Irish Ayes winter 2010 by Burgundy Group Advertising

Celebrate Your Alma Mater and Join Us for Reunion Weekend June 4 – 6, 2010

Winter 2010 Volume XXXVII Number 1

Classes of 1950, 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995 and 2000 Father Ryan is welcoming back all alumni this summer for a fun-filled weekend of reconnecting and celebrating with former classmates and friends. Our annual Reunion Weekend kicks off with an Alumni Reception on Friday, followed by Saturday’s Lou Graham Alumni Invitational Golf Tournament, class reunion parties and finally, on Sunday, the Golden Grad Mass and Brunch.

Last year was one of the biggest reunion weekends ever—let’s make this one even better! All alumni are invited to participate. If it’s your reunion year, be on the lookout for more information in the mail about your class reunion party.You may also visit our website at www.fatherryan.org/reunions for details.

Strategic Plan Unveiled p. 1 Kicker Named Mr. Football p. 4 One Alum’s 80-year Journey Home p. 7 www.FatherRyan.org Page 22 www.fatherryan.org

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Letters to the Editor

Table of Contents Stategic Plan........................................................... 1 Spotlight on Faculty, Staff and Students.............. 2 Athletics................................................................... 4 Alum’s 80 Year Journey Home.............................. 7 Annual Fund............................................................ 8 Celebrating the Family (Cover Story).................... 9 Class Notes............................................................ 14 Weddings.............................................................. 16 In Memoriam......................................................... 17

Dear Irish Ayes, I scanned a few pictures (see p. 14) I thought you might enjoy. Can’t thank you enough for the night. [Leo Long] only saw two of his grand-children. Wouldn’t he be proud of all his offspring. Thanks again, Mary Ann Baltz & family Dear Irish Ayes,

Administration Jim McIntyre, President Paul Davis ’81, Principal Connie Steinmetz, Chief Financial Officer Sara Hayes, Dean of Academics Carolyn Evans, Dean of Students Tim Forbes ’93, Dean of Campus Ministry and Student Life Pat Lawson ’93, Athletic Director

Board of trustees Executive Committee Patrick J. Nolan III ’69, Chair Judy Komisky Orr ’75, Vice-Chair James Sochovka, Finance Committee Chair Tommy Bradley ’81, Membership Committee Chair

Committee Chairs William R. Stejskal ’79, Facilities Committee Chair Philip M. Mattingly, Sr. ’69, Advancement Committee Chair

BOARD MEMBERS Antoine Agassi Rev. Mark Beckman David Bohan ’66 Betty Lou Burnett Lori Copeland Chamberlain Judith E. Hoover Steve Janicak Rev. Patrick J. Kibby ’73 Patricia Kyger Dr. Robert Labadie Robert J. Mendes Stephen P. Mullins ’75 John Siedlecki Brett Wesnofske ’88

Just thought I would share this story with FRHS. On Friday of homecoming, I brought my parents, Jim and Susie Hagey, out to see Father Ryan and the new stadium. Actually, everything was new to them as they had not been on a FRHS campus probably since I graduated in 1983, maybe when my sister graduated in ‘84. As we entered into the parking lot, my father (Class of 1947) commented on all the cars. He stated that when he was at Ryan, he was one of maybe two or three seniors who actually brought a car to school and that the other ten cars in the parking lot belonged to the teachers. Wow, things have changed. As we toured the buildings, they were so impressed with the facilities. We stuck our heads in on a couple of teachers who were kind enough to let us see Susie and Jim ‘47 Hagey see the Jim the classrooms, visited the chapel, the theater, library, and then Carell Alumni Athletic Complex for I took them to the football field. Since it was drizzling, it the first time. took some convincing, but I finally got them both to come out on the field. Again, they were amazed and very impressed. Dad, being a pretty good football player (quarterback) back in the day made the statement that on this field he felt like he might be able to run the ball again. But with that said, out of everything, they were most impressed with the staff. My parents both mentioned that every faculty member they met, each one said, “You have to see this or don’t leave until you get to see that.” My dad mentioned how proud they seemed of their school, and we could really tell that when we spoke to them. As the Hageys, as of last year entered their third generation at Ryan, and by my calculations will continue for the next 18 years (yikes), I was very excited and proud to show my parents the school where their grandchildren are getting—and will get—the best education possible; but more importantly the best Catholic education possible. Thank you, FRHS, for all you do for our children. Tommy Hagey ‘83 Dear Irish Ayes,

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS Most Rev. David R. Choby ’65 Rev. David Perkin, V.G. James A. McIntyre Dr. Therese Williams

LIFE TRUSTEES W. Irvin Berry ’46 Thomas G. Connor Sr. ’60 John J. Cunningham Sr. William H. Farmer ’65 Edward B. Gore J. Terry Hunter Vincent T. Phillips John C. Shea ’51 William F. Smith Edward A. Stack

Evan Bohn ‘10, Amber McKinney ‘09, Elizabeth Phillips ‘09 and James Leeper ‘06 at Camp Sugar Falls.

Each year, FRHS students and alum assist with Camp Sugar Falls, a Middle Tennessee day camp for young diabetic children sponsored by the Monroe Carell, Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and the American Diabetes Association. Throughout the camper’s day, these volunteer counselors assisted by monitoring blood sugars, counting carbohydrates, and supporting the camp’s educational activities. With the guidance and support of our volunteers, the campers are able to make new friends and share their successes and trials with diabetes. As camp director, I am always amazed at the dedication and commitment the school’s students display.

The students from Father Ryan are such a wonderful source of support for these young children. Not only can we count on the warmth and understanding they show the campers but also on their vigilance in observing the diabetics for any unwanted symptoms. To give of themselves and their free time during the last days of summer vacation was an amazing gift! Many thanks, Julie Petcu

In Memoriam HELEN “TONI” ARMSTRONG - Mother of Dana Bollino ‘81, Schelle Bollino ‘83, David Armstrong II ‘91 and Hunter Armstrong ‘96.

JOHN “JACK” FOX - Father of John, Mike ‘78 and Peter ‘80 Fox and Kathy Whitney, Ann Cannon, Joan Fox and Beth Fox.

ALFRED N. ARNOLD, SR. - Father of Fred ‘81, Lisa ‘82, Patrick ‘84 and Andrea Arnold ‘89.

VINCENT “PETER” HAMACHER - Father of Sarah ‘99 and Donna Hamacher ‘01.

WILLIAM “CURRY” BARRY ‘40 - Father of Buster ‘68, Beverly, Brazo ‘70, Joe ‘73, Phil ‘74, Rick ‘78, Ellen and Chip Barry ‘84 and Leanne Reiter.

WILLIAM “BILL” HOFFMAN, JR. ‘73 - Brother of Pat Hoffman ‘81.

MATTHEW P. BATEMAN ‘82 - Brother of Michael, John, Steve and Cathy Bateman ‘73, Frances Baird, Trisha Fultz, Barbara Barrett and Peggy Cooper Montgomery.

LINDA W. SMITH - Mother of Adrian Craig Smith ‘86 and Jill Smith Jackson ‘88.

LILLIAN G. BAUER - Wife of Billy Bauer ‘45 (deceased) and mother of of Patrick Bauer, Sr. ‘69 and Karen Sutherly. PAUL T. BEAVIN, JR. ‘01 - Son of Mary Ann (Miller) ‘77 and Paul Beavin, Sr. ‘77 and brother of Will ‘03, Patrick ‘05, Susan and John Beavin. DOREEN S. BENCHEA - Mother of Thomas Benchea, Elizabeth Block and Marissa Benchea ‘95.

CONRAD HUETTER - Father of John Huetter ‘79.

GERTRUDE LEWIS - Mother of Leslie Lewis Lambert ‘84, John, Mark and Roger Lewis, Kim Brooks and Marilyn Allison. HUGH “BUZZ” LEDFORD - Father of Spencer Ledford ‘09 and John Ledford. JAMES “NICK” LYNCH ‘56 - Father of Kelly Stewart, Nick Lynch, Lori Lynch and Katy Lynch Erwin ‘89. Brother of John Murray Lynch ‘55 and Carol Moss. GEORGE P. MCGINN, SR. - Father of George, Jr., ‘73 and Nick McGinn ‘75, Katherine Doyle ‘77, Kevin ‘81, Paul ‘86 and Karen McGinn.

LOUISE BENEDICT - Mother of Joseph A. Benedict, Jr. ‘63. LOIS CARR - Mother of Cathy Wortham, Mary Miller, Sharon Smith, Chrystal Carr ‘89, Ed Carr ‘68 and Anthony Carr.

Lauren O’Saile - Daughter of Mary (Volpe) O’Saile ‘80 and sister of Ryan Davenport ‘00.

CATHERINE MOGAN CHILDS - Sister of Joe ‘42 (deceased), Edward ‘43 (deceased), Tom ‘46, John ‘54, Sr. Maris Mogan and Sr. Thomasetta Mogan.

MARY ANN QUIRK - Wife of Tim Quirk ‘69. MARY RIGBY - Mother of Maria Rigby ‘09.

STEVEN A. CONRAD ‘63 - Brother of Bill ‘75, Joe, Pete and Judy Conrad, Sally Clinard, Katy Mills, Chris Gasiewski and Lee Kemsley.

JULIUS G. SCHNEIDER - Father of J. George Schneider ‘71 and John Schneider ‘74.

KATHY HEARNE - Mother of Brenna Downey ‘04. CHARLES H. SMART, JR O.D. ‘56. FREDA W. DUNNE - Mother of Patsy Shipley and Mike Dunne ‘73. PAUL W. ST. CHARLES ‘57. ANTHONY “TONY” V. FORTE, JR. ‘57 - Brother of Carl Forte, Mary Campbell, Rita Griffith, Emily Drake, Mike Forte ‘67, Bernie Taylor and Charlie Forte ‘74. VICTOR T. FORTE ‘35 - Father of Theresa Shelton, Tommy Forte ‘62, Carolyn Casey, Robert Forte ‘66, Will Forte ‘69, and Helen Smith. Brother of Fritz ‘40 and Jim Forte ‘46.

CINDY MCCASLAND - Mother of Lindy Birdwell Hulan ‘90, Jamie Birdwell Summers ‘93 and Jeremy Birdwell ‘96. WILLIAM R. WOLFE ‘52 - Brother of Roland ‘43 (deceased), John (deceased) and Donald Wolfe ‘55.

In the last issue of Irish Ayes, we mistakenly included the names of Thomas C. Reese ‘70 and Michael R. Kavanaugh ‘70 in our In Memoriam section.We extend our sincerest apologies to Mr. Reese and Mr. Kavanaugh as well as their families and friends for our error.

IRISH AYES

Please send your comments and letters for Irish Ayes to alumni@fatherryan.org

Winter 2010, Volume XXXVII Number 1

Irish Ayes is published by Father Ryan High School and is distributed without charge to alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends of the school. Send address changes to: Father Ryan High School, Advancement Office • 770 Norwood Drive, Nashville, TN 37204 Phone: 615-269-7926 • E-mail: alumni@fatherryan.org. Father Ryan High School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Weddings Lauren Lewis ‘02 and Matthew Sexton were married on October 24, 2009 at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville, TN. Michael Jones ‘89 married Colette Savage on July 10, 2009 at the South Shore Country Club in Chicago, IL. Dan Schlacter ‘97 (left) and Katie Young were married on December 13, 2009 at the Belle Meade Country Club.

Kelly Nolan ‘01 (right) and Shane Cortesi were married on September 26, 2009 at Cathedral of the Incarnation with Father Pat Kibby ‘73 presiding. The wedding continued a 60-year tradition of Nolan weddings at the church, including her sister, Katie ‘97 and husband Mike Rosenhagen ‘93 in 2004, her parents, Pat ‘69 and Betty Lee Love Nolan in 1974 and her paternal grandparents Joe and Ann Thoni Nolan in 1949. Shane is a lawyer with Kirkland & Ellis in New York City. Kelly is a general assignment reporter with Dow Jones Newswires. The couple lives in Jersey City, NJ.

Father Ryan Unveils Its Str ategic Plan

or 85 years, Father Ryan has been an exceptional model for Catholic education, with a reputation that continues to resonate throughout Nashville and beyond. In fact, many Father Ryan graduates are distinguishing themselves in venues across the nation and in many parts of the world, using their Father Ryan education and experience to bring about remarkable changes in people’s lives.

Brittany Thomas ‘03 married Keith Mulloy ‘00 on May 2, 2009 at St. Ann Catholic Church in Nashville, TN with Keith’s father, Deacon Marty Mulloy ‘65 and Father Kevin McGrath ‘65 officiating.

p m a C r e Summ 0 1 0 2 e g n Challe

May 31st marks the first day of Father Ryan’s six week Summer Camp Challenge for rising K - 12 graders and this year there is much to be excited about with plenty of new camps as well as the traditional favorites. Campers have dozens of choices—baseball, art and cheerleading to name a few. Day trips to theme parks are also among the camps. Be sure to register online before March 31st to receive your early-bird discount on camps. For more information and to register, visit www.fatherryan.org/camps. We anticipate another fun-filled summer at Father Ryan, and we hope you can join us!

www.fatherryan.org/camps Births Kieran Patrick (top left) to Christine (Arnold) ‘04 and Nicholas Burton born on October 22, 2009. Grandparents Ann (Faculty) and Mike Arnold are excited about their first grandchild. Patrick Stephen to Heather (Holzapfel) ‘93 and Seth Colley ‘91 born on June 3, 2009. Cooper Gregory (left) to Greg and Elizabeth (Green) Sanford ‘02 born on August 13, 2009. William Marshall to Beth and Will Hamblen ‘01 born on August 14, 2009. Will and Beth were married on April 9, 2005. Kate Langdon to Ellen (Langdon) ‘95 and Mike Mascari ‘96 (Faculty) born on December 11, 2009. Stacy (Schumaker) Maciuk ‘01 and James Maciuk welcomed their first child, Savannah Marie (left), on September 10, 2009. Stacy works at Belmont University (her alma mater) as the Associate Director of Donor Relations. Clara Grace to Amy and Robert Joseph Wingo, Jr. ‘90 born on October 8, 2009.

FRHS 16

Katherine Reese to Christine (Turner) ‘98 and Nick Lowry ‘97 born on February 24, 2009. Sydney Eleanor to Kyle and Pam (Ackermann) Peterson ‘89 born on May 26, 2009. She joins big sister, Savannah, age 2 1/2. Addison Sullivan (right) to Jay and Kari (Sullivan) Gray ‘91 born on October 27, 2009. Tony Standley ‘95 and his wife, Christie, welcomed a son, CJ Standley (right) born October 31, 2009. Big sister Claire, 2 years, loves her little brother. Tony is a fire fighter/paramedic with the Nashville Fire Department and owns Standley Landscape Company. They live in Brentwood, TN. Rowan Elizabeth to Theresa (Schlacter) and Russell Kelly born on December 8, 2009. Grandparents Maureen (Faculty) and Mike Schlacter are enjoying the new addition to their family. Chloe Paige (right) to Dottie (Hagey) ‘84 and Sven Oelhafen (Faculty) born on December 9, 2009.

As we look toward 2015, the 90th Anniversary of our founding, the time is right for us to broaden our thinking about how Father Ryan continues to excel in the realm of Catholic education.What sets us apart from other diocesan Catholic schools? How can we enhance the educational experience? After a thorough strategic planning process — one that has involved parents, faculty, staff, alumni, students and clergy — we now have a five-year plan for orderly growth that addresses those questions.The goal of that growth is bold — to create a new standard in Catholic education. Its meaning, however, is simple and true to our history: through our programs and activities, Father Ryan will be seen by the nation’s diocesan Catholic schools as a model to be emulated. This strategic plan is the next step on Father Ryan’s continual pathway to excellence.With our core values as our compass, we embark together to strengthen our mission and reaffirm our commitment to provide our students with an experience that is truly a sterling example of the best Catholic education in the country. To view the complete strategic plan, go to www.fatherryan.org.

The Vision: Our Str ategic Goal

ollowing the evolution of the core values and core purpose, the strategic planners developed a vision and our strategic goal which is to be realized by 2015. It is intended to be transformational while remaining true to the core mission and identity of Father Ryan High School.

By 2015, Father Ryan High School will be nationally recognized as the measure of excellence for secondary Catholic education. This concrete vision comes with several strategic issues that represent both obstacles to overcome and opportunities to seize over the course of the strategic plan’s implementation. As Father Ryan works to realize its goal of being the national measure of excellence for secondary Catholic education, we must address: • Student diversity and inclusivity • Preparing students for 21st century global realities • Faculty/student innovation and distinction in the arts, athletics and academics • Spiritual education and formation • Catholic community life • Attracting and retaining the best faculty and staff with salaries and benefits in line with Catholic social teaching • Culture of philanthropy

She has been heavily involved in music education, having taught at Belmont University, Trevecca Nazarene University, TPAC Education and Christ Presbyterian Academy. She continues to teach private, classical and commercial voice lessons and is a board member for the Tennessee Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). Her talents span more than education—she is also an accomplished stage performer, songwriter and studio vocalist. She made her OffBroadway debut in Romberg’s operetta The New Moon starring F. Murray Abraham and has performed with such companies as the Tennessee Repertory Theater and Nashville Opera, who honored her with the Young Artist Award. This April, she will perform Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream with the Nashville Symphony and the Nashville Ballet.

nnual Fund and Constituent Relations Manager Brooke Reusch has been accepted into the Nashville Emerging Leaders (NEL) Class of 2010. She was nominated anonymously by a community leader and was selected among a large talented and qualified pool of applicants. Each year, the NEL selects those who demonstrate a capacity and passion for leadership in addition to a sincere desire to enhance the greater Nashville community. Reusch joined Father Ryan in June 2009, but her experience with non-profit organizations spans nearly nine years.With a specialty in fund development, she has worked with Nashville organizations like All About Women, Inc., Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee, Frist Center for the Visual Arts and Philadelphia Museum of Art. She is also active in the Nashville community and is a member of Junior League of Nashville, Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), National Planned Giving Council (NPGC) and Books from Birth of Middle Tennessee Advisory Board. In 2005, Business TN Magazine named her a Top Thirty Under Thirty Honoree.

hen country singer Phil Vassar was preparing his new album, Traveling Circus, for release, he asked his friend and Father Ryan art teacher Jason Erwin to create the cover.What resulted was a colorful painted portrayal of Vassar as a ringmaster.The album was released December 15. He also painted a special canvas wrap for Vassar’s piano for his American tour.

he Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) has named Randy Lancaster ‘83 the High School Teacher of the Year in Tennessee. Each year, the VFW honors those who “teach citizenship education topics regularly and promote America’s history and traditions.”

Lancaster has been doing just that since he began at Father Ryan in 1995. He is the chair of the English department and teaches courses in British and American literature as well as a course in World War Literature and Media. Although he is not a veteran, his father, Alan Lancaster ‘57, is a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. Among his other honors is a Frist Grant from the Pencil Foundation Teacher Awards Program to study World War Literature and Art in England.

Erwin ‘87 has created art pieces for 14 restaurants in Nashville, Knoxville and Columbus, SC, and has been a featured artist at the St. Matthew Church “Art for Inspiration” show in Franklin. Besides teaching Introduction to Art and 3-D Design at Father Ryan, he also leads Art-Venture workshops for people who have never painted.

Students, Faculty March for Life in D.C. FRHS 2

Totino-Grace High School in Fridley, MN. She reports that she’s glad to be done with library school and work in such a fabulous environment. Christie and her husband, Dan, are expecting their third child in March. Email her at christie.e.burke@gmail.com or find her on Twitter (@cburke) or Facebook.

‘95

Brent Frisbie, MD graduated from Vanderbilt University’s diagnostic radiology residency program in June 2008 at which time he also became board certified. Brent recently completed a one-year fellowship in musculoskeletal radiology at UAB medical center in Birmingham, AL which concluded in June 2009. Brent is currently in private practice in the Nashville area.

‘97

Julie Crowell Wyatt was married to Jaime Wyatt ‘97 in October 2008.They live in

Brentwood, TN. Julie has worked in commercial interior design for the past two years with Shonna Sexton Studio. In June, she earned LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional). In November, she opened a Gigi’s Cupcakes in Murfreesboro with her sister, Jan Crowell Zamudio ‘95. Jaime works as a consultant with Parris Printing Company in Nashville.

In November, Andy ‘98 and Chad ‘98 Baker were featured on Food Network’s Dinner Impossible with Chef Robert Irvine. In the “Double Trouble” episode, the Baker Twins helped Chef Robert prepare a meal for 250 twins at Twins Days, the largest annual gathering of twins. The brothers, who live in Nashville and work in real estate, regularly attend the event in Twinsburg, Ohio.

‘98

Natalie Duke’s voice will be heard on a national campaign for Sears Kenmore Appliances. Natalie lives in Chicago where she continues to pursue her commercial and voice-over career. She is the marketing director of Audio Recording Unlimited. Adrianne Hiltz was a contestant on Jeopardy! in November.

‘02

Matthew Holzemer has been on active duty since August 2002 and has completed two combat deployments to Iraq (2004 and 2007) with 2nd BN 7th Marines and 1st BN 3rd Marines. Matt also deployed to Afghanistan in 2006 with 1st BN 3rd Marines in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He is now serving at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda as a preventive medicine technician in the public health directorate. He has two more years left on his contract.

‘05

Julius Virgo was named “Male Athlete of the Year” at Martin Methodist for men’s basketball. Julius will graduate in May of 2010 with a degree in sports management following his internship at Volunteer State Community College, beginning in January 2010.

Chad and Andy Baker pose with Food Network’s Chef Robert and another set of twins at Twins Days in August 2009.

‘06

Hanover College senior defensive back Corry Stewart played in the D-III Senior Classic in Salem,VA. Corry was one of 90 athletes from NCAA D-III schools selected to compete in the contest and was a member of the south team. He earned All-Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference honors for the second straight season. Corry set a school single-season record with nine interceptions for 138 yards and a touchdown and also led the Panthers with seven pass deflections. He averaged 38.1 yards per punt, including nine which covered more than 50 yards. Corry was also named NCAA Division III Honorable Mention AllAmerican.

‘07

Lisa Duke is a junior at Columbia College in Chicago.This semester she will be studying with famed The Second City, a comedy theater and school of improvisation.

‘09 th

Alumni Answer Twin Challenge

Jonah Powers-Myszka has been

named the 2009 High School Soccer All-American for the state of Tennessee by Adidas and the National Soccer Coaches Association. Jonah plays soccer at Lambuth University in Jackson, TN.

Father Ryan Flashback Answers

(Left photo) Leo Long and Howard Allen award a basketball trophy to Murray Lynch ‘55.

ulie Cox has only been at Father Ryan since August 2009, but she has already made an impression as director of the Father Ryan Singers. She received a 2010 Grammy Award nomination in the Best Classical Album category for a French operatic piece with the Nashville Symphony. She was also among only two musicians in Tennessee to be awarded the Tennessee Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowship in Music for 2010. In addition to her choral instruction, she also teaches theater at Ryan.

Christie Burke began working this fall as the school librarian at

(Right photo) Charlie Clunan ‘48, Bob Heriges, Leo Long and Jim Hagey ‘46 after football practice. (See Jim Hagey’s photo and story in the “Letters to the Editor” section.)

Spotlight on Faculty,

‘94

www.fatherryan.org 15

Father Ryan Flashback

Staff and Students Glidwell Goes for the Gold

enior Catherine Glidwell may only be 17, but she has already proven herself an accomplished community leader. Her active approach in everything from the classroom to the stage to daily interaction with her peers has earned her recognition from the top institutions in the country.

Leo Long was a well-known name among high school coaches in the early days of Father Ryan. Do you recognize the other people in these photos? (Answers on p. 15)

Class Notes

In her 12 years as a Girl Scout, Glidwell earned the organization’s three highest awards: the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. Equivalent to the Boy Scout’s Eagle Award, the Gold Award requires a minimum of 65 hours of planning and implementing a service project. According to the official Girl Scouts website, only 5.4% of eligible girls received the

Dr. John Burns and his wife, Idania, visited Nashville and

included a trip to campus for the homecoming game against BGA. John and Idania live in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He is retired from Honeywell, Inc. where he was vice president of Health Management from 1985 - 1994.

‘55

Jim Schrichte is a Vanderbilt graduate who retired from DuPont after 35 years. He is enjoying living on Beau Rivage golf course in Wilmington, NC. He and his wife have two children and two grandchildren. They are members of Immaculate Conception Church, where they are involved with many activities. Jim is looking forward to his 55th class reunion in June.

‘64

‘70

Dave Jones and his wife,Terri, moved back home to the Razorback State. Dave recently accepted a position as a district sales manager with Hewlett-Packard Corporation near their home in Maumelle, AR. Their daughter, Toni, continues her teaching career in Japan.

Bill Strebel is living in Christiana,TN with Kat, his wife of 19+ years. They are members of St Rose Parish, and Bill is an active motorcyclist. He retired in 2003 from the military after six years active Marine Corp and 14 years in the Army National Guard.

Tonya Collins Maxwell received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Florida Gulf Coast University. She is a molecular pathologist with NeoGenomics. Tonya married J. Shane Maxwell on May 23, 2009.

Pam (Ackermann) Peterson is filming a reality TV show for Animal

FRHS 14

Over 50 students rounded out this year’s cast and crew, directed by teacher Kelli McClendon and senior Jessica Gregory. Lead roles went to (pictured from left) Zach Dugger as Aslan, Luke Roushdi as Edmund, Drew Davis as Peter, Caitlyn Porayko as Lucy, Julia Sharp as Susan, Catherine Glidwell as the White Witch and (not pictured) Rhodes Bolster as Mr. Tumnus. The cast performed five shows including a matinee for parochial school students.

‘80

‘89 ‘61

his season, the Purple Masque Players brought to life one of the most beloved children’s tales of all time. Their production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe opened to an enthusiastic crowd, the seats filled with people of every age—children, parents and grandparents—who fondly remember colorful characters like Aslan and Mr. Tumnus.

of Honor to His Holiness by Pope Benedict XVI. Monsignor Humbrecht is pastor of Sacred Heart Cathedral in the Diocese of Knoxville and has been a priest for more than 37 years, twice serving the diocese as administrator in the absence of a bishop.

Matt Devlin is the play-by-play announcer for the Toronto Raptors. He has six years of experience as an NBA play-byplay announcer with the Memphis Grizzlies and most recently with the Charlotte Bobcats. He has also called games for the NFL, MLB and the Olympics.

Christmas party. Pictured are First row: Tom Linder, Larry Wise, Tim McCabe. Second row: Buck Hussung, Nick Rose, Paul Kuhn, Ken Roberge, John Furgess. Back row: Charlie Myers, Pete Sutherland, Joe Gilmore, Tom Wirth, Tommy Curley, Bob Bumbalough, Mark Morel, Tom Curtis, Dennis Osborne, Mike Patton. Not pictured: Charlie Strobel, Alvin Connolly, Doc Greene, Boots Donnelly, Bill Bruce and Mike Murphy.

Father Al Humbrecht has been conferred the title Prelate

‘86

The Class of 1961 (above) celebrated at their annual

Glidwell also shines on stage with her involvement in the Purple Masque Players and the Father Ryan Singers. Last year, she earned the Governor’s School for the Arts Scholarship and the Forensic Outstanding Leadership Award.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Opens with a Roar

Class Notes

‘50

Gold Award last year. In October, Tennessee’s First Lady Andrea Conte awarded Glidwell a $1,000 scholarship at the Tennessee Women’s Economic Summit in recognition of her Gold Award achievement and her academic and leadership success.

Planet about her animal rescue transport business, P.E.T.S. LLC (www. PETSLLC.org), that she and her husband, Kyle, have run for six years.

‘93

The Rosenhagen family celebrates the next generation of Ryan students. Pictured at left are Mike Rosenhagen ‘93, Katie Nolan Rosenhagen ‘97, Shaun Rosenhagen (age 3) Class of 2025, and his sister, Elizabeth Lee (Libby) Rosenhagen, who will celebrate her first birthday on April 26, 2010. Libby will be in the Class of 2027.

Female Student Receives Military Appointment

achel Quesinberry is among the many students setting a high standard at Father Ryan. In December, she received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She is the nineteenth student and second female at Ryan to be accepted to a military academy in the last decade.

Last year, two students were accepted to military academies and in 2008, one student received appointments from three. Quesinberry, a parishoner of Our Lady of the Lake, is secretary of the National Honor Society and a leading scorer on the varsity basketball team.

Greg Carson “Life’s not about stuff.” It’s such a familiar yet tough-to-swallow adage that may take a lifetime to learn. It’s among the many lessons our parents pass on (or at least try to pass on) to us, and it’s a lesson one teacher hopes to instill in his students.

permission, Father Ryan became the first high school to use Peace for a semester course in 1997. “The classes just kept growing,” Carson explains. In 2001, Ramsey’s company approached Carson to write a workbook adaptation, Financial Peace for the Next Generation. Exercises in balancing a checkbook to annuities to the kind of insurance not to buy are covered. The workbook is now being used in thousands of classrooms around the world. Carson’s newest manuscript, titled Reaping What You Sow, is a compilation of personal stories he shares with the class about his financial odyssey. He’s not afraid to share his mistakes in the hopes of teaching others. His motivation is derived from personal experiences. Plus he’s a storyteller. “I like to tell stories. Life is all about stories and experiences, and I’ve had plenty of experiences with money and mistakes. And students like honesty.”

Nick Pollard were able to put points on the board, the effort fell short at 23-15.

The 8-4 record was highlighted by wins against rivals Brentwood Academy and Pope John Paul II, after which they earned top ten status in the state in their division. Despite a loss to MBA, the Irish rounded out the regular season play by defeating McCallie and Baylor.

While the Irish’s ride to the state title was cut short, the team still has much to celebrate—a winning season, a state-of-the-art athletic complex and several post-season honors. Eleven players were named to the All-Region DII AA Football Team: Nick Bateman, Trey McPhail, Joe Francescon, Mick Cohan, Alex Eddie, Will Mix, Tyler Kincaid and Jackson Coursey. Also on the team were Chris Agnew, named Defensive MVP, Nick Pollard, named Special Teams MVP and Harrison Daigle, named Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

The play-offs were equally exciting. Ryan added another accomplishment to the history books by hosting its first on-campus play-off game. Matched up against Briarcrest, the second-seeded Irish ended the Saints’ run by a count of 45-35 and moved on to the semifinals. Although the team fought hard against the nationally-ranked Memphis University School Owls and seniors Nick Bateman and

The annual Football Awards Banquet also recognized outstanding performances during the 2009 football season. Parents Scott and Jennifer Pollard were recognized with the Coaches Award for their outstanding leadership, and Brett Wesnofske ‘88 was awarded the Joe “Black Cat” Reilly Award for his dedicated service to the football program.

he Father Ryan football team will never forget its 2009 season and neither will its fans. One of the most highly anticipated seasons kicked off with the historic opening of their first-ever home field at Giacosa Stadium, and it didn’t disappoint. It was Ryan’s largest crowd in decades with attendance topping 4,000.

Ryan Kicker Named Mr. Football

he Irish’s Nick Pollard was named TSSAA’s Mr. Football Kicker of the Year. He was selected among Tennessee’s best high school football players by a committee of sports writers for his 2009 season performance. He made all 30 extra points and 34 of 44 field goals; his longest field goal was 53 yards. Academics and character were also taken into consideration. He received the award in November at a luncheon sponsored by the Tennessee Titans Foundation.

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Pollard earned additional honors this year by being named to the Tennessean’s 2009 Dream Team and as the special teams MVP to the 2009 Super Prep Mid/East Conference AllRegion DII AA Football Team.

The Lady Irish Sign Letters of Intent

hree student-athletes have committed to playing college sports next year. Brittanie Albright will play softball at Western Kentucky University. Although she was recruited by WKU as a pitcher, she began her career at Father Ryan at first base before moving to the pitcher’s mound her junior year. Last season, she was named to the All-State team.

One mistake he shares is not being financially conservative early in life. Although the road to solvency and financial security required a lifestyle change, with used cars, consignment shopping and a family budget, he was able to pay off his house four years ago. It was also a lesson for his own two children, who he says weren’t difficult to get on board. “They had their own savings accounts, and I’d have the kids do chores and pay them. They could save or spend how they wanted, but it gave them opportunities to make decisions about spending.”

Greg Carson didn’t take this message to heart until nearly 15 years ago. Like many families, his was in debt. It was financial guru Dave Ramsey’s radio program The Money Game that finally inspired him to take action.

“Life’s not about stuff.”

That inspiration also spilled over into his classroom, where he discussed his path to debt freedom with his students. “Even in science class, we talked about life issues, and I realized students connected with money. I had been listening to Dave [Ramsey] for years and thought it would be neat to teach finance to kids so they would have that knowledge going into real life.” A popular activity in his economics class is the vacation project. Groups of students plan a vacation for a four-person family on a $450 budget, taking in to account gas mileage and other details. Carson’s own family gets involved. Each year, they choose one of the projects as a vacation and follow the itinerary as closely as possible. Last year, they traveled to Beech Bend in Kentucky.

Religious elements are not absent from his classroom either. The correlation between finance and faith may not be obvious, but to Carson, it’s the backbone of his teaching. “The principles we teach are here,” he says, holding up the Bible he keeps on his desk. Ironically, the primary text used in class is named Financial Peace. The book is written by none other than Dave Ramsey; with his

Carson doesn’t necessarily teach high schoolers to become millionaires. One of the defining messages in his classroom is understanding the truth about money and managing that money in our relationships with God and with others. “People want things quicker nowadays. We have such ease in communication yet we don’t communicate anymore. We’ve got the laptops and Bluetooths and cell phones. We don’t sit down and have a cup of coffee.”

He also communicates this message outside of the classroom, speaking to local parishes like St. Matthew about Financial Peace. He receives no royalties, but is driven by a love for teaching and a desire to “motivate young people.” Carson also possesses a strong love for Father Ryan. “Why would you leave Father Ryan? It’s a nice atmosphere, a nice community. It’s my home away from home.” He has been at Ryan since 1991 and has 22 years of teaching experience. In 2002, he won “Financial Peace for the Next Generation National Teacher of the Year Award” and received $2,500 for textbooks. When not at Father Ryan, he spends as much time with his family as possible—as a Boy Scout Leader for his 6th grade son, Bret, and as a “chauffeur” for his daughter, Sarah ‘12. Carson’s life is not about stuff, but it is about his family. He sums it up in Reaping What You Sow: “How do I guide my children down a path that I refused to travel? I think the answer lies in the word persistence… and example!”

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Michelle Johnson ‘87 The role of mother is never clearly defined, but moms everywhere could argue it often intertwines with the roles of teacher, doctor and lawyer.

As a mother with three children of her own, Michele relates to and is motivated by the clients she helps every day. “The people who deal with health insurance companies are almost all women,” she explains. Those women are often single mothers fighting insurance companies that deny coverage for their children. “The moms I get to work with are so inspiring. They call us because they want to make a difference for others.” Each year, the Tennessee Justice Center recognizes six mothers who have been exceptional advocates for children in need of healthcare. Many of those mothers have testified in court and spoken with the media about their own experiences to stimulate change for their child and for others’ children. To honor them, the Justice Center sends a professional photographer to take a family portrait because few can afford or have family photos. “Every single person matters” is an aphorism at the core of Michele’s work, and her lengthy history in social justice is evidence. She has worked with dozens of service organizations like the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, helping elderly receive healthcare benefits and serving as a youth director of an inner-city church; Renewal House, volunteering with mothers who suffer from addiction and their children; and the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee.

Michele Johnson is familiar with all three. As cofounder and managing attorney for the Tennessee Justice Center, she spends her day fighting for low-income families and educating them about their legal rights to obtain healthcare, especially children in need. “Everyone deserves an advocate,” she says.

Years before law school, she became motivated to serve. “I knew I wanted to serve while I was at Father Ryan. My senior service at High Hopes was an inspiration. My teachers, too. I was motivated through their example of service and called by the gospel to be of service.”

“Everyone deserves an advocate.”

Those needing an advocate tally at about 300. That is the number of people who contact the Tennessee Justice Center each year, many of whom are single parents or elderly—half are on TennCare while the other half have been denied by an insurance company. Michele knows the ins and outs of TennCare all too well. She has lobbied for healthcare coverage for uninsured children for nearly two decades. During that time, she negotiated a class action settlement for healthcare reform involving 665,000 children enrolled in TennCare. “I do case reviews that are just heart-wrenching. People think those who need healthcare get it, but they don’t. Children should have what they need,” she asserts. But she knows that many of those children are denied the basics, like a hearing aid. “We view healthcare as a commodity. The reality is that many lose their life because of poor healthcare coverage.” Established in 1994,TennCare is the only program in the nation to enroll the entire state Medicaid population in managed care, according to www.tennessee.gov. In case you were wondering, that’s 1.2 million people in Tennessee; 700,000 of whom are children.The program only covers a paltry one-third of children in the state.

Her dad, Richard Johnson ‘47, recognized her gift for service early on and also provided inspiration. “My dad said, ‘You should be a lawyer. Argue for people who can’t argue for themselves.’ That’s when I knew I wanted to go to law school. I wanted to level the playing field for people who have great value but whom our society gives little value to.” Since then, she has successfully lobbied for dozens of families in need and hopes to spread her father’s inspiration to her three boys, whom she says have helped her raise money for the Justice Center. If one thing is clear, it is that her family life presents a steady framework for her job; the benefits are two-fold. “My career makes me thankful for my children. It’s such a gift for my children to know the people I work with, too.” Like her family, faith plays heavily in her career and imparts a refreshing perspective to a strenuous job. “Faith makes my career hard to leave, but it also recharges my batteries. We don’t always win. Sometimes we have lots of losses. But it gives me a broad view and provides a context for those losses. It gives me strength when a solution and victory is in sight.” She encourages anyone interested in helping families to visit www.tnjustice.org to donate, become a TJC Facebook fan, invite the TJC to share clients’ stories with your church or school or simply volunteer.

Players, Irish Guard, Long Family and 1974 Champions Honored Harrison Daigle received the Buford ‘Baby’ Ray Academic Award which included a $500 college scholarship, and Jackson Coursey received the semester award which included a $300 college scholarship. Jake Clifton, Austin Glascoe, John Arnold, John Caine and Adam Neal were also recognized for their academic achievements.

The coaches awarded Trey McPhail with the Leo Long Dedication to Football Award, Nick Bateman with the Courage & Determination Award, Eric Johnson with the Curley Stone +\- Award, and Jamonte Graham with the Purple Pride Award. Stephen Curran was awarded the Outstanding Student Assistant Award for service to the team.

Nick Bateman, Harrison Daigle, Joe Francescon, Trey McPhail and Will Mix garnered the Captain’s Award. Jamonte Graham, Kenneth Garrett, Rafael Hopkins and Mark Marchetti received the 9th grade Captain’s Award. These honorees were selected by their teammates.

With our first stadium, this season enabled us to honor our own as we brought back many alumni who were honored during the home games: the 1979 Irish Guard, Coach Leo Long’s family and the 1974 championship football team and cheerleaders.

Chris Agnew, Joe Francescon and Nick Pollard were recognized for their selection to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association and Tennessee Football Coaches Association All-State Teams.

Last but not least, this season presented a new level of the Irish spirit. Never before has a team united so many generations of students, alumni and families. This year, they served as an inspiration and reminded the community why it’s great to be Irish.

For his dedication and work discipline, senior Jackson Coursey earned the Irish Steel “Ironman” Award. The defensive coaches chose T.J. Luckett to receive the Irish Award for defense, and the offensive coaches honored Cameron Yunker with their Irish Award.

(From left) Players at the Football Awards Banquet; the 1979 Irish Guard; the Long family; the 1974 football team and cheerleaders.

Rachel Mayes will play soccer at Trevecca Nazarene University. Mayes was a three-year starter for the Lady Irish and earned a spot on the All-Region team three years in a row. This year, Rachel was named to the All-State team. She led the Irish to the 2008 state championship and to the 2009 final four. Ellen Mullins will play volleyball at University of Tennessee Knoxville. She led the Lady Irish to the 2009 state championship finals and has played in the championship match all four years. She was named 2009 MVP for the East/Middle Region and has earned a spot on the All-Region team every year. Nationally, she has been recognized as a Prep Volleyball Ace among 250 seniors in the country.

Brittanie Albright

Rachel Mayes

Ellen Mullins

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Nanette Baker ‘75 Nanette Baker can remember when girls interested in becoming cheerleaders had to audition for the entire senior class. Their votes determined your place on the squad.

Volleyball Takes Second Place T

he varsity volleyball team completed another incredible season with a tough fight at the state tournament. After three days of intense play, the Lady Irish claimed second place in the DII-AA state championship after falling to St. Benedict in the finals.

Their march to the title game was exhausting. In the semi-finals, they played Baylor in a five-set match that lasted two and a half hours, capturing the last three sets to end the game near midnight. At the state finals, they met St. Benedict for the second time in the tournament, but were defeated in three sets. The loss was disappointing, but the team still celebrates a fantastic record. They claim an undefeated season in region play, and three players were named to the All-Region team: Kristen Sharp, Ellen Mullins and Shannon Carr. Post-season, Kelsey Towns joined Mullins and Sharp on the All Mid-state team. This year also marks the fourth consecutive year the team has been in the state finals; they took home the championship trophy in 2006. Even more impressive is that Ryan’s volleyball team, led by Coach Jinx Cockerham, has been to the finals 12 of the last 18 years.

Girls Soccer Ends Season in Final Four T he girls soccer team traveled to Chattanooga for the state tournament and, after a tough battle, left with third place honors. The Lady Irish fought their way to the semi-finals but lost to the eventual state champion St. Agnes 3-1. Katherine Rodriguez scored Ryan’s only goal of the game with a penalty kick in the second half.

Bass Earns State Bowling Title J unior Sam Bass took home Father Ryan’s first-ever individual state championship title in bowling this January. After a slow start in the tournament, he bounced back quickly. Although he entered the finals eight pins down, he finished with a 171-146 win.With a total of 1,915 pins, he won by a nine-point spread against the second place from Donelson Christian Academy.

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As he told the Tennessean, “I came in (Friday) morning thinking I was going to do all right, but then I bowled my first game and it was absolutely terrible,” Bass said. “But after that I pretty much made it up. I found my shot and started doing a lot better.” The Father Ryan boys’ bowling team captured the state championship in 2007 and the runners-up titles in 2002 and 2003.

Although shut out of the state finals, the girls still delivered a successful season. Coach Robin Dieterich earned TSSAA’s Co-Coach of the Year honors, and five players were named to the East/Middle All-Region team: Savannah Kegg, Rachel Mayes, Becca Menke, Katherine Montesi and Katherine Rodriguez. Over the holidays, Kegg, Mayes and Menke were named to the Tennessean All Mid-state team; Kegg also made the Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State team.

“It was kind of like my first foray into politics,” she says jokingly. Of course, those were different times. Father Ryan was newly co-ed and only seniors were allowed to be cheerleaders. Boys were also on the squad. When it came time for her audition, however, Baker wasn’t nerve-wracked. “My involvement at Father Ryan allowed me to develop a lot of friendships, especially in the senior class. I knew people really well. They were my family.”

a career change. I had just moved to St. Louis to work for an NBC affiliate, and I decided I wanted to go to law school. I was 33 years old.” She readily admits she did not take the traditional path to law, but she realized that she had an advantage. “I was ten years older than most of the law students, but I had experience so it was not as intimidating,” remembers Baker.

Baker was on a fast track to the bench. Following law school, she moved to Memphis to work for a federal judge, and a year later, she returned to St. Louis to enter private practice. For five years, she specialized in employment law, representing corporations and later railroad employees injured on the job. She flourished in the courtroom and her experiences before the judges helped propel her even further. In 1999, she was appointed as a trial judge, an appointment, she explains, that “is very rare for such a short time in practice.” Her accomplishments did not end there. Five years later, she was commissioned to the Missouri Nanette Baker Court of Appeals and since then, she has been and Martina Hailey ‘75 explore nominated twice for the State Supreme Court. Giacosa Stadium. While she hopes to be considered for the Supreme Court again, she stays busy with her involvement in the community. She has mentored elementary students and served on the boards of non-profits like Covenant House-Missouri, an organization benefiting homeless youth. She also serves on the commission to choose judges for county positions. “I always look for a commitment to the community. I am a big believer in public service.”

“I am a big believer in public service.”

Although many things have changed over the years, what hasn’t changed is that family atmosphere that convinced Baker to return to campus last fall. At the Homecoming game, she paraded onto the field with the 1974 football championship team and cheerleader honorees. “That was a great feeling,” she says. “We didn’t have a football field when I was in school, so it was amazing to see how far Father Ryan has come.” Her days as a cheerleader are a far cry from her current job as Chief Judge for the Missouri Court of Appeals. She is the first African-American woman to serve in that role in the Eastern District. “I would say gender diversity is tougher than racial diversity. Being the first is tough.” But considering how she got here, “tough” does not easily intimidate her. Politics was not her first calling. It was broadcast journalism. After receiving a degree in broadcasting from the University of Tennessee, she worked as a news reporter in Knoxville, Memphis and St. Louis. In fact, she was well into her career in broadcasting when she decided to take a different path—to law. “I was ready for

As a chief judge, she has many opportunities for public service and to teach others, like bringing diversity to young people. Students from local high schools and colleges who watch trials, often set in areas with little diversity, are able to witness diversity first-hand in her court. “Teachers are the ultimate public service. It’s also a family tradition for me—my parents are educators.” She can thank her parents, particularly her mother, for her high school education. After moving from Montgomery, Alabama, it was her mother who enrolled her at Father Ryan. “My mom wanted me to have a good education and she respected the education of a Catholic school.” Although Baker joined Ryan midway through her freshman year, she adjusted quickly, and what she learned there prepared her for the many challenges ahead. She recalls the hardest part of her career was her time as a trial judge and making decisions on sentencing. Although she acknowledges that faith cannot play a role in decisions, she admits “nobody can do that job without reflection, prayer and asking for guidance in a decision.” The class of 1975 may have had an easier decision on their hands voting in Baker back in the day. With the support of her family— Irish and otherwise—Nanette Baker has proven the road less taken can still be a road to success.

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Britt ‘87 and Scott ‘78 Hunt There is no mistaking that Britt and Scott Hunt are brothers—different, yet complementary in their roles in the family business. “Britt is a pure entrepreneur,” says Scott, and according to Britt, “Scott is the support.” No matter their different talents, they are both steadfast in maintaining a family culture in their company, Hunt Brothers Pizza.

While their focuses are different, they are careful not to step on each others’ toes. “I don’t try to do what Britt does. Sales is not my role anymore. I deal with accounts at a high-level, being the visible one, the spokesman,” according to Scott. Britt relates, “This business is all about relationships. We all work at it. We also have to set guidelines.” With the help of family business consultants, they finally established guidelines after realizing there were “too many cooks in the kitchen” as Scott describes it. “We were dealing with the involvement of the first generation and the second generation so we had to learn how to respect boundaries.” While the first generation is less involved today, they did establish guidelines for new generations. “We have to be careful about hiring family members,” admits Britt, which is why they require family to have work experience before joining the family business.

Scott and Britt Hunt Hunt Brothers Pizza is not your run-of-themill family business. With over 6,000 locations in 27 states, the brand has gained momentum across the southeast and grown considerably from its humble roots. Scott and Britt are the second generation behind Hunt Brothers. Their father, Don, and his three brothers ventured into the wholesale pizza business nearly 50 years ago, selling their products to convenience stores in rural areas.

Although there is a mix of family and nonfamily members within Hunt Brothers Pizza, they stay true to the original vision of the brothers. “Faith was really important,” states Britt. “The brothers wanted to be a blessing, to have godly values and to put themselves Concession stand at the in customers’ shoes. What is most important athletic complex donated by the Hunt family. is never losing that culture.” That culture is based on their guiding principles—“Place God first in all we do, Be a blessing to people, Trust God to meet our needs, Strive for excellence.” And they implement this culture in all they do, like prayer before every meeting and employing a Chief Culture Officer whose job is training others in the culture.

“The business is all about relationships.”

Scott, who is CEO, joined Hunt Brothers in 2001 to help build the foundation and the corporation. “When I started, Hunt Brothers Pizza had no IT. No marketing department. No purchasing department. The company had not trademarked anything, either.” He credits his 17 years of planning experience in insurance for helping him restructure much of the business. While Scott structured the operations side, Britt handled the distribution. In 1992, Britt founded The Britt Hunt Company to distribute Hunt Brothers Pizza products to convenience stores around the country. “We set up turn-key businesses and give them the spatulas, ovens, all the tools to operate,” he says. Each week, his drivers deliver pizza products to the stores. “It’s never been a job. I’m just carrying out the vision of the brothers,” he says.

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“Our company is unique. It’s not about the family, but about all the other people who work in the company,” Scott explains. “Being a faith-based company brings a lot of people to us.”

The brothers’ education at Father Ryan also served as a source of inspiration. Britt credits Father Black as a mentor during his early days at Ryan. “My experience at Ryan fostered my spirituality and gave me a foundation to fall back on. I wouldn’t trade that experience for the world.” Likewise, Scott fondly remembers his time at Father Ryan. “The teachers were great. It was a good balance of academics and extra-curriculars. It was a great place to go through what kids go through during that time in their lives.” Like their experiences, their goals are similar, too. Expansion, community involvement and relationship building all sit at the top of their lists. They also think about the next generation of Hunts, says Scott. “I want to build the infrastructure of the company that can be sustained beyond us and give to the next generation.” The brothers have already given back to the next generation. Last fall, they donated the concession stand at the Jim Carell Alumni Athletic Complex, where they served pizzas during football games. If the delighted reactions to their pizzas are any indication, Hunt Brothers Pizza will be around for many generations to come.

A Story of Family and Faith: Blessed Mother medal makes 80-year journey back to Father Ryan Mary Lee Bunch, right, and Father Ryan High School Principal Paul Davis ‘81 hold a plaque she presented to the school in honor of her father, William Donlon Sr. ‘31. In the frame is the Blessed Mother medal Donlon received as a student at Father Ryan in the late 1920s that he wore the rest of his life.

Reprinted with permission by Ned Andrew Solomon, Tennessee Register

On Nov. 6, Mary Lee Bunch presented a Blessed Mother medal to Father Ryan High School that her father, the late William Donlon Sr., had received at the school in 1929. The medal had been given by then Bishop Alphonse Smith to the young student as he and his Father Ryan teammates were about to travel to Chicago for the National Catholic League Basketball Tournament. Donlon graduated from Father Ryan in 1931. His four younger brothers also attended the school. “I think because of his experience at Father Ryan, Dad had always put such a value on Catholic education,” said Bunch. “He went during the Depression era. Everybody had hard times, and I think he really appreciated his parents giving him that gift.” That appreciation was exemplified by his wearing the medal almost every day of his life – through his high school years, through business school in Nashville, while stationed in the Philippines during World War II, and through his remaining years as a dedicated Father Ryan alum and a faithful parishioner at the Cathedral of the Incarnation. According to his own writing, he remembered leaving Nashville for training camp in Louisiana, thinking that his Father Ryan medal would bring him good luck while he was a long way from home, fighting the war. One day, to his great chagrin, Donlon realized he had lost the medal on one of the Philippine islands. “My medal was such an important part of home for me,” wrote Donlon. “I always had such a belief that the Blessed Mother was protecting me and my buddies as we fought, but there was nothing I could do about it; it was gone.”

As fate, or faith, would have it, the medal turned up again on another island – 1,200 miles away from where he misplaced it – nailed to a message board that the soldiers checked regularly for mail and lost items. “He took it down and realized it was his,” said Bunch. “He never knew who had found it.” “I was never so glad to see anything in my life!” wrote Donlon. “It was as if a piece of home was back with me. To this day, I am convinced that the Blessed Mother has protected me not only during the war, but throughout my life.” That life lasted 96 years, but ended this past July. “When he died they gave me his medal,” said Bunch. “I thought, ‘You know what? This came from Father Ryan, and it needs to go back to Father Ryan.’ Father Ryan meant so much to him and to our whole family. I think it’s good when young people know the history of the school and the people who went there.” Bunch’s presentation to Father Ryan President Jim McIntyre was a frame which contained the medal, a story Bunch had written about her father and the medal, a newspaper clipping of the 1929 basketball team and a yearbook picture of her dad. “Whenever I heard the story of the medal from Mr. Donlon or his daughter, Mary Lee, I was always touched by its meaning to him,” President McIntyre said. “This medal never came off his neck, serving to remind him of home while he fought for his country in the Pacific. He told me it was a reminder to him

of the gift of Father Ryan that his parents had given him, and of the impact Father Ryan and his faith had on him. “To know the story of this medal’s travels with Mr. Donlon and its role in his life, and then to know that he and his family wanted it to be forever at the school that had shaped his life, makes this presentation incredibly meaningful for the entire Father Ryan community,” continued McIntyre. “It’s a significant addition to our archives, and it sends an important message to our students about the character that has been demonstrated by Father Ryan students throughout our history.” Part of Donlon’s character could be seen in his strict, unwavering devotion to his faith. Up until the time he moved into assisted living late in his life, he attended Mass at the Cathedral every day, unless he was traveling, though that never stopped his church going. “When we would go anywhere – vacation, Florida, I don’t care where we were – the first thing we would do – the first thing – would be find a Catholic church,” recalled Bunch. “He was a devout Catholic,” Bunch continued. “I remember that about Dad more than anything. If you wanted to find him, you could always find him early in the morning over at Cathedral.”

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Annual Fund Moves Closer to Goal

his has been a strong year for Father Ryan’s Annual Fund already and an all-time record is in range. As we enter the second half of the Fund year, the total has been steadily growing towards our $375,000 goal.

• Nearly $350,000 has been donated as of February 10.

• We have celebrated the 100%

•

participation of the faculty and staff in this year’s campaign, earning significant additional funds through a challenge grant from an alumnus. And a strong contingent of class representatives, parent leaders and staff have met to map out plans as we approach Reunions 2010.

[Cover Story]

Celebrating the Father Ryan Family

With tuition covering only 67% of the cost to educate a student at Father Ryan, the Annual Fund helps to bridge the gap. It allows the school to:

• Make improvements that directly benefit our students. • Attract and retain talented teachers who inspire a passion for learning.

• Secure vital equipment for student use. • Offer meaningful opportunities through a wide variety of programs.

• Maintain the beauty of our campus.

“What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life—to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories.” ~George Eliot

Gifts of any size significantly impact the school community and educational experience, making a difference in the lives of each student and teacher at Father Ryan. To make a gift, please visit www.fatherryan.org/giving. For more information or to make a gift over the phone, please contact Brooke Reusch at reuschb@fatherryan.org or 615-269-7926.

Whatever memories you have of Father Ryan, there are thousands across the world who share the same ones. Do you remember the plaid skirts? The cafeteria’s biscuits? Sports practice at Centennial Park? Two people on the opposite side of the world meet and discover they share a commonality— Father Ryan.

Most of you have already received your Annual Fund letter for the 2009-10 campaign. Some have responded, others are waiting until later in the year, others still may not have even opened it. All of you might ask, “Why is there so much focus on Annual Fund?” The Annual Fund is a major component of Father Ryan’s annual financial program, providing critical funds that assist virtually every aspect of the daily Father Ryan experience. The funds raised are unrestricted, so Father Ryan can put them to use wherever the need is greatest. The funds are equivalent to the income (based on current investment returns) on a $10 million endowment, which is why we call the Annual Fund our “living endowment.” The participation of a growing number of alumni, parents and friends represents a growing recognition of the Annual Fund’s role in maintaining the things that make Father Ryan…Father Ryan. Annual Fund Parent Chairs Mary and Bill Brennan remind us of the Fund’s importance: “Father Ryan is dedicated to providing the best formative experience for our students - spiritually, academically and physically. Keep in mind the once ‘new campus’ is now almost 20 years old, and our facilities and technology are increasingly in need of repair and updating. A gift to the Annual Fund is our way of giving back…of saying thank you to Father Ryan and saying thank you to the teachers, the administration and the staff.”

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It’s a story that happens all the time. Anyone from Father Ryan can attest that making that connection with someone is like finding a long-lost family member. Forgetting generational differences, the camaraderie between two members of the Irish family is already established. And it is easy to do with family reaching every corner of the globe, counting thousands of alumni, staff, parents, grandparents and friends.

Join us for a night to Celebrate our Priests as we honor Bishop David Choby ‘65 and all the alumni priests on April 10, 2010, at our 31st Annual Legacy Gala.

Not too far from home are five people who recognize the importance of that family and how its influence on their lives and their influence on others’ lives are necessary to a successful and fulfilling life. Britt ‘87 and Scott ‘78 Hunt, Nanette Baker ‘75, Michele Johnson ’87 and Greg Carson all share a drive to give back. Whether through the justice system, the family business or the classroom, they are dedicated to improving life for the next generation of their family.

Dinner Q Live and Silent Auctions Q Embassy Suites-Cool Springs To reserve your place, call 615-269-7926 today. Sponsorships are still available. Contact Angela Mills for more information.

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