2014 Academic Achievements

2013–2014

Leading the Class of 2014 in the Tradition of Faith, Knowledge, Service

Valedictorian MĂĄire Amlicke and Salutatorian Jenna Sullivan

A Year To Celebrate A Message from Sara Hayes, Vice Principal and Academic Dean

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his is an historic year in the long legacy of Father Ryan’s academic programs.

For the 90th time since 1961, a Father Ryan senior has earned Finalist recognition from the National Merit Scholarship program. This prestigious organization honors students from across the nation for their academic achievement, and this year’s Finalist, Kelsey Barrett, continues a long legacy of National Merit success. In fact, you can meet every one of those 90 Finalists in the pages of this year’s Academic Achievements magazine, from Thomas Byrne and Jackson White in 1961 all the way to Kelsey this year.

However, the academic achievements do not begin and end with this national honor. The Class of 2014 is replete with scholars who are athletes, musicians who are scholars, scientists who are servants, actors who are leaders, and each of them is achieving something special at Father Ryan. Our Valedictorian is the recipient of the rare—only 25 awarded nationwide—Robertson

Through the Years: Our 90 National Merit Finalists 1

Thomas Byrne ’61

Jackson White ’61

John Ritter ’68

Kenneth Ziemak ’68

Scholarship from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. One of our seniors is not only a National Merit Commended Scholar but also a nationally ranked figure skater. Two are taking wing…literally…as part of our long line of military appointments. We have seniors whose commitment to service is changing the look of our communities, from South Nashville to South Carolina to the streets in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

As I reflect on these accomplishments, and as we prepare to embark on our 90th year as a school, I can say that this is a class of which to be proud, taught by an exceptional group of men and women. They are an embodiment of our tradition of Faith, Knowledge and Service.

Michael Curley ’69

Lindsay Draper ’69

Paul Blazek ’70

Mark Carnes ’70

Thomas Green, Jr. ’71 Margaret Deckbar ’74

Eva Allen ’75

George Davis ’75

James Hentges ’75

Kathy Townsend ’76

Ninety National Merit Scholars

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Byrne ’61 and Jackson White ’61 probably haven’t met Kelsey Barrett. She probably hasn’t heard of them . G oodness , T homas and J ackson are older than her parents . Y et these three students are linked this year by a common recognition , shared now by 90 F ather R yan students in the last decades . N ational M erit F inalist . T homas and J ackson were our first ; K elsey is now the latest . homas

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Created by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation in 1955, the Scholarships are designed to recognize and honor the academically talented students of the United States. The enduring goals of the scholarship programs are these: To promote a wider and deeper respect for learning in general and for exceptionally talented individuals in particular, and to shine a spotlight on brilliant students and encourage the pursuit of academic excellence at all levels of education. Only 15,000 students nationwide earn Finalist recognition out of the more than 1.5 million students who enter.

Over the years Father Ryan’s National Merit Finalists present a varied and interesting story, many of them told by the numbers: 19 – number of classes that produced two Finalists 1975, 1985, 2006, 2010 – the classes that have produced three Finalists each 4 – the number of classes with four Finalists; 1999, 2000, 2005 and 2007

2013 – the most prolific class, with eight Finalists.

The list of honorees runs literally from A (Eva Allen ’75 and Doug Arney ’13) to Z (Ken Ziemak ’68 and John Zalud ’73). There are athletes and musicians and student council officers. One was a magician on the tennis court (Tyler Davis ’07) and one was, well, a magician (Doug Maihafer ’79). There are other fascinating parts of our National Merit legacy. Did you know that five families have produced multiple Finalists? Four of these families can claim two sibling honorees: Tom ’71 and Bill ’78 Green; Louis ’96 and Joseph ’99 Seele; Sarah ’02 and Bryan ’05 Hench; and the DiGiovannis, Domenic and Emilia, both of the class of 2010. As impressive as that is, imagine the dinner conversation at the Townsend table. That family produced one-two-three-four Finalists; Kathy ’76, Melissa ’77, Stephen ’78 and Joel ’80.

There were only male honorees for Father Ryan during our all-boys years, but since the fall of 1970, when girls arrived, 30 young women have been named Finalists. The first one? Margaret Deckbar ’74, from the very first class of girls to go all four years to Father Ryan. Lindsay Draper ’69 was the first to earn Achievement Finalist status.

Melissa Townsend ’77

Michael Wootten ’77

Kimberly Gilliam ’78

Elizabeth Gray ’78

It is easy to see that she is another deserving Finalist in our long line of National Merit honorees, although she did not think she would ever receive such an accolade. “I had a number of friends from the class of 2013 who were Finalists, students Kelsey Barrett whom I looked up to and admired for their intelligence and their character,” she said. “So when I was named a Finalist I was surprised. I just never thought of myself in the same way as I viewed last year’s honorees.”

She received heightened interest from her colleges once the Finalists were announced, with the honor getting the attention of Boston College, the University of Alabama and the University of Richmond, where she will enroll this fall. There she will be pursuing a program in either international relations or economics at one of the top programs in the country.

“I have been involved in Youth in Government and Model UN during high school, and those experiences awakened my interest in government affairs. I am excited that I’ll get to pursue the thing I am most passionate about.”

5 – the number of Finalists from the Class of 1978

3

So what about Kelsey?

William Green ’78

John Mallette ’78

Stephen Townsend ’78

Kelsey was a member of the Dance Team for the last three years, where she formed her deepest friendships. She also served as a tutor for refugee children from Cambodia and Iraq. In fact the law she was able to pass this spring in Youth in Government was to allow undocumented residents of Tennessee access to state colleges at in-state rates. “After working with the refugee children, this became more than an issue. It became personal.”

A St. Henry parishioner and a St. Bernard graduate, Kelsey clearly embodies the best attributes of a National Merit Finalist. And she will certainly be taking the best of her Father Ryan experience into the halls of government, to the benefit of us all.

Michael Guzikowski ’79

Doug Maihafer ’79

Daniel Poirier ’80

Joel Townsend ’80

L-R: President Jim McIntyre, Kenneth Anderson, Emily Kerinuk, Rachel Panther, Kelsey Barrett, Mary Grace Wilson, Emma Collins and Principal Paul Davis ’81.

National Merit Honors the Class of 2014 The Class of 2014 is once again populated with National Merit Honorees. In addition to Finalist Kelsey Barrett, five seniors were recognized for their academic talents—Kenneth Anderson, Emma Collins, Emily Kerinuk, Rachel Panther and Mary Grace Wilson as Commended Scholars. This kind of success builds on last year’s exceptional performance, when 10 members of the Class of 2013 were honored, eight of them as National Merit Finalists, Father Ryan’s largest list of honorees in one year, both in number of scholars and in number of Finalists.

Having its students honored by the organization is not new. Over the last 12 years more than 80 students have been recognized as Semifinalists, Finalists, Commended Scholars or Achievement Scholars by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, a tribute to the scope of academic preparation here at Father Ryan and the support and commitment of faculty members and families throughout the area.

As Vice Principal and Academic Dean Sara Hayes says, “the caliber of students here at Father Ryan is exceptional, and they are taught by a committed and caring faculty. Combine that with the opportunities provided by 25 Advanced Placement courses and a broad and diverse curriculum, you have students who will achieve at the very highest level. The honors from the National Merit are testaments to that.”

In addition to these honors, Father Ryan’s academic achievements are showcased through the Cardinal Newman Society, the National Honor Society and the Cum Laude Society, groups that honor academic achievement and that include more than 150 Father Ryan students among their membership.

Patricia Fay ’81

Paul Smith ’82

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Female Scholars Lead the Academic Parade in 2014

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A cademic A chievers in the C lass of 2014 are an accomplished and diverse group . T hey are dancers and musicians , athletes and class officers , innovators and club leaders . A nd many of them are female . he

Jenna Sullivan Salutatorian Curiosity is the best descriptor for Jenna. Coming from a family of veterinarians, it was natural that scientific exploration and research would hold her interest. But viewing NCIS as a 10 year-old with her father introduced her to forensic science in the character of Abby, and she found her love, and her career.

T hat ’ s right . T he top five students , seven of the top 10, and 13 of the top 22 are female . A nd it begins at the very top , with our V aledictorian and S alutatorian —M áire A mlicke and J enna S ullivan , who have always carried themselves with pride and always represented the best aspects of our tradition of

F aith , K nowledge

and

S ervice .

Máire Amlicke Valedictorian Carrying herself well, moving from course to course and activity to activity with a dancer’s grace, seems natural for Máire. Not surprising when you realize that she has been dancing since she was four, and not just dancing, but Irish step dancing. Not just dancing because she likes it, but also because she’s good at it, climbing to the rank of Top 20 in the United States and Top 80 in the world. That same approach has been on display in every classroom and every activity, which is one of the reasons she has earned another distinction, that of a Robertson Scholar at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. That is rarified air—only 25 of these scholarships are awarded nationwide in one year.

While enrolled at Father Ryan, Máire has taken eight AP courses and currently holds a weighted 4.96 GPA. She has been inducted to the Cum Laude Society, of which she is president, National Honor Society, Father Black Honor Society, Cardinal Newman Society, the Spanish Honor Society, and is president of the Mu Alpha Theta. Máire has been recognized for being on the Academic Dean’s list all quarters of high school. Her subject awards for highest academic average include, but are not limited to: AP US History, American Literature, Spanish IV Honors and Algebra II Honors.

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Students Earn Credit for College

While enrolled at Father Ryan, Jenna has taken five AP courses and currently holds a weighted 4.86 GPA. She has been inducted into the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Latin Honor Society, the Father Black Honor Society, and the Cum Laude Society. In her freshman year, Jenna was a Father Black Award Finalist.

In the course of her time at Father Ryan, Jenna has earned several awards for the highest academic averages in the following classes: Latin I, Latin II, Latin III, Honors Anatomy and Physiology, Honors Biology, and Theology. She has been on the Dean’s List for all four years, and the Principal’s List several times.

She is also active out of the classroom. A Student Ambassador, Eucharistic Minister, and Representative on the Student Council, she also played Volleyball, ran Track and served in Model UN, Respect Life and the Spanish Club. Máire has given back to the community by being a math and reading tutor, a volunteer at Special Olympics, Room in the Inn, March for Life and Relay for Life, as well as serving as President of Lost Boys of Sudan Foundation in Nashville.

A St. Henry graduate and parishioner, Jenna has been involved outside the classroom from virtually her first day on campus. She was selected as a Student Ambassador as a sophomore and has continued to serve as one of the welcoming faces and voices of Father Ryan. Jenna has been involved in soccer for three years and was co-captain her sophomore year and club captain for her club soccer team her junior year. She has been involved in Relay for Life for three years. In addition to these activities, Jenna has served as a Religious Education aide at St. Henry’s Church for the past four years, and also works as a vet assistant.

Her interest is Physics and medicine, and UNC Chapel Hill (and Duke University) will be home for this St. Bernard graduate and Christ the King parishioner. She considered Fordham University (Honors College), University of South Carolina (Honors College), Davidson College and Rhodes, but the opportunity to be a Tar Heel as a Robertson Scholar presented the most compelling step for her to take. Doctor, dancer, Valedictorian. She is stepping high.

With offers from UT Knoxville, Auburn University and Case Western Reserve University—and more than $218,000 in scholarships presented to her—she has had a variety of college experiences to whet her curiosity. That curiosity is taking her to Ohio, where she will major in Chemistry at Case Western Reserve University in the fall.

Adrienne Fancher ’83

Adolpho Birch ’84

George Cook ’84

Laura Cantrell ’85

Andrew Nolan ’85

Robert Thompson ’85

Christina Cain ’86

Jeff Harris ’86

Brian Malone ’89

Carol Lawson ’90

Elise Miller ’91

Andrew Schultz ’92

Setting a national standard among Catholic schools is no easy feat. Father Ryan has always prided itself on the academic abilities of its students who continue to shine in the national spotlight. The administration and faculty work to develop academic achievement in all its students and prepare them for higher education. As a result, Father Ryan students consistently attain high scores in standardized testing like the ACT and SAT. This year, a number of students earned perfect subject scores on the ACT and SAT. On the ACT Reading, three students earned perfect scores: Kelsey Barrett, Travis Steinmetz and Stephen Stejskal. Kenneth Anderson and Dante Garcia had perfect scores on Math and Luke Foreman on Science. On the SAT, Kelsey Barrett had a perfect score on Critical Reading; and Kenneth Anderson on both the Physics and Math 2 Subject Tests.

Students have also risen to the challenge of AP courses. These courses prepare students for the rigors of college classes with a year-long study on a specific subject. The preparation also helps to further their interests and expand their educational opportunities. Today, Father Ryan offers 25 AP courses in everything from Macroeconomics to Studio Art. For the past six years, the number of AP exams has increased and the pass rate—a grade of 3 or higher—has remained a constant 80% or above, with many students Class 2013 Rank Average earning college Deciles ACT* credit for their scores. It is a 1st Decile 32 story of academic 2nd Decile 29 success that 3rd-4th Decile 27 reflects the 5th-6th Decile 25 academic challenges our 7th-8th Decile 24 students embrace.

9th-10th Decile

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Academic Year

Number of Exams

Earning Qualified Status or Better

2008-2009

263

80%

2009-2010

265

80%

2010-2011

286

83%

2011-2012

356

83%

2012-2013

370

83%

Michael Baum ’93

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Faith And Service Everywhere You Turn Father Ryan’s emphasis on Faith, Knowledge and Service parallels the qualities that Catholic colleges and universities are looking for in their students. This year’s seniors have been accepted to and many are attending the following Catholic colleges:

Aquinas College Ave Maria University Barry College Bellarmine University Boston College Christian Brothers University College of the Holy Cross Creighton University DePaul University Fordham University Georgetown University Gonzaga University Loyola of Chicago Loyola of New Orleans Marian University Marquette University Sacred Heart University St. Louis University St. Mary’s College Salve Regina University Santa Clara University Spring Hill College Thomas More College University of Dayton University of Notre Dame University of San Diego University of San Francisco Villanova University Wheeling Jesuit University Xavier University Xavier University of Louisiana

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Mark Trushel ’93

Relay for Life Leads Nation Again

Cardinal Newman Association and St. Vincent de Paul Society

Graduates Continue Catholic Education

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ach year Father Ryan recognizes those students who have achieved at the highest level of the national tests by enrolling them in the Cardinal Newman Association. These students have scores on the ACT of 30 or higher or SAT of 1320 or higher as of April 15, 2014.

And we salute those who have committed themselves to lives of service while at Father Ryan through induction into the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Not surprisingly, knowing our students commitment to Faith, Knowledge and Service, there is a lot of overlap between the two organizations, something of which we are very proud. Here are the students from the Class of 2014 inducted into these two societies.

Christina Quigley —A Leap of Faith

St. Vincent de Paul Society Christina Karn Emily Kerinuk Julie Novelly Christina Quigley Audrey Shinar

Jessica Brennan Emma Delevante Dominic Espejo Steven Henry Connor Hoback

Bryan Sim Kristin Stockdale Wabi Tela Catherine Weiss Mary Grace Wilson

Cardinal Newman Association Máire Amlicke Kenneth Anderson Kelsey Barrett Joseph Bauer Rose Borum Jessica Brennan Phillip Brunner Sean Carroll Noah Cartwright Kristi Catignani Mackenzie Chalifoux Andrew Chandonnet Kelly Cole Emma Collins James Conry Duquesne Cook

Christie Burke ’94

Kevin The ’94

Joseph Faulkner Jack Flanagan Blake Ford Luke Foreman Dante Garcia Steven Henry Shelby Humes Gracyn Husband Emily Kerinuk Cecilia Kim Anthony Kniazewycz Emily Kreh Allison Krumnauer Matthew Moshea MaryLauren Moss Catherine Osorio

Glenn Brown ’95

Francesca Monga ’95

Rachel Panther Chandler Patty Christina Quigley Nick Richter Eric Sanders Patrick Seethaler Audrey Shinar Thomas Sloan Riley Smith Stephen Stejskal Luke Strebel Jenna Sullivan William Webb Catherine Weiss Mary Grace Wilson

Jillian Meskell ’96

Louis Seele ’96

In her scientific studies Christina had wondered why science and faith were always in opposition. Heeding the words of one of her teachers that so much of science and life involves a leap of faith, she made her leap during a simple experiment in a physician’s lab at Vanderbilt, where Christina was working. She was tracking a marker in a mouse’s gene to see its impact along the mouse’s body. As the blue marker appeared in various organs and limbs, she realized that none of this could happen casually; that in this simple mouse’s gene was the presence of God. It is this ability to discuss science and God that makes education at Father Ryan so special. Christina recognizes that, calling these past four years the best of her life, so far. Her résumé affirms that. She has been an active volunteer throughout the campus and across the community, tutoring with Catholic Charities Refugee program, helping with Relay for Life and Alternative Spring Break, and traveling to Honduras on the mission trip. She probably could run through many of those activities, since she has been an All-Metro cross country runner for the Lady Irish and a participant in the Country Music Marathon, finishing second in her age group. She praises her teachers and coaches for all they have taught her in and out of the classroom. Yet she will always remember that little mouse and its lesson about her faith. It will guide her as she pursues her range of interests at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

Jessica Durso ’97

Bryan Burrell ’98

Megan Higgins ’99

Peter Rebeiro ’99

Kasey Rohling ’99

On the first day of Fall Break most students would be sleeping in or making plans with friends, but instead, Father Ryan students spent Saturday, October 5, raising funds for the American Cancer Society.

The relay began with cancer survivors from the Nashville community leading the walk in Giacosa Stadium, followed by participants who walked from noon until midnight. Booths were set up for participants to sit down and enjoy some refreshments, and there was even live music and dancing to liven up the evening.

The relay concluded with the traditional luminaria ceremony, spelling out the word “Hope” for all to see.

This year’s relay included 37 teams and 600 participants who raised more than $63,000 for the American Cancer Society, making it once again, the largest student-run relay in the nation, and was featured in The Tennessean with the headline “Father Ryan does Relay for Life just right.”

Joseph Seele ’99

Michael Egger ’00

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Coming To America, Going Abroad

W

ho would have imagined that the student who won a state award in the of in

D emocracy ” A merica .

essay contest would be a young

P olish

VFW “V oice

student spending her first year

W

hat does it say about her and her experience in America and at Father Ryan that she was able to express herself so compellingly in the VFW contest.

For Dominika Ralcewicz, the explanation is all about her family and the power of education.

“I really appreciate the educational opportunities in America,” she said. “It helps people find and pursue what they are most passionate about.” Since coming to America last fall to pursue her studies, Dominika has had the opportunity to reflect often on the benefits that many Americans take for granted. Her VFW essay, which won the local competition and placed third in the state, began as a class assignment from history teacher Randy Lancaster ’83. He had asked her to interview a war veteran. Dominika had one ready…the story of her grandfather. He was captured first by the Russians as the Nazis invaded Poland, escaped and then was recaptured by the Nazis, who put him in a labor camp. He miraculously escaped again, even after choosing to die instead of making soap, knowing that the soap was made out of the fat of his fellow prisoners. It’s a remarkable story that has enthralled the school.

Dominika will be attending school at Nashville State this fall as she studies to become an American citizen. She hopes her brother and her parents, who are still in Poland, will be able to join her soon. But she’s excited about the prospects college and this country provide. As Mr. Lancaster said, “Dominika understands freedom since this is a big part of her family’s history. She’s been nothing but grateful this entire year.”

© Tennessee Register

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Kimberly Ferriman ’00

Matthew Mahler ’00

Holly Siebel ’00

Sarah Hench ’02

Alan Burns ’03

Jes Greenwood ’03

Bryan Hench ’05

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I

hile Dominika is making her way as a new resident and future citizen of the United States, many Father Ryan students are discovering the world outside of Norwood Drive, Nashville, and America.

Whether it is a mission trip to Honduras or cultural excursions through Spain and France, or an exploration to China, our students are exploring the broader world and gaining an understanding of that world and their place in it. They are also enhancing their language skills while gaining additional insights, in many instances, to the traditions and heritage of their Catholic faith.

For the last several summers, Dr. Rob Nasatir has traveled to Salamanca and other parts of Spain to introduce his Spanish language students to this part of Europe. Last summer the group toured the Roman ruins of Avila.

The town is best known as the home of St. Teresa of Avila, the founder of the Carmelite order and a widely honored and beloved saint. They also experienced Mass in the Cathedral of Salamanca, a 16th century church. He is hoping to offer a trip to Cuba in the next couple of years.

While Dr. Nasatir and his students have taken in the beauties and history of the Spanish world, Sven Oelhafen has journeyed through France with his etudiantes for another global experience.

Mr. Oelhafen is a native of Switzerland, which provides a perspective and a guide to this part of Europe. On their most recent trip the group visited the Tuileries Garden, the Louvre, and attended Mass at Notre Dame. They took in the art of Cézanne, Matisse, and Picasso, and visited the lovely city of Avignon, which was the home of the Popes for most of the 14th century.

Ryan Mudry ’05

Brittany Sims ’05

Will Sugg ’05

Timothy Duggan ’06

n the summer of 2015 our Chinese teacher, Sabrina ChinShefi, will return to China with a group of students to explore this large and important nation.

She made the trip two years ago with four students and looks to expand the number with this journey. While not an immersion experience, the trip does provide a way for our students to practice their Chinese in a real world environment and discover the art and legacy of a land that is truly ancient.

And no trip list would be complete without an opportunity to serve others. Once again, our Dean of Campus Ministry and Student Life, Mr. Tim Forbes ’93, took a group of committed young men and women to Honduras.

Working with the Olancho Aid Foundation, the Father Ryan group was fortunate enough to build a new home for a young woman and her four children while also donating close to 20 suitcases of clothing, toys and supplies to a village which had never received donations.

Both on Norwood and abroad, Father Ryan students are becoming part of a larger world, helping that world develop as they develop themselves.

Reginald Floyd ’06

Patrick Kelly ’06

Tyler Davis ’07

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Celebrating Talents Across The Campus O

A cademic A chievers can be found on every part of the campus , involved in part of our life . T hey are on the field , they are in the C hapel , they are on the and they are representing F ather R yan well . ur

Wabi Tela

Kenneth Anderson For someone ranked #6 in the class, getting high marks is not surprising. Kenneth produces high scores every day. He even hit the pinnacle with perfect scores on the SATs this year and earned Commended Scholar status from National Merit. But there is another venue where his high scores—even perfect ones—have earned national status—the ice rink. Kenneth is a nationally ranked figure skater. Even with the commitment to his courses and his axels, Salchows and toe loops, he is involved in tutoring math students, volunteering at Second Harvest Food Bank and traveling to China as a student ambassador. He will be continuing his pursuit of high scores, both in the classroom and on the ice, as he enters Vanderbilt this fall.

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Brannan Doyle ’07

Mary Beth Pickney ’07

stage

Joseph Faulkner

In the early part of his sophomore year following a visit to his parents’ homeland, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Wabi Tela asked a simple question—why are there so many children in the streets?

Learning that the streets were their homes, he founded Kemi’s Friends and began collecting clothes from friends, classmates and other students in the city. The result was a shipment of more than two tons of clothing to Kinshara and hope for many a Congolese child. Besides this commitment to service, Wabi has been an active member of the Purple Masque Players and Father Ryan Singers, an artist and a strong student who is guided by his faith and recognized by his smile. Look for both of those qualities in Cincinnati where he will begin pre-med studies at Xavier University this fall.

Joe Wilson ’07

The student council president demonstrates leadership skills in every arena he enters. He is a strong force on the ice for the hockey team and a welcoming one for students on the campus. He has been an acolyte at his church and a SEARCH leader. He has been active in the direction of Relay for Life these past two years, helping the Father Ryan community to another record performance.

A finalist for the Fr. Fleming Award for athletics, his deep faith guides him, and it will continue to do so next year as he begins his studies at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend.

Joseph Bauer A man of many uniforms, Joseph has been a spirited leader for the Irish community.

He wore his number proudly as a starter on the basketball team, where three-point shots became his forte. He has been an acolyte for many a Mass, and he has been a leader, coaching his Special Olympics basketball team to the state title three times. However, he was just as proud...and always loud... donning the uniform of The Jungle, the Irish spirit group that brought its support and its unmistakable style to Father Ryan pep rallies and athletic events, stirring the crowd and the athletes to even higher levels of performance. That spirit will find its home in Boston, where he will enroll at Boston College this fall.

Domenic DiGiovanni ’10 Emilia DiGiovanni ’10

Rebecca Menke ’10

Cecilia Kim

every

Graham Englert ’11

Cecilia’s academic talents are parallelled by her art.

That part of her life has decorated the last two Father Ryan Christmas cards and served as the focus for a special video to salute Christ’s birth. A first-generation Korean-American, she is committed to a career in medicine, one where she can combine the skills of science with the art of expression, both personal and professional. She will pursue those at Vanderbilt this fall.

Science Olympiad 2014 Most Successful Ever Father Ryan’s Science Olympiad Team produced its best performance ever at the recent Regional competition in East Tennessee.

Rachel Panther Rachel has been an active participant in the life of Father Ryan, and she can be seen in a wide range of senior photos, individually or in a group, throughout the yearbook for the class of 2014. Athletics?

She has been a captain of the cheerleading squad.

Faith? She is at daily Mass, helping to prepare the altar for the day’s liturgy. Knowledge? Look at the National Merit photo and she is there as one of our Commended Scholars. Her service commitment is expressed in several ways. All of the Father Ryan tradition will guide her these next four years as she continues her growth and development at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

Colin Carswell Presence. Colin has it. Whether it was on the stage as Joseph in the spring musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” or singing “Go Tell it on the Mountain” in the Sony Studios, when that beautiful tenor voice ‘sang,’ it was hard to take your eyes off of him. That presence next year will be on display in Berea, Ohio, as he was accepted into the distinguished Baldwin Wallace Musical Theatre program.

Joshua Little ’12

Emma Thoni ’12

Douglas Arney ’13

Joseph Connor ’13

The 2014 team, captained by Ryan Herrmann and Catherine Weiss, finished first in four categories, second in four categories and third in five other categories. The students and their finishes were:

First Place

Astronomy – Daria Foster and Michael Saavedra Chemistry Lab – Michael Bottei and Nick Pagano Dynamic Planet – Samantha Correa and Candice Chen Mission Possible – C atherine Weiss and Ryan Herrmann

Second Place

Bungee Drop – Louie Martin Compound Machine – Michael Bottei and Nick Pagano Disease Detective – Cate Farone and Gaby Alumbaugh Maglev – Patrick Cole and Jake Willie

Third Place

Astronomy – Javelyn Edwards Chemistry Lab – R yan Herrmann and Catherine Weiss Circuit Lab – Daria Foster and Sean Weiland Forensics – Catherine Weiss and Ryan Herrmann Geologic Mapping – Michael Saavedra and Will Landers 12

Academics Is A Team Enterprise.

L

ook at the root of the word

“ academics ”

singular about it .

has always been a group endeavor , the gathering of

A cademics

students and faculty in a place where learning is enlivened by discourse , exploration

and enthusiasm .

It’s

also taken place outside the classroom , in the world .

T

hat is why the celebration of Father Ryan’s academic achievements embraces the work of our faculty, a varied group of individuals who bring a passion for teaching and an enthusiasm for our students to every classroom every day. They all look different…but they all have the same goal: the success of our students.

John Dooling and C.A. Williams may form an unlikely pairing. C.A. has been a force and a smile at this school for more than 40 years. John is the imposing figure who looks at home when he stands along the sidelines at a football practice or game, and whose words and teaching register with a brace of Irish athletes.

United States Air Force Lt. Colonel Stewart Anderson has spent so much time on the Father Ryan campus that you would think he was part of the college counseling staff. In some respects that would be correct. With the heritage of military appointments at Father Ryan, Lt. Col. Anderson finds Father Ryan an exceptional place for identifying and welcoming the next generation of our nation’s leaders.

the lives of our youth. Their enthusiasm produced two major accomplishments this year—Kelsey Barrett’s selection as outstanding representative and Vince Mancuso’s election as Governor for 2015.

Steve Harden loves science. It’s clear in his classroom, and it becomes even clearer when watching his students in action. In the last few years, his work with the Science Olympiad team has produced outstanding results (see page 12) and fueled the interest of numerous young scientists who have found joy in robotics, geology, astronomy and forensics (the scientific, not the performing one).

Their experiments and explorations have resulted in science awards and, more importantly, scientific curiosity that is awakening many of them to their college pursuits. Now that makes Mr. Harden smile.

This year brought him out to welcome a unique pair of Father Ryan champions who have been linked ever since they entered grade school at St. Henry back in 2001.

Dina Tate has collaborated with Dr. Rob Nasatir to heighten our students’ appreciation of our history while engaging them in video technology. The school’s celebration of 50 Years of Equality in Sports—a focus for Dr. Nasatir’s Multi-Cultural Student Union— intrigued Ms. Tate. She talked with her A.P. English class, and they decided to produce a video on that historic time for the class. They interviewed alumni (above) from that era, filmed the participants, and edited their own story.

In and out of classrooms across this campus, in labs and on the stage, in the band room and the Chapel and the art room, our faculty is engaging our students in ways the students had not imagined…in ways that expand their own imaginings for what is possible.

Yet that pairing is right at home in teaching history, enlightening our students to the imposing heritage of our nation and its legacy. They are the champions of our Youth in Government program (above and right), an annual, statewide conference designed to bring the real impact of government into

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The Military Academy Appointments Continue

and you will find that there is nothing

Here are the names of our Finalists who did not have a Senior photo available.

Griffin Connolly ’13

Erin Ferguson ’13

Elizabeth Haynes ’13

Daniel Huetter ’13

Ransom Patterson ’13

Cole Pickney ’13

Kelsey Barrett ’14

Joseph Simpkins ’67 John Zalud ’73 Kamela Lee ’82 Devin Rushing ’87

John Hagey and Luke Strebel have received and have accepted military appointments to the U.S. Air Force Academy. While impressive on their own (they are Father Ryan’s 24th and 25th appointments since 2000), this decision to continue their education together will mean they spend their entire educational years in the same places. Luke and John went to St. Henry and Father Ryan together. Both are exceptional students, as evidenced by these appointments— students have to be strong academically if you are going to earn the attention of these academies. In addition, both are accomplished leaders and honored athletes, with a flair for the dramatic. Luke has played soccer and football at Father Ryan, with his ESPN-featured OT kick in last year’s soccer state championship game producing the state title for the Irish. John won the state in his wrestling weight class, earning a takedown in the final seconds of his championship match to earn a one-point win and leading Father Ryan to its 20th state crown in wrestling.

Both will be pursuing their sports in college.

Both will be following what Mr. McIntyre has proudly termed the “long purple line” of Father Ryan students serving our nation. Both are following other Father Ryan alums who are currently at the academy. Both will be leading the Academy in the spirit of Father Ryan’s tradition.

14

Máire Amlicke,Valedictorian Robertson Scholar – UNC

Jenna Sullivan Salutatorian

Joseph Faulkner Student Council President

Kelsey Barrett National Merit Scholar Finalist

Colin Carswell Singer, Actor

Whose lives are going to make other people’s lives better? The Class of 2014.

Our students are soon to be performing on stages. Making life-saving medical discoveries. Defending our freedom in service to our country. The possibilities are countless for what graduates of the Class of 2014 will become.

Wherever they go, whatever their path, they will be known and loved.

The Class of 2014 earned acceptances to 167 colleges and universities across the country, including 31 Catholic institutions, with more than $21 million in scholarships already awarded. Below are schools Father Ryan students have been accepted:

*Schools attending in bold.

University of Denver (Divisions of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences) DePaul University East Tennessee State University Eckerd College Elon University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Florida Emory & Henry College Emory University Erskine College University of Evansville Ferrum College Flagler College Florida State University University of Florida Fordham University Furman University Gardner-Webb University Georgetown College Georgetown University Georgia Institute of Technology The University of Georgia Gonzaga University Guilford College Hampton University High Point University College of the Holy Cross University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Indiana University at Bloomington The University of Iowa Kansas State University Kentucky State University University of Kentucky King College Lake Forest College Lee University Lehigh University LeMoyne-Owen College Liberty University Lincoln Memorial University Lincoln University Lipscomb University Louisiana State University University of Louisiana University of Louisville

Loyola University Chicago Loyola University New Orleans Lynn University Marian University Marion Military Institute Marquette University Marymount Manhattan College Maryville College McDaniel College The University of Memphis Miami University, Oxford University of Miami University of Michigan Middle Tennessee State University Miles College Mississippi State University University of Mississippi University of Missouri Columbia Motlow State Community College Murray State University Nashville State Community College New College of Florida North Carolina A&T State University University of North Carolina at Asheville The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill North Carolina State University Northern Illinois University (Visual & Performing Arts) University of Notre Dame Nova Southeastern University Ohio Northern University The Ohio State University Old Dominion University University of Portland Purdue University Quinnipiac University Rhodes College University of Richmond Rollins College Sacred Heart University Saint Louis University Saint Mary’s College Salve Regina University Samford University University of San Diego (College of Arts & Sciences)

University of San Francisco Santa Clara University Savannah College of Art and Design The University of Scranton Sewanee: The University of the South University of South Carolina Southern Illinois University Southern Methodist University Spring Hill College Tennessee State University Tennessee Technological University University of Tennessee, Chattanooga University of Tennessee, Knoxville University of Tennessee, Martin Texas Christian University Texas State University The University of Texas, Austin (College of Engineering) Thomas More College Transylvania University Tulane University United States Air Force Academy University of Utah Valparaiso University Vanderbilt University Villanova University Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University University of Virginia Wake Forest University Watkins College of Art and Design Western Carolina University Western Kentucky University Wheeling Jesuit University Wittenberg University The College of Wooster Wright State University Xavier University Xavier University of Louisiana

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©2014 FRHS 20484

Agnes Scott College The University of Akron The University of Alabama at Birmingham The University of Alabama Allegheny College American University Appalachian State University Aquinas College Arkansas State University Auburn University Austin Peay State University Ave Maria University Baldwin Wallace University Barry University Baylor University Bellarmine University Belmont University Berklee College of Music Bethel University-Tennessee Birmingham-Southern College Boston College Boston Conservatory Butler University Capital University Carson-Newman College Case Western Reserve University University of Central Florida Centre College College of Charleston Chattanooga State Technical Community College Christian Brothers University University of Cincinnati Clarkson University Clemson University Coastal Carolina University Colgate University University of Colorado at Boulder Colorado State University Columbia College Chicago Columbia State Community College Creighton University Davidson College University of Dayton