Academic Achievements 2017

Following Dreams, Pursuing Passions

A Tradition of Faith, Knowledge, Service

2016–2017

Enhancing Our Tradition of Faith, Knowledge, Service

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s our Father Ryan seniors prepare to take their last walks across the stage at graduation, I prepare for my final moments as your Academic Dean.

Over my 19 years at Father Ryan, I have had the pleasure of watching our school grow and our students and teachers reach great heights. We expanded our AP program to 26 courses, we have built on a strong academic base, and added more rigorous programs of study, while still remaining accessible to students and families looking for an excellent academic and Catholic education. Most important, as Academic Dean and as a faculty member before that, I had the distinct privilege of watching students pursue and develop a life-long love of learning.

I could not be more proud of the caliber of students in the graduating class of 2017. This year, five of our outstanding seniors were named National Merit Finalists (the most of any Catholic school in Tennessee), our Science Olympiad team anchored by a number of seniors took 4th in the state (the highest finish of any Midstate team), we have inducted 39 of this class into our Cum Laude Society and 22 seniors earned a perfect score on one or more sections of the ACT or SAT. Incredible achievements, indeed.

While achieving exceptional results in the classroom, these young men and women have also excelled at the highest levels in the arts, athletics and service. For example, our musical theatre group excelled on stage, winning awards for their choral work and their theatrical performances. Our senior class athletes helped bring home 11 state titles while at Father Ryan, including three this year (two in wrestling and one in girls’ soccer), and with this year’s Relay for Life, the Class of 2017 shattered records in making Father Ryan the top fundraising school per capita among every participating high school or college in the world, earning the 2017 All-American Award from the Relay For Life!

The Class of 2017 is truly an exceptional one. It will be bittersweet for all of us to say goodbye to this class, and for me to say goodbye to Father Ryan. But a new journey awaits us. Thank you to this outstanding class of achievers, thank you to our fantastic teachers and staff who consistently bring out the best in our students and inspire all of us to pursue new interests and scale great heights, and thank you to our loving and supportive Father Ryan community.

I am ever so grateful to be a part of the great Father Ryan Tradition of Faith, Knowledge and Service, and I know that whether or not I am on Norwood Drive, I am always #Irish4Life. I know the Class of 2017 will be too.

Sara Hayes Vice Principal and Academic Dean

Passionate Pursuit of Knowledge: National Recognition for Father Ryan Students

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cross a number of academic measurements, the Father Ryan Class of 2017 has excelled. From performance on national standardized tests to membership in honor societies, this class has demonstrated its academic strength.

The National Merit Scholarship Program recognized 12 of our seniors this year (pictured on cover). We are proud to congratulate seniors Katie Cartiglia, Candice Chen, Samantha Correa, Javelyn Edwards and Hugh Hoagland as National Merit Finalists, the most from any Catholic high school in Tennessee.

Father Ryan seniors Nick Bellante, Colin Crist, Claire Gallagher, Matt McKenzie and Evan Nunez also have the distinct honor of being named National Merit Commended Scholars, while Samantha Correa, Evan Nunez, Charlie Marrder and Gustavo Morrice were named National Hispanic Scholars. That brings the total number of students honored by National Merit since 2000 to more than 150 students.

In addition, we had 49 members of the class who were inducted into the Cardinal Newman Society for scoring a 30 or higher on the ACT or a 1320 or higher on the SAT. Add in the 42 Perfect Scores earned by 22 different seniors on one or more of the sections of the ACT or the SAT along with the 39 members of the Class who earned membership in the Cum Laude Society, and the academic achievements of the Class of 2017 become even more impressive.

Congratulations to all of them for their outstanding work at Father Ryan.

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Valedictorian and Salutatorian O

ne of Candice Chen’s favorite quotes is from Albert Einstein: “I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” This idea of being passionately curious speaks to Candice because as she says, she “seeks to, like Einstein, let her curiosity fuel her studies and success.” Her curiosity has led to great success for her in and out of the classroom, and we are proud she is our 2017 Valedictorian.

This intelligent, highly motivated senior with an appetite for learning has won almost every award in the book. She is recognized for being a National Merit Finalist, won first place at the Post Level VFW Oral Essay Competition, earned numerous school awards including Algebra II, Chemistry I, AP World History, AP Chemistry, AP Physics I, Pre-Calculus, American Literature, Spanish III, AP Spanish Language, AP Statistics, AP Physics 2 and AP Calculus BC. She also received perfect scores for English, Reading and Science on the ACT and Perfect Math, Math 2 Subject Test and Chemistry Test Scores on the SAT. Candice has been inducted into the Cum Laude Society, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Father Black Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society and the Cardinal Newman Association. While enrolled at Father Ryan, Candice took nine AP courses and currently holds a 5.0770 weighted GPA. Not only does Candice excel in academics, she is a force on the lacrosse field. As a member of the Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse team and Captain of the team this year, she has challenged herself physically and learned the importance of teamwork.

Outside of the classroom and athletic field, she has shown tremendous leadership skills. Candice has served as National Honor Society President, Cum Laude Society President, Multi-Cultural Student Union President, Co-President of the Spanish Club, Co-President of the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society and Captain of Science Olympiad. She is also a member of the Chinese Club and is a Peer Mentor. Candice, a St. Bernard Academy graduate, also volunteers her time at Room in the Inn at Christ the King and is recognized as a level 5 harpist by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

But it is her time as Co-Captain of the Science Olympiad team that she will remember most. Participating in Science Olympiad for four years and leading it the last two years feeds her hunger to learn and “satiates her scientific curiosity” through a variety of sciencebased events from oceanography to forensic analysis.

It is her immense academic curiosity and love of learning that will carry her to the University of Chicago to study mathematics and chemistry this fall, where we know she will remain “passionately curious.” Congratulations, Candice!

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or Javelyn Edwards attending Father Ryan was an obvious choice. Her grandfather, her father, her aunt and uncles, and her brothers all attended Father Ryan. However, it was the “great academic and extracurricular opportunities and the chance to continue her Catholic education” that inspired Javelyn to scale great heights and gave her the drive to succeed, ultimately leading her to become this year’s Salutatorian.

She used this drive to succeed to win top honors in many of her classes. She is recognized as a National Merit Finalist and won awards for the highest grades in Latin I, II, III, Geometry, Algebra II, British Literature, AP English Literature, Anatomy and Physiology, AP Psychology and AP English Language. She also received a perfect score on the English and Reading sections of the ACT. Javelyn is a member of the National Honor Society, Father Black Honor Society, Cardinal Newman Association, Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society, National Thespian Honor Society, National Latin Honor Society and the Cum Laude Society. While enrolled at Father Ryan, Javelyn took nine AP courses and currently holds a weighted 5.0149 GPA. Taking advantage of the plethora of activities offered at Father Ryan, Javelyn was involved in the Latin Club, Purple Masque Players, Science Olympiad, Model U.N., and Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society. She held leadership roles as Latin Club President, Mu Alpha Theta Secretary and Stage Manager for the Purple Masque Players.

It was as Stage Manager where she found her Father Ryan family. For the past two years, she has designed sets and run the show behind the scenes. Creating scenery and new worlds are what drew her to the theatre, and the “unmatched sense of family” among the theatre students is what she will take with her on her next adventure.

This observant, kind and intelligent senior who cares deeply about others is also active outside of Father Ryan as a 2nd grade Sunday School teacher, altar server and lector at St. Edward Church. She also worked at Camp Marymount summer camp as a counselor.

Javelyn, a St. Edward graduate, is looking forward to this fall when she begins her studies at Vanderbilt University, focusing on neuroscience on a pre-med track.

We know that with her intelligence and skills, she will succeed wherever she goes. Congratulations, Javelyn!

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Blazing New Trails and Igniting New Passions Robert Kent • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

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ather Ryan is built on a solid 93-year foundation of Catholic teachings and a rigorous academic program. One of the hallmarks of the Father Ryan program is offering five learning tracks that give students the opportunity to try a wider variety of courses and pursue their academic passion. Students are allowed, even encouraged, to try out different courses to see what they might like or be interested in—dance, engineering, music, a deep dive into literature and more.

But this would not be possible without our innovative and engaging faculty, because at Father Ryan, not only are our students encouraged to pursue their passions, our teachers are, too. Here are just a few of the teachers at Father Ryan who challenged themselves to explore and design new courses.

Mr. Kent’s passion for teaching is contagious. For more than 39 years, his students have become equally passionate explorers in the quest for knowledge. A Father Ryan grad, class of 1974, and an English teacher at Father Ryan since 1978, Mr. Kent’s fun, quirky teaching style speaks to students at every level. His goal with his amusing and approachable manner is to grow independent thinkers who love to read and study for themselves. After seeing how his English Composition course students enthusiastically responded to the works of J.D. Salinger, Mr. Kent decided to build a stand-alone course around Salinger works. The class is structured like a book club, where students read for 40 minutes before Mr. Kent engages the class in a lively group discussion. Emblematic of his brand of teaching, Mr. Kent begins each class in a straightjacket because of the prevailing opinion by some that Salinger is a crackpot while others think he is a genius. Mr. Kent serves mainly as a tour guide for the Salinger works, allowing his students to come to their own conclusions. “Many students these days do not have time to read outside of class, so seeing kids develop a passion for the works of J.D. Salinger—whether they think he is crazy or not—and a passion for reading has been the true gift of this class,” he says.

Julie Cox Lauri Gregoire • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Ms. Gregoire has been passionate about one thing for as long as she can remember: dance. As a little girl she danced on stage, she majored in Dance Performance in college, danced on the General Jackson as a young adult, appears in Studio Tenn productions and now is the owner/director of her own dance studio. So when Father Ryan needed a new dance instructor, she was the perfect fit. It was supposed to be one dance class for 12 students for a year, but Ms. Gregoire’s passion for dance and for teaching has grown this dance program into an in-demand course. She now teaches four levels of dance (all classes she designed) with a roster of 64 students (young men and women), plus a performance dance class, for students of all levels and abilities. Although she believes dance is a true art form and her students learn about a variety of topics such as history of dance, famous styles, choreographers and much more, it is her passion for teaching that has really made an impact. Ms. Gregoire encourages her students to use and share their Godgiven talents with others, whatever they may be, both on stage and in a school setting. She believes that giving students an opportunity to “tell a story and show their emotions through the movement of their body has really freed them to be themselves. Not all kids will be athletes or the top students in the class, but Father Ryan provides those avenues where kids can be their most successful selves.”

Charley Stefl

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Mr. Stefl has taught at Father Ryan across four decades and has taught any number of courses including: AP World History, Pre-AP World History and Spanish III and IV. But, it wasn’t until a student, this year’s Valedictorian Candice Chen, prompted him that he considered designing a new class about a subject that has always interested him—the Byzantine Empire. According to Mr. Stefl, the Byzantine Empire is a subject he has been passionate about since he first read about the continuation of the Roman Empire in the East in his grandparent’s Encyclopedia Brittanica when he was a young boy. Now that his interest had been rekindled, he approached the Father Ryan administration, and they encouraged him to pursue it. After a tremendous amount of research and planning, Mr. Stefl designed and implemented this new course, which debuted this year. Mr. Stefl says he has enjoyed every minute of it (he’s even using a textbook written by a former professor of his), and his only regret is he does not have more available time to teach, since 1,100 years of history is too much to cram into one year. Although this subject is relatively obscure in United States high schools right now, there is a growing interest in universities across the country. According to Mr. Stefl, his greatest hope is that he will “inspire my students to continue to study and perhaps to even consider becoming budding Byzantinists.”

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Ms. Cox grew up in Nashville and says music has been in her blood for as long as she can remember. From sitting in on recording sessions at age nine to starring in Off-Broadway shows and now recording with Disney, Ms. Cox is a true working professional who brings her talent and experience to the classroom every day. When Ms. Cox began teaching at Father Ryan in the 2009-2010 school year, the choral program had one choir with 14 female students. Today, thanks to Ms. Cox’s innovative teaching that bridges the gap between school and real-world experience, the choral program boasts four choirs, with varying degrees of difficulty, featuring 60 female and male students. One of Ms. Cox’s most popular classes is the Survey of Arts, an overview of visual art, music, theatre, dance, architecture, rock-n-roll and more through history. This class tends to appeal to students who may not be creators of art themselves but are audience members and patrons of the arts. Ms. Cox’s goal at the end of this class and all her others is simple: “for students to leave here knowing and appreciating all types of music and to continue to have music in their lives.”

Ms. Cox has a tangible example of that ready at her fingertips. “As my classes this semester were winding down, a student told me she has Rivaldi on her iPhone because of my class,” she smiled. Can’t get better than that.

Doug Jones

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Ten years ago, when the Science Department decided it wanted an elective course that reflected current events and timely real-world applications, it turned to Mr. Jones to develop an Environmental Science class. Mr. Jones, who came to Father Ryan 16 years ago to teach biology, was game. Since developing that first class, the department now offers both an AP Environmental Science class and a regular one that are full every semester. Last year, when the department decided to increase its STEM offerings to give students more opportunities to gain real-world engineering experience, Mr. Jones was the perfect choice to develop and teach the course. Taking on a new challenge, Mr. Jones developed an Introduction to Engineering project-based course that taught students how to work with design programs like CAD, brought in professional engineers as guest speakers, and gave students the opportunity to design projects of their own. According to Mr. Jones, this course is more skill-based than knowledge-based so it speaks to students of all levels. The Intro to Engineering course was so successful in its first year that next year he will teach four courses of the Intro class and three classes of a new course he developed, Principles of Engineering, which builds on what students learned in the Intro class. Subjects such as circuitry, robotics and more will be covered. Mr. Jones said he has been pleased to see so many students respond well to the engineering courses. He’s seen students at all different levels succeed at this class and hopes the engineering courses will encourage students to consider engineering as a possible career choice. The most rewarding thing, he says, is when a student “surprises themselves with something they had never thought they could do. If that happens, then I’ve done my job.”

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Diversity of Talents and Passions Across Our Campus

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ather Ryan students’ achievements span a wide spectrum. We have academic all-stars, athletes, artists and actors. We have students who are inspired by their teachers, parents and each other to scale new heights and break new ground. Students who are inspired to follow their passions, share their talents and help others. Here is a look at some of the students in the Class of 2017 whose passion to succeed inside the classroom and out is truly inspiring to us all.

Charlie Marrder • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Is there anything Charlie can’t do? Take a look at his courseload and activities, and you might wonder the same thing. With four challenging AP courses this year, he spent his time out of the classroom running lines for the Purple Masque Players and challenging his mind as a part of the Rocket Club and Science Olympiad team. A member of St. Stephen parish, this standout leader on campus also served as Treasurer of the Student Body and was a Peer Mentor at Father Ryan. Charlie was recently named a National Hispanic Scholar and is a member of the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society, MultiCultural Student Union, Music Ministry team, National Honor Society, Cum Laude Society and the Relay for Life Committee. The University of Notre Dame is lucky to have a student like Charlie next fall.

Halle Hutchinson • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Halle knows her way around the softball diamond and the classroom. As a member of the Lady Irish softball team, Halle, a St. Ann graduate, is an accomplished athlete and an excellent student.

Her senior year she completed three AP courses, served as a Peer Mentor and Freshmen Retreat Night Leader, was active in the Social Justice Club and was a SEARCH participant. She is a member of the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society, the National Honor Society and the Cum Laude Society. Halle will take her considerable skills to Vassar College this fall.

Gustavo Morrice

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Using his voice to speak up for others, for himself or to share his gifts with others just comes naturally to Gustavo. As a member of the Speech, Acting and Debate team, Gustavo regularly uses his voice to share his incredible gift. He is a member of the Multi-Cultural Student Union, sharing his experiences with other students from different cultures; a member of the Quizbusters team, using his deductive skills to answer trivia questions; and a member of the Student Ambassadors to tell the Father Ryan story. He also speaks up for those who may not be able to speak for themselves through the Respect Life Club, Social Justice Club and the March for Life. Gustavo, an Overbrook graduate, is also a member of the Irish Service Corps, the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society, the National Honor Society, and the Varsity Rugby team. This National Hispanic Scholar will attend the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in the fall, where we know he will make his voice heard.

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Katie Cartiglia • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Katie’s list of activities is so long you wonder how she makes it to class each day. However, when you see that she is a National Merit Scholarship Finalist and is taking five AP classes, you figure out that this Holy Family parishioner, who came to us from Franklin Road Academy, is a rockstar in and out of the classroom. Katie starts each day with Mass in the Chapel, an example of the important role her faith plays in her life. That has been evidenced in her commitment to service. She has traveled over two spring breaks to work at Bethlehem Farm, and her service activities have earned her membership in the St. Vincent de Paul Society. In addition, she was a Co-Captain of the State Championship Soccer team, a member of the Purple Masque Players, Youth Legislature and the inaugural Ethics Bowl team, which finished in the top five in the state. Combine all of this with her work with the Environmental Awareness Club, the Positive Action Club, the Social Justice Club, and her membership in the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society and the Cum Laude Society and you have an impressive young woman. She will take that combination and commitment to Tulane University in the fall.

Evan Nunez • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • As Field Commander for the Father Ryan Marching Band, Evan is familiar with people looking to him to lead the way. Naturally, he is a leader in the classroom as well. With five challenging AP courses his senior year, Evan was named a National Merit Commended Scholar and a National Hispanic Scholar, all while leading the Marching Band each afternoon. Evan also found time to compete on the Quizbusters team, to participate in Youth Legislature and in the Gardening Club, and to represent Father Ryan as a Student Ambassador. A Brentwood Middle School graduate and Holy Family parishioner, Evan is also a member of the National Honor Society and the Cum Laude Society. His service commitment is strong. He has attended Bethlehem Farm and served at Room in the Inn on Christmas Eve. Evan will surely be a leader at the University of Notre Dame this fall.

Nick Bellante • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Nick is the total package. This football player has won multiple team awards as a part of the Father Ryan Irish team and has served as the Junior Class President and Student Body President.

But, that is not all. This hard-working student athlete completed five AP classes, competed in three sports and participated in many extracurricular activities including the Chinese Club, Multi-Cultural Student Union, and his favorite, Mock Trial. He has also served as a Freshmen Retreat Night Leader, a Student Ambassador, a Minister of Holy Communion, and Peer Mentor. Nick, a St. Matthew graduate, is a member of the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society, National Honor Society and the Cum Laude Society. Nick will continue his academic and football pursuits at Carnegie Mellon University this fall.

Samantha Correa • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Samantha is a determined student who has been interested in science since she was a young girl dreaming of NASA. Today, she uses that drive to fuel her passion for academics and athletics. Her senior year Samantha completed five AP courses and competed in the Science Olympiad team that had its best finish to date. She also regularly sets and meets personal goals as a part of the Cross Country and Track teams. Samantha, a St. Henry graduate, is a member of the Irish Service Corps, Multi-Cultural Student Union and Student Ambassadors. She is also a member of the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society, National Honor Society and the Cum Laude Society. Samantha will surely thrive at Oxford College of Emory University this fall.

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Passionate about Christ: John Armbruster • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • John is a disciplined student who has known what he wants to do after college graduation since he was an elementary school student at St. Henry. John’s goal of being drafted into Major League Soccer is a lofty one, but he has the drive and vision to make it happen. As a Varsity Soccer player for the Irish, he has remained focused on reaching his ultimate goal—he is a finalist for Tennessee Soccer Player of the Year—while achieving excellence in the classroom and serving others. He starts each day with Mass in the chapel, which frames all his activities. He completed three AP courses, is a senior Class Representative and was a member of the record-breaking Relay for Life Committee. John is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Multi-Cultural Student Union, the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society, the National Honor Society and the Cum Laude Society. John will continue to pursue his major league dreams at The University of Louisville this fall.

Regan Rosinski • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • A fiercely independent young woman with strong ideals, Regan is at the top of her class because of her strong work ethic and hardworking attitude. During her senior year at Father Ryan, she took three AP classes, excelled in Chinese, traveled to China and was an accomplished runner for the Father Ryan Cross County and Track teams. She is also a member of the Chinese Club, the Multi-Cultural Student Union and the Positive Action Club. She is a compassionate leader who likes to help others through the Irish Service Corps, the Peer Mentor Program and the Student Ambassadors. Regan, a Christ the King graduate, is a member of the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society, National Honor Society and the Cum Laude Society. Regan will surely rise to the top of her class at Saint Louis University in the fall.

Jameson Labadie • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • In a family of four boys, it may be hard to stand out. But Jameson has made a name for himself at home and at Father Ryan. A member of the Father Ryan Marching Band since his freshmen year, he is also a stellar student who loves math and music and completed four AP classes his senior year. His Catholic faith is also an important part of his life, and he regularly puts his faith into action through the Irish Service Corps, Respect Life Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and as a Minister of Holy Communion. A member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, he has participated in Alternative Spring Break and Bethlehem Farm, and is a regular volunteer at Room in the Inn. Jameson, a St. Henry graduate, is a member of the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society, National Honor Society and the Cum Laude Society and also enjoys his time as a member of the Gardening Club. Jameson will definitely stand out at the University of Notre Dame this fall.

Cate Farone • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Cate is a clever, creative, hard-working student whose passions are wide and varied. She loves to run and sing, and thrives as a member of the Father Ryan Cross Country and Track teams, Chamber Choir and the Music Ministry. She also spends her afternoons in the spring with the Purple Masque Players. When she’s not singing or running, she is earning high marks in her four AP classes this year and winning top honors on the Science Olympiad team. Cate, a St. Rose of Lima graduate, is also a member of the Spanish Club, the Multi-Cultural Student Union, the Peer Mentor Program, the Relay for Life Committee, the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society, National Honor Society and the Cum Laude Society.

Cate will sing and run her way to Middle Tennessee State University this fall.

Patrick Beacom • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • A well-rounded individual who especially enjoys team sports, Patrick took advantage of all of Father Ryan’s offerings both in athletics and in the classroom. Patrick is a member of the Father Ryan Football and Rugby teams, and during his senior year, he completed classes in Byzantine Studies, Biotechnology and Lab Research, Introduction to Film Studies, and Senior Service. When he’s not practicing or studying, Patrick, a Christ the King graduate, stays busy with the Fishing Club. He is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the National Honor Society and the Cum Laude Society.

Patrick will surely be busy at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville this fall.

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Graduates Continue Catholic Education and Service to the Church

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hoosing a Catholic education is an important part of many students’ and families’ lives. Continuing a Catholic education is also an important decision when deciding on the next step after high school.

Father Ryan’s emphasis on Faith, Knowledge and Service parallels the qualities that Catholic colleges and universities are looking for in their students. It is our goal to set the standard in Catholic education not only in the region, but in the country.

Many students choose to continue learning about their Catholic faith at these universities while others choose to take it a step further by answering God’s call by becoming a priest. This year, we are proud of seniors Ryan Hinlo and Christian Hamrick for answering God’s call to serve. They will both enter the Pontifical College Josephinum.

During the last few years, Father Ryan has focused its efforts on creating opportunities for students to explore their callings and discern Ryan Hinlo Christian Hamrick their vocations more seriously through the Melchizedek Project, a national program used by many schools and universities. Both Ryan and Christian joined this group their junior year at Father Ryan. Now they join four other Nashville diocese seminarians who are graduates of Father Ryan: Rhodes Bolster ’11, Jackson DuBois ’15, Quinn Robinson ’15 and Luke Wilgenbusch ’11.

While discerning God’s call, Ryan completed five AP courses his senior year and kept a full plate of extracurricular activities. He was a member of the Chinese Club, Multi-Cultural Student Union, Quizbusters team, Gardening Club, Marching Band and Winter Drumline. Ryan began his service to others in high school as a member of the Irish Service Corps and Peer Mentor Program, and attended Alternative Spring Break, the March for Life in Washington D.C., and the Catholic HEART Work Camp Mission Trip. He is also a member of the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society, National Honor Society and the Cum Laude Society.

Christian has also been a strong participant in Father Ryan’s tradition of faith, knowledge and service. He has been a leader at the Sophomore and Junior Retreats, a participant in the March for Life in Washington, D.C., and a minister of Holy Communion at school Masses. Christian also traveled to Honduras on the school’s mission trip, was a nominee for the Civitan Honor Key Award, and is a member of the Mayor’s Youth Council and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Like Ryan, he has been active across this wide range of programs while achieving at a high level in the classroom.

The call to priesthood is a challenging path, but we are proud of these young men for answering the call!

We are proud to see so many of our graduates interested in and choosing to continue their Catholic education this fall. This year’s seniors have been accepted to and many are attending the following Catholic colleges.

Bellarmine University Boston College Catholic University of America Christian Brothers University Creighton University Duquense University Fordham University Georgetown University Loyola Marymount University Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Maryland Loyola University New Orleans Marian University Marquette University Pontifical College Josephinum Saint Joseph’s University Saint Mary’s University Saint Louis University Saint Xavier University Saint Vincent College

Santa Clara University Spring Hill College St. Bonaventure University St. Edward’s University University of Dayton University of Notre Dame University of San Diego Villanova University Xavier University

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Father Ryan’s Shining Stars

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n the field, the court, the stage or in the studio, you will always find a Father Ryan star athlete or artist. Not only does Father Ryan offer a highly-sought-after excellent academic education at five levels of learning in a Catholic setting, Father Ryan offers outstanding athletic and arts programs in a variety of disciplines. In fact, we are proud that Father Ryan offers the second-highest number of Fine Arts electives in the Mid-State and that our athletic programs consistently bring home championships such as the three state championships the Class of 2017 won this year. Our 2017 seniors certainly took advantage of all our arts and athletic offerings, and it shows. Here are just a few of our shining stars in the Class of 2017.

Christian Simpson • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Christian keeps his scorecard full as a member of three varsity teams—Wrestling, Swimming and Diving, and Tennis. In addition to helping his team earn the State Championship in Wrestling, he climbed heights—literally—to claim the Regional Diving Championship and a 6th place finish in the State. When he’s on solid ground, he keeps busy as a Peer Mentor, a Minister of Holy Communion during school Masses and a Sophomore Retreat Leader. A graduate of St. Henry’s, he is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Fishing Club. Christian will stay busy at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where he plans to continue his athletic career.

Zaria Hall Annabelle Blake • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Annabelle can do it all. Arts, she’s got it. This year alone, she completed AP Studio Art, a class reserved for the best artists at Father Ryan. She took Mixed Chamber Choir and sang during school Masses as a part of the Music Ministry at Father Ryan. In athletics, Annabelle was a manager of the Varsity Volleyball team and a Wrestling Cheerleader this year. Service…she has the heart of a servant.

She attended the Catholic HEART Work Camp Mission Trip this year, was a retreat leader for Freshmen Night and the Sophomore Retreats, was a member of the record-breaking Relay for Life Committee and is a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Service Society. Annabelle also served as a Student Ambassador and was a member of the Social Justice Club. A graduate of St. Matthew School, Annabelle will continue to shine at Belmont University in the fall.

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Zaria is a young woman of many talents. On the stage, her love of the arts is shown through her work as a member of the Purple Masque Players. On the court, her many athletic talents are on display as a member of the Varsity Volleyball team. Most importantly, her love of service and others is shown through her work as a member of the Positive Action Club, Respect Life Club, Peer Mentor Program and as part of the group that traveled to the March for Life in Washington, D.C. Not stopping there, she has also been a Freshmen Night Retreat Leader, Sophomore Retreat Leader, Junior Retreat Leader, Minister of Holy Communion at school Masses and SEARCH participant. Zaria, a St. Bernard alumna, is also a member of the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society and the National Honor Society. Zaria will take her many talents to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville this fall.

Matt McKenzie • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Matt Faulkner • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Matt is a home-run student dominating in Varsity Baseball and Varsity Hockey while maintaining his studies and extracurricular activities. He is a Finalist for The Tennessean Hockey Player of the Year Award and a graduate of St. Henry’s School. Matt is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the National Honor Society and the Fishing Club. He also served as a Freshmen Night Retreat Leader and attended SEARCH. Matt will follow his love of sports to Miami University.

Sam Killian • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Sam’s love of music and performance shows up in every aspect of his life both in and out of Father Ryan. Sam, a St. Henry alumnus, is a member of the Father Ryan Marching Band where he plays the drum, the nationally-ranked Father Ryan Winter Drumline, the Music Ministry group that sings at all school Masses and the Purple Pickers jazz group, where he plays a mean guitar. He is also a member of Mystique, the professional drumline in Middle Tennessee that selects only the most accomplished musicians. His commitment to music earned him the Spirit of Mike Award, named for Father Ryan band member Michael Mayer. He plans to continue his music education at Middle Tennessee State University where he will study music business.

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Matt’s athletic skills on the baseball diamond and on the wrestling mat are only equaled by his skills in the classroom. As a member of the State Champion Wrestling team and the Varsity Baseball team at Father Ryan, Matt completed five AP courses this year and three last year. He also shares his talents as a member of the Quizbusters team and as a Student Ambassador. A graduate of St. Matthew School, he is also a member of the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society, the National Honor Society, the Cum Laude Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Matt’s skills will surely be on display at Tulane University this fall.

Nick Krumnauer • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Over the last 17 years, Father Ryan has had 31 students receive military academy appointments, a remarkable academic feat and a tradition we are proud to continue. Nick Krumnauer will join this distinguished group in the fall as he attends the United States Coast Guard. Nick is a well-rounded individual as evidenced by his appointment—students have to be strong academically and leaders on campus to earn appointments to military academies. A Holy Family parishioner and Sunset Middle School graduate, Nick completed three AP courses, was a member of the Football team and was a Freshmen Night Leader. He will continue his football career as a member of the Coast Guard team.

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A Passion For Others F

aith. Knowledge. Service. For 93 years, Father Ryan students have followed the school’s motto, with each class finding new ways to truly be an experience of the living Gospel.

The Class of 2017 exemplifies that serving spirit. For the last four years, Father Ryan’s Relay for Life has been a major event, with students giving time, resources and effort to raise money for the American Cancer Society. With more than 1,100 people in attendance and raising more than $175,000, our Irish community, under the leadership of seniors Malachy Doyle and Daniel Hayes, rocketed Father Ryan’s 2016 Relay for Life to the top, shattering our previous record and making us the top fundraising Relay for Life per capita among every high school and college in the world, and earning the All-American Award from Relay for Life.

Whether it is participating in a Senior Service class, attending one of the many school-sponsored mission trips, hosting a group of homeless men through Room at the Inn at Father Ryan for the Christmas holidays, or breaking records to raise money for cancer research, Father Ryan students find a way to serve and help others.

Malachy Doyle • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Mally Doyle truly puts her faith into action. As the Co-Chair of the Relay for Life committee, she volunteered countless hours outside of the classroom for this record-breaking event. She is a member of the Positive Action Club, the Social Justice Club, the St. Vincent de Paul Service Society and the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society. A Christ the King alumna, Mally also uses her gifts as a Freshmen Night Retreat Leader, a Sophomore Retreat Leader, a Student Ambassador and as a Minister of Holy Communion at school Masses. She is a Father Ryan Girls’ Lacrosse player and a Wrestling Cheerleader, and she writes for the Gadfly, Father Ryan’s literary magazine, and Moina. Mally will share her gifts with others this fall at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga.

Daniel Hayes • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Daniel is a role model for actively living the Gospel each day. From his efforts co-leading the record-shattering Relay for Life to his work in the Peer Mentor Program, he finds a way to give back to others each day. A member of Holy Family parish, he is committed to helping others through his work as a Freshmen Night Retreat Leader, Sophomore Retreat Leader, Student Ambassador and SEARCH leader. A Father Ryan Lacrosse player, he is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the National Honor Society. Daniel will continue to serve others at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Hannah Kimbro

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Hannah’s commitment to helping others in evident not only by the many service awards she’s won, but by the depth of her commitment. Hannah was recently awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award for 2016 by the Corporation for National and Community Service, was a finalist for the Mary Catherine Strobel Award, and was named a Distinguished Finalist for the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards as a result of her work with the Rochelle Center in Nashville, which is a community for adults with disabilities. Working with the Center’s president and therapists to plan the project, Hannah converted an outdoor patio space at the center into a sensory garden that serves as a resource to stimulate the senses and provide a pleasant, productive place for therapy. Closer to home, Hannah is a member of the Irish Service Corps, the St. Vincent de Paul Service Society and the Relay for Life Committee. She also served as a Minister of Holy Communion in school Masses and was a SEARCH retreat leader. A St. Edward alumna, she is also a member of the Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society and the National Honor Society. Middle Tennessee State University will truly be proud when Hannah continues to serve others in Murfreesboro.

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Academic Achievements at All Levels of Learning

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etting the national standard among Catholic schools is no easy Class 2017 feat but one that Father Ryan strives for every day. With five levels Rank Average of learning, the administration and faculty at Father Ryan work Deciles ACT to develop academic achievement in all its students so each graduate 1st Decile 32 is prepared for higher education. As a result, Father Ryan students consistently attain high scores in standardized testing like the SAT and ACT. 2nd Decile 29 For example, 22 students received perfect scores on one or more 3rd-4th Decile 28 sections of the SAT and ACT, and we inducted 52 new members into the Cardinal Newman 5th-6th Decile 26 Association, students who 7th-8th Decile 24 scored 30 or above on the 9th-10th Decile 22 ACT or 1320 or above on the SAT. Ranking our ACT scores by class But what we are decile gives an accurate picture of our most of proud of is the students’ success and shows that all are performance of our ready for college work. students across all levels of learning on the ACT and on Advanced Placement courses. Last year, our students took 433 AP exams—the highest number of exams in one year in our school’s history. And while the numbers for our average ACT score show that students in our top deciles are placing high, students in our other deciles are also succeeding as well.

And why do we break out averages by deciles? Because at Father Ryan, we have the widest span of learning abilities of all private and Catholic high schools in the area and provide the widest range of curriculum to serve this diverse group of students. By breaking out these scores, we can show that all students are well prepared for higher education, regardless of their class rank.

Earning Number These numbers are a testament to the Qualified Academic of caliber of our faculty and to the intellectual Status or Year Exams curiosity and dedication of our students.

Better Congratulations to all of our students, 2010–2011 286 83% teachers and staff for reaching new heights 2011–2012 356 83% and exploring new passions. We are proud of all of our Academic Achievers.

2012–2013 370 83%

2013–2014

380

87.9%

2014–2015

401

86.4%

2015-2016

433

82% 14

Class of 2017 as freshmen

Class of 2017 as seniors

A Remarkable Four Years.

Now, Imagine Their Future.

Father Ryan High School graduates have performed on stages, made life-saving discoveries, become high-ranking business executives and defended our freedom in service to our country. They have attended the nation’s finest colleges and universities. They have built a lasting legacy, and one we will remember. And it all started with Father Ryan. They are known. They are lovedSM. The Class of 2017 is no exception. This Class has earned acceptances to 177 colleges and universities, including 29 Catholic institutions, with $30 million in scholarships already awarded. We are truly proud of the wonderful achievements of the Class of 2017.

Below are the schools where Father Ryan students have been accepted:

*Schools attending in bold.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach Emory University Faulkner University Fisk University Fordham University Furman University George Mason University Georgetown University Georgia Institute of Technology High Point University Hofstra University Jacksonville University James Madison University Kent State University Lee University Lincoln Memorial University Lipscomb University Louisiana State University Loyola Marymount University Loyola University Chicago Loyola University Maryland Loyola University New Orleans Marian University Marion Military Institute Marquette University Maryville College Maryville University Mercer University Miami University, Oxford Middle Tennessee State University Millikin University Millsaps College Mississippi State University Motlow State Community College Murray State University Nashville State Community College North Carolina State University

North Central College Northern Michigan University Northwestern University Nova Southeastern University Occidental College Oglethorpe University Oklahoma City University O’More College of Design Oxford College of Emory University Pacific Northwest College of Art Pellissippi State Technical Community College Pepperdine University Point Loma Nazarene University Pontifical College Josephinum Purdue University Rhodes College Rollins College Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Saint Joseph’s University Saint Louis University Saint Louis University, Madrid Saint Mary’s College Saint Vincent College Saint Xavier University Samford University Santa Clara University Savannah College of Art and Design Sewanee: The University of the South Shawnee State University Southern Methodist University Spring Hill College St. Bonaventure University St. Edward’s University Swarthmore College Temple University Tennessee Technological University Texas Christian University

The Catholic University of America The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina The George Washington University The Ohio State University The University of Alabama The University of Alabama at Birmingham The University of Alabama in Huntsville The University of Georgia The University of Memphis The University of Montana, Missoula The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill The University of Tampa Towson University Transylvania University Trevecca Nazarene University Tulane University Union College (New York) Union University United States Coast Guard Academy University of Central Florida University of Chicago University of Cincinnati University of Colorado at Boulder University of Colorado Colorado Springs University of Dayton University of Evansville University of Florida University of Houston University of Kentucky University of Louisville University of Massachusetts, Amherst University of Massachusetts, Boston University of Miami

University of Michigan University of Mississippi University of Missouri Columbia University of Montevallo University of North Carolina at Greensboro University of North Carolina at Wilmington University of Notre Dame University of Richmond University of San Diego University of South Carolina University of Southern California University of St Andrews University of Tennessee, Chattanooga University of Tennessee, Knoxville University of Tennessee, Martin University of Tulsa University of Virginia University of Washington Vanderbilt University Vassar College Villanova University Virginia Military Institute Virginia Tech Volunteer State Community College Wake Forest University Waldorf University Washington University in St. Louis West Virginia University Western Carolina University Western Kentucky University Whittier College Xavier University

To see a map of where the Class of 2017 is headed to college visit fatherryan.org/graduation.

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

©2017 FRHS 23447

Appalachian State University Auburn University Auburn University Montgomery Austin Peay State University Baylor University Belhaven University Bellarmine University Belmont University Bennington College Berry College Bethel University Birmingham-Southern College Boston College Bradley University Butler University Carlow University Carnegie Mellon University Carson-Newman University Case Western Reserve University Centre College Champlain College Chapman University Chatham University Christian Brothers University Clemson University College of Charleston College of William and Mary Colorado State University Columbia College Chicago Columbia State Community College Creighton University Cumberland University Davidson College Dickinson College Duquesne University East Tennessee State University Eckerd College Elon University