Purple hats tossed skyward marks the usual culmination of a Graduation Exercise. This past May, it marked an end and a beginning for 200 members of the Father Ryan Class of 2022, a class whose four years on Norwood were anything but “usual:” Tornadoes in the city, a pandemic, remote learning, and protocols for returning to school. But through these events, the Class of 2022 excelled, leaving a mark that will last long past their graduation day and will have impacts on them and their communities for years to come.
To this remarkable class...congratulations and thank you. You will be known and you will be loved, always.
Bill Stejskal ’79, Chair
John Bumpus ’78, Vice Chair
Brian Callahan, Finance Committee Chair
Tommy Bradley ’81, Membership Committee Chair
Carmen Mondelli Lux ’91, Advancement
Wesnofske ’88, Facilities
Tom Bauer
Rev. Mark Beckman
Barbara Esteves-Moore
Chris Fay Dr. Shindana Feagins
David Glascoe
Brittney Testerman Griffith ’03
Warner Hassell
Judy Hoover
Krueger
Philip M. Mattingly, Sr. ’69 Pat Nolan ’69
Judy Komisky Orr ’75
Jack Polson
Turner
IN THE NEWS Elliston Claims the Irish Cup Again; New Faces; Class of 2022 Graduates; Welcoming the 100th Class.
State Titles in Track and Field, Wrestling; Golfer Competes in National Tournament; Hall of Fame Class of 2022; Next Level Irish.
Duke ‘90 and Hoots ‘14
Breaking the News; Legacy Gala Honors Father Strobel ‘61.
Donors Honor Alumni and Create Opportunities.
Mr. Davis ‘81 Named President; Thank You, Mr. McIntyre.
Alumni News, Births, Weddings, In Memoriam
Rebecca Hammel, Ph.D. Paul J. Davis ’81
Bishop J. Mark Spalding
Thomas G. Connor, Sr. ’60 William H. Farmer ’65 Edward B. Gore J. Terry Hunter
Vincent T. Phillips
F. Smith
A. Stack
Administration
Paul J. Davis ’81, President
Connie Steinmetz, Chief Financial Officer
Brooke Reusch, Director of Advancement
Jennifer L. Anton, Academic Dean
Joe Crumby ’95, Dean of Students
Amy Duke, Director of Houses
Colleen Maxson, Director of Campus Ministry and Student Life
Marisol Preston, Director of Admissions
Mullins ’03, Director of Athletics
carry out the Tradition of Faith, Knowledge, and Service that continues to guide our students today.
the Father Ryan Annual Fund helps
Each of our students at Father Ryan possesses different talents in the classroom, on the court or field, and on the stage. For Michael Von Haefen ‘24, his special talents can be found in the kitchen. Michael is a sous-chef and prep chef at Hillwood Coun try Club, but his culinary talents began many years before.
You could find Michael in the kitchen at the age of five, learning to cook with his parents. When he was 12, Michael began ordering Hello Fresh so he could cook on his own, learn more about ingredients, and prepare meals for friends and family. He quickly realized how much he enjoyed his time in the kitchen and began to see his future career unfold.
Four years later, Michael truly enjoys learning under the execu tive chef at Hillwood Country Club and serving as the co-head chef of Father Ryan’s Cooking Club! Mrs. Jennifer Allen, the Cooking Club moderator and English teacher at Father Ryan said, “Michael is a prodigious asset to the Father Ryan Cooking Club. He brings impeccable skills and boundless enthusiasm, and he commands the kitchen in such a positive way,” she said. “He selflessly shares his knowledge and talent with his peers in ways that allow them to learn and flourish. We are thankful to have him as a part of our student leadership team.”
Michael’s favorite meal to make is pizza in his pizza oven, a Christmas gift. From growing basil in his yard to making his own pizza dough, he loves to make everything from scratch. When asked about the coolest part of his cooking experience, Michael said that he has had the opportunity to cook dinner for country music stars Dan + Shay and Chris Lane!
When thinking about the future, Michael plans to attend culinary school to learn more about the science of cooking and to develop his meal presentation skills, and his dream is to open an Italian food truck.
“I love being in the kitchen, but my absolute favorite part about cooking is seeing the smile on someone’s face when I give them food that I made,” said Michael. We can’t wait to see what Mi chael cooks next!
For the second year in a row, Elliston House won the Irish Cup! The “gray” House now holds the esteemed title of not only back-to-back champions, but as the ONLY champions in school history. The Father Ryan House System was launched in fall of 2020, and Elliston House was the inaugural winner.
Headed by newly named Associate Academic Dean ANDREW REDUCHA, Elliston House is named in honor of Elliston Place, the street near Vanderbilt University where the original Father Ryan campus was located from 1929 until 1991, when our current Norwood Drive campus opened.
Elliston House’s Patron Saint is St. Maximilian Kolbe, who is the Patron Saint of Families, Journalists, Prisoners, and Victims of Drug Abuse. As such, the House’s Catholic social teaching is: call to family, community, and participation.
In order to win the House Cup, Elliston House accumulated the most points throughout the school year in a number of ways. These included fun, team-building activities such as House Games, spirit weeks, video game competitions, and fishing tournaments, but also service-oriented projects like canned food drives.
The Captain of Elliston House in 2021-2022 was SOPHIE GOETZ ’22 , and she was joined on the executive committee by VICTORIA BALTZ ’24 (Historian), KAILEY NICHOLSON ’24 (Operations Coordinator), KATE MCDONNELL ’23 (Student Engagement Coordinator), BELLA PRESTON ’23 (Vice-Captain), and SANJEETH GEORGE ’24 (Chaplain).
Congratulations to Elliston House on yet another Irish Cup! We are excited to see which House claims the Cup for 2022-2023!
During Spring Break, 11 students and two faculty and staff members traveled to Charleston, South Carolina, to participate in Alternative Spring Break. Every morning, the group served at Mepkin Abbey in Moncks Corner, SC, where a dozen Trappist Monks live. Students and chaperones spent their days doing a variety of tasks to help the monastery, including repairing a roof, cleaning the church, painting fences and handrails, replacing toilet seats, clearing out a hillside of trees and shrubs to create a view of the river, and much more.
Each day, the students joined the monks for morning Mass and for noon
prayers before lunch. At the end of each day of service, students enjoyed free time at the beach, took turns cooking dinner for the group, and bonded during nightly small group reflections. In addition to their service work, students enjoyed a day in downtown Charleston, where they attended Mass with the bishop at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and explored the city!
We are very grateful to the monks and Hank Chardos, who organized and led our days of service. They were great inspirations of how to serve God and others!
There are new faces on campus this fall—teachers, coaches, and staff—all of whom boast impressive resumes. Consistent with Father Ryan’s mission to provide a rich and diverse educational experience, we search nationally for the best individuals to fill each open position. We are pleased to have each of them at Father Ryan.
JACK ABRAMS ’16 is joining Father Ryan’s Business Office as the new Spirit Store Manager and member of Trinity House. Mr. Abrams comes to us from Ramsey Solutions, and he owns Paddle Dog in Franklin, Tennessee. Mr. Abrams earned his B.S. in Business Administration at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
NINA ANNUNZIATA is Father Ryan’s new Cooperative and Academic Support Learning Specialist and member of Norwood House. Ms. Annunziata, born and raised on Long Island, New York, comes to us from Myrtle Beach High School in South Carolina, where she taught learning strategies to students with learning differences for seven years and was a special education co-teacher in over 10 academic courses. At the end of the 2021-2022 school year, Ms. Annunziata was named Teacher of the Year for Myrtle Beach High School, as well as one of the Top Ten teachers in the district. She attended Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC, where she earned her M. Ed. in Special Education, specializing in Learning Disabilities (K-12). Outside of the classroom, you can find her kayaking, visiting State Parks, and traveling to new places.
EMILIE ARMSTRONG is Father Ryan’s new Social Sciences teacher and member of Trinity House. Mrs. Armstrong comes to us from Hillsboro High School, where she taught World History, AP World History, Pre-AP/IB World History, and ACT Prep. Last year, Mrs. Armstrong was selected as Freshman Academy Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Armstrong received her B.A. in History at Auburn University and her M.A. in Teaching in Secondary Education at the University of Montevallo.
SARA (CARTER) ATWOOD ’04 is the new Alumni Engagement and Outreach Manager. Mrs. Atwood will share responsibility with the Advancement Team to organize and coordinate alumni programs and services designed to foster and strengthen the relationship between
Father Ryan High School and its alumni. She comes to Father Ryan from United Way of Greater Nashville, where she was the Associate Director of Workplace Engagement Fundraising. A native of Nashville, Atwood earned her B.S. with a major in Textiles, Merchandising, and Design, and a minor in Marketing at Middle Tennessee State University.
ANDREW BANNAN is Father Ryan’s new Associate Director of Bands and member of Immaculata House. Mr. Bannan comes to us from Brentwood High School, where he served as the Front Ensemble Caption Head and a private lesson instructor. After completing his student teaching at West End Middle School and Brentwood High School as a music director, Mr. Bannan graduated from Belmont University with a Bachelor of Music Education. During his time at Belmont, Mr. Bannan was recognized with the Senior Class Award and the Chandler Thornhill Jazz Scholarship. In his free time, Mr. Bannan enjoys listening to podcasts, reading about psychology, and long hikes in hopes of hiking the Appalachian Trail someday.
LOUISA BATEMAN is Father Ryan’s new Theology teacher and member of Emerald House. Mrs. Bateman comes to us from St. Cecilia Academy, where she taught Anatomy, Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, and AP Psychology. Mrs. Bateman received her B.S. in Nutrition and Biochemistry at the University of Texas at Austin, her post-baccalaureate Teacher Certification at Trevecca Nazarene University, and her M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology at Vanderbilt University. Also, Mrs. Bateman is a certified Catechist in the Diocese of Nashville. She has three daughters, and her husband, Buster Bateman, graduated from Father Ryan in 1999. They are so happy to be a part of the Father Ryan community.
CALLIE COOK came to Father Ryan in 2022 to serve as a permanent substitute teacher and the Girls Basketball Head Freshman, Head Junior
Varsity, and Assistant Varsity Coach. She comes to us with more than four years of experience with local nonprofits that support child development, diversity, and faith and four years of competitive coaching experience, including the high school level.
Mrs. Cook earned her B.A in Business Administration from Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois, where she was an NCAA dual sport athlete in basketball and tennis. She was the Top Business Student in her graduating class and was a finalist for Monmouth College Woman of the Year due to her athletic, academic, and school involvement.
Outside of Father Ryan, you can find Mrs. Cook coaching AAU travel basketball, sharing the gospel with female athletes, and spending time with friends and her husband, Joshua.
MICHAEL COPLEY is Father Ryan’s new Strength and Conditioning Coach, Football Offensive Coordinator, and member of Trinity House. Mr. Copley comes to us from Valdosta High School, where he served as the Football Offensive Coordinator and Quarterback Coach. Mr. Copley received his B.A. in Physical Education at Marshall University and his M.Ed. in Physical Education at the University of the Cumberlands.
JEREMY DARVIN ’16 is Father Ryan’s new permanent substitute teacher and member of Norwood House. Mr. Darvin joins the Football, Wrestling, and Track and Field coaching staff, and in the classroom, he will be assisting with Math in the Academic Support Program. Mr. Darvin comes to us from Western Kentucky University, where he played football for the Hilltoppers. As a first-generation college graduate, Mr. Darvin received his B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies/ Secondary Education and M.A. in Athletic Administration and Coaching. Mr. Darvin was a three-time Team Captain for the Hilltopper football team and was recognized as a three-time C-USA Honorable Mention Defensive Tackle.
DR. JOSH JOHNSTON is Father Ryan’s new English teacher and member of Trinity House. Dr. Johnston comes to us from Florida State University, where he taught First Year Composition of English I and the History of Text Technologies. Dr. Johnston received his B.A. in English and Anthropology at the University of Western Kentucky, his M.A. in Poetry from Indiana University, Bloomington, and his Ph.D. in English from Florida State University.
DR. HOPE LINK is Father Ryan’s new Admissions Academic Counselor and member of Oak House. Dr. Link comes to us with 10 years of service
in Catholic education, including her role as Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at Aquinas College. Previously, Dr. Link has been a leader in academics and guidance at two Catholic secondary schools. Dr. Link founded EdPsyting Measures, which has provided consulting for classroom pedagogy, school culture, mission alignment, and program development. She received her B.A. in Human Development, Family Studies and Child Life from Samford University, her M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling/ Counseling Psychology from the University of Memphis, and her Ph.D. in Educational Philosophy from the University of Memphis. She loves being with her husband and three children at their farmhouse, collecting antiques with her mom in Arkansas, seeing Broadway musicals, and spending time with best friends.
VIOLETA ROBBINS is Father Ryan’s new Spanish teacher and member of Oak House. Mrs. Robbins comes to us from Pomona Catholic School, where she implemented Spanish curricula and helped ELL students by modifying instruction and learning activities. Mrs. Robbins graduated from Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal in Lima, Peru, where she majored in Economics.
FATHER BRENT THAYER is Father Ryan’s new Chaplain. Fr. Thayer was ordained on May 28 after studying for the priesthood at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana. Raised in Syracuse, N.Y., he graduated from Franciscan University. Fr. Thayer will also serve as a part-time associate pastor at St. Edward and Chaplain at Camp Marymount.
KEVIN “K.C.” WILLIAMS is Father Ryan’s new Spanish teacher and member of Elliston House. Mr. Williams comes to us from JSerra Catholic High School, where he taught Spanish II through AP Spanish for the past 17 years. Mr. Williams received his B.A. in Spanish from Hillsdale College.
DR. ALLEN WILSON came to Father Ryan in 2022 to serve as a Social Sciences teacher. Dr. Wilson earned his B.A. in Latin from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, his M.T.S. in History of Christianity from Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge, MA, and his Ph.D. in Judaism and Christianity in Antiquity from Fordham University in New York, NY. While completing his Ph.D., Dr. Wilson taught New Testament, Early Christianity, and Faith and Critical Reason at Fordham University. Outside of the classroom, Dr. Wilson enjoys reading, writing, studying dead languages, and spending time with his wife, Nikki, and two dogs, Penelope and Mochi!
Two faculty members and one Advancement staff member were promoted to new positions at Father Ryan at the end of the school year.
SARAH KIEFFNER became the school’s new Director of Academic Counseling, ANDREW REDUCHA was named the new Associate Academic Dean, and CARA HUNTER was promoted to Director of Communications.
As Director of Academic Counseling, Mrs. Kieffner is responsible for scheduling courses and tracking progress for all students, supervising the administration of all tests for students and prospective students, coordinating academic events, and other functions to advance the students’ academic work. She has taught at Father Ryan and served as the Speech, Acting, and Debate Team moderator since coming to the school in 2011. She will continue to
moderate the team.
Mr. Reducha came to Father Ryan in 2018 as a Spanish teacher after teaching English as a foreign language in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. As Associate Academic Dean, he will share responsibility for the educational program offered by Father Ryan with Academic Dean JENNIFER ANTON and will collaborate with the other members of the administration, faculty, and staff in advancing the mission of the school. He continues as Head of Elliston House.
Ms. Hunter joined Father Ryan in 2021 as the school’s first Digital Marketing Manager. In her time at Father Ryan, she has overseen digital communications and social media, as well as managed website design and content. She is responsible for the overall brand communications of Father Ryan High School.
On Saturday, May 14, Father Ryan bid farewell to the Class of 2022, an extraordinary group of young men and women who spent their transformative high school years witnessing historic local, national, and global events.
The Class of 2022 entered Father Ryan as freshmen in August of 2018, and by the time most of them had received their driver’s licenses in 2020, the world was experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic, deadly tornadoes had struck Nashville, and the nation was preparing for a hotly contested presidential election.
The latter half of their sophomore year and most of their junior year were defined by the pandemic, as Father Ryan first shifted to remote learning and then returned to campus with strict COVID-19 measures in place.
As all of this was happening, the class was coming of age while witnessing national protests, centered around race relations in America.
Through all of this, the Class of 2022 remained resilient, choosing to focus not on what they could not control, but rather, what they could. During its time at Father Ryan, the Class of 2022 completed 10,076 service hours and helped collect 21,928 cans during multiple canned food drives.
Valedictorian CLARA JOHNSON and Salutatorian CATHERINE SCOTT co-chaired the 2021 Relay For Life, which raised $175,233 for cancer research.
In addition to its resilience and its dedication to volunteerism, the Class of 2022 will forever be defined by their pursuit of knowledge. As a class, it took 270 AP Courses, and 43% of class members took at least one AP Course during their senior year.
Colleges took note of this ambition. Members of the class were admitted to 176 unique institutions and will attend 62 different colleges and universities across 24 states and Canada. Scholarships offered to date total more than $24 million, averaging more than $119,000 per graduate.
Athletically, the class boasted numerous athletes who succeeded in their respective sports thanks to countless hours of training, dedication, and perseverance. CIRO ALBAMONT was the State Champion in the 800-meter track and field event, CAL EASON was the State Champion in the 120-pound wrestling class, and football player and wrestler BEN MARCHETTI was named the 2022 Scholar-Athlete by the National Football Foundation. Prior to graduation, 18 seniors formally committed to playing their sport at the collegiate levels.
Of course, the Father Ryan experience would not be what it is if not rooted in faith, and the Class of 2022 was certainly committed to this. During many of the tough circumstances that the class witnessed during their high school years, many members of the class have spoken about how leaning into their faith was a paramount priority for them. “I am proud and honored to have been the Chaplain of Immaculata House because it allowed me to rely on God every single day,” says TYLER FERNANDEZ , who was the male recipient of the Rev. William J. Fleming ’49 Award at Convocation.
Tyler, a swimmer, won this top honor, which recognizes an outstanding individual whose life off the field, court, or mat is a model for others to follow, and who is a true reflection of the Tradition of Faith, Knowledge, and Service. The female recipient was CHRISTINE QUITALIG , who also took home the Alice Gentry Award as a leader on the Girls Basketball Team and the Irish Spirit Award for her impact on the Volleyball Team.
Members of the Class of 2022 are diverse with different opinions, career ambitions, and plans for their future. They were united, however, in their resilience, their drive, their commitment to bettering the community around them, and in their ability to always lean back on their faith and see the light.
While enrolled at Father Ryan, Clara took seven AP courses and had a 100.7742 weighted GPA. Clara was inducted into the National Honor Society, the Cum Laude Society, La Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica, Cardinal Newman Society, Thespian Honor Society, National Speech and Debate Association, Tri-M Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society, and Father Black Honor Society. Clara will be attending Providence College in Rhode Island where she plans to study Pre-Med and English.
Clara received the Colonna Club Nashville Literary Award, AP Scholar Award, and received recognition for the Tennessee Midstate Choir, along with many class awards for highest grade average. She placed 1st in Dramatic Interpretation in the Speech, Acting, and Debate District III Championship this year and received several honors for her performances in past competitions. Clara was also part of the Relay For Life Committee when they won the Pat Flynn Spirit of Relay Award, presented by the American Cancer Society to the top Relay in the nation.
Clara held leadership roles including Relay For Life Co-Chair, Head of Production and Logistics Committee member for Relay For Life. She was the President and Secretary for the Speech, Acting, and Debate Team, and Company Leader for the Purple Masque Players. Clara was Chaplain and Vice Captain in her Mentor Group, Vice President of National Honor Society, President of Cum Laude Society, Vice President of Mu Alpha Theta, and Vocal Captain in Show Choir.
At Father Ryan, Clara’s extra-curriculars included Relay For Life, Speech, Acting, and Debate Team, Purple Masque Players, Peer Mentor, Music Ministry, Father Ryan Singers, Irish Service Corps, and Spanish Club. Outside of Father Ryan, Clara was involved with Preston Taylor Ministries as a tutor, Camp Marymount as a counselor, a Nashville Youth Choir member, and worked at Dessert Designs Bakery.
Clara was accepted to Boston College; Elon University; Fordham University; College of the Holy Cross, where she received the Magis Scholarship; Providence College, where she received the St. Catherine
of Sienna Scholarship; University of the South: Sewanee, where she received the Wilkins Academic Scholarship and the Bonner Leaders Program; Saint Louis University, where she received the Vice Presidential Scholarship; University of Dayton, where she received the Trustees Merit Scholarship, and The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she received the Volunteer Scholarship.
While enrolled at Father Ryan, Catherine took nine AP courses and had a 100.5238 weighted GPA. Catherine was inducted into the National Honor Society, St. Vincent de Paul Service Society, International Thespian Honor Society, Tri-M Honor Society, La Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica, Mu Alpha Theta, and Cum Laude Society. As a recipient of the Morehead-Cain Scholarship, she plans to travel and study abroad before beginning at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the fall of 2023 with an intended major in Public Policy with minors in Spanish and Social Justice.
Catherine was recognized as a Father James Black Award for Excellence Finalist and received the Monsignor Pat Connor Award and Scholarship. She held several leadership roles, including Relay For Life Team Captain and Committee Member, Development Director, and Co-Captain. Catherine was Cross Country Captain, Show Choir Dance Captain, Vice President of the Spanish Honor Society, President of the Spanish Honor Society, and Secretary of the National Honor Society.
At Father Ryan, Catherine’s extra-curricular activities included Relay For Life, Cross Country, Show Choir, Spring Musicals with the Purple Masque Players, and Music Ministry. Outside of Father Ryan, Catherine was involved with Ainsley’s Angels, babysitting, nannying, caregiving, mental health advocacy, and was a chemistry tutor.
Catherine was accepted to University of Virginia, Villanova University, Miami of Ohio, Loyola University Chicago, Xavier University, Belmont University, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she received the Morehead-Cain Scholarship.
From the founding of the school in 1925, to raising funds to help the WWII effort with the purchase of a B-17 Flying Fortress named “The Spirit of Father Ryan,” to leading integration efforts in the South as the first school to admit Black students, in 1954, to becoming a co-educational institution by opening the school to female students in 1970, Father Ryan’s history is long and storied.
Throughout this illustrious history, Father Ryan has produced scores of accomplished and notable alumni who have contributed to the school’s impact in the community. In just four short years, a new group of students will have their own opportunity to leave an important legacy: The Class of 2026, the 100th class in Irish History.
So, who are the members of the Class of 2026, and how do they compare to the first students who walked the hallways 100 years ago at 2015 West End Avenue?
With 222 members, the Class of 2026 includes students from many public and private schools in the area, 54 different schools in total. Also, there are 43 different zip codes represented, showing the diversity of socioeconomic status and the reach of Father Ryan High School in Middle Tennessee. In addition, we have four students from outside the Volunteer State.
As alumni know well, tradition has always been an important element of the Father Ryan experience. That tradition can be seen in the number of legacy students who are part of the Class of 2026. Eighty students have chosen to follow in the footsteps of either their parents or older siblings.
New this year and offered first to this 100th graduating class is the Hayes Scholars Program. This program was created to honor the legacy of Father Ryan’s late Academic Dean, Sara Hayes, by promoting personal integrity, intellectual curiosity, an unyielding pursuit of excellence, and a kind and generous spirit. Students in the Class of 2026 who scored in the top 20% of the school’s placement test were invited to apply.
Twenty-six students were accepted into the Hayes Scholars Program this year as our first class of Hayes Scholars. They will receive benefits such as a dedicated advisor to help navigate their academic journey, specialized college planning and guidance, academic counseling for a four-year course plan, participation in a lecture series, and a quarterly newsletter.
The Class of 2026 arrives with an impressive array of interests and achievements. In this class, there are multiple equestrians, champions from the State History Bee, State Math League, and Speech and Debate competition, along with a TEDx speaker, numerous triathletes, AAU basketball standouts, elite soccer stars, and baseball phenoms. This group also includes a wide range of artists, including competitive dancers, actors and actresses, and accomplished musicians. Plus, more than half of the students are members of the National Junior Honor Society and volunteer at various organizations, from the Rescue Mission to special needs outreach.
There is no question that the Class of 2026 is special, not only because of the year they graduate, but because of all the qualities and attributes they bring to Father Ryan.
Irish!When Father Ryan’s freshman class arrived on Norwood Drive in August, they already shared a special bond – not only with their classmates but with a century of Father Ryan alumni who have come before them. The Class of 2026 holds the special distinction of being the school’s 100th graduating class.
“One of things that made a big difference was that our son, Ryan, played many of his St. Pius football games there. He grew comfortable there, and the icing on the cake was the visits. All three of us sat in on many classes and had the opportunity to meet students and see the robotics and band programs. It was amazing. In the end, Ryan had the final decision. One thing he mentioned was that Father Ryan made him feel welcomed. He felt that he belonged there, and that was important to him and to us.”
“Sydney drove the entire process. She was very specific on what she wanted. She wanted a school with an excellent drama program, lots of clubs, quality academics, and a soccer team. We took her on tours of all the private high schools in Nashville, but in the end, it was no contest about where she wanted to attend. She knew it had to be Father Ryan. Sydney had been at a small private school since kindergarten and knew she wanted to meet more people and have more activities. She had a great friend group who were continuing on at that school, so it was hard to make the decision to leave. But, ultimately, she knew she wanted a school that could give her more opportunities. She thought Father Ryan would be a great for that. She also loved that Father Ryan starts at 9th grade, so everyone is starting at the same point.”
—JEFFREY MERHIGE
“Being new to the Nashville area, and coming from a public middle school, Zachary is really excited about being in the House System and being connected to the same students for four years. As a parent, I love how Father Ryan meets each student where they are. With the school’s academic rigor, I know they are going to challenge Zachary and prepare him for college. He attended Summer School to knock out one of his freshman level classes so he has more room in his schedule for electives when he starts. He has a strong passion for coding and writing, so he hopes he can add one of those classes this fall. The STEAM opportunities that are available at Father Ryan are incredible.”
“Sydney is very excited to get involved in all of the activities. She is very drawn to the House System, and she loves that there are so many more leadership positions than there would be with just a student council. She also can’t wait to join the Drama Club and meet new friends. There is a whole new world of opportunity open to her that she has never had before.”
“It’s important for the 100th graduating class to remember Father Ryan’s history. It is hugely significant that Father Ryan was one of the first schools to integrate in Tennessee. Rhonda’s mother was a student in a segregated school in Nashville, and she remembers the integration of Father Ryan. We are proud our son will be a part of that legacy and create his own as a part of the 100th graduating class. I hope Father Ryan will discuss the significance of Father Ryan’s integration and the legacy of those who came before them so they can empower this new class of students to step up, speak out, and use their voices for good. Overall, I hope it will give them more confidence to be good citizens as they go forward in life.”
—TRACEY AND RHONDA KINSLOW“To be a part of any graduating class is exciting. To be a part of the 100th graduating class from Father Ryan adds an extra special significance for us and the next century of Catholic education in Nashville.”
—JANET WARDLAWWe talked with parents of three Class of 2026 students about why they and their children chose Father Ryan and what they are looking forward to during the next four years.
It was a storybook ending to the season and the school year for Father Ryan Track and Field. Numerous Irish runners found their way to the podium to cap an amazing year, and for a few runners, an amazing high school career.
CIRO ALBAMONT ’22 , who has been a staple of the Boys Track and Field and Cross Country Teams during his Irish years, won the State Championship in the 800 meter. His teammate and classmate AIDAN NIX ’22 finished 3rd and joined him on the podium.
CHARLIE BECKER ’24 finished 3rd in both the 110 meter and 300 meter hurdles and set a new Father Ryan school record in the latter!
As a team, the Father Ryan Boys 4x400M Relay squad were the State Runner-Up. The team was comprised of CIRO, RYAN JONES ’25, AIDAN , and CARSON SPALDING ’23 .
For the Lady Irish, KATIE KNAPP ’24 took 7th place in the 3200 meter and right behind her was GRACE FELTNER ’23 in 8th.
Congratulations to the Irish runners on a great season and, thank you, Ciro and Aidan, for making us proud to be Irish these last four years!
It wasn’t only the Irish runners who found success in Track and Field this spring. DRAKE CARLSON ’23 and KATIE MACCLARY ’23 showed off on the field in the shot put and discus competitions.
Drake won the State Championship in BOTH shot put and discus. He threw 165-8 in discus and 56-3 in shot put to become Father Ryan’s first throwing State Champion in the school’s history! It was an incredible ending to an undefeated season for Drake.
Katie threw 120-1 in discus to beat the school record again this year and secure State Runner-Up! This is the top girls discus finish in Father Ryan history.
Congratulations to Drake and Katie on these outstanding performances; we cannot wait to see how your senior seasons play out!
Boys Soccer finished their 2022 season as Runner-Up in the State Championship, where they lost a nail-biter to Baylor on penalty kicks.
TSSAA Hall of Fame Head Coach ROBIN DIETERICH ’73 coached an extremely talented group of young men to a familiar season. They entered the playoffs as strong contenders, and they did not disappoint. In the semifinals, the Irish bested Christian Brothers (Memphis) 2-1. They then took top-seeded Baylor, who boasted a 16-1-1 record, to overtime, and subsequently, penalty kicks.
A leader on the team this season was DYLAN KEINER ’22 . The senior battled through multiple injuries last season and fought hard to be ready for his senior campaign.
Dylan, along with his teammates GEORGE CHUNUWE ’23 , LUCA DANIELS ’22, and JACKSON DRINKO ’22, was named to the AllRegion Team.
Congratulations to the Boys Soccer Team on a stellar season!
The Father Ryan Softball Team had a very impressive season under Head Coach ASHLEE DOYLE, and turned many heads in the postseason, where they entered as an underdog.
The Lady Irish, led by centerfielder and power hitter MADILYN PARKER ’22 , received a tough draw in the first round of the playoffs. They were seeded against Harpeth Hall and swept them 2-0 in a best of three series.
The upset had everyone on alert, and the Irish carried the momentum into their subsequent series against Tipton-Rosemark. While the Irish couldn’t move to the next round, they showed the state of Tennessee what Irish Softball is all about.
Congratulations, Lady Irish, on a great season!
The Swimming and Diving Team’s exceptional and record-setting year was the focus of a celebration this spring as new school records were unveiled.
Coaches of the Year ROB ’95 AND SHANNON PHILBIN introduced the new record holders as the sign was officially dedicated.
The swimmers are ROSEMARY BONADIES ’22, GWEN BAKKER ’23, LUCY TRAILOV ’25, and PARKER LYNCH ’23 200M Medley Relay PARKER - 50 Freestyle PARKER, LUCY, CLAIRE PLATEK ’23, and ROSEMARY - 200M Free Relay
ROSEMARY - 100M Backstroke
GWEN - 100M Breaststroke
Congratulations to all these outstanding swimmers. The coming years in the pool look bright for the Irish.
Two Irish bowlers finished their impressive seasons on high notes at the TSSAA DII-AA State Individual Bowling Tournament!
SYDNEY LONG ’22 completed her stellar Irish bowling career with a 9th place finish in the girls division. Sydney has been an asset to the Bowling Team for all four years at Father Ryan.
ROBERT PAREIGIS ’23 capped off his junior campaign with a 21st place finish in the boys division. Robert will return to the Bowling Team in the fall for his senior season as a leader on the lanes.
Congratulations to Sydney and Robert, and thank you both for making us proud to be Irish!
Since our first Wrestling State Championship in 1967, Father Ryan has upheld a strong tradition of excellence on the wrestling mat. This year was no exception. CAL EASON ’22 claimed the State Title in the 120 weight class, and CASEN ROARK ’25 claimed the State Title in the 126 weight class!
Cal capped a 23-2 record in his senior season with a 16-14 decision over his opponent from Lakeway Christian in what was named the Most Outstanding Match of the championship. After tearing his PCL and LCL a month before the State Championship, Cal did everything he could to get back on the mat and make his state champion dream a reality.
Casen had a fantastic freshman season with a record of 35-5 and claimed his first State Title after getting a reversal over his Baylor opponent in overtime, 3-1. He celebrated his victory with a backflip on the mat!
Of our 14 wrestlers who qualified to compete in the State Individual Championships, we received two 1st places, two 2nd places, eight 3rd places, one 4th place, and one 5th place. Overall, the Irish wrestlers finished second in the State!
It was another strong season for one of Father Ryan’s fastestgrowing sports. Hockey, which of course has found a home in Nashville with the NHL’s Predators, has become synonymous with Father Ryan at the high school level. COACH STEVEN HENRY ’14 led the Irish to another successful season. In addition, history was made after the season ended, at the GNASH All-Star Game.
Skaters AUSTIN HESTER ’24 and KATIE CUMMINGS ’23 were named to the GNASH All-Star Team, and Coach Henry was selected as a coach!
In addition, Katie was named as the Commissioner’s Choice and was the first female to play in the GNASH All-Star Game!
Prior to the All-Star Game, Austin and Katie were invited to participate in GNASH All-Star Exhibition Game with former NHL players, including Cody Hodgson, who assists Coach Henry on the Father Ryan team.
In this game, which was played on the Stadium Series rink in Nissan Stadium, both Irish players contributed with points. Austin found the back of the net with a goal, and Katie dished out an assist.
Father Ryan junior and Irish golfer, LUKE CARROLL ’24 , who lives with neurological impairment, placed 14th at the inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open this summer.
Luke comes into his junior year at Father Ryan having accomplished great things in the off season. Traveling to Pinehurst, North Carolina, Luke played in the first-ever U.S. Adaptive Open. As the youngest male player in attendance, Luke competed against 96 other players, placing 4th in his group and 14th in the overall. After this summer, Luke now holds a +0.3 handicap index.
GREG THOMPSON, English teacher and golf instructor at Father Ryan, has had the chance to watch Luke grow as a student, an athlete, and a young man over the course of the last two years. “When I first met him, he had only been playing golf for three years or so. He just dedicated to turn himself into a player. He didn’t hit the ball very far, but his short game was unbelievable. He kept getting better and better. He’s a special kid; great attitude. He was very quiet and shy when I met him, and now he’s really turned into a great young man who is doing things to inspire others,” Thompson said.
Luke is getting attention, with Channel 4 airing a feature piece on him in June. His goal is to play college golf at Vanderbilt University and to win next year’s U.S. Adaptive Open.
Eight athletes, one coach, three contributors, and one team whose accomplishments showcase the legacy of Father Ryan were announced as the 2022 Athletics Hall of Fame class in June.
These athletes and leaders represent classes from 1942 to 2000 and were selected from more than 110 nominations submitted by the community. They were formally inducted into the Hall of Fame in a special ceremony on September 1, 2022, at Father Ryan, and were the honorary captains at the school’s September 2 home football game.
ANN MULLINS ’03, Director of Athletics, said that she was pleased with the response from the Father Ryan community. “I am thrilled to read and talk about the nominees each year, and I am always touched by their stories and their accomplishments,” she said. “However, what truly stands out about each of these Hall of Famers is their humility and their emotional response to selection to the Father Ryan Athletics Hall of Fame. Their love for the school and the deep honor they feel over their selection speak loudly to their experience at Father Ryan. I thank the Hall of Fame Selection Committee for their outstanding work and look forward to celebrating these men and women.”
The 2022 Athletic Hall of Fame members, their graduating class, and their sports are:
PAUL BARNARD ’50, Baseball, Basketball
JOE BENEDICT ’63 , Baseball, Basketball
ROBERT L. “BOBBY” BERRY ’42 , Basketball, Football
JOE CRUMBY ’95 , Basketball
CHRISTY CSORNA ’99, Cross Country, Track and Field
MICHAEL J. HOOKER ’74, Football, Track and Field, Wrestling JOCELYN P. ROBERTSON ’76 , Basketball CHRISTINA “WHIT” WHITLEY ’00, Basketball, Volleyball
BILL BRUNNER ’77, Baseball
FATHER BILL FLEMING ’49, Teacher, Coach, Principal, Donor
EVERETT “HOSEY” HOLZAPFEL ’59, Athlete, Coach, Athletic Director
CHUCK MERIWETHER ’74, Athlete, Coach, MLB Umpire, Sports Executive
Team:
1973-1974 GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM , NIL Co-Champs
Full bios of the inductees and information about nominating candidates for future classes are available at www.fatherryan.org/hof.
Congratulations to the 18 seniors who signed their letters to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level!
These student-athletes have worked hard during their time at Father Ryan and have made us all proud to be Irish.
CIRO ALBAMONT ’22 - Cross Country/Track & Field at Western Kentucky University
COLE BECKER ’22 - Football at Appalachian State University
ROSEMARY BONADIES ’22 - Swimming at Connecticut College
MATTHEW DERRICK ’22 - Baseball at John A. Logan College in Carterville, Illinois
KINSTEN EVANS ’22 - Soccer at East Tennessee State University
ALEX FORD ’22 - Football at Western Kentucky University
JACOB GARLAND ’22 - Golf at the University of Dayton.
ALEX HAMM ’22 - Golf at Trevecca Nazarene University
JAIR HORTON ’22 - Basketball at Walters State in Morristown, TN
MARCUS KENNEDY-HOLT ’22 - Football at Lindsey Wilson College
MARY MACKIE ’22 - Basketball at University of Tennessee Southern
AIDAN NIX ’22 - Cross Country/Track & Field at Western Kentucky University
MADILYN PARKER ’22 - Softball at Sewanee: The University of the South
JACK PORTER ’22 - Baseball at the University of Central Florida
JAMES REED III ’22 - Football at Arkansas State
BEN REGEN ’22 - Rowing at UC San Diego
BJ SELBY ’22 - Rugby at the University of Louisville
KELSEY SULLIVAN ’22 - Lacrosse at Endicott College in Beverly, MA
ANN MULLINS ’03, Director of Athletics, said that she is always excited to see these student-athletes sign to continue their athletic careers. “As one who had the honor to compete at the next level, I know the opportunities that await these young men and women,” she said. “It’s a proud moment for them and their families, and for their teammates and classmates to share. We are proud of all of them.”
“The new President of Father Ryan High School is Paul Davis.”
The announcement to faculty and staff at a special meeting on May 16 drew a standing ovation as soon as Father Ryan Board Chair BILL STEJSKAL ’79 uttered the words. Within minutes, the news went out to the entire Father Ryan community and filled the news feeds of Nashville media.
“Our search process produced outstanding candidates from across the country,” Stejskal said, “but it became clear to the entire Advisory Team that Paul was the right person for us to recommend to Bishop Mark Spalding to lead Father Ryan High School. The bishop agreed with that recommendation. Paul’s commitment to Catholic education, his love for these students, and his deep connection to this community provided a vision for the school’s future that gave all of us confidence in his leadership. He will be an exceptional President of Father Ryan.”
“Paul has been a strong advocate for Catholic education and an important part of this school community for most of his life,” said Bishop Spalding. “I am confident that through his faithful leadership of Father Ryan and his deep commitment to these students, Father Ryan High School will continue to be an example of excellence in education and in our faith.”
Throughout Ryan Nation, the news was greeted by comments such as “the perfect choice,” “fantastic news,” “so proud,” and “Father Ryan is in good hands.” As the excitement of that day passed and the operation and advancement of the largest private school in Tennessee became the focus of this lifelong Father Ryan figure, a range of issues greets the 15th head of school in Irish history: curriculum advances, facility planning, a Centennial celebration, fundraising, alumni engagement, and, most important, the education of the 870+ students who call Father Ryan home.
The issues are familiar ones for Mr. Davis, who has been with Father Ryan for the last 36 years, first as a teacher and assistant coach and then as Dean of Students from 1998 until 2007, when he became Principal.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Technological University and returned to Father Ryan in the fall of 1986 to teach English. He later served as coach of Freshmen Volleyball, Baseball, and Freshmen Basketball while also serving as moderator of the Student Council. In 1992, he earned a Master of Arts degree in Educational Psychology and Counselor Education from Tennessee Tech.
A native Nashvillian, Mr. Davis and his entire family are products of Catholic education. He is a graduate of Christ the King School, and his wife, Teresa (Sharp) Davis ’81, their children, his father, all of his siblings, and many of his nieces and nephews are graduates of Father Ryan High School.
With his history at the school, Mr. Davis brings a distinctive perspective to his role as President, as well as a deep respect for those who have come before. Irish Ayes sat down with the new head of school over the summer to get his insights and to hear his plans as the school begins its 98th year. Here is that conversation.
IRISH AYES: What does it mean to you to be head of the school that’s been part of your life for the last 40 plus years?
MR. DAVIS: Humbling to say the least. I often think about those who came before me, and as the centennial celebration of this significant Catholic institution approaches, those thoughts become even stronger. My prayer each day is that God gives me the strength, wisdom, and courage to lead this great community.
IA: You’ve been in education your entire professional life. Why was that calling you, and why does education continue to be so critical?
MR. DAVIS: I was inspired by my teachers going back to my days at Christ the King and Father Ryan. I enjoyed school and the relationships I formed at each level, so when it came time to choose a major, teaching felt comfortable to me. Education is about building relationships and forming students as they grow, assisting them on their journey. I have loved the interaction with students over my time, and I admire and am inspired by watching my colleagues build similar relationships in hopes of guiding young people to be the best versions of themselves.
IA: What did you say to the search team that reflected your vision for Father Ryan and how you can be a part of that journey?
MR. DAVIS: Guided by the Holy Spirit and after much discernment, I spoke about the successes we have had as an administrative team working collaboratively. Continuity of the direction Father Ryan moving forward was important for me to convey. We discussed the need to continue the focus on the Strategic Plan, the importance of the 100th anniversary, and the vision we have for the future. My role in that process is to keep focus on Bishop Spalding’s message to me when I met with him in May of maintaining Catholic identity and pursuing efforts of sustainability and accessibility.
IA: How do you see the current private education environment in Nashville and where does Father Ryan fit into it?
MR. DAVIS: The independent/private school environment is competitive. We have nine independent high schools within a 10-mile drive of our campus, all of which provide quality education, but being
the only co-ed Catholic High School in that area sets us apart. We provide a high-quality, rigorous academic program centered in the Catholic tradition. Our students work hard in and out of the classroom and learn through varied opportunities to live beyond themselves, striving to make a difference in the world around them by being living experiences of the Gospel. These same students are accepted to top colleges across the nation and excel at the next level. I am not certain that it is accurate to say we fit in. I feel that as we center in the truth of Jesus Christ, we stand out. We are Father Ryan and stand strong in that pride.
IA: What does Father Ryan need to do to continue to be relevant 10 years from now?
MR. DAVIS: Over the course of the past decade, we have excelled at moving the school forward, but we have been measured and intentional in making sure that these moves forward are true to our Catholic tradition, driven by our strategic plans, and right for our students and our community. With an excellent faculty and staff in place and through the guidance of our Board and the Diocese, we will continue to evaluate changes in education and programming to stay relevant and true to our faith. I do believe that our parent and alumni communities are key to that process, and it is our hope to engage them in meaningful ways that draw them closer to the school.
IA: Affordability is no longer a question; it is really about accessibility. As you think about that longstanding belief that Catholic education should be accessible to anyone who wants it, how does Father Ryan do that, when the cost to educate students in a Catholic school – like attending any private school- grows?
MR. DAVIS: We have had much success over the past few years through the generosity of donors. Just last year three new scholarships were created thanks to people who valued the Father Ryan experience. No doubt they encountered teachers focused on our mission and experienced Christ’s love in positive ways. Additionally, the Advancement team has been approached by two more individuals who see the value of a Father Ryan education and want to help in making accessibility a priority. The Diocese has focused energies on accessibility, as well, through the Faith, Hope, and Love campaign. Currently, we are looking into best practices from other Diocesan schools across the nation in hopes to learn from their successes and build an endowment which will support accessibility. Ultimately, it is something that will require all in our community to work together. Generosity is a virtue, and time and time again, I have
IA: Put yourself in this situation. A family is visiting and you have an opportunity to take them on a tour of Father Ryan High School. What are the most important things you want to impress upon them?
witnessed our community pursue that virtue through time, gift, and talent. It takes all of us working together to examine our values and the needs in our community so that we can pursue this goal of accessibility. We must continuously, with the virtue of generosity, ask ourselves what more can we do to support Catholic education making it accessible to all.
MR. DAVIS: Having remained in Catholic education and specifically at Father Ryan, I continue to be drawn to the students. Watching them grow from freshmen year to senior year is a gift. The student who walks across the bridge on that first day new to our community in early August is vastly different than the student who walks across the stage in May four years later. Relationships centered in the teachings of our Lord and Savior are key to that change. Our faculty and staff provide our students with the tools to succeed and constantly encourage and challenge our students to be better. I love showing visitors our students and our teachers working together in the light of God’s love. I want them to hear, see, and feel the faith-based education process at work and witness the pursuit of learning through the mission of our school. We must all strive to be living examples of God’s love. I want them to know that their student will be known, loved, challenged, and supported as they pursue faith, knowledge, and service during their time at Father Ryan.
“I want people to see that our students are happy and that they are engaged with our faculty and staff.”
After17 years at the helm of Father Ryan High School, Jim McIntyre can claim a host of accomplishments: improved academic rigor, financial stability, improvements to the facilities.
But those aren’t the things that define Father Ryan for him.
“I always felt like we have a beautiful campus, but that’s not Father Ryan,” McIntyre said. “The community is rooted in relationships. …
“Father Ryan is a tangible expression of our relationship to God, which is we all want to be known and loved by God,” he said. “Our interaction is the way God expresses that. Knowing and loving each other is a faith experience. That’s the secret sauce if you will.
“It comes from an inner experience. The experience of knowing and loving each other becomes more than a (tagline),” McIntyre said. “It’s a challenge as much as it is anything.
“Knowing and loving them is a real way to build stability for young people and for parents and for teachers,” he said.
McIntyre’s tenure at Father Ryan came to an end with this school year. He and his wife Amy headed to Orlando, Florida, where he became the president of Lake Highland Prep, the largest private school in the city and the fourth largest in the state.
“My hope is Amy and I can take our gifts to serve a new community,” McIntyre said.
“Like the students who just graduated, Father Ryan’s prepared me to go out into the world to know and love a new community,” he said.
“Mr. McIntyre achieved great success by carefully balancing relationships, results, and processes, never allowing the pursuit of one to expand at the expense of the other two,” said Bill Stejskal, chairman of the Father Ryan Board of Trustees. “Only the most skilled leaders are able to do this.
“We were blessed to have him at the helm,” Stejskal said.
“I feel confident relationships with each other are at the core of education and human development,” McIntyre said. “I’ve learned over the years as
a husband, as a parent, as an educator, and here at Father Ryan that relationship is the key to trust, which is the key to a successful educational experience.
“Being authentically committed to young people and their achievements and success is one of the great gifts I will bring from Father Ryan to a new community,” he added.
McIntyre credited the improvements in academics at Father Ryan to the work of the school’s academic deans, including the late Sara Hayes and the current dean Jennifer Anton, and their teams.
“My role was to support, care for, and let the academic team do what they’re best at, which is academics, and let the teachers do what they’re good at, which is teaching,” McIntyre said.
Among the changes the school has implemented was a conversion to block scheduling. “Block scheduling was pivotal,” he said, because it mirrors the college experience Father Ryan students will have in their futures.
The school has added Advanced Placement courses and learning specialists to support students. “At a diocesan school, you have to be all things to all people,” McIntyre said. “As we added rigor, we also added support.”
The school has four levels of academics. “The ability to personalize somebody’s high school curriculum so they can excel where they are strong and get support where they need it leads to success, and success breeds success,” McIntyre said.
Recently, the school has added STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) courses, “which are going exceedingly well,” McIntyre said.
Father Ryan has also increased the students’ use of technology, but they’ve done it in a careful manner, McIntyre said. “We made sure it was a means to an end, not an end to itself.”
The experience at Father Ryan is about more than learning subject matter, McIntyre said. “The word formation is a word underutilized. Academics is something schools do, but formation is what we do,” he said.
An important feature in the formation of Father Ryan students has been the establishment of a House System in the 2020-21 school year, McIntyre said. Students, faculty, and staff are assigned to one of six Houses, and each House, a smaller community within the school, has a faculty Head of House, a Personal Counselor, and a College Counselor. Within each House are smaller
“My role was to support, care for, and let the academic team do what they’re best at...”
Mentor Groups that allow the students to develop a relationship during their four years at the school with a faculty or staff mentor who will foster social and emotional intelligence.
The mentoring of students by teachers at Father Ryan is one of the school’s successes, McIntyre said.
The system has provided more leadership opportunities for students and allowed students of different grade levels to connect with each other, he added.
“We doubled down on our identity” through the system, he said. Each House has a Patron Saint connected to a specific social justice teaching of the Church, McIntyre explained. For example, the Immaculata House is named for Immaculate Mother Academy, the school founded in Nashville to serve African Americans by St. Katharine Drexel, who is the House’s saint.
McIntyre noted the House System “feeds into the idea of identity and the sense I’m part of something bigger than myself here.”
During the last 17 years, Father Ryan has either built or renovated every building on the campus, McIntyre explained. The campus is 30 years old, so some of those improvements are to be expected, he added. But he led efforts that resulted in the construction of the Jim Carell Fitness Center, Jim Carell Alumni Athletic Complex, and Giacosa Stadium.
“None of that would have been possible without Father (Charles) Giacosa and Mr. Carell,” McIntyre said.
But the facilities are more than a place for athletic contests, he said. “It’s a place for us to gather in community.”
The school has hosted Relay For Life, Special Olympics, parochial league games, and Atlantic Coast Conference football teams practicing for the Music City Bowl at Giacosa Stadium, McIntyre noted. “It’s a real gathering place… A place for connection and legacy and traditions and hope for the future.”
It offers students and alumni “a place to always call home,” McIntyre said. The facilities help build a sense of community. The athletic complex provides a “visual of something that already existed” and allowed it to expand exponentially, he added.
“When hard times hit, the natural reaction of the Father Ryan community is to serve. That’s a result of our mission,” he said.
“No one is alone here,” McIntyre said. “Loving each other, that can be messy. Life is difficult, but we are not alone.”
McIntyre was pleased that his friend and colleague, Paul Davis, who has served as Father Ryan’s principal since 2007, will succeed him as president of the school.
“The continuity of leaders, while bringing a fresh vision, will serve the faculty and students and the community as a whole,” McIntyre said. “The school is at a great point, and I feel good I can leave it in Paul’s hands and the leadership team’s hands to take it to a new level.”
Reprinted with permission of the Tennessee Register.
He arrived in 2005, all of 35 years old, filled with energy, driven by his faith, and committed to making Father Ryan High School the national standard in Catholic education.
He succeeded.
Through Jim McIntyre’s leadership, new buildings emerged, new programs launched, and new curriculum came to life. However, he always reminded this community that it is not the buildings or the programs that make Father Ryan High School. It is the people - the students, the faculty, the staff, the parents, the alumni, the friends - who make Father Ryan a school. And it is those people who made our mission possible for the more than 4,000 students who have walked through the Neuhoff Library doors since Jim arrived on this campus.
Thank you, Jim, for engaging our entire community throughout your 17 years here – the longest of any head of school in Father Ryan history. Thank you for inspiring all of us to live our mission every day. And thank you for leading us through a memorable and meaningful era in our long Tradition of Faith, Knowledge, and Service.
MICHELLE DUKE’S ’90 experiences at Father Ryan and her career pathway are similar to many Irish alums who came before her and those who follow in her footsteps today.
She may not have realized it at the time, but looking back, it was the teachers and classes at Father Ryan, along with the guiding Hand from above, who helped chart a course for what she has become today: President of the National Association of Broadcasters Foundation and the Chief Diversity Officer of the National Association of Broadcasters.
Duke began her educational studies at St. Pius before switching to public school for 7th-9th grades. However, after her three years, Duke transferred to Father Ryan. Although she decided she wanted to be a journalist while in public school, it was her experience at Father Ryan that laid the foundation for her career.
“When I was younger, I always thought I wanted to be a singer,” Duke remembers. “Then a friend told me that a journalist is someone who travels around the world and writes about it. I was an avid writer at the time so I was sold, and I have wanted to be a journalist ever since.”
When she transferred to Father Ryan, Duke immediately began working at the student newspaper, the Moina, and during her junior year applied for a minority scholarship offered by the Nashville Banner. Unfortunately, she did not receive it. Then, another letdown came as Michelle ran for
class officer at Father Ryan and lost the race. Looking for a place where she could fit in, she decided she wanted to start a Black Student Union.
Duke approached EDDIE KRENSON ’72 , Principal at the time, about starting this new club. While Mr. Krenson liked the idea, he suggested that she start a club that was open to all students.
“At first, I thought, what kind of club would this be? Just a Father Ryan Club?” Duke recalls. “But, because he pressed me, I came back and suggested a Culture Club. This was my first exposure to diversity. Because of his push, I stretched beyond my familiarity, to broaden my perspective and create a club that anyone could join and learn about others.”
The club hosted monthly activities and invited guests from diverse cultures to speak with the group for the purpose of opening minds and expanding the students’ experiences with people who are different from them.
The same year, Duke participated in a cornerstone class in Father Ryan’s Theology curriculum, Senior Service. For an entire semester, two days a week, students volunteered during two class periods at organizations across the city. Duke was placed at a school for children with behavioral challenges, and throughout her time there, she became very close with the teacher and the class. As it turned out, one of the students’ birthday was the same day as hers, and there was a school holiday on their shared birthday, so Duke brought a cake into the class so everyone could celebrate together. Later, during a “what did you learn this week” session at Father Ryan, Duke shared how much she enjoyed celebrating her birthday with the class. Months later, unbeknownst to Duke, the teacher of the course, Fr. Joe McMahon, called the Nashville Banner to suggest they write a story about the Senior Service class. Duke only knew a reporter was coming – not that she would be the centerpiece of the article.
“As soon as I heard a reporter was coming, I thought, ‘I have to meet this person,’” recalls Duke. “So, I got there early that day, and stood at the window and waited. As soon as I saw someone get out of the car with a notebook and pen, I knew that was the reporter, and I sprinted over to her and said, ‘Are you a newspaper reporter?’ And she said, ‘Who are you? I don’t even know you.’ I told her who I was, and then she said I am here to write this article about you. I thought, what, me? I couldn’t believe this reporter came to write an article about me and the birthday cake, and here I am, waiting to meet a reporter all this time. I’m telling you the Lord was all through this.”
The rest, as they say, is history. Duke spent a day shadowing the Banner reporter, Jan Reed, and while she was visiting the newsroom with Reed, she happened to run into the woman who had interviewed her a year earlier for the paper’s minority scholarship.
Duke was encouraged to apply again, and this time she won. Duke worked at the Banner during her college years at Middle Tennessee State University, which led to a full-time position at the paper, where she worked until it closed its doors for good in 1998.
“I’m telling you the Lord was all through this.”
However, her career evolution and connections to Father Ryan were not finished yet. While she worked at the Banner, Duke ran the paper’s diversity program, using many of the skills she learned as the founder of the Culture Club at Father Ryan. After the Banner closed, Duke moved to Washington D.C., and with her journalistic background and her passion for the importance of diversity, was hired as the manager of diversity outreach at the Newspaper Association of America, where she worked for many years before switching from newspaper journalism to broadcast journalism.
Today, Duke works double-duty as President of the National Association of Broadcasters Foundation, where she is focused on educating students about careers in broadcasting and growing leaders in the industry, and as Chief Diversity Officer of the National Association of Broadcasters, an advocacy group comprised of the 12,632 local radio and stations in our country.
Duke was awarded the National Area Capital Alliance for Women in Media Star Award in 2009 and was inducted into the Wall of Fame for the School of Journalism in the College of Media and Entertainment at Middle Tennessee State University in 2018. She is also consistently recognized as one of Radio Ink’s Most Influential Women in Radio.
“I feel very blessed,” Duke says today. “I have been able to evolve from reporter to project manager in diversity to non-profit executive through the Foundation, all while keeping that same baseline skillset that I gained not only at the Banner, but from my time working on the student newspaper at Father Ryan. It all started from the connection that was made to the Banner reporter by a Father Ryan teacher who cared. My career literally launched from there.”
Another Father Ryan alum making waves in the world of broadcast journalism is MARY FRANCIS HOOTS ’14 as a weekend news anchor for WRCB-TV in Chattanooga. The Hoots name is a familiar one in the Father Ryan family as Mary Francis’s mother has taught Theology at the school since 1988, and all but one Hoots (who is still too young to attend) are Irish alumni.
While Duke may have found her media calling at Father Ryan, it was not until after college that Hoots knew she wanted to be in front of the camera. “I was heavily involved in athletics at Father Ryan and did not have time for much else. I played soccer and basketball all four years and ran track junior and senior years to stay in shape for soccer,” recalls Hoots. However, many of the skills that she learned on the field have stuck, and she credits her coaches for instilling skills in her that she uses both in the newsroom and in her interactions on-camera.
“I owe COACH [JASON] LARKIN much thanks for how hard he pushed, both on and off the court,” says Hoots. “During practice (or even in class) if we didn’t make eye contact or say ‘yes sir’, you had to run. He expected you to work hard and always give your best. As a 15 or 16-year-old girl, that was tough sometimes— not all girls want to be pushed that hard—but those lessons have always stuck with me, and now I’m grateful for them.”
After graduating from Father Ryan, Hoots remained focused on athletics in college at Tennessee Technical University in Cookeville, where she played soccer and majored in business. But once she graduated with her business degree, she knew immediately she was in the wrong field.
“As a little girl, I would watch Erin Andrews as a sideline reporter and think that I wanted to be her, but I just didn’t think about that as a job until after school,” she remembers.
Out of college, with no plans to use her business degree, Hoots connected
with another Irish alum, JOHN LANGDON ’92 , who works in Belmont University’s athletic department. He helped her secure work with the department’s broadcasting unit, where she would attend games with the university’s film crew and help out behind scenes, set up shots, and move the camera. Eventually, she was given the opportunity to do live updates during streamed Belmont athletic events.
Using the experience she gained at Belmont, Hoots secured a position as an intern with WSMV-TV, where she soaked up all her interactions with the staff. She would watch reporters pitch stories in newsrooms, tag along for the live shots, and watch them file stories. While she was out on these live shots, she was even given an opportunity to get her own newsreel and more experience in front of the camera. Her big break came when some former WSMV reporters moved to WRCB in Chattanooga and vouched for her for an open position. Hoots began as a news assignment reporter and has been promoted to weekend reporter and now weekend news anchor for two newscasts on Saturday and Sunday at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., with additional reporting duties WednesdayFriday.
“I absolutely love anchoring my own show and having opportunities to report on the stories I’m interested in,” says Mary Francis.
Her work as an anchor and communicator obviously speaks volumes, as she was recently tapped by the newly elected Hamilton County Mayor, Weston Wamp, to serve as his Director of Communications in the Mayor’s Office. She covered the mayor’s race as a reporter, and her ability to communicate issues clearly and her news experience will serve her well as she moves from the newsroom to the press room.
“I absolutely love anchoring my own show and having opportunities to report on the stories I’m interested in.”
DUKE : We continue to see how important local news remains during times when communities need to come together, for example during COVID or weather alerts, such as tornadoes or hurricanes. We’ve found that many people trust their local news reporters much more than national news because they need us to tell them what is going on in their backyard. That type of trust is what we are using to reinforce the importance of not only knowing what is happening in your own community but leaning on your local broadcasters for that content – not somewhere else.
HOOTS: The value of local news can’t be overstated. If you want to know what is happening in your neighborhood, you need local news.
DUKE: The challenge is not the desire for content – that’s there – the challenge is that many people today don’t want appointment television. They don’t want to turn on the radio in their car or home. They don’t want to listen to their favorite DJ when they do everything on their phone. We know this is a challenge, and we can see the numbers shifting. But the reality is the content we provide is unmatched, so we need to make sure we meet our audiences where they are.
HOOTS: Work hard. I learned that early at Father Ryan. Don’t be afraid to speak up and make sure everyone has a voice, even if it goes against the mainstream opinion.
DUKE: Identify mentors who can help you navigate your career. It helps if you have several mentors, as you will go to them for different types of advice. I also strongly recommend that anyone attending college MUST complete an internship in their field of interest. Work with your college professors, get engaged in organizations that cater to your industry like the Society of Professional Journalists, the National Association of Black Journalists, or the American Marketing Association. Don’t get stuck in a Catch-22 of not having enough experience for an entry-level job. That sounds crazy, right? How are you supposed to get experience when you just graduated college and can’t get an entry-level position in your field? INTERNSHIPS! I can’t stress it enough.
We talked with MICHELLE DUKE ’90 of the National Broadcasting Association and MARY FRANCIS HOOTS ’14, a weekend news anchor at WRCB-TV, about what it is like working in broadcasting today and what the future looks like for the industry.
The setting was that of a Gala, but the evening and the atmosphere had the feel of a family reunion as Father Ryan celebrated the work, commitment, and love of FATHER CHARLES STROBEL ’61.
The Founding Director of Room In The Inn and a tireless advocate for those less fortunate in our community, Father Strobel found himself in an unfamiliar spot, with a spotlight on him. However, the gathering of more than 650 guests at the Music City Center on February 5 was warm and familial, in part because of the presence of so many of Father’s nieces, nephews, and cousins, many of whom persuaded Father to join them on the dance floor at the end of the evening. Their presence was energized by the greetings and smiles of classmates and friends who have known Father Strobel since they
nicknamed him “Sunshine” in high school, and who have worked alongside him for years to elevate the lives of so many in Nashville.
Introduced by JOHN SEIGENTHALER ’74 and joined by Father Ryan President and fellow baseball fan JIM MCINTYRE , who presented Father with a signed baseball from a perfect game Father had witnessed, this humble man silenced the room as he closed the evening with his nighttime prayer, inviting all to continue to care for all in our community.
The evening also generated significant funds for Father Ryan, particularly in the area of tuition assistance, all while providing an entertaining and enjoyable gathering for Ryan Nation.
One of the key components of the Father Ryan Strategic Plan is creating a culture of philanthropy among our community. In each issue of Irish Ayes, we profile individuals who have demonstrated that philanthropic spirit in their own giving to Father Ryan. This issue features donors whose understanding of givingfor the present and the future - and appreciation of Father Ryan’s continued impact inspire their ongoing support. To read more about planned giving at Father Ryan, visit fatherryan.org/ plannedgiving.
That was never more true than this spring when three new scholarships were established, each by a family who were inspired by the example and the lives of individuals deeply tied to the life and legacy of Father Ryan High School.
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd P. Crockett were moved by the example of BISHOP DAVID R. CHOBY ’65, his leadership as our bishop and his faith as part of this loving community. They were also moved by his commitment to vocations, a commitment that is evidenced today by the numerous young priests and seminarians who were called by Godand shepherded by Bishop Choby to follow their vocation.
“Bishop Choby was a model for us of what a priest should be, and of how a bishop can have a lasting impact,” Lloyd Crockett said. Lloyd had served as the president of Serra Club International, whose mission is vocations, and reached out to Bishop Choby in 2011 to start the Seminarians Dinner.Eleven years later, the dinner raised $350,000 for seminarian education. “We believe that vocations are the future of our Church,” Lloyd said, emotion filling his voice. “That’s why Elizabeth and I created the Bishop David R. Choby ’65 Memorial Scholarship. Through it, we hope to providesupport for those young men who hear the call and want to follow their vocation.”
The Bishop David R. Choby ‘65 Memorial Scholarship Fund was established this year to provide funds for tuition and expenses for a Father Ryan student who has expressed interestin becoming a priest.
The Hunt family, already generous supporters of Father Ryan, saw the legacy of former president Jim McIntyre as one of accomplishments big and small. For them, Mr. McIntyre’s transformative work through campus enhancements was the most visible example of his vision. But they feel his focus on making Father Ryan accessible to all students through tuition assistance and equipment support was even more impactful. That is the inspiration for their creation of The McIntyre Family Fund, This fund is designed to provide students and families most in need with ancillary expenses such as books, computers, supplies, school travel expenses, and other support that
will allow them to fully know and participate in the dignity and beauty of the Father Ryan High School experience. “Father Ryan changed our family’s lives,” said
SCOTT HUNT ’78 , “and through this fund, we hope to make it possible for more families to experience what we experienced then and continue to experience today. In addition, it is a way to honor Jim’s work that will have lasting impacts on our students and this community.”
FATHER PAT KIBBY ’73 has been a vital part of the community, from Christ the King to Father Ryan to parish responsibilities including Cathedral and Saint Stephen. His homilies have inspired congregations for years and his engagement as a Father Ryan board member provided guidance and leadership that has helped the school continue to form lives of excellence in the Catholic tradition.
Mr. and Mrs. David Bayer, Father Ryan parents of alumni, have seen Father Kibby in and out of church, have seen his impact in person, and have seen how he can inspire others. That’s why they created the Father Patrick J. Kibby ’73 Scholarship Fund.
“Father has added to this Irish family,” David said, “as an energetic force and a faith-filled leader. We want to add to the experiences of many Irish students and their families by making it possible for more young men and women to attend this school. By endowing this scholarship, we hope to make Father Ryan more accessible while educating these families about Father Kibby and his good work.”
Three families, each offering their generosity to strengthen the entire Father Ryan family. Thank you, all.
In what felt like a breath of fresh air, Reunion Weekend 2022 was a relaxed and carefree affair, and for the first time since 2019, alumni were able to gather without any COVID-19 restrictions in place.
The weekend kicked off with the LOU GRAHAM ’56 Alumni Golf Tournament on Friday, June 3. Proceeds from the tournament benefit tuition assistance, and participating golfers were treated to a great day on the links at Gaylord Springs. As always, Mr. Graham himself was in attendance, welcoming everyone and thanking them for their commitment to Father Ryan. The 1975 U.S. Open winner even took time to putt with each participant on the practice greens.
In the end, the team of CHARLIE SHERIDAN, SR. ’88, CHARLIE SHERIDAN, JR. ’19, MATT DAVIS ’89, and WALTER PRITCHETT ’88 took home first place. Thanks to all who attended and made this tournament memorable.
On Friday night, alumni from all years gathered on campus for the free Alumni Reception hosted by the Father Ryan Alumni Department. In between drinks and light bites, alumni enjoyed a beautiful evening and time to reminiscence with old and new friends alike.
Saturday night featured class reunions held all over town for classes ending in 2s and 7s. The
Class of 2007 was the youngest class to host a reception; they enjoyed their 15-year reunion at The Tin Roof 2 in Franklin. The Class of 1962, meanwhile, were the oldest class to gather. The Golden Grads gathered on campus to enjoy their 60-year reunion!
On Sunday morning, alumni from the Class of 1972 gathered on campus to be officially inducted into the Golden Grad Society. The morning began with a beautiful Mass in the Center for the Arts followed by the official induction ceremony. Each graduate was presented with a Golden Grad card and a framed certificate celebrating the distinction. Afterwards, the members of the Class of 1972, their guests, and previous Golden Grad inductees gathered in the Dining Hall for a delicious brunch to close out Reunion Weekend.
It was a special weekend spent celebrating the legacy of Father Ryan, and God blessed us with great weather throughout. Thank you to all who attended for making it one of the best Reunion Weekends in Father Ryan history!
Irish Alumni Celebrate Across the City: (clockwise from top left) Reunion Weekend saw the induction of the Class of 1972 in front of the Neuhoff Doors, great golf at the Lou Graham ‘56 Tournament, and gatherings of the Classes of 1977, 1987, 2002, 1997, and 2007.
It was 2012, and the Father Ryan Marching Band marched down 6th Avenue in the 86th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, earning plaudits from musicians and fans in attendance and online. To top off a memorable trip, they then traveled to Far Rockaway to perform for the community that had been so hard hit by SuperStorm Sandy. An unforgettable time to celebrate the Band, now in its 75th year. Go Irish!
1972 JOHN MAXWELL , Chairman of Maxwell Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. was named to the Nashville Business Journal’s 2021 Most Admired CEOs for private companies with 26100 employees. The familyrun business has expanded over the past 60 years to serve the Mid-South region as an honest and capable commercial roofing and sheet metal contractor.
1975 MIKE WRIGHT received the 2022 Mr. Baseball award from the Nashville Old Timers Baseball Association. He was The Tennessean’s Nashville Interscholastic League (NIL) Athlete of the Year in 1974. Wright was the quarterback on the 1974 football team who led the Irish to a 13-0 record and the State Championship and a catcher on the baseball team who batted .600. He was drafted by the Oakland A’s in the fourth round but chose instead to attend Vanderbilt on a football scholarship. He played football and baseball for the Commodores and was drafted in 1978 by the Detroit Tigers, playing two seasons of minor league baseball with Bristol in the Appalachian League and Lakeland in the Florida State League.
1978 TOM KELLY became Fire Chief of the Riceville Volunteer Fire Department in August 2021 and is currently enrolled in the NC Paramedic Program. Tom and his wife, Meg, welcomed a second grandchild last year.
1984 BLAKE FONTENAY is living his best life as a columnist for Treasure Coast Newspapers, a chain of three newspapers in South Florida. After graduating from the University of Florida and working in Florida during the early part of his career, Blake reports that it’s been his dream to return and finish his career in the Sunshine State.
1984 JIMMY HILLER, who started Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric in 1990 at the age of 24, was named to the 2021 Nashville Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs list. Jimmy has grown the company to more than 600 employees and 450 vehicles serving more than 30,000 customers across three states.
When she was writing articles for the Moina, EMMA DOOLING ’18 thought about telling stories that celebrated the uniqueness of communities and recognized the character of their residents.
Those thoughts turned into recognition of its own for Dooling this spring. Her articles about the people, business, culture, and legacy of the Jefferson Street community in Nashville – titled “Voices of Jefferson Street” - earned the student journalism award in the professional media outlets category from the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing (SABEW) for 2021.
Her passion for business journalism is rooted in her experiences as a Dow Jones intern last summer. In the fall of 2020, she applied to the Dow Jones News Fund internship on a whim and found out in February that she’d have the opportunity to write for the Nashville Business Journal (NBJ) from the comfort of her childhood bedroom in Franklin. Dooling was one of 10 other student journalists who were selected by the American City Business Journal and the Dow Jones News Fund.
As she was roaming the streets of Nashville, her hometown, she zeroed in on small business owners and the impact this booming city was having on their future. To her surprise, many expressed fear.
With a beat focusing on minority-owned and operated businesses, Dooling began talking with the company owners — from museums and bookstores to credit unions. Some had been in business more than three decades, and as they watched the streets around them grow, it left them wondering how it would impact them personally.
A large advocate for the unspoken for, Dooling enjoys the watchdog aspect of journalism and writing stories that hold the community around her accountable – no matter the risk.
“I want to be able to go into the journalism industry and hold my own,” Dooling said. Her wish is coming true. Dooling has just started work writing for the Philadelphia Business Journal.
Father Ryan High School launched Irish Connect , a free online networking site for alumni to promote their businesses, post job information, get career advice, and connect with other professionals.
Visit fatherryan.org/irishconnect to join today.
1989 MONTRELL TONEY has been promoted to Commander with The Nash ville Fire Department.
1997 AMY (MATISAK) LAVENDER complet ed her first year as Principal at St. Joseph School in Madison, TN. Prior to joining the Bulldogs last fall, she spent 15 years at Holy Rosary Academy as a teacher and, more recently, Vice Principal.
2005 FRANCES (LEATHERS) MEZA completed 15 years of service to the Marine Corps. She just started at Marine Corps Systems Command managing a supply account for all gear that is fielded to Marines.
1990 MATTHEW GALVIN is the Vice President of Promotion & Marketing for Stone Country Records. Previously, he was the National Director of Promotion & Marketing for Quartz Hill Records and spent 15 years as the Director of RCA Promo tion & Marketing for Sony Music Nashville, where he worked to develop the careers of Kane Brown, Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, Martina McBride, Chris Young, and more.
1991 JUDE CROWELL was presented with the 2022 Frederick C. Morgan Individual Achievement Award from the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), honoring career-long contributions to HFMA and to the healthcare finance profession. Crowell serves as Chief Client Officer for Invicta Health Solutions, a company that delivers specialized technology and revenue cycle solutions for hospitals and health systems. In this capacity, he leads the development and management of client deliverables with a fresh and modern approach to client satisfaction and accountability.
1991 THOMAS W. SHUMATE IV, Founder and Managing Partner at Meridian Law, LLC, has been selected to the 2021 Tennessee Super Lawyers list. No more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by Super Lawyers.
1995 ERIN DAVIE, Broadway actress and singer, starred on Broadway as Camilla in the production of “Diana: The Musical.”
1999 TREY CIOCCIA is the chef-owner of The Farm House and Black Rabbit in downtown Nashville. He was featured in The Tennessean about the inspiration behind his restaurants, his culinary background, the impact of the pandemic, and new plans to elevate his restaurants.
1999 CLAY MEACHAM placed second in a region al bodybuilding competi tion in Chattanooga. As a social studies teacher and MNPS’s 2016 High School Teacher of the Year, Clay inspires his students to work hard in all pursuits. Beloved by students for his unique teaching style, Clay engages students in important discussions and creates a lasting impact on their education. Clay exemplifies a champion’s mindset inside and out of the classroom.
1999 JENNIFER PUTNAM has been appointed Assis tant Commissioner of Health Licensure and Regulation (HLR) for the Tennessee Department of Health. In this role, she oversees a staff of approximately 350 employees in Health Profes sional Boards, Health Care Facilities, the Office of Investigations, and Emergency Medical Services. Jennifer leads the division responsible for licensing and certifying health care professionals, inves tigating complaints against health care profes sionals, and licensing and regulating health care facilities.
2007 LIZ ZIPPERER , Realtor and Team Lead of Liz + Co with Parks Realty, has been awarded the prestigious Platinum Award of Excellence from the Greater Nashville Realtors for her perseverance in navigating the volatile 2020 real estate market. In addition to recognizing outstanding production, the Awards of Excellence program is designed to “heighten professional and personal success” of their members. Liz proudly offers client-centric representation with 10+ years of experience and extensive knowledge to ensure the highest level of service.
2008 DR. BRIAN ZHAO completed his anesthesiologist degree and will be working as an attending/staff anesthesiologist in Birmingham at UAB/St. Vincent Hospital.
2011 AMANDA (BOWLDS) LONG attended undergraduate and graduate school at The University of Tennessee and works as a Speech Pathologist for Williamson County Schools.
2012 KIMBERLY A. JANICAK lives in Nashville where she is Director of Marketing in corporate healthcare. She has become a signed professional dancer, appearing in music videos, commercials, live shows and performances, and print work as well.
2013 KARA (ANTON) PUCKETT started the Nashville Foster Love Closet at the beginning of this year, and the organization served more than 100 children in less than four months with their resources and services. Nashville Foster Love Closet is a foster closet that provides clothes, toys, books, and other items to foster families in Nashville and surrounding areas.
1996 EUGENIA GRAYER has practiced crim inal defense and family law in Davidson County as a solo practitioner since 2004. She is a fill-in Davidson County Commissioner as well as second chair CJA panelist. Also, Eugenia is a co-coach for the Father Ryan Mock Trial team with GREG ATWOOD ’96 , MICHELE JOHNSON ’87, and Jeff Hill.
REED was named to the Most Admired CEOs list published by the Nashville Business Journal, marking her fourth year in a row to make this prestigious list. Reed Public Relations, founded by Lauren in 2012, is a fullservice public relations and marketing agency based in Nashville.
2002 MEGAN MULLIS graduated in December 2021 from Texas A&M Corpus Christi with a Ph.D. in Marine Biology.
2015 ANDREW TRIPLETT became a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus for the Nashville Diocese Chapter 9282 (St. Stephen’s Parish) in 2019. A recent graduate from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, Andrew will take the Bar Exam in July to qualify to practice law in Alabama and Tennessee. This year, he served as Deputy Chief Justice of the law school’s Honor Court, the Vice Chancellor of the Thomas More Society for Catholic law students, and was the judicial clerk for Special Judge Charles B. Langham in the Jefferson County Domestic Relations Court in Birmingham.
2016 MATTHEW CANONICO is currently in Sardinia, Italy, teaching English as a teaching assistant through a Fulbright Award. English teaching assistants work to improve Italian students’ English language abilities and knowledge of the United States’ culture. At the same time, they are inte grated into the host community and gain from intensive cross-cultural interaction. Matthew has been in Italy since October and will be heading back to the States to attend medical school in the fall.
2016 JENNIFER HOLT graduated from MTSU in 2020 with a B.S. degree in Science. She grad uated from Middle Tennessee Cardiovascular Institute after passing her Boards on March 22, 2022. Jennifer is a Board-Certified Sonographer at Summit Medical Center.
2016 OLIVER KANE has been drafted by the San Diego Legion in the 2022 Major League Rugby Colle giate Draft this summer. He is the first player drafted in the history of San Diego Torero Rugby.
2017 JP ARMBRUSTER has been named Belmont University’s President’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year! This honor is awarded to a student-athlete for displaying scholastic excellence in the classroom, athletic determi nation on the playing field, and model citizenship both on campus and in the community as a representative of the University. The President’s Scholar-Athlete Award is the highest honor awarded to student-athletes at Belmont.
He’s played golf in the Senior U.S. Open and in the Senior Open Championship. He strode down the Old Course at Saint Andrews in Scotland and played on other legendary courses like Broadmoor in Colorado and Gleneagles in England.
But this summer, BILL BREEN ’79 did something no other golfer has done – win the Tennessee State Senior Open for a 4th time, breaking a tie with Gibby Gilbert for the most championships in the tournament’s history.
Competing against the state’s best, it came down to a 9-foot birdie putt on the 5th playoff hole that Breen nursed into the cup for the record-setting championship. The
trophy goes in the case now with his other Tennessee State Senior Open titles from 2013, 2016, and 2020.
The 2022 championship performance continued a run of outstanding golf that earned Breen spots in the 2022 Senior PGA Championship and the 2022 Senior Open Championship. As gratifying as those achievements have been, what Breen appreciates most is the time he gets to spend with his golf students here in Nashville.
Since joining the PGA in 1989, Breen has worked with more than 10,000 players, from beginners to PGA Tour professionals.
Congratulations, Bill.
Felicity Jane to MAEVE (MCNAMEE) ’12 and Adam Danielson, born on February 5, 2022.
Ignacio Daniel to SARAH (WATHEN) ’09 and Diego Diaz, born on December 10, 2021.
Madison Grace to LAURA (STEWART) ’06 (Faculty) and Jeff Hall, born on November 22, 2021. Madi joins big brothers Max and Myles.
Sutton Alan to EMILY (Staff) and Bobby Hufham, born on April 12, 2022.
Rory Patrick to RACHEL (BOYD) ’06 and PATRICK JOHNSON ’06, born on May 14, 2022.
Charlotte “Lottie” Danelle to EMILY (PALMER) ’13 and MICHAEL ROSINSKI ’13, born on October 4, 2021.
Olivia Fox to Elizabeth and PAT SCAGLIONE ’07, born on March 15, 2021.
Noah Stephen to ALYSSE SCHULTHEIS ’12 and Richard Lint, born on April 15, 2022.
Mae Katherine to ELENA (OSSI) ’09 and Thomas Wilson, born February 2, 2021.
AMANDA (BOWLDS) ’11 and Max Long were married March 12, 2022, at Vine Street Christian Church in Nashville, Tennessee.
SHANNON (BUSTILLOS) ’93 and Paul Vento were married on June 12, 2021, at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
KRISTI (CATIGNANI) ’14 and Parker Gupton were married on July 10, 2021, in Nashville, Tennessee.
KRISTIN (FREDERICK) ’16 and Walker Daugherty were married on June 13, 2021, at Howe Farms Wedding and Event Venue in Georgetown, TN.
HALLIE (JARRELL) ’12 and GERALD SALTKILL ’09 were married on December 22, 2021, at Southall Meadows in Franklin, Tennessee.
CAROLINE (KREH) ’18 and Justin Claas were married on June 4, 2022, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Oxford, Mississippi.
Class Notes, Births, Weddings, and In Memoriam news in this issue reflect information received by August 1, 2022.
Do you have news to share with Ryan Nation? Send it along with photos to alumni@fatherryan.org . Be sure to include new contact information, including mailing address, email, and cell phone.
With the example of his loving family to form him, his education at Christ the King and Father Ryan to guide him, and his studies and ordination at the Vatican in 1961 to inspire him, FATHER JOE PAT BREEN ’54 developed a distinctive pastoral heart, a tireless commitment to social justice, and a dedication to serving all of God’s children.
For the past 60 years, his giving heart made a difference for so many in this diocese, most memorably at Saint Edward Church and School. There, his welcoming personality drew a diverse group of parishioners from all backgrounds and countries, and he was instrumental in the founding of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, the diocese’s first parish for Spanish-speaking Catholics. He made Catholic education accessible to more families during his time at Saint Edward, and he continued to be an ardent supporter of Catholic education throughout the diocese.
Father Breen earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa and completed his studies in Theology at the North American College in Rome where he received his degree from the Gregorian University.
Following his ordination, Father Breen was assigned as Associate Pastor of Holy Rosary Parish in Memphis and taught at Catholic High School for Boys. In 1966, Father Breen was transferred to Chattanooga, where he was an Associate Pastor at St Peter and Paul Parish. He was also Assistant Principal and teacher at Notre Dame High School. In 1969, he became the Pastor of St. Therese of Lisieux Parish of Cleveland. In addition, he was responsible for their mission outreach in Copperhill and Athens. In 1974, he began a 10-year appointment as Pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Murfreesboro. In 1984, he was assigned Pastor of St. Edward Parish. He served there for 30 years until he retired in 2014.
Thank you, Father Joe Pat, for your presence, your example, and your lifetime of service to your parishioners and to our diocese.
JANET AND DAVID ALEXANDER: Parents of Paul ‘83 and Mark Alexander.
BETTY BARRETT: Mother of Mike ‘76 and Joseph ‘77 (Dorothy ‘77) Barrett and Debra (Barrett) Malkiewicz.
MARY LETITIA BASSEL: Mother of alumni Burr ‘86, Thomas ‘87, and David Bassel ‘89; daughter of alumnus Thomas L. Bush, Sr. ‘31 (deceased); and sister of alumni Tom Bush, Jr. ‘64, Steve Bush ‘66 (deceased), Bernie Bush ‘67 (deceased), and Pat Bush ‘76.
DAVIS BOEKO ’13.
IRMA JEAN BOLSTER: Wife of Col. Leo Bolster ‘35 (deceased)
VAUGHN-THOMAS BORUM: Son of Kathy (DuBose) ‘89 and David Borum ‘95.
MAUREEN BOYD: Daughter of Robert J. Boyd ‘38 (deceased), and sister of Irene Boyd, Patricia (Boyd) Bentrup, Kathleen (Boyd) King, Elizabeth Boyd, Rita (Boyd) Petty, Tootsie Boyd (deceased), Hugh Boyd ‘60 (deceased), Daniel Boyd ‘69 (deceased), and Robert Boyd, Jr. ‘70.
JANE BRADLEY: Mother of Tommy Bradley ‘81 (Board of Trust), Mike Bradley ‘83, and Donna (Bradley) Hamblen ‘84.
FR. JOE PAT BREEN ’54: brother of Ann Treadway, Mary Jo Beavin, William Breen, Sr. ’43, Paul Breen ’40, Thomas Breen ’51, Hugh Breen ’47, Reverend Philip M. Breen ’57.
ORLANDO BUENAHORA ’79: Brother of Sandra (Buenahora) Crooks, Ana (Buenahora) Steele, Cristina (Buenahora) Barr, Pilar (Buenahora) Jenkins, and Arturo Buenahora ‘91.
JOHN E. “JOHNNY” BURNS ’56: Brother of Jim L. Burns, Jr. ‘53 (deceased), Mary Ann (Burns) Keel, Eileen (Burns) Wells (John III ‘57 deceased), Rita (Burns) Oakley, Joe P. Burns ‘68, Mike Burns, Jeannie (Burns) Arnold, and Cathy (Burns) Dobbs.
JOHN G. BURNS ’44: Father of Jerry ‘70 (deceased), Jan (Burns) Molteni (John ‘65), Alvin ‘70, Anne (Burns) Lenox, Billy ‘76, Teresa (Burns) Creecy, Debo Burns ‘80, Deborah (Burns) Williams, Scott Gleaves, Todd Gleaves, and Caroline Shanklin; brother of Jim ‘42 and Bob ‘44 Burns (both deceased).
THOMAS BURNS ’50: Father of Cathy Melendez ‘79 (Alex), Jeff Burns ‘80 (Jill), Julie Burns ‘81, and Chris Burns ‘83.
LUIS BUSTILLOS: Husband of Elaine Bustillos; father of Shannon Bustillos (Paul Vento) ‘93, Susannah (Brett) McMahan ‘94, and Deanna Bustillos (Darlene) ‘98; and brother of Luis Rolando;
R. JEFF BYRD: Father of Jackson ‘18 and Caroline ‘23 Byrd.
GERALD “GERE” CARTER: Father of Ben Carter ‘13.
KENNETH CHRISTMAN II: Son of Kenneth R. Christman ‘73.
JOHN GEIST COLLEY ’39: Father of John Colley II ‘63 (deceased), Sue (Colley) Crowder, Lee Colley, and Jolyn Colley.
JOSEPH COODE ’79: Father of Olivia ‘18 and Austin ‘22 Coode; brother of John Coode, Ellen (Coode) McWhirter, Pat Coode ’68, Mamie (Coode) McKenzie, Cornelia Coode (Doug Henard ‘71), Fran (Dan) Walsh, Phillip (Kristin ‘84) Coode ‘83, and Judy Coode.
DOUG CROW ’88: Father of Dalton ‘16 and Auston ‘18 Crow.
SUE-ELLEN CUNLIFFE: Mother of Bonnie (Cunliffe) Lamping ‘88 and Kim Cunliffe ‘94.
JOHN W. DELOZIER ’69: Husband of Leah DeLozier; brother of Betsy DeLozier, Ann DeLozier Gibbs, Kirby Mitchell, and Joe Mitchell.
CONNIE DERRICK: Wife of Bill Derrick ‘48 (deceased) and mother of Matt Derrick ‘74 (deceased), Mary (Derrick) Ray ‘75, Ann (Derrick) Strode ‘76, Tookie (Derrick) Andrews ‘77, Margaret (Derrick) Simpson (Frank ‘75), Joanie (Derrick) Conrad ‘80 (deceased), John Derrick ‘84 (Kim ‘84), and Ruthie (Derrick) Glover ‘85.
GERALD “CHIGGER” DISON: Father of Jeremy Dison ‘90, Julie (Dison) Marbet ‘92, and Jennifer (Dison) Dixon ‘98 (Chad ‘98).
MICHAEL A. DYE, JR.: Brother of Sophia Carmenate ‘23.
MARTHA FONTENAY: Mother of Margarethe (Fontenay) Ingram ‘81 and Blake Fontenay ‘84.
CHARLES FORMOSA ’64: Son of James J. Formosa, Sr. ‘34 (deceased), and brother of Jimmy Formosa, Jr. ‘62 and Stan Formosa ‘67 (both deceased) and Nancy (Formosa) Malone.
DAVID L. FOSTER ’72.
CAREY T. FRAZIER ’54: Brother of alumnus Bob Frazier ‘50 (deceased).
GEORGE GEIST ’55: Father of Al Geist ‘74, Gretchen Geist ‘75, Karen (Geist) Vandiver ‘77, Anthony Geist ‘79, Thomas Geist ‘81, Steve Geist ‘83, John Geist ‘85, David Geist ‘89, and William Geist (deceased); brother of John Geist ‘48 (deceased), Joe Geist ‘58, Sister Janet Marie Geist O.P., (deceased), Theresa Smith, Rita Singer, Dorothy Wilson, and Rosemary Calvin.
JANET GRANT: Mother of Jeffrey Grant (deceased), Gregory Grant, Kerry (Grant) Adams, Colleen (Grant) Long ‘84, and Kimberly (Grant) Derrick ‘84 (David ‘85).
JOHN J. GRIFFIN, SR.: Father of Mary (Griffin) Harden ‘83 (Steve, Faculty), John Griffin, Jr. ‘85, and Megan Griffin ‘86.
MARY ANN GUESS: Mother of Harry Guess ‘68, William Guess ‘73 (deceased), Francis Guess (deceased), Carole (Guess) Lindsay (deceased), Ann (Guess) Nga ‘77, and Tina Guess ‘81.
JAMES W. “JIM” HAGEY ’46: Father of Susan (Hagey) Randall, Jimbo Hagey, Jr. (Staff), Tommy Hagey ‘83, and Dottie (Hagey) Oelhafen ‘84.
ANN HARTUNG: Mother of Sam Hartung ‘17.
CRAIG HAUSMAN: Father of Jonathan ‘10 and James ‘13 Hausman.
SISTER MARY ANN FRANCIS HENKEL, RSM: Sister of Rev. Albert Henkel ‘36 and Sylvester Henkel ‘50 (both deceased).
ARTHUR “LLOYD” HENSLEY, JR. ’84: Brother of Lisa ‘80, Kent ‘82, and Tim Hensley.
MSGR. ROBERT HOFSTETTER ’46: Brother of O.B.Hofstetter, Jr. ‘32, John C. Hofstetter ‘34, and William S. Hofstetter ‘41; sisters, Sr. Adrian Marie, OP, Sr. Margaret Marie, OP. (all deceased).
HAZEL HOLLEY: Mother of Theresa (Holley) Clark ‘76 and Michael Holley ‘79 (deceased).
JIMMY HOLMES ’55: Father of Steve Holmes ‘81, Scott Holmes ‘84, Susan (Holmes) Garrison ‘88, and Stefanie Holmes ‘90; brother of Phillip ‘53, Johnny ‘55, Mike ‘58, and Tim ‘59 Holmes.
LEE HOLZEMER: Wife of Deacon Jim Holzemer ‘69; stepmother of Christopher Holzemer and Matt Holzemer ‘02 (deceased).
JOSEPH A. “JOE” HOSTETTLER, SR. ’54: Father of of Joe Hostettler, Jr. ‘85 (deceased) and Mary Lee Todd and brother of Frank ‘40, Jake ‘43, Tony ‘44, James Hostettler ‘50 Mary (Hostettler) Wesley,
(all deceased) and Doyle Hostettler.
WALTER HOWELL ’49.
BETTIE HOWINGTON: Mother of Bruce Hendon (deceased), Tammy Howington ‘76 and Randy Howington, Sr. ‘81 (Angie ‘81).
RICHARD KIRK ’48: Husband of Mary; father of Michael Eugene (Kim) Kirk ‘82 and Kevin Edward Kirk ‘84
JOHN B. KOHL III ’58: Father of Mary Dorothy (Kohl) Smith ‘81, Karen Kohl ‘84, and Steve Kohl ‘85; brother of alumnus Jimmy Kohl ‘62; and son of alumnus John B. Kohl, Jr. ‘32 (deceased).
ANTHONY LAEK: Husband of Casey (Barrett) Laek ‘03
MARY LAVENDER: Mother of Hardy Lavender ‘69, Tim Lavender ‘72, Donna (Lavender) Hudgens ‘73, Pam (Lavender) McDonald ‘77, and Jeff Lavender.
LOUIS J. LAWRENCE, JR. ’53: Son of Louis J. Lawrence, Sr. ‘31 (deceased).
JIM LODL ’90: Brother of Joe Lodl ‘88 and John Lodl ‘92.
JOHN MALLETTE, JR. ’78: Brother of Pazetta Ann Mallette and Adelaide (Mallette) Vienneau ‘80.
TIM MCCARTHY ’82: Brother of John McCarthy ‘81 (deceased), Suzanne (McCarthy) Hodges, and Terri (McCarthy) Meyer.
CHRISTOPHER K. MCGRATH ’77: Brother of Tom McGrath ‘76.
GERALD P. “JERRY” MCGRATH ’66: Father of Parrish ‘85, Bridgette, Stephen, and John McGrath; brothers Michael, John ‘53 (both deceased), and Butch McGrath ‘63.
DOLORES “SUNNY” MCINTURFF: Wife of Jerry McInturff ‘48 (deceased).
WILLIAM “MAC” MCKOIN ’72.
BRIAN MEEHAN ’92: Brother of Kristen Comeau and Nick Beaty ‘05.
JERRY MICK: Father of Debbie (Mick) Heflin ‘78, Julie (Mick) Todd ‘79, Diane (Mick) Ferguson ‘81, and Jerry Mick ‘84.
PEGGY MIERAS: Mother of Scott ‘95, Sandi, and Megan Mieras.
MICHAEL PETER MILLER: Husband of Kitty Miller; father of Sara (Miller) Butler ‘86, Joel Miller ‘89, Elise Miller ‘91, Jessica (Miller) Plunk ‘94, Hannah (Miller) Powell ‘96, Rebecca Miller ‘98, and Leah Miller ‘00.
brother of Charles Miller (Patricia), Richard Miller (Gloria), Jerrold Miller (Margaret), Mary (Miller) Hepp (James), and Philip Miller.
MARY CATHERINE MITCHELL: Mother of Thomas Mitchell ‘77, Cathy (Mitchell) Williams ‘79, Barbara (Mitchell) Sage ‘80, Billy Mitchell ‘82, and Robert Mitchell ‘85, and sister of Helen (Sullivan) Duke, Fances (Sullivan) Reitz, Jack Sullivan ‘49 (all deceased)
SISTER MARIS STELLA MOGAN, RSM: Sister of Joseph Mogan ‘42, Edward Mogan ‘43, Catherine (Mogan) Childs, Thomas Mogan ‘46, John Mogan ‘54, and Sister Thomasetta Mogan, RSM (all deceased).
JEAN (ROHLING) MOONEY: Sister of Linda (Rohling) Valiquette (Al ‘66), Grace Rohling ‘71, Beth (Rohling) Burton, Joe Rohling ‘73, Pat Rohling ‘74 (both deceased), Mike Rohling ‘74, and Larry Rohling ‘75.
MARIE SULLINS MURPHREE: Wife of John Williamson Murphree, Jr (deceased); mother of John W. Murphree ‘79, Janice Murphree ‘81, Lynn (Murphree) Rocco ‘82 and Frances Murphree ‘84 (deceased); and sister of Oval B. Sullins ‘51 and James P. Sullins ‘53 (both deceased); and Linda Ann Sullins Ballew.
JOHNNY NACARATO ’07: Son of Beth (Schoenberger) ‘79 and Joe ‘78 Nacarato, and brother of alumnus Joey Nacarato ‘03.
BETTY NELMS: Mother of Darden Nelms ‘66 (Tricia), Karen (Nelms) Rohling (Mike), and Michael (Chandra) Nelms ‘79.
NANCY PATTON (former Faculty).
GREG PERRONE ’79 : Father of Claire, Bailey, Anna, Elizabeth, and Evan Perrone; brother of Brian Perrone ‘83, Nancy Perrone Altenbern, and Michael Perrone Jr. (deceased)
ROBERT PFLEIGER: Father of alumnae Karen (Pfleiger) Blan ‘85 and Ann (Pfleiger) Marcus ‘87.
JUDY RECTOR: Mother of Kathy (Rector) Wright, Connie (Rector) Osborne, Donnie Rector, Steve Rector, Phillip Rector, Amy (Rector) Hartz, Robert Rector, and Brian Rector (Faculty)
JAMES M. SHARP ’47: Brother of Jesse ‘41 and Tom ‘45 Sharp (both deceased).
CORRINN SLOSS: Sister of Constance Swanson and Arthur Swanson ‘70.
JUDITH SMITH: Mother of Chris Smith (Tiffiney), Trevor Smith (Alycia), and Jared Smith; sister of Peggy (Manuszak) Buchanan, Scott Manuszak ‘75 (Cathy), Joe Manuszak ‘78, and Mary (Manuszak) Richardson (Buist).
PEGGY SMITH: Wife of Bill Smith (Life Trustee) and mother of Julie (Smith) Kerry, Jim Smith ‘77, Mark Smith ‘78, Mary (Smith) French ‘80, Paul Smith ‘82, David Smith ‘87, and Sarah (Smith) Foutch ‘88.
EUGENE “GENE” STANGLINE: Father of Stephen Stangline, Tina (Stangline) King, Paula (Stangline) Hock, Denise (Stangline) Bergin ‘81 and Bridget (Stangline) Brown ‘83 (Sam, Faculty).
JIMMY STEPHENS: Father of Kim Stephens-Norman ‘86 and Tracey Stephens-Holland.
BETTINA “TINA” STILL: Mother of Jonathan Still ‘99.
ANN STOVER: Mother of Erin (Stover) Chady ‘94, Colleen (Stover) Eddy, and Sarah (Stover) Jacobs.
JOY PHILLIPS STRICKLAND: Mother of Brent Thomas ‘87 (Laura Zanone ‘87).
VERONICA STROBELSEIGENTHALER: Wife of Tom Seigenthaler ‘57 (deceased) and sister of Jerry Strobel ‘58, Father Charles Strobel ‘61, and Alice Strobel Eadler.
BETSY TIMMONS: Mother of Tim Timmons (deceased), Steve Timmons (Karen ‘72) ‘69, Karin (Timmons) Whitehead and Lesa (Timmons) Cannon ‘72.
STEVE TRAVIS: Father of Jennifer Travis ‘10.
PATRICIA UPTON ’81: Regina (Upton) Hadley ‘76, Marion Upton ‘83, and James W. Upton, Jr.
JOSEPH VAN GRINSVEN: Father of Jean (Van Grinsven) Doster, Fred Van Grinsven ‘74 (deceased), Joel Van Grinsven ‘74, Ann (Van Grinsven) Choate ‘76, Tina (Van Grinsven) Hill ‘78, Mike Van Grinsven, Tony Van Grinsven ’80, and Adam Van Grinsven.
DELORES WEHBY: Wife of Bill Wehby, Sr. ‘47 (deceased) and mother of Teresa (Wehby) Wrenne, Stephanie (Wehby) Page, Diane (Wehby) Carter, Jennifer (Wehby) Lewis, Jane (Wehby) Stuart, Denise (Wehby) Baker, Bill Wehby, Jr. ‘83, and Leslie (Wehby) Arkenberg.
ROGER WEHBY ’82: Father of Caroline, Christine, and Thomas Wehby ‘17; son of Al Wehby, Sr. ‘50 (deceased); and brother of Celia (Wehby) Bard ‘75, Angela (Wehby) Horner ‘77, Mary (Wehby) Weber ‘78, and Timothy Wehby ‘80.
VINCENT WEHBY ’54: Father of Vincent Wehby, Jr. ‘83, Thomas Luke Wehby ‘84, Philip Wehby ‘87, Kevin Wehby ‘90, and Katie (Wehby) Rand ‘95; and brother of Andrew ‘37, Charles ‘47, and Alfred Wehby ‘50 (all deceased).
BARBARA WEIL: Mother of Roma ‘19 and Jackson ‘22 Weil.
RONNIE R. WEST ’53: Brother of Bill West ‘55 (deceased).
TRUDY THOMPSON: Mother of Angela Arrieta, Maria (Arrieta) White ‘90, Jorge Arrieta ‘91.
MARY KATHLEEN “DEE” WIGGER ’72: Sister of Bob Wigger ‘71 (deceased), Elaine (Wigger) Eslinger ‘74, Mark Wigger ‘74, Paula (Wigger) Gibson ‘77, Jerry Wigger ‘78, Joe Wigger ‘81 (Rhonda ‘82), and Phil Wigger ‘83.
KAROLYN “KAY” (KOHL) WYATT: Wife of Randall Wyatt ‘55; mother of Angie Wyatt Monger ‘83, Jim Wyatt ‘84 (Stephanie ‘87), Laura Wyatt O’Loughlin ‘86, Lisa Wyatt, ‘86, and Vince Wyatt ‘92; daughter of John B. Kohl, Jr. ‘32 (deceased); and sister of John B. Kohl III ‘58 (deceased), Jimmy Kohl ‘62, Angela Drennan, and Margaret Allen.
W. RUSSELL YOUNG ’52: Father of Cindy (Young) Reisz ‘76, Lauren (Young) Forner ‘77, Meredith (Young) Ormsby ‘79, Brian Young ‘80, and Scott Young ‘81; and brother of Jean (Young) Goad, Elizabeth (Young) Jungman, and Pat Young ‘48 (all deceased).
CECILE YOUNG: Wife of Russ Young ‘52.
DARRYL ZANONE: Father of Laura Zanone Thomas ’87 (Brent ’87).
MARY JANE ZIMMERMANN: Mother of Anthony Zimmermann ‘83, George Zimmermann ‘85 (deceased), and Catherine (Zimmermann) Simpson ‘87.
JIM ZRALEK (Former Faculty): Father of Stephen ‘90 and Brian ‘92 Zralek.
LINDA ZRALEK: Mother of Stephen ‘90 and Brian ‘92 Zralek and wife of Jim Zralek (former Faculty).
Ever since he became part of the Father Ryan faculty more than 30 years ago, JOE COODE ’79 was a tireless advocate for our students, a dedicated teacher, and a familiar and supportive presence for our athletes. His energy, quiet strength, and good humor made him a welcome face for all in the Irish community.
After receiving his degree in Physical Education from MTSU in 1985, Joe joined the faculty of Father Ryan in 1986 as a Wellness instructor. In addition to this role, he coached the JV Baseball team, was an assistant coach for the Football team, the Basketball team, and the Softball team, served as an athletic trainer for many years, and took pride in caring for all of the Irish athletic equipment. His commitment to younger students was always evident in his work with the Father Ryan Summer Camp program. He led many camps himself and created new camps for the youngest participants to discover athletic interests and explore fun activities.
President Paul Davis ‘81 remembered Joe as a special colleague. “I am thankful for the opportunity to have worked and coached with Joe. His commitment to this community over his 36-year career made us better as teachers and better as a school. I believe firmly that Joe will join our community of saints in watching over Father Ryan High School. May we all be open to his presence and be inspired by his love for all of us and our students.”
Joe was born September 7, 1961, in Nashville, to his proud parents, Jack and Mildred Sharp Coode, who preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife of 25.5 years, Christene Dean Coode; daughters Olivia Ann and Josephine “Austin”; siblings John (Joan Petrone) Coode, Ellen McWhirter, Pat (Joan Byrd), Mamie McKenzie, Cornelia Coode (Doug Henard), Fran (Dan) Walsh, Phillip (Kristin Terry) Coode, and Judy Coode; along with his dear Dean mother-in-law Josephine Strong Dean and inlaws Ronnie (Danny) Francescon, Stefanie (Jason) Brown, Katie (Tucker) Egbert and dozens of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was also preceded in death by his father-inlaw John Dean (McCabe Pub and Restaurant), his brothers-inlaw Ken McWhirter and Jack McKenzie, along with his nephew Michael McKenzie.
Many students remember Joe for his tireless dedication, and familiar and supportive presence for athletes. Ask anyone who went to Father Ryan High School about Coach Joe Coode and they will tell you that Coach believed in them – every single one.
GEORGE PATTON, JOHN WEBER, CHARLES JOHNSON, JOE MCTIGUE.
Look at the faces. Read the names. So many familiar ones in the Nashville Catholic community, then and to this day. Progenitors of many Irish alumni to come. Charles Johnson’s children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, and great-great grandchildren are alumni, five generations of Irish accomplishment, of Irish pride.
FRANK BURKE, JOHN LYNCH, ROBERT O’MALLEY, THOMAS RYAN, MSGR. FRANK REILEY.
As we welcome the students who begin their paths to Ryan Nation as the 100th class of Father Ryan High School (see page 8), we look at the ones whose two years on the original campus established our foundation.
ROBERT MCKINSTRY, MARVIN FORTE, CHARLES PETTY, THOMAS CORCORAN, WILLIAM TUCK.
They had claimed the State Basketball Championship in the winter of their senior year. Now, they were walking across a stage, receiving their diplomas as graduates of Nashville Catholic School for Boys. The school’s visionary founder, Bishop Alphonse Smith, looked on with pride. Parents of these 18-year-olds shared in the moment.
ARTHUR SUTHERLAND. JOE REALE. ROBERT HOPWOOD, ROBERT KNEIS, JOSEPH WEIS, AND JOHN FOX.
Twenty young men began the tradition. Ahead of them lay careers, the Great Depression, World War II, families, and life. Ahead of them lay a Tradition of Faith, Knowledge, Service, a tradition that they began. We remember them, and we thank them all.
770 Norwood Drive Nashville, TN 37204
It’s a big Irish year, and you don’t want to miss the excitement.
Preview Day - October 23, 2022
Relay for Life - October 29, 2022
Veterans Breakfast - November 11, 2022
Legacy Gala - January 28, 2023
Reunion Weekend - June 2-4, 2023