addition to the 241 members of the class of 2016 who graduated from Father Ryan this year, more than 250 years of teaching experience The school said farewell to six long-time faculty members retired from Father Ryan.

C.A. WILLIAMS, the chair of the Social Sciences department, former tennis coach, Alabama fan and birthday maven, brought an end to her 42-year Father Ryan teaching career this year. Ms. Williams was one of the Honorees at this year’s Legacy Gala.

NANCY LANGDON came to Father Ryan as an education student in 1969, looking to refine her skills and develop her classroom instruction among a school full of boys. She returned a few years later, now married to her teaching mentor, Jim Langdon ’54, and launched a 38-year career that included work in the Guidance Office, College Counseling and for the last 22 years as Registrar.

SUZANNE SPORE has been a fixture in the classroom since arriving at Father Ryan in 1994. She was also a fixture on the volleyball court as an assistant coach with Jinx Cockerham for more than 20 years, including being part of four state championship teams.

JANET TATE has been a stalwart in the Math department since her arrival in 1995. In addition to teaching the elegance of math to thousands of students, she also served as the department chair, and she was the driving force behind Math Day, which has introduced more parochial school students to the opportunities and beauty of mathematics.

JIM LANGDON ’54 came to Father Ryan as a freshman in 1950 and has barely been away from the school ever since. A renowned history teacher, he has taught thousands of Father Ryan students since his arrival in 1962. He also coached the Freshmen Football and Basketball teams and Track for many years on both Elliston Place and Norwood Drive.

MARIAN PICKNEY leaves our Math department with the same quiet dignity and style she brought to school each day. She served as the moderator of the Mu Alpha Theta Math Club for many years and was an unsung champion of our students. A frequent tutor to students and always a resource to parents, Marian knit together a big part of our community as beautifully as she knitted the quilts she produced for people such as Bishop Choby and so many others.

Father Ryan owes a deep debt of gratitude to all of these outstanding educators, each of whom has been a living example of the Gospel for our students and our community. Thank you for all you have done for Father Ryan.

4

Amy Johnston ’93 with President Jim McIntyre and her parents.

The crowd’s applause was thunderous from the outset as Amy Johnston’s name was announced as the 2016 recipient of the Bishop Alphonse Smith Teacher of the Year Award. But the sound only grew—as did the emotion—when she reached the front of the stage and there stood her mom and dad, Sarah and Ed Johnston. Their presence and their legacy made the presentation all the more special.

Having an impact in and out of the classroom runs in her family. As the head of the Theology Department, Amy’s focus is on faith and service. She leads the Theology Speaker Series and the Social Justice Club while also assisting with the retreats at Father Ryan. And she engages her students and her colleagues with a passion for her profession and a sincere interest in their lives and the lives of others. It’s an approach that her parents recognize. From 1962-1970, her father, then Fr. Johnston, taught at Father Ryan and helped lead the change that made integration a real part of the Father Ryan experience. He and Sarah later established the annual summer mission trips to Haiti, the first of their kind in the area, and introduced a whole generation of students to the power of service. Yes, Amy is clearly their daughter.

A 1993 graduate of Father Ryan, Amy went on to receive her degree from Xavier University in 1997, and her Masters in Education from Vanderbilt’s Peabody College in 2000. She joined the Father Ryan faculty in 2006, and since that time has been at the forefront of our efforts to address major issues, from immigration and civil rights to workers rights around the world. We congratulate her on her award and thank her for her dedicated service to Father Ryan.

IRISH NATION RESPONDS FOR OUR STUDENTS

ALUM’S GIFT PROVIDES TUITION ASSISTANCE

ANNUAL FUND RECORD SET FOR 5TH STRAIGHT YEAR

Shea Gift Continues Father Ryan Legacy

Irish Nation responded in support of our students, our faculty and our staff and surpassed our goal, donating more than $705,656 to the Annual Fund, a new record for the fifth consecutive year and the first time to top the $700,000 mark.

The results were made possible by the broad and generous support of faculty and staff, parents, Board members, alumni and friends, as well as a dedicated crew of alumni and parent volunteers. An added incentive arose in June as an anonymous donor stepped forward with a special $15,000 Annual Fund Challenge to encourage giving in the last week of the campaign. In typical fashion, the Father Ryan community met the challenge…and then some.

In addition to the total dollars raised, the Irish had other achievements to celebrate.

ALUMNI: Eighteen classes have Class Reps and those classes outperformed all the rest, raising more than 25% of the dollar total and topping, by a significant margin, the average participation rates for Father Ryan classes.

The effort was distinguished by that of the Class of 1967, which under the leadership of Paul Rohling and Tommy Ducklo hit the astounding total of almost 60% participation! They were followed by Lance Wise’s Class of 1991’s more than 31% and the Golden Grad Class of 1966’s 28.5%, which narrowly topped Debbie (Connor) Sloan’s Class of 1985’s 28.4%. The Class of 1970 raised the most money of any class—more than $28,000—and these classes and the Class of 1975 all topped the 20% participation total. Our thanks to all our Class Reps.

PARENTS: With the strong leadership of Parent Chairs Tom and Debbie (Connor) Sloan ‘85, the four parent classes contributed more than $252,000 to the Annual Fund this year.

The Class of 2019 led the way with more than $73,000 raised, followed by the Classes of 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Thanks for this generous support from so many parents.

In making the announcement, Mr. McIntyre said, “Our thanks goes out to so many supporters and volunteers whose commitment to Catholic education and love for Father Ryan produced these outstanding results. We are humbled by your support and dedicated to continuing the tradition of Faith, Knowledge and Service that this generosity makes possible.”

A gift from a dedicated alumnus will make the Father Ryan experience available for another generation of Father Ryan students.

Mr. Jim McIntyre announced this spring that JOHNNY SHEA ’51 designated Father Ryan in his estate, leaving the school $100,000 to help with tuition assistance.

Johnny focused his alumni years on celebrating the lifelong legacy and connection of every Father Ryan alumnus. Now, thanks to his gift Johnny will be helping generations of future students to experience that connection.

Mr. McIntyre said the school received confirmation this spring from his family of the gift from Johnny, who passed away in December. The gift will strengthen the school’s program of making a Catholic education available to a broad spectrum of the community. And, he said, it is a reflection of Johnny’s love for the school.

That love was exhibited in many ways. Johnny became the voice and the champion of the school’s Golden Grad Mass and Induction ceremony, which takes places over Reunion Weekend each year, long before he became one in 2001. He put together the songs for the Mass, he sang the hymns, emceed the event, and introduced each new Golden Grad.

In the mid-1990s, after Father Ryan’s Elliston Place property was sold, along with the buildings, Johnny heard the news of the imminent demolition of the buildings and became a oneman preservationist. He dogged the demolition crew, refusing to allow them to throw away a brick or a piece of stone. Johnny saved them for Father Ryan.

“While we continue to miss Johnny’s presence and his spirit, we are humbled by his continued generosity,” Mr. McIntyre said.

“We are grateful to him, his wife, Nancy, and all of his family for their longstanding love of Father Ryan and its students,” stated McIntyre.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Father Black Society with a planned gift, contact Jim McIntyre at 615-269-7926

It was another great year to be Irish! Thank you!

5

An abundance of achievers: Clockwise from top left, Father Black Finalists with Sarah Barry (far left) the recipient this year; Jackson Dougherty on stage; receiving the Bertie Strobel Award with parents Andrea Herlong Hale ‘84 and Paul Dougherty ‘79, and Frederick Strobel ‘70; Perfect chemistry test scorers.

A NIGHT FOR THE STARS AND A BLAST FROM THE PAST With more than 125 medals, scholarship and award presentations made over the span of 90 minutes, and another 200 students being saluted for Honor Roll, Cardinal Newman Society and St. Vincent DePaul achievements, Academic Night is truly a showcase of the best of the Father Ryan experience across all four classes.

But sometimes, something unexpected and emotionally gripping takes place that connects generations of Father Ryan students, something that makes you just step back, and smile.

The Bertie Strobel Award for outstanding achievements in choral work, along with its $500 prize, was presented this year to JACKSON DOUGHERTY, a senior who has starred in most of the theatre productions, has been the lead in the musicals—including a remarkable turn as Edward Bloom in Big Fish—and a key part in the development of the accomplished Father Ryan Singers. He is headed to Columbia College in Chicago to continue his fine arts/theatre interests. Jackson was moved by the award and extremely grateful...but there is more to the story.

Mrs. Strobel was the college counselor at Father Ryan for 19 6

years, from the first days of coeducation, and an accomplished musician, organist and choral director.

After the presentation, Mrs. Kelli McClendon, the Fine Arts Department Chair at Father Ryan, brought Jackson over to talk with one of Bertie Strobel’s children, there to present the award, and to meet Jackson’s mother, Andrea Herlong Hale, Class of 1984. Andrea proceeded to talk about how special it was to see Mrs. Strobel’s picture up on the screen and to remember what she did for her. In 1982, while a sophomore at Hillwood, Andrea skipped school, caught the city bus, and rode over to Father Ryan. She had determined that she needed a Catholic

education and that “[Mrs. Strobel] made Father Ryan was the all of this possible for place for her. There me, and now my son is she met Mrs. Strobel, receiving an award who heard her story in her honor.” and said, “you’re in, you don’t need to take -Andrea Herlong Hale ’84 any tests, we want you to be here. Just call your mother and have her come in to sign some papers.” Andrea did that, and her mother supported her although Andrea had to pay the cost of Father Ryan—which she did, in cash, every fall, all of $216 each semester.

The rest of the story is that Andrea had a great experience at Father Ryan, went to UT-Knoxville, became a teacher, got her Masters in Educational Administration, and this spring received her Ph.D. in Educational Ministry. As she told this story to Frederick Strobel, she started crying, saying, “your mother made all of this possible for me, and now my son is receiving an award in her honor.”

Yes, Father Ryan is truly a special place, one where one person long gone is still having an impact on today’s students.

HEART OF ACADEMIC NIGHT GETS HER OWN REWARD

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD ACHIEVES AT STATE

For the past five years, the Science Olympiad team has been building strength as it has added members. Under the leadership of Mr. Steve Hardin, the team has taken on more categories and discovered the science “genius” inside themselves. And they have discovered that they can compete with the best.

That effort resulted in the team’s best performance ever at State, placing fifth among 20 schools from across Tennessee. Father Ryan had the only team from a Catholic high school to compete at the state level.

This finish came a little over a month after the team placed second in the Regionals Tournament at Volunteer State Community College, bringing home eight first-place medals, seven second-place medals and four third-place medals.

Will Braeuner, Daria Foster and Peter Conner completed four years in Science Olympiad. Candice Chen was the Junior Team Captain, Daria Foster was the Senior Team Captain and Peter Conner was Senior Chief Engineer.

Individual State medals included:

Mrs. Langdon (second from right) with Mr. Davis, Ms. Hayes and Mr. McIntyre.

The 500 students who are honored at Academic Night, like the students at the Cum Laude Induction ceremony or any of countless other activities regarding academic accomplishment at Father Ryan, and the many faculty and staff, have one person to look to for guidance and direction…

Mrs. Nancy Langdon. For 38 years she has been a part of Father Ryan community, in the College Counseling Department and for the last 22 years as Registrar. She’s managed the Annual Fund faculty campaign, assisted the Admissions program and is a walking encyclopedia of the Father Ryan family tree, able to recount not only a student’s name, but also every one of that student’s relatives.

Mrs. Langdon announced her retirement this spring. That made this year’s Academic Night her last event at Father Ryan, and she was sent out in style, with a standing ovation. Thank you, Mrs. Langdon, for making Father Ryan a better place.

WILL BRAEUNER and CANDICE CHAN placed 1st in Dynamic Planet and 2nd in Hydrogeology JOHN BOTTEI and DARIA FOSTER placed 5th in Astronomy KADE FOSTER and FRANK CHYTIL placed 3rd in Electric Vehicle and placed 4th in Wright Stuff PETER CONNOR and LOUIE MARTIN placed 6th in Robot Arm ALEX SAAVEDRA and IAN JOHNSTON placed 2nd in Wind Power LOUIE MARTIN and JOHN BOTTEI placed 5th in Fossils WILL BRAEUNER and PETER CONNOR placed 3rd in Bridge Building DANIEL COOLEY and KADE FOSTER placed 3rd in Game On 7

Athletics summer 2016

TWO MORE STATE TITLES HIGHLIGHT WINTERSPRING SPORTS

IRISH SPORTS RECAP

It’s a question often asked of a repeat state champion—does this ever get old?

Well, for the Father Ryan Wrestling Team, which claimed its 22nd and 23rd state titles this season, the answer is simple—Never!

With a powerful team with strength throughout the lineup, Coach Pat Simpson ’74 saw his 2015-2016 wrestlers bring home both the Dual and the Traditional State Championships this year, with a dramatic finish in the former and a dominant performance in the latter producing the titles.

At the Duals, the Irish made the championship against Baylor, a match that was close throughout. Senior Ben Stacey’s pin in the next to last match brought the Irish even and Jeremy Darvin ’16 claimed victory in a double OT battle in the heavyweight class that secured the trophy.

But the Irish weren’t done. In the Traditional State Championship just two weeks later, seven Irish wrestlers walked off as champions, leading the Irish to another title in the sport that has become synonymous with Father Ryan. Christian Simpson, Trey Chalifoux, Raymond Eason, Kirby Simpson, Eli King (who claimed his 3rd straight championship), Stacey and Darvin claimed individual championships as the Irish topped Baylor for the title. In total, 13 of the 14 Irish wrestlers placed in the tournament, a testament to the team’s strength from top to bottom in the line-up.

Chalifoux was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler.

To top off this exceptional season, Coach Simpson was honored as the national Wrestling Coach of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. Quite a season indeed for the Irish.

8

GIRLS BASKETBALL started the season 17-0, the best start in the history of the Lady Irish program, and claimed the championship of the Catholic girls Christmas Tournament in Atlanta, a performance that earned them the #1 ranking in the state at midseason. They went into the playoffs on a roll, but a close loss in the quarterfinals ended one of the team’s best seasons. With only two seniors graduating, prospects for next season look good.

The rest of the athletes had some impressive results as well.

BASEBALL saw success throughout the season, proving a tough match for all opponents.

A streak of four straight games against MBA started with two big wins, but they ran into some strong pitching at the end that kept them from advancing to State. But seven seniors celebrated a memorable season in the field for the Irish. BOYS BASKETBALL had an up-and-down year, with a half dozen losses by 3 points or fewer. But the seniors pushed through a memorable season, highlighted by reaching the Finals of the Willie Brown ’65 Memorial Christmas Tournament. BOWLING for both the girls and boys was strong, with the team starting 10-1 and rolling into

the State with a 12-4 record. But the pins didn’t fall in the State and the Irish finished 5th for the boys and 6th for the girls. HOCKEY’S season can best be illustrated by the fact that seven different skaters played as goalie, all due to injury.

But despite the uncertainty in net, the Irish set an Irish record for most goals and assists in a season and finished the season strong. BOYS LACROSSE had its best season ever, holding its own against the best in the South, and was in position for a State title run, but a hard-fought first round home game against Christian Brothers went to overtime before the Memphians came away with a 10-9 victory that knocked the Irish out of the playoffs. GIRLS LACROSSE continued its upward track. This young team took a step forward from last year, improving to 7-7, a record highlighted by a big win over St. Cecilia and a thrilling OT win over Brentwood.

RUGBY for the second time in the last three years came down to the last second and the last play as the Irish claimed the Plate for 2016.

Senior Ethan Salas’s dive for a five-point try with no time left on the clock tied the Irish and Sumner County at 22-22. When senior Patrick Brouillette kicked the two-point conversion, the Irish had triumphed. BOYS SOCCER played a strong schedule that had the senior-dominated team ready for the State. A big win over Brentwood Academy took them to the Final Four, but they fell there to Baylor 1-0. SOFTBALL got hot at the right time. The girls topped Harpeth Hall in the first round of the State to earn a quarterfinal berth against St. Benedict. While they lost in Memphis, the young team showed a bright future. TENNIS, under new coach Thom Druffel, made advances, with more players competing for spots and the team becoming more competitive. The boys went 3-3 with a victory over JPII, and the girls went 4-3 with big wins over JPII and BA. SWIMMING AND DIVING saw athletes post personal records en route to a strong run at the State meet. The Irish claimed the Division crown overall, the boys were their division’s champions and the team went on to finish 5th in the Regionals. TRACK AND FIELD showcased strength in the running events once again. The girls performances were highlighted by Katie McGuire, Leah Davis and Samantha Bullock, who medaled in all major meets. And the boys found the 800 to their liking, with Matthew Canonico and Joe Hoots qualifying for the state, and the 4x800 team making it as well. Zach Pfeiffer also qualified in the 300IM hurdles.

SEVEN IRISH SWIMMERS EARN ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN HONORS

Left to right: Sam Wehby, Reilly Gabel, Eamonn Donnelly, Claire Johnson, Clayton Chamness and Allison Forsythe. Missing from the picture: Cole Goodrum.

The Father Ryan Swim and Dive Team is very pleased to announce the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association Academic All Americans for 20152016. Over 400,000 athletes are involved in aquatics at the high school level in over 15,623 programs. Approximately 2% of these athletes are recognized as high school All American’s. To achieve this honor, the athlete must have a 3.75 overall GPA for seven semesters. Congratulations to these seniors for a job well done in the classroom as well as in the pool.

FATHER RYAN RECEIVES NATIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINERS’ ASSOCIATION SAFE SPORTS SCHOOL AWARD Father Ryan is the recipient of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Safe Sports School award for its athletics program, one of only 15 schools, out of 754 in the state, to be honored. The award champions safety and recognizes secondary schools that provide safe environments for student athletes. The award reinforces the importance of providing the best level of care, injury prevention and treatment.

The award salutes Father Ryan’s work to: • Create a positive athletic health care administrative system • Provide or coordinate pre-participation physical examinations • Promote safe and appropriate practice and competition facilities • Plan for selection, fit function and proper maintenance of athletic equipment • Provide a permanent, appropriately equipped area to evaluate and treat injured athletes • Develop injury and illness prevention strategies, including protocols for environmental conditions • Provide or facilitate injury intervention • Create and rehearse a venue-specific Emergency Action Plan • Provide or facilitate psychosocial consultation and nutritional counseling/education • Be sure athletes and parents are educated on the potential benefits and risks in sports as well as their responsibilities

9

NEW VOLLEYBALL COACH BRINGS FAMILY CONNECTION TO WOMEN’S ATHLETICS When Jinx Cockerham, the creator of the Father Ryan volleyball program and its only coach, announced her retirement last fall after her team claimed the school’s fifth state volleyball title, the question was “who will be able to follow Jinx?”

The announcement of the new head volleyball coach answered that question well.

Ann Mullins ’03, who has been a success as a volleyball coach on the state and national level, has returned to her alma mater as the Head Volleyball Coach.

Coach Mullins comes to Father Ryan from Ensworth, where she has led the volleyball program to a top level in the state’s Division II-AA. She takes the reins of an Irish program that has been among the best in the State since the sport was launched by the TSSAA in 1976. Mullins played volleyball at Father Ryan from 1999-2003, one of five Mullins sisters, along with Lynne ’01, Marie ’08, Ellen ’10 and Maggie ’15, to star for the Irish.

In making the announcement, Mr. Jim McIntyre said that the Irish’s head coaching position attracted a number of outstanding candidates, but Ann was clearly the strongest. “Our search committee and our administrative staff have found a special person in Ann. While it is natural that a Mullins would come home to head up our volleyball program, it is Ann’s talent and her experience that make her the best choice. Her success as a coach has been on display on volleyball courts across the state and across the country, and she has accomplished all of this while developing her players as strong athletes and exceptional people. We are excited to have her join the coaching staff at Father Ryan.”

Coach Mullins said the opportunity to coach at such a historic and accomplished place is exciting. “The legacy of Father Ryan in Tennessee volleyball history begins with Coach Cockerham, and I am so humbled to be asked to follow her,” she said. “This is a special place for me and my family, and I am looking forward to coaching at a place with such a rich legacy, outstanding people and a large and committed community of fans supporting its programs,” stated Mullins.

Beginning her volleyball coaching career as a graduate assistant at Lipscomb University while getting her master’s degree, Mullins then coached at Siegel High School in Murfreesboro before going to Ensworth in 2012. In addition, she has been coaching at the club level for the last 12 years, beginning at Impact in 2004. While there, she was the assistant on the U17 team that won the USA national division championship in Dallas. Mullins was a founding partner in Nashville One Volleyball, which was sold to Club West, where she was the 10

co-director. In 2012, she became the assistant director at Alliance Volleyball. Her four Nashville One teams all qualified for nationals, and her 18-1 team in 2013 at Alliance finished 12th overall in the open division. Her club teams finished in the top 20 in the nation in 2014 and 2015.

After being an all-state performer three years in high school, Mullins began her college career at the University of Tennessee. After two years at UT and an appearance in the NCAA tournament, Mullins transferred to Lipscomb University.

Three years later, she was the all-time digs leader in school and A-Sun Conference history, and was named to the AllConference team all three years at Lipscomb. Her career was punctuated by leading her team to the 2007 Atlantic Sun Conference championship and another appearance in the NCAA tournament. She graduated from Lipscomb University in 2007 with a Bachlor of Science in Psychology.

In the past 16 years, 30 Father Ryan students have accepted appointments to one of the nation’s military academies. This legacy of service has been a hallmark of the school and an example of our tradition of Faith, Knowledge and Service. This year three young men accepted appointments—Trey Chalifoux and Kevin Wolgast to the United States Military Academy at West Point and David Doran to the United States Air Force Academy. On Memorial Day this spring, they penned an article for The Tennessean reflecting on this spirit of service. It is reprinted here with permission.

FATHER RYAN GRADS, INCOMING CADETS REFLECT ON SERVICE This year, Memorial Day takes on even more significance for the three of us, as this summer we begin our service to our nation as first-year students at West Point and the Air Force Academy.

another means of developing ourselves as better people as we strive to become the next generation of military leaders for this nation.

While we have all attended the same high school, our interests at Father Ryan have been varied — Trey is a nationally ranked wrestler, David was recruited to play college football, and Kevin, an Eagle Scout, ran cross-country and played baritone in the marching band.

We have always celebrated this holiday with a special sense of pride, as each of us has family members who have served in the military.

They have served as role models for us, emphasizing the importance of protecting our country, and we want to say thank you to our parents and grandparents for helping and supporting us on our journey.

Trey Chalifoux

It is important to honor our military on this day and every day of the year out of respect for their contributions to our country. Their examples are reminders to all of us of what we have received as citizens of this nation and what we must continue to do to protect those rights.

It’s that recognition that will guide us on this next step in our lives. We are excited about learning more about the profession of arms, the various role responsibilities in the military, leadership knowledge and skills, and serving our nation.

We are proud to continue their legacy of service.

Whatever interests we pursue at the academies, we will do so with an appreciation for the experiences our parents and our school have provided us, and with even greater respect for those who gave their lives in service for our country.

David Doran

The news of our appointments filled each of us with pride, a sense of accomplishment and a heightened awareness of the responsibilities and challenges ahead of us. We each chose to pursue a Service Academy appointment because it enables us to receive a world-class education with the higher purpose of protecting our nation.

We also all know that these appointments carry with them a different level of commitment than would be the case at most colleges and universities in this country.

But even with these different pursuits, we all have a shared appreciation for the legacy of service that is so characteristic of this school. There is a long line of Father Ryan alumni — several of them graduating from military academies this year — who have received these appointments and have embraced these opportunities.

Each of us has our own desire of what we would like to pursue in either the Army or Air Force, and to be able to do that in the name of America’s military is a great honor.

Now that we have a greater sense of the level of commitment and sacrifice given by those in the armed forces, we are much more aware of the importance of Memorial Day. We realize how much we owe those who risk their lives in the name of freedom. We are both humbled and excited to join them in service to this great nation.

Kevin Wolgast

Along with every other cadet who arrives this summer, we know that we are facing four years of long hours, countless drills and preparation as well as a vigorous study schedule.

But we accept those challenges; we look forward to them as 11

Commencement summer 2016

A HISTORIC CLASS COMPLETES A MEMORABLE JOURNEY

12

From the familiar chords of Pomp and Circumstance to the Senior leadership’s cheerleading and the resultant mortar toss, the Class of 2016 brought their Father Ryan career to its conclusion to the rousing cheers of 2,000 family members, friends, faculty and staff at the historic 90th Graduation Ceremonies of Father Ryan.

The class, at 241 members one of the largest in school history, is also one of the most accomplished. Thirteen of its members were honored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, six of them as Finalists. Their leadership of Relay for Life this year produced more than $141,000, the highest in the seven-year history of the event and the most in the nation once again.

They claimed six state championships this year alone, bringing to 11 the total championships the Class has been a part of during its four years. And they earned a record $27 million in scholarships from more than 182 colleges and universities.

The class’s academic leaders, Valedictorian Matthew Canonico and Salutatorian Connor Sloan, are headed to Notre Dame to continue their Catholic education, two of the 23 classmates who will be attending a Catholic college or university.

A historic class leaves a lasting mark on Father Ryan. visit fatherryan.org/graduation to hear the valedictory and salutatory addresses and to see where this year’s class is attending college.

13

MEET THE 2016 VALEDICTORIAN No one can dispute all that Father Ryan Valedictorian Matthew Canonico has achieved in the classroom. It’s the stuff of legend. Matthew has taken nine AP courses and posted a 5.0023 weighted GPA. He was inducted into the Cum Laude Society, Latin Honor Society, Chinese Honor Society, Cardinal Newman Association, Mu Alpha Theta Society, Father Black Honor Society and National Honor Society.

But it’s all that he has experienced outside the classroom that Matthew says he’ll treasure most when he heads off to college at the University of Notre Dame. The relationships with friends and faculty. The chats with Father Gervan. The unforgettable memories with his teammates and coaches on the Cross Country team, including the Metro Championship.

Just as he did in academics, he excelled at cross country and track at the highest levels. He was awarded the Coach’s Award in 2014, the Champions Award in 2015, and the Father Ryan Summer Challenge award three times. He’s also been named an All-Metro Runner, Metro Champion, Regional Medalist and City and State Runner-Up. Outside of the classroom and athletic fields, he has shown leadership skills as the National Honor Society President, Cum Laude Society President, Mu Alpha Theta Treasurer, Cross Country Co-Captain and Class Representative for Grades 10, 11 and 12. He has also served as a part of the Room in the Inn Service Crew, as a SEARCH participant for two years and as a Student Ambassador and Minister of Holy Communion for Father Ryan.

A Christ the King graduate and parishioner, Matthew followed in the footsteps of family members when he enrolled as a third generation student at Father Ryan, and he’ll do the same in South Bend: his father, two uncles, two brothers, and a cousin have all attended Notre Dame. As long as he can remember, he says, he’s imagined himself on that same campus, joining another community of Irish. He says he sees Notre Dame as a very special place with great academics, legendary athletics, and a sense of community that is second to none, allowing him to develop as a complete person.

Matthew, who has enjoyed his BC Calculus class most of all at Father Ryan, says he plans to continue his focus on math in college. He loves the way the rules of math, which often seem indecipherable, ultimately make sense, emerging in beautiful patterns.

Judging from his pedigree and list of accomplishments at Father Ryan, he will continue to achieve his goals.

14

SPECIAL AWARDS FOR THE CLASS OF 2016 The ceremonies of Graduation Weekend brought a number of special awards for the Class of 2016.

Here are the major presentations made at Baccalaureate and Commencement.

Charlie Green Service Scholarship JACK ABRAMS

Elmore Lampe Bright Future Scholarship NICK RENFROE

Perfect Attendance Award BRENT CAMPBELL ANDREA DELEON LARISSA EMAMALIE

Excellence In The Arts Award For Women/Men Women: JULIA FENNELL Men: MICHAEL BOTTEI Excellence In English Award MATTHEW CANONICO

Excellence In World Languages & Cultures Award LOREN LEGASPI

Excellence In The Sciences Award PETER CONNOR

Excellence In The Social Sciences Award CONNOR SLOAN

Sister Mary John Math Award MATTHEW CANONICO

Scholar Athlete Award For Women/Men WOMEN: OLIVIA ROLICK MEN: KIRBY SIMPSON

Monsignor Albert A. Siener Memorial Award ELIZABETH HOOTS

Bishop Alphonse J. Smith Award PATRICK COLE

General Excellence Award For Women/Men Women: JESSICA DIAZ Men: MICHAEL BOTTEI

MEET THE 2016 SALUTATORIAN Father Ryan has many legacies, students who follow in the footsteps of their parents, but our 2016 Salutatorian, Connor Sloan, took it one step further. Not only did he follow his mom to Father Ryan, he became Field Commander of the Father Ryan Irish Guard Marching Band, 31 years after she held the same title. His talents on and off the marching field and in and out of the classroom make him one of the Class of 2016’s most talented and active members.

He will be attending the University of Notre Dame, where he was accepted as an early-decision applicant after being impressed with the Catholic university’s traditions, academics and sense of community on his two campus visits.

Connor, who said his AP Physics class was one of his most memorable at Father Ryan, plans to earn a dual degree in South Bend with a bachelor’s in engineering and a master’s of business administration.

A parishioner at St. Matthew Church and a graduate of St. Matthew School, Connor earned many accolades at Father Ryan. He took nine AP courses and held a weighted GPA of 4.9709. He is a National Merit Finalist, placing him among the top high school students nationwide. He made the President’s List and the Academic Dean’s list every quarter of his high school career, winning the Academic Dean’s award four times. He is a member of Father Ryan’s National Honor Society, Cum Laude Society, Father Black Society, Mu Alpha Theta Society, National Spanish Honor Society and Cardinal Newman Association.

Connor is also active in the Multicultural Student Union, Spanish Club and the varsity Soccer team. He is an avid volunteer at St. Matthew’s, where he serves as an assistant at its Summer Vacation Bible School and as a coach for the 5th/6th grade boys basketball team.

But, it is with the Father Ryan band program where he felt the strongest sense of belonging. Connor joined the Marching Band his freshman year and had the privilege of marching in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. He says it was leading the high brass section to the WGI Winds World Championship that was the highlight of his band experience, taking great pride in winning the championship for Father Ryan, building up the band program’s reputation and leaving “a legacy.” Connor has left quite a legacy these four years. Congratulations and good luck in South Bend!

15

Cover Story summer 2016

Photo: Robert Sharp ’68’s exhibit, Ancestors: Native American Stone Statuary of Middle Tennessee, was a hit earlier this year at the Tennessee State Museum.

16

FATHER RYAN ALUMNI ARE CREATIVE PATRONS FOR THE ARTS AROUND THE WORLD

As a child Robert Sharp ’68 rode his bicycle up and down Belmont Avenue. He played neighborhood football and basketball games on fields and yards from Christ the King to Sevier Park and on up Granny White. And he was completely unaware that his ultimate career passion lay right below his feet.

When Lanie Gannon ’77 first came to Father Ryan for high school, she didn’t know anyone. She hadn’t gone through the parochial school system like her classmates. She found solace and inspiration in art.

Robert, Lanie and a number of other Father Ryan alumni are making the art world more interesting, as curators and as artists, and they are demonstrating across the country and the world that there is an art to displaying art.

17

Robert’s memories of those bicycle rides became dramatically clear in 2004 when he was editing a catalog on Native American art and artifacts for the Art Institute of Chicago. As he talked to artists and art professors about the work, he kept hearing about the Southeast as a true treasure trove of prehistoric (the year 1454 and earlier) art. As he detailed the geography of the excavation sites, he found himself writing about Middle Tennessee, about Nashville, about Belmont Avenue. “I was a young man who had been well educated in Nashville, and yet I was completely ignorant about these historical art pieces and the people and culture that produced them, all of which lay literally underneath my feet. I was captivated.” Completing the catalog, Robert was unable to forget the art, and began planning an exhibition himself. After a 31-year career at the Institute, culminating as Executive Director of Publications, he retired from the Art Institute in 2014 to devote his work to curating this art.

o

Gannon’s art adds vibrancy to the Monroe Carell, Jr. Childerns Hospital.

A woodworker, sculptor, painter, art professor, and public artist, Lanie is nothing short of impressive in the art world. Lanie concentrated on woodworking for nearly 25 years, and taught at Belmont University for 18 years. She recently had an installation placed in the Monroe Carell, Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, and said that she loved the mission of bringing joy and happiness to the children.

Besides having multiple proposals out for approval right now, Lanie has been working under a pseudonym – an alter ego. The style is very simple and reminiscent of work that she made about 30 years ago. She said the revert was not planned, it just happened to be that she went back to her old style. However, it’s a little different and more mature this time.

o

“There are burial sites throughout the area where I grew up. They are among the largest anywhere and I was completely unaware,” Robert said. He connected with a number of experts, particularly MTSU Professor Kevin Smith, the leading authority on this era and these artifacts. The result was an exhibit last year at the Tennessee State Museum called “Ancestors: Native American Stone Statuary of Middle Tennessee,” which ran from October through this past spring. Robert and Professor Smith coordinated with Rex Weeks, a Native American PhD who worked at the museum to bring the show to life.

The exhibit was the first of its kind anywhere, in large part because of the breadth of sources that provided pieces. The exhibit featured two dozen statues from va18

Sellars Pair (Male and Female), from Ancestors exhibit.

ious museums, including more than a dozen from the Smithsonian, several from the Museum of Natural History, two from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as well as statuary from the University of Tennessee’s McClung Museum of Natural History and Culture.

Carved in various stones—from sandstone as well as cave stones—the pieces included numerous ‘Earth Mother’ statues as well as several reuniting figures, male and female sculptures that would have been dug up separately but had been produced together. It was the most expensive show that the Tennessee State Museum had ever staged and was highly praised by the archeological community.

o

Lanie and Robert aren’t the only art patrons. Joe Seigenthaler ’77, a classmate of Lanie’s, is a sculptor and video artist in Chicago. Joe is best known for his unique and metaphorical clay sculptures, and he is currently exploring animation loops of his figurines on the computer. His work has been featured in museums including the Honolulu Museum of Art, Museo de Escultura Figurative Internacional Comtemporanea in Murcia, Spain, and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. And Neale Farmer ’94 is continuing his art career after studying in Paris and living in Los Angeles and New York. He’s using the landscape to inform his art.

North of the border Walter Schatz ’51,

fully appreciate Miss Landolina’s mind. She adored how seriously her teacher took her students’ artistry as something they should pursue. Being an artist at Father Ryan gave Lanie an identity that she really needed, and she is forever grateful for the school and Miss Landolina.

From artwork in Spain to exhibits in Canada and Chicago to work in Nashville, Father Ryan alumni are influencing the world of art in stunning and memorable ways, demonstrating that there is an art to displaying the creativity of our world.

who passed away this month, made curation and the celebration of art his passion. The product of an artistic family and an artist himself, Walter put together exhibits in Canada, where he spent much of the year. He assembled a collection of large sculptures for display last year at the Domaine Forget estate near Quebec, Canada, which included diverse works from both German and American sculptors such as John Clement and Peter Lundberg. Combining dramatic art in a stunning outdoor setting, Walter has focused on emphasizing how objects can colossally influence mankind.

At the time of his death, he was working across Canada to assemble a major exhibit for 2017 that will showcase the unique and varied work of artists from each of the country’s provinces.

o

Speaking of the past, Father Ryan isn’t far below the surface for either Robert or Lanie. Robert remembers studying math with Sister Mary John – “one of the finest teachers I had anywhere” - expecting to major in that subject at St. Louis University. But he discovered English, got his bachelor’s and then went to Vanderbilt to earn his master’s before landing in Chicago. Art and writing converged there. “I remember so many teachers so well, but the memories of Sr. Mary John or Fr. Bill Fleming never leave me,” he said. “I was in Nashville a few years ago with a group of art experts, and I gave them a tour of the Parthenon. Here I was with this magnificent structure and these esteemed art figures, and all I could talk about was Fr. Fleming and the assignment he gave us to write about the Parthenon. He was special.”

Lanie thinks often of her art teacher, Mary Ellen Landolina, who was her greatest influence. “It is really because of her that I can do this,” she said, “ and I’m not the only one who can say that. She made a difference in our lives and gave us a safe place. We could go to the art room during lunch and at other times when no one was using it, and we would hang out.”

Top left, part of the Schatz-curated exhibit in Quebec. Above, Joe Sei-

She continued to reminisce at how bright Miss Landolina was, genthaler ’77 sculptures add character to the gallery crowd; art by and that she wished she was older and advanced enough to Neale Farmer ’94.

19

From Cooperative Support Program to Med School: Ashley Manson ’07 The decision wasn’t supposed to arrive for another week.

Ashley Manson ’07 was sitting in her West Nashville home checking email after work one evening this spring when a message with the subject line “Admissions Decision” popped into her inbox.

That’s weird, she thought. Seven days prior, Manson had interviewed with representatives from Meharry Medical School, who told her to expect a letter in two weeks on their final verdict: yes or no.

Cautiously, Ashley clicked on the email.

“Congratulations! Welcome to the Meharry family…”

At first, a brief wave of incredulity swept over her, a “surreal” feeling, she calls it.

When that subsided, it was a mad dash to share her excitement with someone, anyone. The first person she was able to contact was her brother. Ashley had called both parents, but neither picked up, and it would be two hours before they’d find out their daughter was headed to medical school.

everyone was the same, life would be pretty dull. With our students, it’s about identifying their different strengths and teaching them how to make the most of those while improving on their weaknesses.”

“It’s kind of funny, actually,” Ashley says now, laughing. “The one time something this great is happening to me, all I want to do is share the feeling with somebody, and no one picks up.”

The primary goal of CSP is to facilitate a student’s efforts to become more independent in processing information and developing self-reliant learning proficiencies, fundamental skills for academic success.

…

Ashley Manson is dyslexic.

Reading and working quickly never came easily to her, so as an incoming freshman at Father Ryan back in 2003, she enrolled in the Cooperative Support Program (CSP), which is designed to offer additional help and focus for students with learning differences.

“Everyone in this world is unique,” Ann Arnold, the CSP coordinator, says. “That’s what makes the world interesting. If 20

To this day, Manson credits her experience at Father Ryan— especially Mrs. Arnold’s pushing-all-the-right-buttons approach—for many of her achievements through college and beyond.

“Mrs. Arnold was great at seeing where you are and pushing you to be better,” Ashley says. “She would push you in a way that would work for you. She wouldn’t push everyone in the same way. If you needed extra encouragement, she would do it. If you needed a kick in the butt, she would give it to you.”

Mrs. Arnold and Ashley’s teachers quickly gathered how intelligent she was—when the teacher read questions aloud, Ashley whipped the answers back with alacrity.

“You may have to work harder,” she says, “but so what?”

Learning in a traditional classroom setting still demanded extra effort, though, and Manson remembers C.A. Williams, a longtime history teacher and learning specialist, telling her to sit in on the same trigonometry lesson being taught in a later class because she couldn’t quite keep up the first time around.

“They taught me, ‘Hey, if you’re not getting it, you need to speak up and ask questions’,” Ashley says, “I had trouble with trigonometry, so I’d go back in for a second serving during study hall.”

I had to deal with test anxiety,” Ashley says, “but by the third time I really understood and conquered that anxiety. I’ve learned how to properly breathe, calm my mind, and say, ‘This is just a test. It doesn’t define me.’” …

A couple months ago, Manson told her story to current Father Ryan students in the CSP, but it wasn’t so much a speech as it was a back-and-forth dialogue.

The most vital and enduring byproduct of Ashley’s Father Ryan experience has been an unwavering boost in self-confidence.

She immersed herself in just about everything the school had to offer: Bowling, Golf, the Purple Masque Players theatre group, stage management, you name it.

“It wasn’t just the program that helped Ashley,” Mrs. Arnold says. “All those extracurricular activities she did, being part of that community feeling gave her the confidence to realize she could do other things well too.”

Ashley has a particularly fond memory of performing a solo as the snail in Children of Eden, the spring musical her junior year. “Acting really gave me the voice that I needed,” she says.

“It gave me the confidence in being able to sing in front of the entire school. I’m dyslexic, and I struggle at reading, but there’s no reading in acting.”

As a member of the Golf team, Ashley learned the virtues of patience and being able to pick yourself up after faltering.

These skills would come in handy after she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in special education from Middle Tennessee State University, where she finished in the top 10 percent of her class in 2011.

Ashley worked a series of part-time jobs as she studied the prerequisites for medical school—biology, organic chemistry, calculus, physics—at nearby Nashville State. She took the MCAT not once, not twice, but three times until finally she’d attained the mark she sought.

“I asked them questions,” she says. “‘What are your fears?

What are you afraid of as you move on to to college?’”

Most, she remembers, just wanted to feel accepted. Her response? “Slow and steady wins the race; don’t ever give up.

Make your own path. You may have to work harder,” she says, “but so what?” …

Ashley Manson hasn’t taken the main highway toward the medical profession. There have been bumps along the way, and she has opted for winding, methodical side roads.

Her diverse experiences at Father Ryan instilled in her the confidence to see that path to its completion, and the Cooperative Support Program was at the center of that transformation.

“The important thing is that the program really cares about the individual,” Ashley says. “They don’t care about numbers as a whole. They care about you as a person, and they care about what you want to do next with your life.”

Now that she’s been admitted to medical school, Manson is gaining a clearer window into her future.

With lessons from Father Ryan under her belt, she’s not the least bit worried what this next chapter might throw her way.

After all, as she’ll tell you, “no school can be more frustrating than learning how to read.”

To learn more about our CSP program visit fatherryan.org/csp.

21

New York-based designer Katherine Todd ’95 (above), released her first clothing line, Blithe, this past March in Belk Stores. The debut was part of the Belk Southern Designer Showcase, which features lines from talented Southern designers. “The heart of the line is very feminine and very color driven,� said Todd. As this was her premiere line, Katherine said it was a great learning experience to produce dresses for such a large audience.

A smash hit, the line was the most successful in the history of the program, according to Belk representatives.

"I think the key for me is that Father Ryan certainly gave me the education and foundation to know that I could pursue whatever I wanted to."

The line is now expanding to boutiques in both Nantucket and Palm Beach, crowds Katherine predicts will respond well to the style of the dresses. She had been sitting on the idea for a while, and when her daughter was born, she slowly started making samples after taking fashion courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. She then took her samples to a trade show in Atlanta, where she discovered the Belk Showcase, and she has been a success ever since.

22

LONG-TIME VOICE FOR THE UNDERSERVED GOES QUIET It was a voice that never called attention to itself, never shouted. In fact, at times you might have strained to hear it. But for 77 years, particularly since it was first heard at Father Ryan in 1953, that voice carried the voices and the minds and the spirits of so many who had been unheard.

Father Philip Breen’s ’57 voice, filled with so much dignity and so much heart, went quiet on February 29, and the silence his passing created is ear-shattering. people in many beautiful ways. He was an advocate for the recovering community. He also served as the Chaplain for Ladies of Charity for many years and was an honoree at the Annual Ladies of Charity Gala in October of 2015. In his honor, a Japanese Maple Tree was planted in Centennial Park.

The youngest of nine children, Fr. Breen was born to the union of Anne Marie and Philip Paul Breen on January 15, 1939, and all were products of Catholic education: brothers Paul ’40, William ’43, Thomas ’51 (all deceased), Hugh ’47, and the Rev. Joseph Patrick Breen ’54; sisters Mary Jo Beavin (deceased), Ann Treadway and Dorothy (Wallace) Williams.

Fr. Breen was educated by the Sisters of Mercy at Christ the King School and was so appreciative of the Sisters that in the Year of 2013, he paid them tribute by dedicating the front wall of the Saint Ann School hallway to them.

As a student at Father Ryan and as a priest of our diocese for more than 50 years, Fr. Breen championed the less fortunate, supported those in need and celebrated the beauty to be found in Christ’s message of love. A tireless pastor and Catholic educator, he reveled in the successes of the students in his parish. He was proud to be at Father Ryan as our school and this nation integrated, and he remained in the forefront of the fight for equal rights throughout his life, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Memphis. Fr. Breen devoted his life to the Catholic Church and served God’s

After graduating from Father Ryan, he studied at St. Bernard Seminary, St. Bernard, Alabama, and St. Mary’s, Baltimore, Maryland, before being ordained on May 22, 1965, at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Nashville, by Bishop Joseph A. Durick.

His role in the Catholic community in the Diocese of Nashville touched virtually the entire state. He was a professor at Father Ryan High School; Assistant Pastor, St Joseph Parish, Memphis; Professor at Catholic High School for Boys, Professor at Bishop Byrne High School, Memphis; Associate Pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Memphis; Area Director for C.C.D., Nashville; Associate Pastor, Sacred Heart Parish, Memphis; Diocesan Director of the C.C.D.; Associate Pastor,

Saint Ann Church, Nashville; Pastor, St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Tullahoma; State Chaplain to Tennessee State Council Knights of Columbus; Pastor, St. Jude Parish, Chattanooga; Episcopal Vicar, Chattanooga Deanery; Pastor, Saint Ann Church, Nashville. He also served on the Presbyteral Council, the College of Consulters; Vicar for Catholic Charities, Chaplain for Ladies of Charity, Nashville; Chaplain for Knight of Columbus Council #11925, Saint Ann Parish. He retired from Saint Ann Catholic Church as Pastor for 25 Years on July 31, 2015.

But what we will always remember is that he did all of this for all of us with unmatched humility and constant grace.

Both were on display when he arrived on our campus in the spring of 2010 to dedicate the new baseball and softball diamonds of the Jim Carell Alumni Athletic Complex. A lifelong baseball fan, he was in his element. Eschewing any text or book, he delivered a lovely dedication—again, filled with grace and dignity—and then settled in as one of the fans, at home to cheer on the Irish.

We are grateful he continues to cheer us on today.

Left: Father Phillip Breen celebrates with a new parishioner; 2011 Panel discussion on the Civil Rights Movement at Father Ryan; St. Ann Church in Nashville honored its pastor, Father Philip Breen, for the 50th anniversary of his ordination as a priest and his coming retirement during a reception held at the parish on Friday, June, 2015. Billy Campbell, a St. Ann parishioner, presents the shovel used at the groundbreaking of the parish life center to Father Breen, who led the efforts to build the center, as a gift.

23

(Left) Golden Grad Class of 1966. First Row (left to right): James Dolan, Don White, Jerry McGrath, Tony Adgent, Kelly Sharbel, David Wise, Tommy Hart. Second Row: Michael Bevens, Robert Holmes, Carl Cannon, Chris Garr, Mike McDonald. Top Row: Robert Forte, Charlie Brown, Carl Hirst, John Jones, Pat Brew, and David Bohan. (Above) McGrath receives plaque from Bishop David Choby ’65.

REUNION WEEKEND 2016

24

Left, center: Irish Golf Team celebrates their tournament victory with host Lou Graham ‘56; Coach Christy Foreman and team member Matt Kirchenbauer visit with the 1975 U.S. Open Champion. Bottom left: 1981 and 1986 celebrate Reunions. Above from left, the Classes of 1976, 1996 and 2006 show their Irish pride.

Reunion Weekend 2016 started with a bang…literally. With the threat of evening thunderstorms, the location of the Alumni Reception was moved inside to the Dining Hall. Although the storms rolled in as predicted, the Irish came out in full force to kickoff Reunion Weekend. In addition to alumni celebrating their reunions, several alums from non-reunion years attended. Devon Butrum ’13, a rising senior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, painted a backdrop used for a selfie station. Many took advantage of the “step and repeat” photo op to create new memories with old friends.

This year’s Lou Graham Alumni Golf Tournament unveiled new chances for teams to shave points off their score and meet some of our new coaching staff. The coaches manned a corn hole game and a trivia contest at two holes. Great expectations at the Hole-in-One contest for the Pebble Beach golf vacation were dashed as none of our golfers came away with the trip, but there was excitement with each tee off. After a brief thunder delay, our teams wrapped up their day on the links with a satisfying barbeque lunch, awards announcements and a commemorative photo before heading home with the best goody bags in the event’s history. The winning team, with an impressive -14 for the day, included current and former Irish Golf team players (coached by another Graham family member, Christy Foreman) Griffin Bumpus ’16, Kevin Groogan ’15, Erik Hamm ’16 and Nick Wolf ’17. Their names are now etched on the treasured tournament trophy alongside past winners.

The Alumni Association would like to thank all our sponsors, donors, volunteers and players for helping us raise the bar on this annual fundraiser. Special thanks to Lou Graham ’56, Steve Graham ’87 and his team at Champions Run Golf Course, Brittney (Testerman) Griffith ’03 with Avenue Real Estate and Luke Luken ’85 at Whitt’s Barbeque for their support.

With this year’s net proceeds of $10,000, this tournament has raised more than $90,000 for tuition assistance since Lou Graham became the namesake of our event.

Alumni who graduated in years ending in 6s and 1s celebrated reunion parties on campus and all over Nashville Saturday night. From the Class of 2006’s 10 Year Reunion at Flying Saucer in the Gulch to 1991 reconnecting at Crow’s Nest in Green Hills to a lively party at a classmate’s home for the Class of 1976 (just to name a few), each reunion class made new memories with classmates. Our Reunion Committees deserve a huge thanks for their role in spearheading the party planning.

Reunion Weekend wrapped up on Sunday with our Golden Grad Mass, Induction Ceremony and Brunch, where the newly inducted Class of 1966 joined other Golden Grad members and their families. Mass began with a fond look back at the contributions of Johnny Shea ’51, the guiding force of the Golden Grad celebration, who passed away last year.

Eighteen members from the Class of 1966 were inducted into the 50-year reunion Golden Grad Society, some coming from the mid-state and the Midwest with others traveling from the beaches of Florida and the Pacific coast. Bishop David Choby ’65 presented the new Golden Grad Society members with their plaques. Afterwards, our Golden Grads enjoyed the chance to share a meal at the brunch.

“As the events of Reunion Weekend 2016 drew to a close, I couldn’t help but feel reenergized by our alumni who returned to campus. Watching classmates share hugs and listening to stories being retold reminded me of the family bond that each of us shares as alumni of Father Ryan,” said Director of Alumni and Communications, Angela (Allbee) Mills ’85.

25

Class Notes summer 2016

1958 ANTHONY GILL AND HIS WIFE ANGELA (SBA ’58) (left) recently wowed at a Fifties-themed fundraiser for Linton Hall School, a Catholic Benedictine school in Northern Virginia where the two taught.

He proudly sported his Ryan jacket while Angela wore his class ring on a chain and a Ryan shirt with Anthony’s football #29 on it. The two are enjoying the good life with all five grandchildren nearby.

1975 SUSIE (FRANCESCON) BATEMAN shared this photo (above right) of her classmates at the Tommy Bateman Memorial Golf Tournament, whose proceeds benefit the Tommy Bateman Memorial Scholarship. Pictured l-r: DAVID GRIFFITH , TERRI GRIFFITH , LAMAR MORGAN , SUSIE , and TERRY BOYD. Thanks to support from the tourney and donations in memory of TOMMY BATEMAN ’75, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee selected five deserving students from parochial

schools, including Father Ryan’s McKenzie Mathew, who fit the scholarship’s criteria.

1985 MICHAEL GOMEZ’S photography studio, Westlight Studio, was selected as an Innovations 4 Entrepreneurs Grand Prize winner. The contest, sponsored by Comcast Business, judged the six winners by their technology plans to take their business to the next level. Westlight Studios is a member-based rental studio serving the Nashville and Franklin photographers and others traveling to the area seeking a rental studio.

1987 MICHELE JOHNSON was nominated for the Nashville ATHENA Awards, which honor exceptional women leaders who inspire others to achieve excellence in their own professional and personal lives. She is co-founder and Executive Director of the Tennessee Justice Cen-

ter. In March Michele was the keynote speaker at Father Ryan’s Cum Laude Society Induction, where she received honorary membership in the chapter.

1991 KEITH ALBERSTADT released his

newest comedy album, “Walk It Off,”

by Comedy Dynamics. Recorded in Nashville on the Zanies stage, where he got his start, “Walk It Off,” he reports, was a blast to make. You can download it on iTunes.

1992 (right) Pictured left to right AMY (WILLIAMS) TODD, COLLEEN (SHERIDAN) PRIM, KELLY (COCKERHAM) REILLY, JILL (CROWELL) FICHTEL, KELLY (MALLETT) HIDALGO AND LYNN WEAVER NETZEL, seniors of the

1992 State Champion Volleyball team

1985 MICHAEL KNOX celebrated his 18th #1 hit with Jason

Aldean’s “Lights Come On.” Michael discovered Aldean in 1992, and has produced all his records ever since then. In 2011, he was awarded the CMA Award for producer of Album of the Year, My Kinda Party (Aldean). In January, Michael celebrated 25 years in the music business.

26

who won Father Ryan’s first State title in the sport. The teammates recreated the photo, taken after their victory, during the retirement reception for Coach Jinx Cockerham this spring.

1994 NEALE FARMER was part of the

Downtown Art Crawl this spring as he continues his art career. Neale studied at the ESAG Academie Julian in Paris and graduated from MTSU with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. He later lived in New York

and L.A., where he used the landscape to inform his art. He continues to work from his East Nashville home.

KRENSON NAMED TO SEWANEE HALL OF FAME

1996 JAYSON COOPER earned his

bachelor’s degree from MTSU and his master’s from Vanderbilt University. He joined the National Guard and in 2014, served a one-year tour in Afghanistan flying helicopters.

Jayson is back in Nashville, where he works at Amazon and serves as a Captain in the National Guard. dren’s book, Dexter the Very Good He and his wife, Lindsey, have two Goat, chronicles the adventures of children, Ella and Landon. a popular goat at the petting zoo 1999 LAURA (BISHOP) BAKER who learns to overcome his fears. was nominated for the Nashville Jean is a librarian, author of three ATHENA Awards in the Young All-Aboard Readers for Penguin, Professionals category, which hon- and a former Nashville Zoo volunor exceptional women leaders who teer. inspire others to achieve excellence in their own professional and personal lives. She is a shareholder with the Law Offices of John Day, where she handles personal injury, wrongful death, and tort litigation.

2002 LUKE GRAVES is working

for Integrity Plumbing. He and his wife, Amber, have two boys, Hudson (4) and Sullivan (2).

2006 ALYSSA BONAGURA’S “I Make My Own Sunshine” was covered by Steven Tyler on his recent #1 country album.

2008 COLE JAMES and his brother JEREMIAH operate The Broth-

ers Burger, a food truck in Nashville making burgers from locally sourced ingredients. Find them @ TheBrosBurger on Twitter.

2009 ALYSSA PLANTZ, a Certified Athletic Trainer, was hired as an Assistant Athletic Trainer with the 2001 CATHERINE CLEPPER suc- University of Dayton. She has been cessfully defended her dissertation, assigned to the football and softball “The Rigged House: Gimmickry programs. and Embodied Spectatorship in Mid-Century American Movie- 2010 CONNER GRAVES graduated Going,” which concerns a history in May 2015 from Western Kenof innovation and failure in motion tucky University with a degree in picture exhibition and this history’s business. He works for Ferguson in relationship to participatory, cor- Nashville. poreal appeals to movie audiences 2011 LAUREN KNOOP begins a from the 1930s to the 1970s. She Master of Philosophy in Theatre was awarded her PhD from North- and Performance at Trinity Colwestern University in June. lege Dublin, Ireland, in September.

2001 JEAN MALONE’S latest book She received her BFA from Belmont

was recently published. Her chil- University in the spring.

Those who knew him as Principal Krenson or Mr. Krenson might not have known about his athletic prowess. But those who saw him play then and later at Sewanee are not surprised to learn that Eddie Krenson ’72 has been selected as a member of the 2016 Sewanee Hall of Fame Class.

He made the starting line-up on a talented Irish team in the 1969-1970 season as a long, lean sophomore, eyeglasses firmly attached and his left-handed shot deadly from anywhere on the court. Eddie was awarded the Leo Long award both as a Junior and as a Senior, and made the Tennessean Nashville All-City basketball team that senior year.

At Sewanee, where he played from 19731976, he was a four-time All-CAC selection and two-time CAC Conference Player of the Year. Eddie finished his career seventh all time in scoring (1,344) and in career assists (319) while also holding the single-season record for most field-goals attempted (473) and ranking fourth all-time in single-game scoring with 39 points. He was a member of the ’74-75 and ’75-76 NCAA Tournament teams and a member of the 1972-73 team that finished 23-4 and is already inducted in the Sewanee Athletics Hall of Fame. He led Sewanee to its winningest four seasons in program history with a combined record of 71-32.

A history teacher, coach and later principal for 12 years (1988-2000) at Father Ryan, Eddie is warmly remembered for his presence, enthusiasm and leadership of the school during a period of significant growth.

Congratulations on the Hall of Fame, Mr. Krenson!

27

2011 PRINCE IWORAH saw his football dream come true when he was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of this spring’s NFL Draft. Prince starred at Western Kentucky at cornerback, where his speed made him an all-conference player.

2011 CAMERON YUNKER is a Probation Officer with the Tennessee Department of Correction in the Hamilton County (Chattanooga) District. He graduated from the Tennessee Correctional Academy on February 19, 2016, and is a member of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Crisis Intervention Team.

2012 PFC MICHAEL HOOKER was named USA

Wrestling Athlete of the Week in February after winning both the Greco-Roman and men’s freestyle gold medal at the 2016 Armed Forces Wrestling Championships. The 66 kg/145.5 lbs. gold medal performance qualified Hooker for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Greco-Roman.

2012 CASEY MOTLEY (left) appears

in a Hulu original series, East Los High, a drama that follows a group of Latino teens navigating the trials and tribulations of life in East Los Angeles. Based on Casey’s incredible dance talent, we suspect his character may be part of the school dance team, The Bomb Squad. Casey also performed as a dancer for Ariana Grande at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards.

2013 TOM NOVELLY has been named the next Edi-

tor-in-Chief for Hillsdale College’s newspaper, The Collegian, where he has been the Assistant Editor for the college paper. Tom is a junior at Hillsdale studying biochemistry and journalism.

2014 COLIN CARSWELL has been in London at

the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, participating in their summer Shakespeare Program and taking classes in Contemporary Acting. Colin is continuing his theatre and vocal career at Baldwin-Wallace College.

2014 DYLAN CRAVEN and the University of Ten-

nessee Rugby team won the State Championship in the fall. He’s pictured above with his proud parents SUE (FORSTER) ’89 and JERRY CRAVEN ’88.

Other alumni on the team include DUQUESNE

1999 KATIE CARTER DOUGLAS was inducted into the Trevecca University Hall of Fame for her contributions to the Trojan volleyball program. She is shown above with her mother Paula (Jackson) Kennedy ’75 and her high school coach Jinx Cockerham. See more details at http://www.tnutrojans.

com/article/3741.php.

CRAIG LAMB ’78 SURVIVES HEART ATTACK IN THE CHARLESTON AIRPORT, RETURNS TO THANK LIFESAVERS AND RUN A 5K

Shortly before his flight in April last year from Charleston to his home in Nashville, CRAIG LAMB ’78 reported feeling dizzy and nauseated. He was on his way back from a work project in Georgetown, and he thought the malaise was the result of traveling for 30 consecutive days. As he headed down the jet bridge to the plane, he remembers being about five feet from boarding when he suddenly collapsed.

When he woke up, two airport police officers, a Southwest attendant, a nurse, and an anesthesiologist surrounded him, having brought him back to life. Lamb was hospitalized for a few days, and returned home four days later.

Recently, he returned to Charleston, but not to work. He came back to thank his rescuers and run in the Shrimp and Grits 5K. He was quoted in The Post and Courier saying, “Every day I honestly thank God for them and that he put them in my life at that time. I take every day to live in the moment instead of thinking where I’m going to be tomorrow or in six months.

Obviously, you don’t know when it’s going to end.”

MSGR. CAMPION WRITES HIS RETIREMENT He will tell you it all began at Overbrook and Father Ryan. The appreciation of the English language. The power of words. The love of writing.

COOK ’14, DREW DAVIS ’14, ADAM SMITH ’14 and CHRIS AGNEW ’11. This team also won the Southeastern Collegiate

Rugby Conference state championship and went undefeated in their season.

2015 ANDREW TRIPLETT completed his freshman year at Birmingham-Southern College with success in the classroom and on the track. As a History major and Political Science minor, he made Dean’s List both terms and was named to the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) Academic Honor Roll.

The Track and Field team won their first ever SAA Conference Championship with Andrew finishing first in the 4x400 meter relay and third in the 400 meter dash and 400 meter hurdles.

He will also be one of 10 students to serve on the college’s Honor Council next year.

2015 BEN WEISEL was named OVC

Indoor Track Male Freshman of the Year. Ben attends Belmont University and is the first athlete from Belmont to earn this award. Ben competed in five indoor meets, tallying six top-50 finishes during the 2015-16 indoor season. He is currently sitting on the third best time in the conference in the Mile after clocking 4:10.04 at the prestigious Meyo Invitational hosted

by Notre Dame in a huge field of 75 competitors. In his final tune-up before the indoor championship, he ran 4:11.48 in the mile at the Vanderbilt-hosted Music City Challenge to take fifth overall in a field of more than 30 competitors, including several from programs ranked in the top-15 of their respective regions.

That love has taken Msgr.

Owen F. Campion ’58 to the top levels of the Catholic press world, and guided him at every stop, from the offices of the Moina and the Panther at Father Ryan to the editor’s desk at the Tennessee Register to the associate publisher’s seat at Our Sunday Visitor. This summer, Msgr. Campion wrote his own retirement, stepping down from Our Sunday Visitor on June 30, after a 50-year career in journalism.

Ordained on May 21, 1966, he began writing for the Register while serving the Diocese in East Tennessee. It was a time of great change in the Church and in society as a whole, and Msgr. Campion was in the midst of the reporting on that change. As he told the Tennessee Register in a recent article, “The Tennessee Register reported all that. It was very much on the edge of everything that was happening.”

Before long his writing became his focus, as he took on more responsibility at the paper, writing editorials, covering news and following the activist work of Bishop Joseph Durick. He continued to lead the Register’s reporting until 1988, when he moved to Huntingdon, Indiana, to become Associate Publisher at Our Sunday Visitor. That step has taken him much farther than the distance from Nashville to the Hoosier State. His writing, his work, and his involvement with the Catholic Press Association, along with his membership in Synod of Bishops for the Americas, meant travel to see the role of the church around the world. “I was in Poland five times in one year,” he has stated. But these opportunities put him in the midst of an exciting time in the Church’s history.

A half century of journalistic excellence now turns into a different stage in his life. While retired from his position, he continues to write for various publications. (You can see his article about integration at Father Ryan in the summer 2014 issue of Irish Ayes.) And he continues to remind people of the impact of Catholic education: “I was inspired to be a priest because of the example of the priests at Father Ryan. They were my heroes.”

29

Births summer 2016

Mason Andrew Barranco

Summer Rose Denson

Annie James Gorman

Isla Curline Meriwether

William Thomas Mulloy

Thomas Charles Glynn

Maclaine Marie Chauvin

Paisley Ann Bateman

Mason Andrew to MARY KATHERINE (MARTIN) ’02 and JOEY born on January 8, 2016. Mason joins big sister Mia (age 3).

BARRANCO,

Summer Rose to PAIGE (FRANCESCON) ’05 and RUSTY DENSON ’06, born on December 7, 2015.

Annie James to JAIMIE (RAGGHIANTI) GORMAN ’00, born on December 7, 2015.

’05

and

LOWELL

Isla Curline to BRITTANY (FRANCESCON) ’02 (FACULTY) and CHRIS MERIWETHER ’06, born on May 22, 2016.

William Thomas to BRITTANY (THOMAS) MULLOY ’00, born on February 18, 2016.

’03

and

KEITH

Thea Lynn to MARY and CHRISTOPHER YUNKER ’05, born on March 17, 2016.

Thomas Charles to BROOKE and JOHN GLYNN ’93 born on June 12, 2016. The family lives in Chicago.

30

Mari Rose Cortesi

Annie Kate Franklin

Maclaine Marie to CASEY (BATEMAN) ’01 and CHRIS CHAUVIN ’03 , born on July 5, 2016.

Paisley Ann to HEATHER (HOLMES) ’04 and DREW BATEMAN ’04, born June 27, 2016.

Maria Rose to KELLY (NOLAN) ’01 and SHANE CORTESI , born on Tuesday, July 26, 2016. Maria is the granddaughter of Father Ryan Board of Trust member Pat Nolan ’69 and his wife, Betty Lee Nolan.

Annie Kate to KATIE (WARREN) ’00 and JAY FRANKLIN , born July 11, 2016. Kate joins siblings Jaggar 2, Lauren 10, Jacob 13 and cousin Harper Dean Warren, Aunt Mary and Uncle Will Warren ’99 and Aunt Abbie (Warren) ’06 and Uncle Mike Hudson. Proud grandparents Peggy (Shacklett) ’76 and Bill Warren.

Weddings summer 2016

ALLISON DUKE and PAUL BUDSLICK ’04 were married on February 13, 2016 at Scarritt-Bennett’s Wightman Chapel.

The couple lives in Nashville where Paul is the owner of White Bridge Autowash.

PAIGE POTTER ’06 and ZACH HAYDEN ’05 were married on

May 7, 2016, at Cathedral of the Incarnation.

ALLIE GRAVES ’04 and ROY EDWARD MCGINTY were mar-

ried on August 8, 2015, at Old Hickory Country Club. Allie is a nurse practitioner for Neurosurgical Associates at Centennial Medical Center.

JIMMY BURNETT ’07 and KRISTIN SCHLETZER ’08

(left) were married on July 2, 2016, at Holy Family Catholic Church by Father Joe McMahon.

SARAH WATHEN ’09 and DIEGO DIAZ were married

on June 25, 2016 in Nashville.

The couple has relocated to Atlanta.

ANNA (DAY) and CORRY STEWART ’06 (FACULTY)

(left) were married on July 29, 2016, at Scarritt-Bennett Center followed by a reception at Houston Station. Anna is a school counselor and Corry coaches football, boys basketball and track for the Irish in addition to being a member of the Father Ryan faculty.

SAYING GOOD-BYE TO THE SIMPSONS Just two months after the Irish wrestling team claimed its 23rd State title, the extended Father Ryan family of wrestlers, coaches and friends gathered for the second time in less than a year to say good-bye to and to celebrate the life of the heads of the Simpson family.

This April, it was a good-bye to Philip Simpson; last April it was Sue Ann Simpson. Married for 65 years, they gave the world nine children: Sue Ann Enneis, Margaret Dunning, Kathleen Pearson, ’80, and Michael ’70, Mark ’71, Patrick ’74, Frank ’75, Jim ’78 and Paul ’82 Simpson, and welcomed 29 grandchildren and 32 greatgrandchildren.

Phillip graduated from North High School and George Peabody College, was a member of the American Legion, a member of the TSSAA Hall of Fame, a 4th Degree in the Knights of Columbus, a former Grand Knight of Council #544, a former Faithful Navigator, and active member of the Serra Club He became an American hero while serving in the Army, the 3rd Infantry, 752nd Field Artillery Battalion in World War II. Some of the major battles he fought in were: Northern France, Ardennes (also known as “The Battle of the Bulge”), Rhineland and Central Europe.

Sue Ann was a life-long educator in both Metro Nashville Schools and St. Henry School.

She graduated from St. Cecilia Academy and George Peabody College. A founding member of Christ the King Catholic Church, she was also a member of the TSSAA Hall of Fame, the Catholic Business Women’s League and the Ladies of Charity. Above all she was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to all who knew her.

REMINDER TO UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION AT FATHERRYAN.ORG/ALUMNI. PARENTS OF ALUMNI. ARE YOU RECEIVING YOUR CHILDREN’S MAIL? VISIT FATHERRYAN.ORG/ALUMNI TO UPDATE THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION.

But for those who followed wrestling in the Region, the Simpsons were fixtures at every meet, every match. And they will always be remembered as the long-time and loving foster parents of every Irish wrestler for more than 40 years.

31

In Memoriam summer 2016

PAUL AMUNDSON: Father of Steven ’05 and K Leigh Amundson.

TONY GONZALES: Son of Troy Gonzales (Auxiliary Coach).

JAMES “JIMMY” A. SHEA ’50: Brother of the late Johnny C. Shea ’51 and Joe Shea ’62.

RICHARD “DICKIE” E. ARNOLD, JR.: Stepfather of Diane Tant Daniel, Ray Tant ’87, and Anne Marie Tant Finley.

BRUCE HARDEN: Father of Steve Harden (Faculty).

STANLEY SHEPPARD: Father of Jay Sheppard (Faculty).

ANDREW J. HARMON, JR. ’56: Father of Andrew ’91 and Scott ’93 Harmon; brother of Baron Harmon ’69; and son of the late Andrew J. Harmon, Sr. ’33.

PHILLIP G. SIMPSON: Father of Michael ’70, Mark ’71, Pat ’74, Frank ’75, Jim ’78, Paul ’82 Simpson, Sue Ann Enneis, Margaret Dunning and Kathleen Pearson ’80.

MATTIE D. HIRST: Wife of Carl Hirst ’66.

JULIA MAE KING SMILEY: Mother of Mike Smiley, Steve Smiley, Cynthia Olphie, Vickey Baltz, Greg Smiley ’79, and Doug Smiley.

WILLIAM C. BENNETT: Father of Mike ’72 and Chris ’76 Bennett.

AMANDA P. BLAYLOCK: Mother of Marian Pickney (Faculty).

REV. PHILIP M. BREEN ’57: Brother of Paul ’40 (deceased), Hugh ’47, Tom ’51 (deceased), Fr. Joe Pat ’54 Breen, and Ann Treadway, Mary Jo Beavin (deceased) and Dorothy Williams.

MARYANNE B. CAIN: Wife of the late Robert P. Cain, Jr. ’42.

HELEN CARLETELLO: Mother of Regina Gammon, Tony ’89 and Michael ’93 Carletello.

JERI CARVER: Wife of the late William J. Carver ’45; daughter of Dorothy Hardin Mercy; and stepmother of Bill Carver ’69.

BART R. COMISKEY: Father of Scott ’89 and Andrew ’95 Comiskey.

EUGENE CONNELLY: Father of Gene Connelly ’89 and Christy Penner ’96.

ANN HERB CONNOLLY: Wife of John I. Connolly, Jr. ’58; sister of Mary Jo Koory, John Herb ’64, Nancy Anderson, Catherine McAdams, Margaret Herb and Therese Fleetwood.

JAMES “JIMMY” B. CUMMINGS: Father of Erickson ’14 and Tres ’17 Cummings.

MERINA ST. CHARLES DAVIS: Wife of the late Benson Davis ’44; mother of Tony Davis ’67, Linda Donnelly (Former Staff), Diane Jones, and Mary Bundy ’74.

RAYMOND “RAY” K. DICKMAN ’56: Brother of Paul ’58 (deceased), Ron ’62 and Jim ’64 Dickman.

FRED J. EVANS, SR. ’48.

JOSEPH “JOE” FARMER: Brother of Bill Farmer ’65, Douglas Farmer ’75 and Donna Matthews ’75.

GRACIA H. HOLLAHAN: Mother of Stephanie Hughes, Pat, Timothy and Chris ’90 Hollahan.

MARGARET ANN HOSTETTLER: Wife of the late Frank J. Hostettler ’40; and mother of Trudie McClelland, Bill Hostettler ’75, Joanne Hostettler-Floyd, and Debbie Cullman.

DEBRA “JONI” HUDSON ’77.

JAMES R. HUTCHISON: Son of the late Francis N. Hutchison, Jr. ’37; brother of the late F. Neil Hutchison III ’73, Rose Mary McCall and Jo Ann Jordan.

DOROTHY C. LANGRECK: Mother of Rick ’77 and Michael ’79 Langreck and Karen Brown.

KENDALL M. LYNCH ’58: Brother of Mary Brown (deceased), Joe ’63, Pat ’67,Tommy ’70 and Ginny Lynch.

ABELARDO Z. MAÑALAC, SR.: Father of Dodie ’88, Mary Ann, Aida ’91, and Dina Mañalac.

REV. VINCENT D. MCMURRY, P.S.S., ’42: brother of Father John McMurry ’49, and Mary Ammon Hoenigman.

JOHN CHARLES MORAN III ’60: Son of John Charles Moran, Jr. ’33; and brother of David F. Moran and Rachel Moran Bishar ’75.

LORRAINE MULLOY: Wife of the late Eugene E. Mulloy ’42.

MARY ELIZABETH “LIZ” O’BRIEN: Mother of Kay Kay (Cummings) Krusbe ’83.

FRANCIS J. ORSCHELN: Father of Steve, Tom and Wayne ’84 Orscheln and Karen Guynn.

MANDI PRESTON PARL ’00.

JOHN H. FOGARTY ’45: Father of Larry Fogarty ’80, Linda Fogarty and Janet Bowman; brother of Robert (deceased) and Dan Fogerty ’44.

KEVIN P. RIGGAN: Brother of Meg Johnson ’87, Kelly Riggan ’91, Paul Riggan ’97, and Patrick Riggan ’00.

GEORGE A. GINER ’78: Brother of Martin Giner ’75.

JENNIFER SHARP: Wife of David Sharp ’95, and daughter-in-law of Tom Sharp ’67.

32

EUGENE “GENE” F. STROBEL ’45: Brother of Robert ’39, Raymond, Carl ’50 Strobel (all deceased) and Joan Strobel.

LINDA KISTNER SWINK: Sister of Kay Griffin, Mary Helen Bettcher, Peggy Griesel and Bill Kistner ’67.

VICTORIA “VICKIE” THOMPSON: Mother of Matthew Thompson ’17.

ELMER H. “BUDDY” TODD, JR.: Father of Edward ’74, John ’75, Andrew ’77, Mary Ann ’78, Daniel, Robert and Richard Todd.

MATTHEW WALKER, JR. ’59: Brother of Daniel Walker ’62.

MICHAEL G. “GREG” WARNER: Brother of Gail Griffin, Kathleen Lawrence, Becky Alexander, Veronica Winn, Kevin Warner, Rachael Dortch ’85, and Regina Chiames ’85.

JENNIFER WEST: Daughter of James N. West ’65.

SUE H. WILLIAMS: Mother of Joe ’69, Steve ’71, Don ’73, and Tim ’80 Williams and Sara Lacy ’81.

JONATHAN “JON” L. WILSON, SR.: Father of Lowry ’14, Austin ’16 and Ashley ’18 Wilson.

JUANITA WILSON: Wife of Felix Z. Wilson ’40.

Our Scholars look forward to welcoming yours.

Discover why more than 800 Middle Tennessee families call Father Ryan home

JOIN US FOR OUR OPEN HOUSE ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 BEGINNING AT 12:30 P.M.

NOW IS YOUR TIME!

• $27 Million received in scholarship offers last year REGISTER AT WWW.FATHERRYAN.ORG/OPENHOUSE • 13 National Merit Honorees in 2015 • 12 Military Academy Appointments in the last four years • 39 Perfect scores on ACT and SAT tests in the last two years • Acceptances to Princeton, UNC, Chicago, UVA, Vanderbilt, Carnegie-Mellon, Ohio State University, Boston College, NYU For more information or to schedule a visit, contact us at admissions@fatherryan.org or call us at 615-383-4200.

®

A Tradition of Faith, Knowledge, Service

700 Norwood Drive • Nashville, TN 37204 • (615) 383-4200 • www.fatherryan.org •

33

NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

NASHVILLE, TN Permit No. 22

770 Norwood Drive Nashville, TN 37204 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Save the Date for a Memorable Homecoming September 16, 2016

It’s another great night to be Irish. From the aromas of our 4th Annual Pride in the Pit BBQ Contest to the arrival of WSMV’s helicopter, to the salute to our Homecoming Queens from years past, to the welcome of our Junior Irish fans from throughout the area’s elementary schools, this is a Homecoming to remember. A quarter century on Norwood…our soonto-be Golden Grad from the Class of 1967, our honorary captains…and a top-notch game against a big rival.

Join us and celebrate an Irish Homecoming.

For more details, go to www.fatherryan.org/homecoming