THE

JOY GIVING

SOWING THE SEEDS OF SERVICE THAT LAST A LIFETIME Father Ryan Students Celebrate Their Service at Mepkin Abbey

F E AT U R E S T O R I E S A l u m ’s G e n e r o s i t y A c r o s s t h e S e a s Graduation 2 018 A r t s P a r t n e r s h i p w i t h Va n d e r b i l t To m M o r a l e s ’ 7 2 S e r v e s A l l w w w. f a t h e r r y a n . o r g I

THANK YOU

More than 756,000 Times!

Board of trustees Executive Committee David Glascoe, Chair Bill Stejskal ’79, Vice Chair Jack Polson, Finance Committee Chair Judy Komisky Orr ’75, Membership Committee Chair

Committee Chairs Julie Norfleet ’88, Advancement Brett Wesnofske ’88, Facilities

Ex-Officio Members James A. McIntyre Bishop J. Mark Spalding

Board Members Tom Bauer Rev. Mark Beckman Tommy Bradley ’81 Mary Brennan John Bumpus ’78 Lee Clark Dave Gallagher ’88 Brittney Testerman Griffith ’03 Warner Hassell Judy Hoover William Krueger Dr. Robert Labadie Carmen Mondelli Lux ’91 Philip M. Mattingly, Sr. ’69 Bob Mendes Pat Nolan ’69 Ralph Schulz Thomas Turner

Life Trustees

With a record $756,488 provided by 1,548 donors, you have ensured the opportunities for our students to benefit from the unique

experience.

Father Ryan

Thank You.

A Tradition of Faith, Knowledge, Service I

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

Administration James A. McIntyre, President Paul J. Davis ’81, Principal Jennifer Anton, Academic Dean Michael La Haie, Dean of Students Elizabeth Coyle Elfers ’02, Dean of Campus Ministry and Student Life Connie Steinmetz, Chief Financial Officer Rev. Delphinus Mutajuka, Chaplain Dr. Devin DeLaughter, Director of Athletics

CONTENTS

Cover Photo by Truman McDaniel ’19: Father Ryan students bring an exuberance to service during their Alternative Spring Break, as shown in this group gathering near Mepkin Abbey in South Carolina in March.Beginning on page 14.

Summer 2018 Volume XLIV Number 2

Feature

Table of Contents

In the News

Special Visitors, Initiatives

Athletics News

Graduation 2018. Bishop Smith Teacher of the Year. New Board members. Awards for the Irish.

Art students partner with Vanderbilt. New gifts support financial assistance. Abbot Stan visits the Irish.

New Associate A.D. named. Next Level Irish. Sports roundup. Hall of Fame for Coach Dieterich. Remembering Coach Derrick.

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Cover Story: The Joy of Giving Back

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Restoring a Civil Rights Landmark: Tom Morales ’72 and Woolworth on 5th

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Reunion 2018

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Class Notes, Births, Weddings & In Memoriam

Wilson, Hiller, Tela stories honor Father Ryan’s service legacy. Newest members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Honoring the Golden Grad Class of 1968.

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In The News summer 2018

GRADUATION WEEKEND 2018

Graduation at Father Ryan is always bittersweet. On one hand, we celebrate the accomplishments of young men and women whom we have seen grow and mature in front of our eyes over the last four years. We know they are embarking on their next chapters and will make a difference in our world, and we could not be prouder of them. On the other hand, we say good-bye to an exceptional class. Their objective accomplishments cannot be overstated: the 211 graduates of the Class of 2018 will attend 71 different colleges in the fall. As a group, they received acceptances from 194 different colleges and universities, including 36 Catholic universities, and earned more than $33 million in scholarships. In their senior year, almost $200,000 was raised for Relay for Life, and 13 students were named National Merit Finalists or Commended Scholars. While these statistics paint an accurate picture of the work ethic and drive of this group, what we will miss more about them is their passion, charism, and zest for life. This class was not only composed of great students, it was composed of great people. Congratulations to the Class of 2018.

MICHAEL VALENCIA 2018 Valedictorian

CAROLINE KREH 2018 Salutatorian

With a 100.1455 weighted GPA, Michael Valencia has earned the title of Valedictorian of the Class of 2018. But the sum of his parts is so much more than one number. Michael is a scholar, a leader, an artist, a scientist, a brilliant speaker and an all-around good guy.

Caroline has used her passion for education to earn a 99.8070 weighted GPA and propel her to this year’s Salutatorian honor.

This hard-working, scholarly senior has been inducted into the Father Black Honor Society, National Honor Society, Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica and Cum Laude Society. He has been recognized as a National Hispanic Scholar, National Merit Finalist, and has had the highest average in several classes, including AP Chemistry, British Literature and AP Spanish Literature. Michael, a St. Edward graduate, is not only tops in his class academically; he is a proven leader who has been front and center of his class since his freshmen year. His many leadership roles include Peer Mentor, Lead Sound Assistant, Cum Laude Chapter President, Captain of the Science Olympiad team, President of the National Spanish Honor Society, Chief Sound Engineer sophomore and junior year, and Vice President of the Multi-Cultural Student Union. Michael’s service leadership includes receiving the Father Black Award his freshman year and volunteering at Safe Haven Family Shelter and St. Thomas Medical Mission. As Captain of the Science Olympiad, Michael not only inspired his teammates to one of their best finishes to date, but he competed in many events, including Astronomy, Materials Science, Chemistry, and Fermi Questions, placing 1st and 2nd in the state in Astronomy. Next year, with acceptances from MIT, Vanderbilt, Emory, UNC-Chapel Hill, Auburn, University of South Carolina and the University of Mississippi to choose from, Michael begins his impact on the larger world.

During her time at Father Ryan, Caroline has been recognized as a National Merit Finalist, Honorable Merit on the National Latin Exam, received the Algebra I award, the Principal’s List Award along with recognitions as an Outstanding Student in Algebra II, American Literature, British Literature, AP Chemistry, Chemistry, Latin II and Theology III. This motivated and academically driven senior has been inducted into the National Honor Society, Latin Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (where she served as President her senior year), International Thespian Society, Cardinal Newman Association, Cum Laude Society, and Father Black Honor Society. Caroline was involved in Purple Masque Players, Latin Club, March for Life, Relay for Life and Peer Mentor Program. But her favorite activity by far was the Speech and Debate Team, where she served as Secretary and President and “gained confidence, speaking abilities, a more informed worldview, and most importantly lifelong friends and a lifelong mentor, Mrs. [Sarah] Kieffner,” she said. Caroline holds the National Speech and Debate Degree of Special Distinction and was elected Presiding Officer of State Congressional Debate in 2016 and 2017. But she says she will miss her teachers the most next year. “My teachers have challenged me with a constant attitude of encouragement while expanding my worldview and teaching me valuable skills,” she said. “I am forever grateful for my teachers at Father Ryan, and will sorely miss them.” Caroline will attend the University of Mississippi to study pharmacy in the fall.

HONORING CHAMPIONS OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION While we bestowed diplomas to our seniors during graduation this year, we also presented The Most Reverend J. Mark Spalding and Dr. Therese Williams with honorary degrees for the significant impact they both have made on Catholic education. Bishop Spalding received his honorary degree because of his example of Christian service and for his leadership of the Diocese of Nashville. We were pleased to honor and celebrate Dr. Williams’s four decades of service to Catholic education as both a teacher and as the head of the Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Nashville with an honorary degree as she retired at the end of this school year. 3

Bishop Alphonse J. Smith

SPECIAL AWARDS FOR THE CLASS OF 2018

OUTSTANDING TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Father Ryan proudly handed out 14 different awards and scholarships to students at this year’s Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation Ceremony. These awards celebrate students who not only excel in the classroom, but who inspire their peers and all of Ryan Nation with their perseverance, spirit, and commitment to the Father Ryan tradition of Faith, Knowledge and Service. The winners are:

Bishop David R. Choby ’65 Christian Service Awards ETHAN BAKER, EMILY CARLETELLO, OLIVIA COODE, WILL DREXLER, SOI LEE, AND ELLIE RUSSELL

Charlie Green Service Scholarship Father Ryan students of all grade levels love English teacher Carol Brewer. Just ask the freshmen English class (above) who were so inspired by her teaching that they sold an iPad to commission a Japanese artist to paint her a picture that is currently framed in her classroom. Or read any number of college reflection papers by the seniors in her classes through the years that name her as one of their favorite teachers at Father Ryan. Ms. Brewer is the 2018 recipient of the Bishop Alphonse Smith Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award, an award voted on by the faculty and staff at Father Ryan. What makes Ms. Brewer so special is that through her mastery of English literature and her passion for teaching, she inspires her students to reach their potential and even reach higher than they thought possible. For example, last year 100 percent of Ms. Brewer’s AP Literature students qualified for college credit, with 40 percent earning a five, the highest score possible. Due to her high caliber of teaching, Ms. Brewer’s students regularly rise to the challenge of becoming original and expressive thinkers, and are fully prepared to take on the challenging material that lies ahead in their college classes. We have heard several stories of Father Ryan grads who as freshmen college students were asked to be teacher’s assistants for upper level English classes because of their preparation at Father Ryan. There is even one story of a Father Ryan alum who was the only one in her college English class who knew how to diagram a sentence (something all freshmen in Ms. Brewer’s classes learn). Thanks to the success rate and the outstanding work of our Teacher of the Year, Ms. Brewer, it is obvious Father Ryan critical thinkers are here to stay. Congratulations, Ms. Brewer!

ELLIE RUSSELL

Elmore Lampe Bright Future Scholarship HOLLAND TURNER

Perfect Attendance Award EMILY KENDALL

Excellence In The Arts Award For Women/Men Women: HALLIE BRAEUNER Men: EVERETT DELANEY Excellence In English Award MICHAEL VALENCIA

Excellence In World Languages & Cultures Award JEANNE MEYER

Excellence In The Sciences Award MICHAEL VALENCIA

Excellence In The Social Sciences Award THOMAS HILL

Sister Mary John Math Award CAROLINE KREH

Scholar Athlete Award For Women/Men WOMEN: LAUREN CATO MEN: JACKSON BYRD

Monsignor Albert A. Siener Memorial Award CAROLINE LONG

Bishop Alphonse J. Smith Award RYAN KNAPP

General Excellence Award For Women/Men Women: ABBEY AVILA Men: WILL DREXLER

BOARD ADDS THREE NEW MEMBERS

HIGH HONORS FOR FATHER RYAN

Father Ryan Board of Trustees Chairman David Glascoe and Father Ryan President Jim McIntyre announced the addition of three new members to the board, effective July 1. The new members are Brittney Testerman Griffith ’03, William Krueger, and Carmen Mondelli Lux ’91. In addition, Betty Lou Burnett, who has been on the board since 2008 and headed multiple committees, and J. David Bohan ’66, a board member for 20 years and chairman from 2005-2009, will step down this year as their terms of service are completed. Mr. McIntyre welcomed the new members, saying, “This is an exciting and important time for Father Ryan as we implement a new strategic plan in preparation for our Centennial celebration in just six more years. We are pleased to be able to bring the talents, experience and perspective of these three individuals to our discussions as we advance the mission of this outstanding school.” He went on to say, “in welcoming these new members, we extend a heartfelt thank you to Betty Lou and David for their decades of service to Father Ryan. They have provided wise counsel and exceptional leadership that have benefited our students and faculty, and I will miss their presence in these meetings. However, I know that they remain proud and vocal proponents of this school and Catholic education, and that they will be involved with us throughout the coming years.” Griffith is the Broker-Owner of Avenue Real Estate and has served on the Father Ryan Alumni Board since July of 2013. She and her husband, Patrick, a member of the class of 2001, have two young children. Krueger is the Chairman of Jatco Americas and Executive Vice President of Jatco Global a subsidiary of Nissan Motor Company. He and his wife, Lynn, are the parents of two Father Ryan students.

The end of the school year is awards time for our students, and this year it also was awards time for Father Ryan as it continues to create the national standard in Catholic education. Just last month, The Tennessean announced that Father Ryan High School had been selected as one of the area’s Top Workplaces for 2018. The award salutes those institutions and businesses that excel in both what they do and in the workplace environment that they create. In addition, the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) Nashville Chapter presented its annual Parthenon Awards in April, honoring the best work in the area of public relations and communications. Father Ryan walked away with Parthenons as the top entries in two categories. The judges, all PRSA of Atlanta’s top communications executives, presented a Parthenon for Irish Ayes as the top publication for 2017 and for the Friday Night Football Experience at Father Ryan for top community relations program. In addition, Father Ryan received a Certificate of Merit for its digital Advent Calendar program.

Lux serves as the Senior Director of Quality Engineering at Change Healthcare in Nashville. She and her husband, Anthony, have a daughter in the class of 2020 at Father Ryan and are parishioners of Christ the King.

WELCOME FATHER DELLY Father Ryan welcomes a new chaplain as Father Delphinus Mutajuka, who likes to be called Fr. Delly, joins the Irish family. Bishop Mark Spalding made the announcement in June, bringing Fr. Delly to Father Ryan from his residency at St. Matthew Church and his previous responsibility as chaplain at St. Thomas-Midtown. A native of Tanzania, Fr. Delly was ordained in July of 2014 in Nashville and received his Master of Divinity from the Pontifical College Josephinum in 2012. A familiar face in Catholic education, Fr. Delly had previously served as Associate Pastor of St. Rose of Lima Church in Murfreesboro. We are delighted to welcome Fr. Delly to Ryan Nation. 5

BUILDING CONNECTIONS, BLOCK BY BLOCK For Father Ryan art teacher Mike Mitchell, the learning experience for his students isn’t limited to the four walls of his on-campus workshop. In his distinctive blue-rimmed glasses, he is constantly introducing new and innovative concepts and projects to his students. Combining his passion for art, education, and his hometown, Mr. Mitchell has worked with Dan Mills Elementary School (where he attended growing up) on an educational art project geared towards helping first graders learn English. He also partnered with the Pearl-Cohn High School art department for an art project where students from both Pearl-Cohn and Father Ryan created art for juvenile correction facilities in Davidson County.

When Mr. Mitchell’s class finished making the blocks, they were delivered to Dr. Benningfield, who in turn gave them to the second-year child psychiatry fellows in the clinic, physicians in their final year of residency training.

Perhaps Mr. Mitchell’s most impressive collaboration from the past year, however, has been the program that he and Dr. Meg Benningfield, Medical Director of the Vanderbilt School-Based Mental Health Services, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, formed together. The partnership between the two friends and parents grew from a common concern for helping others.

“I do think they understand that what they made will help others better understand themselves,” he said. “All students here at Father Ryan learn about the ‘Two Feet of Love in Action.’ We talked about this being an advocacy project as it pushes for kids in our shared community to receive the best mental health care that they can.”

Dr. Benningfield and Mr. Mitchell have been close since their children started kindergarten together six years ago. “He and I have talked for years about ways we could collaborate to support educational development and social emotional growth in our communities,” said Dr. Benningfield.

Given Mr. Mitchell’s penchant for creativity and his omnipresent enthusiasm for his students, art, and Father Ryan, it is truly anyone’s guess on what program or collaboration he and his students will embark on next. This summer, he held his popular “skate art” camp, where participants design their own custom skateboards, an activity that combines art with another of Mitchell’s passions—skateboarding and extreme sports.

The goal of the partnership is to help therapists working with young children by creating blocks with images of various feelings. The therapists would then share the blocks with their patients to support them in communicating about their emotional states. The different emotions were represented by emojis. It was a true team effort, with the students significantly involved in the development of the project, as well as the design of the final product. 6

For Mr. Mitchell, the hope was that his students would recognize how design and art can have an impact on someone else’s life.

Mike Mitchell’s art class works on the various blocks and presents them to Vanderbilt’s Dr. Meg Benningfield (center top) when she visited Father Ryan this spring.

A TRADITION OF PHILANTHROPY Father Ryan’s well-known message of providing a tradition of faith, knowledge and service could be expanded to include a tradition of philanthropy, thanks to the generous spirit of a number of recent donors. Following on the heels of last winter’s announcement of the new Manning-Henry Scholarship, the Class of 1967 Scholarship and the Fathers Breen Scholarship, individuals and groups with deep ties and even new relationships with Father Ryan have stepped forward to make the Father Ryan experience available for more students.

Langdon Scholarship Nancy and Jim Langdon ’54, longtime educators and staff at Father Ryan, announced this spring the creation of the Langdon Scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded to students who demonstrate financial need. While that is the only requirement, the scholarship will place a priority on those students who are attending Catholic school and have one or more parent who is a Father Ryan graduate. Nancy came to Father Ryan in 1969 to do her student teaching in Jim Langdon’s classroom. She not only fell in love with the school,

she also fell in love with Jim, with the two of them marrying in 1970. Jim taught history at Father Ryan for 52 years, coaching track, football and basketball for many of those years, and just retired two years ago. Nancy returned to Father Ryan after teaching at St. Bernard Academy and worked in the College Counseling Department before becoming Registrar. She retired last year after 33 years at the school. Thank you, Jim and Nancy.

Bishop Alphonse Smith Award For the last six years, Father Ryan has presented the Bishop Alphonse Smith Teacher of the Year Award at Baccalaureate, honoring teachers such as C.A. Williams, Doug Bontrager ’81, Richard Chambers, Randy Lancaster ’82, Amy Johnston ’93 and, this year, Carol Brewer. Now, thanks to the generous gift of an anonymous donor, this award has been endowed, and will provide the recipient each year with $1,000 and an additional $1,000 for that teacher’s classroom enhancements.

Alternative Spring Break Connects with the Monks Since 2010, Father Ryan students have been traveling to South Carolina each spring break to bring their gifts of service and faith to the Trappist monks of Mepkin Abbey. This year, Abbot Stan Gumula, the head of the monastery, returned the favor, visiting Father Ryan in May to thank the students, to see the campus and to bring his own gift—a new scholarship from the monks for the students of Father Ryan. This new Mepkin Scholarship will provide two $1,000 scholarships for two graduating seniors for college tuition. In addition, the Abbey will sponsor up to two students each year for school-sponsored mission trips.

ABBOT STAN GOES IRISH The word spread quickly and excitedly throughout the hallway—“Abbot Stan is here! He’s here!” The subject of this anticipation and enthusiasm is a quiet, contemplative and devout Trappist monk who for the past nine years has welcomed Father Ryan students to his home at Mepkin Abbey in South Carolina. And after almost a decade of seeing these students on his campus, Abbot Stan decided it was time to visit their campus. Speaking to students in their theology classes, Abbot Stan talked of the love of God. “God is always giving us gifts. I am a receiver of God’s gifts,” he said. “It’s basically a relationship of love.” It’s a relationship that he has experienced for 59 years now, having felt the call for the monastic life as a 7th grader and answering the call right after completing high school in Philadelphia. The destination for Father Ryan’s Alternative Spring Break, Mepkin Abbey is home to this exceptional order of men, living lives of contemplation and prayer. But they also live in buildings, build-

ings that require maintenance and upkeep, and that’s what Father Ryan’s students provide on their visits each spring. The monks provide them with an insight into their lives. The students learn about the power of prayer, attend Mass, work on the property and grow in their faith. They also enjoy lunches with Abbot Stan. “It’s so much fun eating lunch with them, answering their questions,” he said. “I’ve always found them so attentive. It’s a good sharing.” The students echo that sentiment. Erin Weiland ’19, who made her first trip to Mepkin Abbey this past spring, said, “You could ask any question you had. He was so open. He never was bothered by it. Every one of us was special to him.” That special connection between the Abbey and the Irish is growing. While in town, Abbot Stan announced a new scholarship for Father Ryan students, to be funded by the monks (see story above). Another example of the power of prayer at work.

Abbot Stan gets a campus tour from Rachel Knapp ’20. 7

Athletics summer 2018

ANN MULLINS ’03 Named Associate Director of Athletics

Ann Mullins ’03, who returned to Father Ryan as its Head Volleyball Coach two years ago, has been named the school’s Associate Director of Athletics, effective July 2, 2018, according to Dr. Devin DeLaughter, Director of Athletics. As the Associate Director, she is responsible for sport oversight for a number of Father Ryan athletic programs in addition to athletic department support personnel. Coach Mullins will continue as Head Volleyball Coach for the Irish, where she has led Father Ryan to the State semifinals both years she has coached. In making the announcement, Dr. DeLaughter stated that this position attracted a number of outstanding candidates nationwide. “Throughout the interview process, it became evident that Coach Mullins was best suited for the position. Our athletic department administrative staff is very pleased to have found the right person in Coach Mullins,” he said. “Her coaching experience and proven success, demonstrated administrative skills, and familiarity with and commitment to the Father Ryan Irish family make an outstanding combination that will enhance the experience for all our athletes. I am excited to work alongside Coach Mullins as we serve the student-athletes, coaches and families engaged in the Father Ryan Athletic Department,” he stated. Coach Mullins became the Executive Director of Alliance Volleyball Club earlier this year and, as Head Coach, led the Alliance U18 team to the USA National Division Championship in Anaheim, CA in April, the first national title for an Alliance team. She has been coaching at the club level for the last fourteen years, beginning at Impact in 2004. While there, Coach Mullins was the Assistant on the U17 team that won the USA National Division Championship in Dallas. She was a founding partner in Nashville One Volleyball, which was sold to Club West, where she was the Co-Director. In 2012, she became the Assistant Director at Alliance Volleyball. Her four Nashville One teams all qualified for nationals, and her 18-1 team in 2013 at Alliance finished 12th overall in the open division. Her club teams finished in the top 20 in the nation in 2014 and 2015.

DOUG BONTRAGER ’81 EARNS 500TH WIN 2018 proved to be a milestone basketball season at Father Ryan, as Boys Head Coach Doug Bontrager ’81 entered into the record books. Coach Bontrager, a Nashville native whose family is well-established in the Father Ryan community, achieved his 500th career win as a coach this season, a benchmark figure that accurately defines the stellar career he’s had at Father Ryan. Under his leadership, the Boys Basketball team has won two state championships, in 1999 and 2002. Also a mathematics teacher, Coach Bontrager has been assisting off the court as well, inspiring Father Ryan athletes and non-athletes. Since 1987, he has taught numerous math courses at Father Ryan, including Algebra II, Calculus BC and Calculus AB. His classes are known to be both challenging and rewarding, and more than 95% of his AP students wind up receiving college credit. In commemoration of his 500th career victory milestone, Principal Paul Davis ’81 and President Jim McIntyre presented Coach Bontrager with a basketball, hand-painted by Visual Arts students from Mike Mitchell’s class.

Coach Mullins came back to Father Ryan from Ensworth in April 2016, where she led the volleyball program to the top level in the state’s Division II-AA. She began her volleyball coaching career as a graduate assistant at Lipscomb University while getting her master’s degree. She then coached at Siegel High School in Murfreesboro before going to Ensworth in 2012. Coach Mullins said the opportunity to expand her role at Father Ryan is exciting. “This is a special place for a long legacy of outstanding students,” she stated. “I am looking forward to working with Dr. DeLaughter and the entire administration to build on our rich legacy, in and out of the classroom, to make this experience memorable and beneficial for all of our athletes.”

Coach Bontrager receives a commemorative 500th Victory Basketball from President Jim McIntyre and Principal Paul Davis ‘81.

Next Level IRISH! Signing season is always an exciting time for Father Ryan athletics, and this year has been no exception! Fourteen Father Ryan senior student-athletes made formal commitments to continue playing their sport in college.

JACK BOUTTE will play football in Colorado at the Air Force Academy. A strong student, Boutte will join the Falcons and make a commitment to serve our nation. He’ll be continuing a strong Father Ryan legacy with Air Force Football, as just this fall, kicker Luke Strebel ’14 became the alltime leading scorer in Air Force Football history.

Tusculum College to continue her golf career. Tusculum College, in eastern Tennessee, has a rich history and is one of the oldest operating colleges in the country.

MCLAUGHLIN will pitch for the Belmont Bruins right here in Nashville. RYAN RAGSDALE will join the Roane State Raiders in East Tennessee.

Father Ryan Soccer star JULIA DORAN will be heading north of the border...to Kentucky, that is. She’ll join the Colonels of Centre College in Danville, KY to continue her soccer career. Centre College has a Girls Basketball standout EMILY CAR- strong soccer program and is known to be LETELLO has committed to play for Se- one of the best liberal arts colleges in the wanee: The University of the South. The country. point guard will continue her education and basketball career at one of the best liberal NYLES GADDY has chosen the University of Tennessee to continue his football arts universities in the country. career. A multi-positional talent, highly JOHNATHON (JC) CLAUSI has com- recruited by many schools from across the mitted to Union University in Jackson, TN country, Nyles decided that the Vols were to continue his basketball career. The leader the team for him. of this year’s Father Ryan Basketball team, Clausi is one of the most decorated players JOE HOOTS will also be heading to in Father Ryan Basketball history, surpass- Knoxville in the fall to continue his track career at the University of Tennessee. The fuing 1,000 career points this past season. ture Volunteer has had a tremendous Cross JOHN CLINARD has committed to the Country and Track career at Father Ryan. University of Tampa in Tampa, FL to continue his swimming career. Clinard only SHELBY LARKIN will be venturing far started swimming as a freshman at Father from home to continue her rowing career. Ryan but quickly emerged as a natural in She’ll join the Oregon State Beaver squad the water and a star of the Father Ryan Boys in Corvallis, OR. Shelby is the first rowing Swimming Team. He finished 4th in the signee in Father Ryan history. State in the 100 meter butterfly. Two Irish Baseball players will be playLIV CUNNINGHAM will be heading to ing collegiately in Tennessee. JACK

MEGAN STACEY will head to Cumberland University in nearby Lebanon, TN to continue her Track and Field career, following a fantastic four-year career under Head Coach Robert Kent ’74. TRAVIS TUERFF will head out west as well, although he’ll stop once he hits the Mississippi River. The Soccer star will continue his career at Rhodes College in Memphis. Go Lynx! Finally, joining Liv at Tusculum as a Pioneer will be her classmate JORDAN ZALESKI, who will continue her volleyball career on the heels of an outstanding season for Coach Ann Mullins ’03 and the Father Ryan Volleyball Team. Congratulations to all these Irish athletes who are furthering their commitment to education and sport at the next level.

Top Row, l to r: Boutte, Carletello, Clausi, Clinard, Cunningham, Doran, Gaddy. Bottom Row: Hoots, Larkin, McLaughlin, Ragsdale, Stacey, Tuerff, Zaleski 9

Winter and Spring SPORTS ROUND-UP Eighteen varsity sports squads competed for Father Ryan during the winter and spring seasons this year with many reasons to celebrate. BOWLING

BOYS BASKETBALL

It was another exciting season on the lanes for Father Ryan Bowling as the Irish found themselves making strikes and spares with regularity. Head Coach Phillip Holt, who leads both the Boys and Girls squads, worked with a bevy of seniors, as 15 of the 21 Irish bowlers this year are members of the Class of 2018. The highlight of the season was Zoe Booth making the State Finals.

Doug Bontrager ’81’s team had a season full of tight games, loud fans and major milestones. The senior-laden team brought excitement and tight defense to every game and used that focus to make a run at the State tournament. However, a 3-pointer that would have topped Ensworth rimmed out and the season came to a dramatic if unsatisfying end.

SWIM AND DIVE

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Head Coaches Robert and Shannon Philbin and the Father Ryan Boys and Girls Swimming and Diving squads had another great season in the water. Eight swimmers—Walker Campbell, John Clinard, Evan Dragan, Ryan Knapp, Austin Wright, Jill Tinsey, Ayers Callahan and Chas Woeppel—qualified for the State Championship in Knoxville. While there, Clinard finished 4th overall in the 100m Butterfly, and the Boys finished in 26th overall.

The Lady Irish celebrated another stellar season on the court. Led by Head Coach Jason Larkin, the team brought out large and vocal crowds and overcame a rash of early-season injuries to finish 4th in the Region and mount a run for the State title. Led by Seniors Emily Carletello and Rachel Phan, they took down Lipscomb to advance to the Quarterfinals, where Ensworth staged a 4th quarter rally to end the Irish season.

WRESTLING

HOCKEY

Perhaps the most storied sports program at Father Ryan, 2018 was a transitional year of wrestling for the Irish. Coach Pat Simpson ’74, a Father Ryan living legend, led a young squad to a season that featured a win over MBA (and their head coach and Simpson’s brother, Frank ’75) in the annual “Battle of the Brothers” and a 3rd place finish in the State. On a squad that featured only four seniors, the future is bright for this young roster of Father Ryan wrestlers!

Led by first-year coach Thomas Bernstein, the Irish skaters had an impact on the GNASH League this year. This young team proved effective on both ends of the ice as they topped the likes of JPII and Hume-Fogg and carried the fight to Ravenwood and MBA, the area’s two top teams. Behind the play of All-Stars and senior Captains Evan Scruggs and Quentin Rummo, the Irish made it to the Semifinals before their season ended.

TRACK AND FIELD Father Ryan’s Track and Field Teams both featured young squads that showed Ryan Nation what the next few years may hold. The Boys, led by Head Coach Doug Jones, were anchored by senior Joe Hoots. The four-year letterman capped his fantastic career at Father Ryan by committing to the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. The Girls were led by distance specialist Mary Hampton Hayden ’20 and thrower Megan Stacey ’18.

BASEBALL Led once again by Head Coach Mike Mascari ’96, the Irish ballplayers enjoyed regular season success and finished the campaign top four in the Region. After a hard fought series, they fell to Ensworth in the first round of the State playoffs. Leading the squad on the diamond were seniors Ryan Ragsdale and Jack McLaughlin, both of whom will be playing at the next level come fall.

SOFTBALL Led by Head Coach Ashlee Schenk, the Father Ryan Softball squad enjoyed an exciting regular season that featured big victories over St. Cecilia and Ensworth. The Lady Irish entered the playoffs with much momentum, but fell to Ensworth in the first round. The team had much to celebrate, however, including Page Graham ’20 and Dasha Krenson ’18 being named to the 2018 All-Region Team.

TENNIS Led by Head Coach Thom Druffel, the Boys and Girls Tennis Teams enjoyed a season of growth and development that offered Irish fans a glimpse of what’s to come. Both squads were

extremely young, with the Boys featuring one senior—Caedon Oxford. Despite this, they made the playoffs, falling to Ensworth in the first round. With a strong group of returning players for both teams, the future is bright.

RUGBY The Father Ryan Rugby Team showed more growth and development under the guidance of Head Coach Benjamin Hobbs ’07. As the sport continues to gain popularity and momentum in Middle Tennessee, Rugby continues to offer Irish fans another exciting club to root for.

BOYS AND GIRLS LACROSSE Headed by coach Matt Puryear, the Father Ryan Boys Lacrosse Team had a good season, reaching the playoffs despite being comprised primarily of underclassmen. Head Coach Susan Ellis and the Girls Lacrosse Team enjoyed a strong regular season that featured some hard fought victories, and narrowly missed the playoffs.

BOYS SOCCER Hampered by injuries early in their season, the Boys Soccer Team overcame adversity and wound up reaching the State Quarterfinals, where they fell to national powerhouse McCallie in a thrilling 1-0 match. Thanks to all the student-athletes, coaches, parents and fans, this past sports season was one we won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

ROBIN DIETERICH ’73 Welcome to the TSSAA Hall of Fame A 40-year teaching and coaching career. Eleven soccer championships. The 2017 Legacy Gala Honoree. A devoted husband and the father to two wonderful sons. The list of achievements that Robin Dieterich ’73 has yet to accomplish in his life is growing increasingly slim. The face of the Father Ryan Soccer program and one of the school’s most respected figures has undoubtedly made his mark on our halls, and this year, he can cross another milestone off the list. The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) inducted Coach Dieterich into the Hall of Fame as part of their 2018 Class. With a legacy that has been long established and cemented for years, this honor is a well-deserved cherry-on-top for Coach Dieterich, one that was officially celebrated at the Induction Luncheon on April 14. A native Nashvillian, Coach Dieterich bleeds soccer and Irish purple. As a student at Father Ryan, Coach Dieterich was a founding member of the school’s highly successful soccer program. Goalkeeper Dieterich, a leader on the field, and his teammates won back-to-back State Titles in 1972 and 1973. After making his mark as a student-athlete, Coach Dieterich went on to play and study at Stetson University in DeLand, FL. After graduating in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts in English, Coach Dieterich came back home to Father Ryan to teach English and coach the Varsity and Junior Varsity Boys and Girls Soccer teams. His 2018 induction into the TSSAA Hall of Fame is fitting, as Coach Dieterich will also be celebrating the 10 and 20-year anniversaries of the 2008 and 1998 Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer State Titles. What was already going to be a banner year for him and the legacy of Father Ryan Soccer has been transformed into a historic one. By his side throughout his career has been his wife, Kathy, and their two sons, Tyler ’07 and Tanner, a member of the Class of 2016 and a defender on the Clemson University Soccer Team. Just as the Drennan name is with Father Ryan wrestling, Dieterich is synonymous with Father Ryan soccer. Coach Dieterich has raised nine championship banners as a coach and has led hundreds of fantastic student-athletes through successful high school careers. Known for his big smile and warm demeanor, “Coach D” engenders a feeling of comfort and approachability in everyone he meets. As a coach and a teacher, Mr. Dieterich has taken the bar and raised it. Simply put, he embodies what it means to be Irish.

JC CLAUSI REACHES 1,000 POINTS Johnathon “JC” Clausi ’18, one of the most dominant DII-AAA basketball players in Father Ryan history, fittingly closed out his senior season in historic fashion. The sharp-shooter netted his 1,000th career point during a January game, and in doing so, entered into the Father Ryan record books. Tallying 1,000 career points in a high school career is an extremely difficult and notable feat, yet it came as no surprise to Irish basketball fans that JC accomplished it. His coach, Doug Bontrager ’81, and Lou Graham ’56, presented JC with a commemorative ball marking the milestone. Mr. Graham is the 1975 U.S. Open Golf Champion and was also Father Ryan’s first 1,000-point scorer in basketball. Clausi was also recently honored by the school by being named the 2018 Leo Long Award recipient. This award is named for legendary Father Ryan coach Leo J. Long, and is awarded annually to a member of the Boys Basketball Team for his leadership and contributions to the team. It is also stipulated in the award’s description that the recipient must serve as a role model for others on the squad. This fall, JC will matriculate to Union University in Jackson, TN to continue his education and basketball career.

From the first to the latest: JC Clausi receives his 1,000 point basketball from Father Ryan’s first 1000-point scorer, Lou Graham ’56. 12

Celebrating an Irish Life BILL DERRICK ’48 Howard D. “Bill” Derrick ’48, accomplished student-athlete and long-time teacher at Father Ryan, who as the coach at Father Ryan integrated athletics in the NIL and the state, died on May 18, 2018. He was 88 years old. Bill Derrick leaves a large Irish family. He is the brother of Ed ’50 (deceased), Tommy ’55 (deceased), Jim ’62, Mike ’68, and Bob ’72 Derrick, Polly Derrick Curran and Monnie Derrick Watson. He is also the father of Matt Derrick ’74 (deceased), Mary Derrick Ray ’75, Ann Derrick Strode ’76, Theresa “Tookie” Derrick Andrews ’77, Margaret Derrick Simpson, Joanie Derrick Conrad ’80 (deceased), John Derrick ’84 and Ruthie Derrick Glover ’85. Mr. Derrick coached basketball, baseball and football at Father Ryan from 1958-1983 while teaching multiple subjects. He was inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame in 2005 and was also inducted as an inaugural member of the Tennessee Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2014.

“Father Ryan and this entire community have lost a giant today,” said President Jim McIntyre. “So often known as ‘Coach,’ Bill Derrick’s real title was ‘Teacher.’ His life and his example always taught us, whether it was religion in the classroom, teamwork on the court, or social justice in this community. And he did this teaching with a conviction and an example that inspired us all.”

Basketball Team in the fall of 1963, the first African-Americans to play in the TSSAA. In January 1965, Coach Derrick, Brown and the Irish played Pearl High in front of 10,000 at Municipal Auditorium in the first game between an integrated team and an African-American team. The game was hailed as a major point in the Civil Rights Movement and resulted in a lifelong friendship between Coach Derrick and Pearl After earning his B.S. from MTSU and his Coach Cornelius Ridley. master’s from George Peabody College, he returned to Father Ryan in 1958 to be- Coach Derrick served as Head Football gin his thirty-six-year coaching career. The Coach at Father Ryan, Lawrence County, Irish basketball team became one of the and Hendersonville High Schools, guiddominant programs in the state over the ing his teams to the play-offs at all three next dozen years, winning NIL, district schools. He retired in 1995. and regional titles. But the most significant achievement was his decision to add Jesse Porter ’64 and Willie Brown ’65 to the Irish 13

Cover Story summer 2018

DISCOVER THE

JOY GIVIN

OF 14

IT IS IN GIVING THAT WE RECEIVE. St. Francis’s words espouse a timeless truth of our faith. Discovering that truth early means a longer life of service, and Father Ryan students and alumni are a testament to that. Whether it is the words of our motto—a tradition of faith, knowledge and service—or the daily activities of our students and faculty in providing that service, Father Ryan has clearly planted the seeds of lifetime service, and has done so for generations.

BACK

In this issue of Irish Ayes, we highlight some of our alumni who embody this spirit of service, many of whom can trace their lives of service directly back to the words and actions they heard and experienced at Father Ryan. It is indeed in giving that we receive, and these stories and so many others affirm that centuries-old belief. 15

“IT MIGHT BE EASY FOR SOME PEOPLE TO THINK ‘I DON’T HAVE TIME, TALENT OR TREASURE.’ WIPE THAT MINDSET OUT. YOU CAN GIVE BACK. TRUST ME: THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT IS HUGE.” “I realized service/volunteer work was a part of me, and I needed to focus my efforts there just as heavily as my career. When you give freely and selflessly, the reward is so much more than you give, and I knew I needed that,” she said. So Christie made it her mission to find organizations that fed her passions and needed her help, and made a decision to fully jump in. Jump in she did.

BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR EVERYONE You would be hard-pressed to find anyone who loves Nashville more than Christie Wilson ’85. As owner of The Wilson Group real estate agency and a long-time volunteer for multiple nonprofit organizations, Christie knows the ins and outs of Nashville and gives back to our city and its residents in equal measure. Christie’s service story began to take shape her senior year at Father Ryan. She was involved in many school activities, including as a varsity basketball player, cheerleader, Eucharistic Minister, and SEARCH leader and codirector. But it was her time serving at Harris Hillman in her Senior Service class that made the biggest impact on her life and is an experience she remembers fondly today. “Serving at Harris Hillman was a real eye-opener for me,” Christie says. “Up until then the only real volunteering I had done was with the Girl Scouts. That experience showed me there are people out there who 16

may be less fortunate than me. That feeling of giving back never really left me.” After graduating from Father Ryan, Christie went to the University of Tennessee, continued to volunteer in philanthropy projects with her sorority, and then spent the next several years focusing on her career. She joined her father, Hal Wilson ’62, a veteran of Nashville real estate since 1968, at The Wilson Group Real Estate Services, a full-service real estate firm. Soon, she began to feel like something was missing. She had focused on her career for so long, but knew there was more to life.

She followed her passion for real estate and housing issues to Habitat for Humanity because, as she says, she became “laser-focused on affordable housing opportunities for people from all walks of life.” Now she is currently helping with her 22nd build, has served on the Board of Directors twice and also served on the Advisory Board. She has also volunteered with the Tennessee Housing and Development Authority and the Housing Fund of Nashville, which provides resources to create and maintain affordable and healthy places for low and moderate level income people to live. Besides affordable housing issues, Christie is also passionate about women’s issues. As female owner of a very successful real estate firm, she is helping other women succeed and rise through leadership ranks, just as she did. She served on the board of the YWCA for six years, chaired the Academy for Women of Achievement event (and was also inducted a few years later), and, as the co-chair of the Wine, Women and Shoes event, she set the bar by raising the most money ever at this event. But that’s not all. She danced to raise money for Safe Haven Shelter (and was voted as the Audience Favorite to boot), volunteers with the Preston Taylor Ministries and with the Greenways of Nashville. In fact, The Wilson Group has been the presenting sponsor of the Richland Creek Run,

which benefits Greenways of Nashville, since its inception 12 years ago because they have an office in Sylvan Park right near the Greenway. She also believes it is important for her agents at The Wilson Group to support their community, so Christie makes it a priority that each one of her agents give back when and how they can. In fact, Christie meets with all 50 of her agents each year for a business planning session, and each year she asks them where they want to be plugged into the community. In these meetings, Christie makes it clear it isn’t about growing their business. It’s about something more. “We always talk about how we want Nashville to be a great place to live for everyone, but we can only do that if everyone gives back,” she stated, “So I ask them ’what are you passionate about?’ Nashville has so many opportunities. Go find them. And don’t do this to grow your business. Do it for you.” Her advice must be working. To date, The Wilson Group has raised money for more than 44 organizations in the Nashville area. Christie keeps on going. This year, she was awarded the Community Service Award for Excellence by the Greater Nashville Realtor Association. But Christie says she’s not doing this for the awards. She just wants to help others, and from all of her volunteer efforts to date, she has definitely accomplished that goal.

Opposite: Christie proudly shows her support at this year’s Richland Creek Run. She and The Wilson Group have been a presenting sponsor of the Richland Creek Run since its inception 12 years ago. The Run benefits the Greenways of Nashville, which Christie and her agents in their Sylvan Park office use often.

for a picture after a long and fulfilling day volunteering for Habitat for Humanity.

Left: Christie, second from left, and friends are stylish in their magazine cover event photo from the Wine, Women & Shoes fundraiser for the YWCA in February. Christie co-chaired the 2018 event, which set Top: Christie, second from left, is a member of the Nashville Wine the record for most money raised from this event. Auction Board. The Nashville Wine Auction raises money for cancer research and cancer-related charities. Christie is co-chairing an event Right: Christie chaired Couture Construction 2016, an event that raiscalled Champagne and Chardonnay for the Wine Auction on October es money to fund the Women’s Build for Habitat for Humanity, which 11th, 2018. is all women building a home for another woman. This photo is from 2018. Photo by Lisa (Kruse) Link ’84. Middle: Christie, in the pink shirt, and The Wilson Group team, pose 17

A LIFETIME OF PHILANTHROPY The USS Shiloh is a big ship. This Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser of the United States Navy, named in remembrance of the Civil War Battle of Shiloh, has guided missiles and rapid-fire cannons, plus two Seahawk LAMPS multi-purpose helicopters. The Shiloh is 567 feet long, with a 55 foot beam and a 34 foot draft, displacing 9,600 long tons. It can travel 32.5 knots and, from its base in Japan, it has participated in numerous engagements throughout the Pacific and Middle East since it was commissioned on July 18, 1992. And, thanks to Richard Hiller ’56, the Shiloh travels the seas with a chalice bearing the name of Father Ryan High School.

THE BLESSINGS OF THE IRISH The story of that Father Ryan naval presence and the spirit of service that inspired it is just one of many examples of Mr. Hiller’s philanthropic spirit and commitment to others. This successful businessman, who began with Coca-Cola in 1962 and rose to be the Senior Vice President of Above: Richard Hiller’s generous spirit and Coca-Cola Enterprises, has been instrumental in educational initiatives at Southern Illinois love of Father Ryan provided a special Father University, in children’s health care in Atlanta and in countless programs, large and small, that Ryan presence to the USS Shiloh. echo his childhood. A childhood in Nashville. A childhood formed by Catholic education. Can any of us remember what experience fired up our enthusiasm for service? For Mr. Hiller, it began in the hallways of Christ the King School, where the Sisters of Mercy instilled knowledge 18

Facing Page: Mr. and Mrs. Hiller with Bishop Neidergeses ’37 at the dedication of the ship, with the chalice. Mr. Hiller (right) in the halls of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

he had leftover papers, he would get on his bike and pedal down to the Little Sisters of the Poor convent on 16th Avenue and donate the papers to them. “I guess the nuns at Christ the King had an influence on me,” he says. The nuns...and some influential, memorable priests at Father Ryan. Mr. Hiller enrolled here in the fall of 1952, played football and was captain of the track team. “It was the only place I wanted to go, and I absolutely loved it,” he said. It wasn’t long before the words in the classroom and the men who uttered them took deep root. “Father (William) Morgan, Fr. (Francis) Shea, Fr. (James) Niedergeses. They were larger than life characters when I was a student, and they still are,” he recounts. “The feel of the classrooms, the style of the teachers, being in Sr. Mary John’s class and in Sr. Nolasco’s library each made an impression on him. “Coach Leo Long was next door to the library, walking the study hall while saying the rosary, and you’d hear the sound of ‘whack’ as he reprimanded a misbehaving student. I decided to stay in the library,” recalls Mr. Hiller.

LEARNING TO THINK, LEARNING TO GIVE BACK Father Ryan taught Mr. Hiller many things, but two stand out to him. “I learned how to think at Father Ryan. We had to translate Caesar’s Commentaries in Latin class; and I found that I didn’t learn Latin as much as I learned Caesar’s management style—how to be a leader. That has been an important lesson throughout my career,” he stated. and a commitment to service and social justice in the years right after World War II. Like many a young boy at that time, Mr. Hiller was a paperboy, responsible for delivering the news to the city. This was a time when the newspapers were “The News,” with The Tennessean the source in the mornings and the Nashville Banner in the afternoon. In fact, the Banner published multiple issues each day, providing readers with the latest sports and stock market news. That issue would be in Mr. Hiller’s hands as he sat at a street corner on Hillsboro Road near Christ the King and sold his papers. On those days when the news wasn’t in such demand and

His career at Coca-Cola affirms that lesson. He served as District Manager in Memphis, handling marketing and advertising programs for the bottlers in the area. He then moved up the ranks at Coke, transferring to Atlanta in 1968 before becoming regional manager for Rocky Mountain West and then moving to San Francisco. He returned to Atlanta in 1973 with brand management, working with franchisees, then headed strategic planning and ran the company’s U.S. company-owned franchise operations, a billion dollar a year business. He retired in 1996.

That leadership lesson, provided in Latin class at Father Ryan, was felt directly by Donna Hyland, the CEO of Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta. “I was the CFO of the hospital in 1990 and Richard was always there to advise and coach and mentor,” she states. “We introduced a new computer system, and it proved to be a disaster. I was certain I was in over my head and went to Richard to tell him I needed to resign. He listened, and then he told me he always asked job applicants about their most gut-wrenching experience. This, he said to me, is yours and ‘I’m confident you’re going to get this fixed, and I can’t wait to see what you do.’ My career could have changed, but his coaching and confidence inspired me and kept me on course. We fixed the problem.” As valuable as Caesar’s words were, it was the words of Fr. Morgan that really guided him. “I still remember Fr. Morgan teaching freshman English and senior Religion, standing in the classroom in that long cassock, and telling us about sin. He told us ’You worry about a lot of things at this age that might be sinful in you… but as you get older you’ll worry more about the sins you commit by not treating people right.’ That has stayed with me. The important things in life are justice and how you treat other people. And throughout my career, I’ve heard those words of Fr. Morgan,” he affirmed. He put those words into action and kept it close to home, beginning his philanthropy with a gift to the Father Ryan Annual Fund, support he has provided throughout his life. As his opportunities grew at Coca-Cola, so did the opportunities to give back, wherever he was. “Coca-Cola did a good job of spreading its executives to Atlanta non-profits. I was asked about my interests and told them that there were two…healthcare and education. Those 19

Top: Mr. and Mrs. Hiller meet with President George H.W. Bush, whose Secretary of the Navy started the chalice process. Far left: Dedication ceremony on the ship. Left: Mr. Hiller from his senior year.

have been my focus ever since,” he said. Mr. Hiller joined the Board of Trustees at the Scottish Rite Hospital in Atlanta in the mid-1980s, becoming Chairman when he retired from Coca-Cola. As Chairman he negotiated the merger of Henrietta Egelston Children’s Hospital and Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital to create Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. “I received an education at the Board of Scottish Rite, and I fell in love with the whole concept," he remembers. “I had an uncle who was a pediatrician in Savannah, the first in the South between Jacksonville and Atlanta. He was special. I came to understand the importance of pediatric care and integrated care. A lot of families dealing with pediatric cancer have a high incidence of divorce. Lots of pressures and costs that drive families apart. A place like Ronald McDonald House is critical. They take care of those needs—you can’t submit those expenses to insurance, but they are critical to the health of the child. And there is a big need for psychological counseling. We provide it,” states Hiller. There are now 500 beds between the two campuses and numerous other facilities, with an endowment in excess of $1 billion. Hyland speaks first hand of the impact of Mr. Hiller on the hospital and the community. “Scottish Rite and Egelston Hospitals were staunch competitors,” she said, “and some major donors decided they weren’t going to continue to provide support so the two hospitals could outdo the other. A merger made sense, and Richard, who was chairman of Scottish Rite at the time, agreed wholeheartedly. I remember him saying to us ‘it’s not about money or business; it’s about kids’ lives,’ and with that message he helped guide the merger, stepping down when it was accomplished so the new hospital wouldn’t be encumbered by previous thinking.”

She went on to say, “His guidance made this possible. He has stayed involved behind the scenes, committed to taking the gift he’s been given to make the world a better place.”

THE POWER OF EDUCATION Like his interest in pediatric health care emerging from his uncle’s pioneering work, Mr. Hiller’s interest in education comes from personal experience. His youngest daughter has learning differences, but that didn’t keep her from attending Southern Illinois University (SIU) on a golf scholarship. It did get Mr. Hiller’s attention, so he and his wife, Donna, created Clinical Achieve. This unique program focuses on helping students with learning differences manage and succeed at college. It is now part of the Department of Education at SIU and is widely respected as a national leader in educational initiatives. And his oldest son graduated from Georgia Tech, so the hometown Yellow Jackets and their athletic programs have received the support of the Hiller Family Foundation. But the program that is receiving particular attention and support from the Hillers is one named for Donna, a native Nashvillian and proud graduate of Isaac Litton High School, and it, too, is driven by a personal interest. One of their daughters-in-law has cystic fibrosis, and the search for a cure has created the Donna Yeaman Hiller Cystic Fibrosis, Pediatric Research Lab. “Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is building a center for advanced pediatrics,” he said. “We’ve recognized that children with chronic longterm illnesses have multiple illnesses. The lab, which opens in 2019, is a collaboration between Georgia Tech Bioengineering and the Emory School of Medicine. We are fortunate to have a huge multi-disciplinary setting for children to be treated in a center focused on them, and it

“THE CATHOLIC CHURCH HAS HAD A POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON THIS COUNTRY... FATHER RYAN CONTINUES TO BE AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THAT.” is unusual to have this kind of focus in this kind of scale and scope. We are working on treatments, using special equipment to help the breathing process that will alleviate the breathing problems and dealing with everything from cardiology to cancer and more, all in one place," he stated.

BACK TO FATHER RYAN AND THE SHILOH That boat story from earlier? When the USS Shiloh was being completed and the commissioning was being planned, Will Ball, Secretary of the Navy under President Ronald Reagan and a good friend of Mr. Hiller’s, reached out. He knew Mr. Hiller’s Tennessee connection and asked if he would like to be part of the christening. Mr. Hiller saw the connection of the ship’s name and thought of his time at Father Ryan. He reached out to Bishop James Niedergeses ’37, commissioned, funded and arranged for the chalice to be presented, and invited the Bishop to be part of the event. “It was such a simple but powerful way to add a symbol of our faith and a part of Father Ryan to this ship and to the crew. Bishop Niedergeses made the presentation and offered a prayer, asking for God’s protection of the ship and its crew. I was there, and the grizzled Navy veterans were all touched by his presence and his words,” he stated. The chalice rides the waves still, and will come home to Father Ryan whenever the Shiloh is decommissioned.

THE FUTURE FOR FATHER RYAN STUDENTS Mr. Hiller’s life is a lesson on many levels, of achievement, of faith, of philanthropy, of conviction. And his words to today’s students reinforce that belief. “The Catholic church has had a positive influence on this country. When you go back to the Catholic bishops in this country and their goal of turning immigrant students into good, productive citizens of the country, what the bishops had in mind was education. Father Ryan continues to be an outstanding example of that.”

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SERVICE SOCIETY: ANSWERING THE CALL TO SERVE Service learning has always been an important part of a Father Ryan student’s life. The St. Vincent de Paul Service Society was started nine years ago by Father Ryan’s first Dean of Campus Ministry and Student Life, Tim Forbes ’93, to recognize the many students at Father Ryan who answered the call to serve. The response from students has been overwhelming. In the past three years alone, we have inducted 54 students into the Society, with more students qualifying for induction in earlier grades each year. Today, the service learning program at Father Ryan and the St. Vincent de Paul Society are both managed by Jonathan McGee ’99, Coordinator of Campus Ministry. Mr. McGee says to be inducted into the Society, students have to complete 120 hours of service—more than double what is required to complete the theology curriculum—to the poor and marginalized through a corporal work of mercy. "At Father Ryan, we believe service learning encourages students to take the teachings of Christ beyond the textbook, and by doing so, become actively engaged in their Christian faith,” says Mr. McGee. “Each year we see an increase in students who apply, which is so amazing to me—with all these kids have going on now, they still make time to serve.” One of these students who put service at the top of her priority list is sophomore Ella Delevante, the youngest inductee in the Society to date. In just the past two years, Ella has spent more than 200 hours tutoring students at Tusculum Elementary, a diverse school in South Nashville serving students and families of all income levels, including many immigrant families. Mr. McGee points out that one reason they ask students to build relationships with the poor and marginalized is that students can only be “servants Ella Delevante ’19 of God” if they understand the plight of those who have less than they do. Ella’s experiences at Tusculum Elementary truly underscore that fact. “My relationship with the kids at Tusculum has completely altered my perspective about what is important in life,” Ella says. “In the material sense, these students are the ’least of my brothers,’ and have made me aware of how lucky I am to have grown up in a safe environment with both parents, supportive teachers, and plenty of food. I am proud to serve them.” 21

“GO OUT INTO THE COMMUNITIES THAT YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT. LEARN SOMETHING NEW ABOUT THESE COMMUNITIES, AND THEN PUT YOUR TALENTS AND SKILLS TO WORK TO HELP OTHERS.” Wabi began his commitment to service right from the start. In fact, not only did he volunteer at local organizations like Youth Villages, but as a sophomore at Father Ryan, Wabi started his own 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

SERVING OTHERS FROM CONTINENT TO CONTINENT For some people, service is a way of life. It is something that’s a part of them for as long as they can remember—giving back to others and serving those in need. Giving of one’s self just comes naturally to these people. They are not doing it for awards or accolades. They are giving back to others because they are truly following the example set by the Gospel. Although scores of alumni, students, faculty and staff serve others in a multitude of ways, one young alum stands out as a true servant leader—Wabi Tela ’14. “Growing up, my parents always talked about the importance of service and asked me and 22

my siblings ’what can you do to help others?’” says Wabi. “So before I came to Father Ryan, I was involved in service. But it was at Father Ryan that I really became committed to service and thinking about its true impact on others.”

After learning of and being stunned by the plight of children living in the streets in Wabi’s family’s country of origin, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Wabi knew he needed to help these children in some way. So he started Kemi’s Friends (named after his sister, whose name means “God is taking care of me”), a non-profit organization that collected clothing for children who mine for minerals in the Congo. Not only did Wabi engage the entire student body and families in collecting clothing for this worthy cause, he opened up a discussion about a group of marginalized people and found a way to serve them. Through Kemi’s Friends, Wabi and his team collected and shipped 1,200 pounds of clothing, which were given to 415 children. After graduating from Father Ryan, Wabi’s life of service continued as a Community Engaged Fellow at Xavier University. This fellowship is awarded to incoming freshmen who excel in service and choose engagement as part of their undergraduate experience at Xavier. Recipients of the scholarship are required to perform ten hours of service each week during the course of their college careers while serving as role models for other students and promoting Jesuit Ideals on campus: a fellowship clearly fit for Wabi. On Xavier’s website, which highlights each of the Community Engaged Fellows, Wabi had this to say about service: “When I think of service, I see opportunities in having an impact on others’ lives for the better, discovering new things about myself, and helping the community grow even stronger.” During his four years as a Fellow, he certainly

what these kids really needed was to work on conflict resolution skills and how to solve their frustrations in a healthy manner. So Wabi pivoted and turned the drama club into an improvisation group. “When we began doing improv, our students were able to deal with their frustrations in an open and safe area,” says Wabi. “It made a real difference in how they acted at school and at home, while still getting them interested in theatre.” For the past two years, the club has been a huge success at Evanston, and Wabi hopes it will continue long after he is gone. But now, as a college graduate, Wabi plans to enjoy his summer before he begins his trek to medical school with the hopes of becoming a pediatrician, where he can continue to help children wherever he is needed. accomplished each one of those goals through his service at Word Play (a creative writing and tutoring center) and Gabriel’s Place (a holistic health center that served food to the community in a food desert).

As Wabi closes this chapter of his life and begins a new one, one thing is certain—he will continue to serve others, build relationships and make an impact on the lives of others.

But he says it was his time volunteering with the Evanston Academy drama club that had the biggest impact on him and, he believes, in the community. When Wabi began his volunteering at Evanston Academy, an inner-city elementary school in Cincinnati, he was a tutor. But as he spent his time there, he realized that many of the students he worked with came from difficult home situations and needed an outlet for their feelings as well as an after-school activity. Just as he found a solution for the former mine-working children in Congo, Wabi used his service-minded outlook and found a solution for the kids at Evanston Academy. Wabi, a former Purple Masque Player who was involved in every play for four years at Father Ryan, started a drama club at Evanston. And though his lesson plans included studying plays and acting, just like he did at Father Ryan, after meeting with the students, he realized

Opposite: Wabi Tela ’14 plans to become a pediatrician to continue to help children in need. Above: Wabi was named a Community Engaged Fellow at Xavier University, which is awarded to incoming freshmen who excel in service and choose engagement as part of their undergraduate experience at Xavier. Top: Some of the 415 children of the Congo who received the 1,200 pound shipment of clothing that Wabi and his team collected through Kemi’s Friends. Many Father Ryan Irish shirts were donated to the children. 23

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SERVE EVERYONE Tom Morales ’72 Restores a Civil Rights Landmark Almost 60 years ago, a downtown Nashville retail store became a flashpoint for the 1960 lunch counter sit-ins. Now, it’s become a center of attention again as Father Ryan alumnus and noted restaurateur Tom Morales ’72, seeks to remember and honor Nashville’s Civil Rights pioneers with the opening of his new historically relevant 24

and culturally important restaurant, Woolworth on 5th in downtown Nashville. For those unaware of the significance of the Woolworth Building and what it means for the civil rights era, here is some history. The former F.W. Woolworth department store at 221 5th Avenue N., where the new Woolworth and 5th restaurant is housed, was the site of lunch counter sit-ins during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement in Nashville and where civil rights leader and Congressman John Lewis was first arrested. The building is now listed on the newly created U.S. Civil Rights Trail. F.W. Woolworth opened in 1930 and occupied the basement, street and mezzanine levels of today’s building. It was a department store where many families came together to shop, a place known and frequented by many Father Ryan families. Morales remembers visiting the store as a child with his parents and siblings – often for the famous milkshakes. After the Woolworth store closed, the site sat vacant for many years and later became a

Dollar General. Then, in 2017, Morales and his team bought the building and began restoring it to its historic roots. Luckily, much of the historic aspects of the building were still intact. “So much of Southern history is hidden, but it needs to be told,” Morales said. “As we started the renovations of the space and began peeling back the layers, we found the core of the building was still there. It was quite the undertaking to preserve it, but I felt it was important to tell that history. “ And now, thanks to Morales and his team, the site has returned to its roots, honoring the history of the space, the people who fought for their rights and the culture of the time. Woolworth on 5th is the latest in a long line of historic restorations that Morales and his team have worked on through the years. Before Woolworth, they restored the Acme Feed and Seed building on Broadway and Loveless Café and launched two new restaurants: Southern Steak & Oyster and Fin and Pearl Seafood. He is also the founder of TomKats,

a 30-year-old catering company that has served more than 2,000 productions around the world. But the Woolworth Building and its history struck a chord with Morales. “When we bought Loveless, we felt we were saving an “eating” tradition, Acme was about saving a postcard-like building that people remember from their youth, but Woolworth was an important moment in history, black history and American history.” People who visited the old Woolworth building in its heyday will remember the original terrazzo floors that have been restored, with details remaining such as the patched holes that show the location of the formerly-segregated lunch counter, the original hand-laid tiles, the upper-level mezzanine, the original gilded handrails and the art deco aesthetic of that time. To continue to tell the Building’s history, Morales added a window display chronicling its history, including photos of civil rights activists, and rebuilt the historic lunch counter. Woolworth, which opened in February of this year, is packed throughout the day serving Southern comfort food at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Morales says the menu is a “salute to Southern soul food with a creative twist” and can be seen in dishes like his southern Caesar salad with country ham and okra, his squash fritter po’ boy and his hibiscus-brined pork chops.

Additionally, the restaurant’s basement, called the New Era Ballroom, hosts regular music and dance shows featuring music from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s and a weekly mixed arts night hosted by Barry Scott. They also host social justice events and historical lectures to those interested in learning more about the Civil Rights Movement and the role the Woolworth Building played in that movement. In the past few months, Morales has welcomed a diverse cross-section of people to Woolworth on 5th, from celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Ava DuVernay, (the director of the movie Selma) to the Civil Rights heroes who are coming back many years later to show Morales the cigarette burns they received while sitting at Woolworth’s lunch counter all those years ago. And he’s welcomed younger patrons like the Father Ryan Social Justice Club, coming to learn, honor and witness to the people who sat in this building, on these stools, and fought so hard for justice, which makes Morales quite proud. “Whatever happens to our restaurant, I’m glad the physical property was saved. That moment in 1960 has been preserved. People can actually go in and stand right where John Lewis stood. It is more than a historical marker. This is real, living history.”

Above: Over a meal of good Southern food, Tom Morales ’72 (center) is bridging the generations and opening up an important legacy for all Nashvillians. 25

REUNION WEEKEND 2018 Reunion Weekend this year honored graduates from the classes of ’73, ’78, ’83, ’88, ’93, ’98, ’08 and of course, the Class of 1968, who celebrated their 50-year reunion and became the newest inductees into our Golden Grad Society.

Reunion weekend meant gatherings of alumni across the city, from golfers at the Lou Graham Alumni Tournament, won this year by Chris Cross, Doug Stacey ’93 and Eric Kruse ’92, (top left) to the Golden Grad celebration (top right), with Jim O’Hara ’68, Mike Spore ’68 and longtime volleyball coach Suzanne Spore, to Class parties, including the classes of (left to right, top to bottom) 2008, 1978, 1973, 1983, 1988, and 1998.

Reunion weekend began on Friday morning, June 1, when more than 100 Irish golf enthusiasts teed off at Gaylord Springs Golf Links in the 11th Annual Lou Graham Golf Tournament. Hosted by its namesake and 1975 U.S. Open Champion Lou Graham ’56, the tournament has become a staple of Reunion Weekend. Then, after a big Friday night Alumni reception on campus, eight reunion parties took place all over Music City on Saturday. Classmates were laughing, reconnecting, and reliving Irish memories! To close out the weekend on Sunday, we honored the Class of 1968 with a special Mass, brunch and Golden Grad Society in26

duction ceremony. The Mass was led by 1973 graduate Father Pat Kibby, and two members of the Class of ’68—Harry Guess and Andy McKenzie—served as Deacons. Reunion weekend is always an emotional time; it stirs up nostalgic memories and reminds us that time truly does fly. We take this weekend every year to slow down, appreciate the good times, and remember how blessed we are that God has given us the wonderful family that is Father Ryan.

Gathered in front of the school’s original doors, the Class of 1968 proudly display their Golden Grad status: First row: Nolan Sharbel, Ron Gibbs, Larry Tant, William Hooker, Doug Resha, Gary Livingston, Tim Adgent, Joe Burns, Mike Derrick, John Bearden, Kenny Armstrong, Tony Herrara, Phil Friedli, Phil Hirst. Second row: Dennis McBride, Phil Disser, Pat Curran, Jerry Harris, John Roper, Chris Greene, Larry Jackson, Larry Petty, Jim Day, Andy McKenzie. Third row: Will Lancaster, Phil Daugherty, Mike Spore, Steve Sanders, Joe Schipani, Louis McRedmond, Tommy Lynch, Joe Corbett, Mark Fishburn, Skip Beasley. Fourth row: Jon Conlin, Mike Smith, Jim McCann, Harry Guess, Jim O’Hara, Gary Leedham, Jim McKay, Willie Fort, Gary Vaughn, Tommy James, Pat Kain, Ed Carr.

REFLECTIONS ON A MEMORABLE YEAR This year’s Golden Grad class lived through a memorable four years at Father Ryan. The class’s Valedictorian and award-winning journalist and public policy voice Jim O’Hara shared a perspective on that remarkable senior year. The Class of 1968. High school graduation is one of the most memorable rites of passage. Yet ours seems even more so now, as that year in our country’s history is recounted. “1968 was a year filled with conflict and transformation,” USA Today began its yearlong series on our graduation year. In a recent Wall Street Journal article, Patrick Buchanan wrote “The unity we knew in the Eisenhower-Kennedy era is gone. 1968 was the great divide. 1968 was the turning point.” Is that how we felt at the time? Did we know that then? Maybe our rite of passage, our feeling and understanding of our time in the nation’s history, actually happened five years earlier. It may, by now, be a cliché to ask, but is there a one of us who can’t recall where we were shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Friday, November 22, 1963? Remember being ushered into the parish church for a rosary before being sent home? And there was an earlier rite of passage that many of us didn’t share, but several of our classmates did. That of being a young black man in a country still coming to terms with its “original sin.” To some degree, it became a shared experience the spring of our senior year with the encampment of the National Guard in Centennial Park, and we all learned, as it was recently written in Irish Ayes, that it meant one thing to go home to North Nashville and something else to go home down West End or 21st Avenue or over the Woodland Street Bridge. Is that how we felt at the time? Did we know that then? Your senior year in high school. Isn’t that one of the last safe havens? A time when you can try on the various costumes of adulthood and see which fits the best? Senior year, 1967-68, began with a change about how it would end: the announcement that our graduation would be the first at the War Memorial Auditorium.

Just as quickly, though, the routine of the school year kicked in. Football games at West End Junior High followed by basketball games and wrestling matches in our band-box gym. Dances in the gym after big games with the Lemonade Charade belting out “Yellow Brick Road.” Aspiring politicians engaged in CYO’s Youth Government Day as members of the Progressive Youth Party or the Pacemakers. “Sing-Out South” cast members performing in Nashville and around the mid-state. The Moina, aspiring to be more than just a school newspaper, polled students on the local liquorby-the-drink referendum and found 70% in support. Change continued. The chapel was re-designed to finally accommodate the Vatican II reforms already apparent in some parishes across the city. The pews were gone and the altar stood in the middle. A “folk Mass” dedicated it. Spring of our senior year was anything but routine, though we tried hard to make it so with the senior play, “Ten Little Indians,” the annual Showtime CYO musical, and the spring sports of those days, golf, tennis and baseball. But the national headlines of the day intruded. The Tet Offensive of January. The Kerner Commission report of February. The New Hampshire primary and President Johnson’s withdrawal from the 1968 presidential campaign of March. All brought home just a few blocks from Ryan with Bobby Kennedy’s appearance at Vanderbilt’s Impact Symposium. And then came April 4, 1968. It was as if our coming of age, our rites of passage were to be bookended by assassinations that changed our nation, changed us. Is that how we felt at the time? Did we know that then? We reached for normalcy in May. We and our families gathered at the War Memorial Auditorium for that age-old ceremony, both routine and changing: our graduation. And, for the last 50 years we have still been making and shaping The Class of 1968. 27

Classnotes summer 2018

FLASHBACK 80 YEARS! When the Irish touch the crest touchstone on their way to the field this fall, they will represent the 94th

edition of the Father Ryan football team. They’ll look different than the 15th edition, which wore the purple in 1939. But some of the names will be very familiar—even if they are nicknames—and the Irish spirit will be unmistakable. Here, coached by Leo Long (left, back row), come the Irish: (First row, l. to r.) Hawk Campbell ’42, Jim Puckett ’41, John Burns ’40, Charles Crouch ’40, V. Harvey, John Colley ’39 and Footie. (Second row) Toney Davis ’40, Frank Mather ’39, Jack Allardice 41, Dutch McCall, Flash Cunningham ’39, Ben Nance ’39, Tommy St. Charles ’40, Charlie Miller ’41, unidentified. (Third row) T. Martin ’40, Itch Curley, Bernie Rohling ’40, Bob Grannis ’39, Jim Burns ’41, Jim Curley ’40, Frank Weber ’40, Charlie Black ’41, John Henning, Vic Varallo ’42, Jim “Houndy” Bauer ’38 and Toney Cochran. 1950 JUDGE JOHN O. WILLIAMS recent-

ly received the FAA’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, recognizing his 67-year, accident-free piloting career. Judge William’s flying career began with the Civil Air Patrol, Nashville Squadron, in 1948 as a cadet major. While attending both Vanderbilt and as a music major at the then George Peabody College, he entered the U.S. Air Force and served in the Korean War as a pilot and ultimately the director of the U.S. Air Force 752nd Air Force Show Band while stationed in Alaska. He continues in aviation as a general aviation multiengine pilot. He and his wife Shirley Vaughan Williams (SCA 1949) live on St. Simons Island, Georgia. 1978 DOUG MARKHAM retired in July af-

tor of Human Resources for the Diocese of cation Awards for Nashville. He has over 35 years of profesClark County pubsional managerial experience, with the last lic schools in Las 22 years in human resources management. Vegas, NV. She is a Bill comes to the diocese from SMS HoldS p e e c h - L a ng u ag e ings where he was Senior Vice President Pathologist at Shirof Human Resources. He serves on Father ley and Bill Wallin Ryan’s Board of Trustees, Mary Queen of Elementary School. Angels Assisted Living Board of Trustees, Bonnie holds a Masand the Mitchell College of Business Board ter of Art in Speech of Directors. Pathology from University of Memphis and will earn a Master of Education in Admin1986 LIEUTENANT COLONEL PAT istrative Leadership from UNLV this year. ROTIER retired in June after serving 24 years in the Army. His military career in- 2000 PAUL DERRICK was named Head cluded deployments in Kosovo, Iraq, and Football Coach at Afghanistan as well as assignments stateside Nolensville High at Fort Bragg, NC. Pat finished his career as School after spendthe J-2, Joint Force Headquarters-Cyber, ing two seasons as Army Cyber at Ft. Gordon, GA. He earned their defensive coornumerous awards including the Bronze Star dinator. Prior to NoMedal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal lensville, Paul was and Global War on Terrorism Expeditiondefensive coordinaary Medal. Pat and his wife, Angela, live in tor on Ravenwood’s Appling, GA. 2015 Class 6A State Championship team.

ter working 31 years in the communications department with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. He was also the host for local hunting and fishing tv and radio shows and wrote two books, Boxes, Rockets, and Pens: A History of Wildlife Recovery in Tennessee and The Compleat Tennessee Angler: Everything You Need to Know 1988 BONNIE (CUNLIFFE) LAMPING 2008 PHILIP DAVIS completed his first About Fishing in the Volunteer State. was awarded The People’s Choice Teach- year at Martin Luther King, Jr. Magnet 1979 BILL STEJSKAL is the new Direc- er of the Year at the 2017 Heart of Edu- School in Nashville where he is Head 28

Coach of the boys’ varsity soccer 2012 MEGAN MULLIS is a Texas A&M University-Corprogram. The team won the District pus Christi Ph.D. Tournament Championship for only student studying the second time in school history. marine biology 2009 TYLER BROWN (stage name with a focus on Tyler Joseph) has been accepted into the microbiology in Apprentice Program at Williamstown extreme environTheatre Festival this summer. Appren- ments. She recently received the Internatices receive high-level training within a tional Ocean Discovery Program Schprofessional theatre company. Past ap- langer Fellowship, one of four awarded prentices include Phillip Seymour Hoff- for 2018-2019. man, Allison Janney, and Chris Pine. 2015 BEN WEISEL won the Ohio See more at tyler-joseph.com. Valley Conference Indoor Track Cham2009 NICK HAYNES is working in pionship in the mile event with a firstNashville as a freelance trumpet player. place time of 4:10.09. As a rising senior He received a Gospel Music Association at Belmont University, Ben is preparing Dove Award in 2017 and is a Gram- for his final season for the Bruins. my nominated artist for 2018, both for his work on the MercyMe album 2017 CARLIE JAMISON, a walk-on Lifer. Learn more about Nick’s music at for the softball team at Spring Hill College, was selected to the Conference nickhaynestrumpet.com. All-Academic Softball Team. She start2011 AMANDA BOWLDS has accepted ed most games as right fielder for the the position of Speech Language Pathol- Badgers, who went 23-14 (18-1 in conogist with NHC-Maury Regional Tran- ference). Carlie’s play on the field and sitional Care Center in Columbia, TN. her 4.0 GPA helped secure her spot on In her new role, Amanda will assess, the All-Academic Team. diagnose and treat patients with their rehabilitation of communication and 2017 CHRISTIAN SIMPSON dove for the Vols Swim swallowing disorders. She will focus on Club at the 2018 deficits in memory, attention and probCollegiate Club lem solving/processing, working priSwimming and marily with patients with dementia and Diving National Alzheimer’s. She will also be responsible Championships. for addressing oral/laryngeal muscle He placed 7th strengths and coordination with regards on the 1-meter to safe swallowing. board and 3rd on the 3-meter board to 2012 DOMENIC CANONICO is work- earn Club All-American. Christian is ing this summer at the Vatican for the also the manager of the UT Diving team Congregation of the Doctrine of the and traveled all around the country with Faith. He graduated in 2016 with a ma- the team. jor in the Program of Liberal Studies and a major in Italian from the Universi- 2017 NICK WOLF was named to the All-Ohio Valty of Notre Dame. Domenic is entering ley Conference Columbia Law School in the fall. Golf Team af2012 ANDY FRANKLIN, Youth Hockter an outstandey Coordinator at Ford Ice Center in ing season for Antioch, TN, was named USA HockUT Martin. He ey’s Associate Goaltending Coordinator also earned a of the South. He will continue with his spot on the fiveduties as Head Coach of youth hockey man All-OVC Newcomer squad. Nick programming at Ford Ice in addition to is just the ninth Skyhawk to bring home his new role assisting in goaltending de- All-OVC Newcomer accolades and is velopment programs within the South- only the second UT Martin freshman to ern Amateur Hockey Association. garner All-OVC status.

A REUNION, 50 YEARS IN THE MAKING Irish Ayes readers will remember meeting Harry Guess ’68 and Willie Fort ’68 in the recent winter issue and hearing the story from Eileen Beehan (St. Bernard Academy ’68) of the warm welcome she received from Harry, Willie and Paul Douglas ’68 as a student in German class. Well, because of that article and the attention it and other publications shone on that pivotal 1968 year, the Father Ryan klassenzimmer had its own reunion during the Class of 1968’s Reunion party. Eileen (shown above with Harry and Willie) was an invited guest and reconnected with her classmates, sharing stories about those high school days and the appreciation she had for the kindnesses she received from each of these Irish students. It was another special part of an exceptional Golden Grad year for the Class of 1968.

Births summer 2018

William Jude (Bo) was born on October 31, 2017, to KELLY

and JOHN Ruth.

ARMOUR ’98 .

Bo joins brother Jack and sister

Paul Henry to ELISE and PAUL ARNOW ’03, born on April

19, 2018. Henry James to LAURA (WILSON) ’02 and BRIAN CORDELL ,

born on January 12, 2018. He joins big sister, Elizabeth (5). Jackson Wallace to SUZIE and MARK ’03 FULKS, JR.,

born on January 25, 2017. Mark is the manager of Mark’s Automotive Repair Center’s new Mt. Juliet location.

William Jude Armour

Paul Henry Arnow

Henry James Cordell

Thomas Jude Gorman

Sloan Marie Graves

Davis John Griffith

Elijah Christopher Meriwether

Sofia Maria Schrimpf

Maylee Kate Smith

Dominic Joseph and Violet Mary Stockwell

Thomas Jude to JAIMIE (RAGGHIANTI) ’05 and LOWELL GORMAN ’00, born February 17, 2018. Thomas Jude joins big

sister Annie James. Sloan Marie to PARKER and CONNER GRAVES ’10, born on

January 8, 2018. Sloan joins cousins Hudson (6) and Sullivan (4), sons of Luke Graves ’02. Davis John to BRITTNEY (TESTERMAN) ’03 and PATRICK GRIFFITH ’03 , born on February 16, 2018. Davis is getting lots

of love from his big sister, Cecilia. Elijah Christopher to BRITTANY (FRANCESCON) ’02 and CHRIS MERIWETHER ’06,

born on March 30, 2018. Eli joins big sister Isla (2) in the growing Meriwether family. Sofia Maria adopted by ANNA and STEVEN ’00 SCHRIMPF,

born on January 16, 2017, and adopted on March 13, 2018. Sadie Mae to JENNIFER (CATIGNANI) ’01 and MICHAEL SCRUGGS, JR.,

born on July 17, 2017.

Maylee Kate to EMILY (KREH) ’14 and JERRED SMITH , born

on March 21, 2018. Dominic Joseph and Violet Mary to KATIE (CALDARULO) ’03 and CHRIS STOCKWELL ’97, born on September 26, 2016.

The twins join siblings Grace (2) and Luke (3).

Sadie Mae Scruggs

Weddings summer 2018

RELAY FOR LIFE IS COMING Sarah Kate and Tyler DeBoer

Dana and Colin Marcum

Joe and Jenny Hazard

Melissa and Jeremy Meriwether

BONNIE (FULKS) ’08 and MICHAEL BYERS were married

on July 15, 2017, at St. Stephen Catholic Community. Bonnie is a Speech-Language Pathologist for Williamson County Schools. SARAH KATE (HUTCHISON) ’11 and TYLER DEBOER

were married on May 26, 2018, at The Barn at Sycamore Farms. The couple lives in Nashville and are excited to begin their lives together. MONICA (GONZALEZ PANIAUGA) and JOE GOMBOS ’89 were married on February 23, 2018, in Costa Rica.

The couple lives in Nashville, where Joe is a mechanic with SkyWest Airlines. JENNY (MUZZEY) ’95 and HOMER HAZARD were married

on October 13, 2017, on the beach in Destin, FL. DANA (ARNOW) ’08 and COLIN MARCUM were married

On Saturday, September 22, 2018, Father Ryan will host its 9th Annual Relay for Life. The day will be filled with touching tributes, courageous acts of charity, fun and, of course, walking. For JOE LOFARO ’81, it will be a day not only to raise money for the American Cancer Society, but a day to raise awareness of a rare form of cancer that he is battling. Joe was recently diagnosed with an uncurable blood cancer called Erdheim-Chester Disease, which involves the excessive production of histiocytes, a type of white blood cell. These cells, which normally help fight infection and injury, gather in different organs and tissues and can result in a variety of symptoms, including organ failure. As this is a very rare disease, no large studies have been performed, and no treatment plan has been established that is widely accepted. But, Joe, who is being treated at Vanderbilt Medical Center, is undeterred in his effort to raise awareness of this little known disease. Although he lives in Martin, TN, Joe is forming a Relay for Life team and is rallying his Father Ryan classmates to join him in this fight for him and all who are affected by cancer. If you are interested in joining Joe’s Relay team, please contact Joe at joelofaro36@gmail.com. Members of the Class of ’81 and any others are all welcome! And we encourage all who have been personally touched by cancer or want to help others to create a team in support of our Relay for Life event! Contact Michelle Mast at mastm@fatherryan.org Visit fatherryan.org/relayforlife for more information.

on November 10, 2017, in Captiva Island, Florida. MELISSA (SHAVER) and JEREMY MERIWETHER ’04

were married on February 3, 2018, at The Loveless Barn in Nashville. 31

In Memoriam summer 2018*

EDWARD A. ADELMAN, SR: Richard Hutchison, Jr. ’76, An-

Father of Catherine Hancock, Ed Adelman, Jr. ’72, Frank Adelman ’74, and Bill Adelman ’75.

gela Thompson, Anna Baugh, and Carol Vick; and sister of Salvatore “Tony” Formosa, Sr., Pete Formosa, Sr. ’43, and Angelo Formosa, Jr. ’46 (all deDICK BARUZZINI: husband of ceased). Wupsie (former staff, deceased) and father of Mark Baruzzini JOHN G. “JERRY” BURNS, ’76, Beth Koons ’78, Brent Ba- JR. ’70: Son of John G. Burns, ruzzini ’79, Cathy Baruzzini ’80, Sr. ’44, and brother of Jan Fran Mandrell ’81, and Morgan Molteni, Anne Lenox, Teresa Creecy, Alvin ’70, Billy ’76, and Baruzzini ’84 Paul “Debo” ’80 Burns. MARY KATHRYN BATEMAN:

LOU CAMBRON: Daughter of Matt Bateman ’82 MARY Mother of Robert (deceased), (deceased). Richard ’80, Donald ’82, and LINDA A. BEATY ’80: Mark ’87 Cambron. Daughter of H. Wayne Beaty ’59, and sister of Lisa Miller ERIC T. “TERRY” CARON ’81 (Jim ’82), Linda Craven ’83 ’64: Brother of the late Don (Mark ’81), Laura Craven ’90 Caron ’62. (Jim ’83), and Donna Moore. CHARLINE B. CATIGNANI:

nie Watson, Ed ’50 (deceased), Casper ’51 Wolf and Helen MaTommy ’55 (deceased), Jim ’62, son, Dorothy Solgot (deceased), Mike ’68, and Bob ’72 Derrick. and Marie Baltz (deceased). DIANE

QUINN

DICKMAN: ANN “CONNIE” GILLESPIE:

Wife of Jim Dickman ’64; mother of Philip Dickman ’00; and sister of Thomas Quinn ’68, Kevin, and Daniel ’72 Quinn and Patricia Halterman.

Mother of Cliff Gillespie ’66 (deceased), Gerry Gillespie ’76, and Rita Raymer ’78. MATTIAS J. “MATT” GORHAM, JR. ’54: Father of Matt

AMPARO “ANNE” DOMIN- III ’78, Bobby ’82, and Tee ’85 GUEZ: Mother of John ’81, An- Gorham and Karen Ableman;

drew ’83, and Phil ’87 Domin- and brother of Shirley Rich and guez. John Gorham ’54. MICHAEL A. DRENNAN ’85:

Son of the late Billy Drennan ’60, and brother of William “Doc” Drennan, Jr., Dena Rutledge ’86, and Matt Drennan ’93.

ROBERT W. GREENE, SR. ’47. ARTHUR

GUEPE

’60:

Brother of Ann Harris and Richard Guepe ’64.

KATELYN ELIZABETH ER- WILLIAM J. “CHAMP” GUPVIN: Daughter of Steve Ervin TON, JR. ’76: Father of Wil-

liam J. “Trey” Gupton III ’02. Mother of Emile ’69, Louis III ’71. Albert Bender, Jr., Tanya Bend- ’73, and Milly ’76 Catignani, FRANK J. HALLIBURTON, MARIE FARMER: Mother of er Henderson ’74, and Aynoka and wife of the late Louis J. CatJR. ’59: Father of Frank HalliBill Farmer ’65. ignani, Jr. ’44. Bender. burton ’81 and Sarah Harris ’83. LENA D. BENDER: Mother of

JOHN M. “JACK” FERGUPATRICK “MIKE” HARRISON SON ’51. of Lindy Hulan, Jamie Summers Brother of LeRoy Cole, Jr. ’60. ’67. ’93, and Jeremy Birdwell ’96. D.J. FONTANA: Father of DaJOHN R. “RICHARD” CONPETER A. HILLIER: Father of vid ’78 and Jeff ’81 Fontana. ROBERT W. “BOB” BOL- DITT ’69: Brother of Charles Staci Rose and Kristen Davis STER ’47: Father of Martha Conditt, Jr. ’65. EDWIN P. FOSTER ’60. ’89. DENNIS BIRDWELL: Father

Wilkins, Katherine McKinnon, Robert Bolster, Jr., Maxson Bolster, and Rhodes Bolster ’11; brother of Leo ’35 and William ’43 Bolster (both deceased). HUGH M. BREEN ’47: Father

of Marianna Lane ’74, Michelle Jones ’75, and Karen King ’78; and brother of Paul Breen, Jr. ’40 (deceased), Bill Breen ’43 (deceased), Tom Breen ’51 (deceased), Fr. Joe Pat Breen ’54, Fr. Philip Breen ’57 (deceased), Ann Treadway, Mary Jo Beavin, and Dorothy Williams. JEAN ANN BREEN: Wife of

JOSEPH B. “JOE” COLE ’62:

CATHERINE A. CONNERS: TED V. FRANKLIN:

MothSister of Mary Margaret Con- er of Robert G. Franklin, Jr. ners, John T. Conners, Jr. ’37, ’77 and Anita Shacklett (deAnne Broden (all deceased), and ceased). James J. Conners ’42. BOB FRAZIER ’50: Brother of DAVID A. COODE: Father of Edward ’46 (deceased), Carey Zach Coode ’11. ’54 Frazier, Ann Evans and PaWILLIAM J. “BUDDY” CUR- tricia Kuhlman. RAN III: Father of John C. Cur-

CONNOR

HOBBS:

Mother of Bill Hobbs ’73, and sister of Ann Connor (deceased), Mike Connor ’61 and Doll Hunt. MATT HOLZEMER ’02: Son of

Deacon Jim Holzemer ’69.

KATHLEEN O. HOMMRICH: HARVILLE A. “TONY” FREE- Mother of Mark, David, LAND, JR. ’59: Father of Kath- Gary and Tim Hommrich ’87

ran (deceased), Melissa Hite ’88, and Matt Curran ’91. erine Guthrie (deceased) and and Sharon Jackson ’79. HOWARD D. “BILL” DER- Tony Freeland III ’80.

PATRICK T. “PAT” KAVANANOBUYO “BETTY” FUSELI- UGH ’72: Brother of Mike ’70 rick ’74 (deceased), Mary Ray ER: Mother of Lenora Nash ’71, (deceased) and Joe Kavanaugh. RICK ’48: Father of Matt Der-

’75, Ann Strode ’76, Theresa “Tookie” Andrews ’77, Margaret Simpson, Joanie Conrad ROSE FORMOSA BROMLEY: ’80 (deceased), John Derrick Mother of Dale Richardson, ’84 and Ruthie Glover ’85; and Jr. ’73, Catherine Eubank ’75, brother of Polly Curran, Monthe late Tom Breen ’51.

MARIE

Debbie Wilson ’73, and Diane VINCENT L. KEE ’67. Fuselier ’74 (deceased). LORETTO WOLF GARVIE:

Sister of Charles ’49 (deceased), Tommy ’55 (deceased) and

*As of June 30, 2018

MARY VICTORIA LANGTON: ROBERT M. OSBORNE ’60:

Wife of former Father Ryan Brother of Jim (deceased), JerPrincipal Jack Langton. ry ’58, Dennis ’61 (deceased), Frank ’64, Tim, John, Kenny, KIMBERLY LANGTEAU Michael ’66, and David ’69 OsLARSEN ’97: Sister of Haley borne. Nagel ’95 and Erin Langteau ’02. GEORGE M. “MIKE” PHILLIPS: Father of Michelle MullDORIS MEADORS LEE: ins ’94, Mellanie Bush ’96, and Mother of Erica Lee Ransom Mellisa Phillips ’99. ’81 and Kamela Davis ’82. C. GARY PORTER: Father of MARY V. LOFARO: Mother of John Porter and Elizabeth Fox Joe ’81, Mike, Nick, and Gene ’96. ’95 Lofaro. JUDY O. PRITCHETT: Mother WILLIAM F. “BILL” LOW: Fa- of David Pritchett ’86, Walter ther of Nancy Raines ’90 and Pritchett ’88, and Susanna ButMarney Patterson ’97. ler ’88. LAWRENCE L. “LARRY” LUSTER ’65: Brother of Clark

Luster ’62, Mary Jo Dortch, Ginger Sullivan, and Mike Luster ’81. EDWARD H. MASCOLO: Fa-

ther of Mark ’82 and Brian ’84 Mascolo. ROGER G. MCCLELLAN ’70:

Brother of Kenny McClellan ’73. NATHAN J. MCDADE ’99:

Son of Dennis McDade ’69, and brother of Mallory Nipper ’01 and Molly McDade. JERRY MCQUESTEN: Father

of Lisa Burr, Gary McQuesten ’84 and Katy McQuesten ’89. L. FRANK NEELEY, SR. ’51:

Father of Pat Neeley (deceased), Vince Neeley ’73, Mike Neeley ’74, Pam Gregory ’74, Theresa Lawrence, Tim Neeley ’81 and Frank Neeley, Jr. ’85. WILLIE M. NETTLES: Father

EVA

GIBBONS

QUIRK:

Mother of Julia Q. Lawson, Jack Quirk ’65, Patty Q. Mayo, Tim Quirk ’69, Marty Quirk (deceased), Daniel Quirk ’73, Kevin Quirk ’75, Shawn Quirk ’78 (deceased), and Mary Q. Craven ’78.

JOAN SEGER: Mother of Ter-

brother of T.J. Derrick ’04, ry ’73, Dan ’74, and Wayne ’76 Brooke Derrick ’07 and Sommer Seger and Becky Summar ’78. Lannon. MARGARET O. SEIGEN- ALEXANDER F. WIGGS, SR. THALER: Wife of the late Cor- ’46: Father of Kathryn Mc-

nelius “Connie” Seigenthaler Donald ’79 (Gary ’80), Bren’50. da Lynch ’80 (John ’80), Alex Wiggs, Jr. ’81, Eileen Dodson ELIZABETH “BETSY” GRIF- ’84 and Chris Wiggs ’88; and FITH SHARBEL: Wife of Herb brother of Msgr. Joel Wiggs ’42 Sharbel ’65; mother of Ben ’99 and Robert Wiggs ’43 (both deand Pete ’04 Sharbel; daughter ceased). of the late William L. Griffith ’36; and sister of Bill Griffith HERBERT C. WILLIAMS, SR.: ’62 (deceased) and John Griffith Father of Claudia Archer, Herb ’73. Williams Jr., ’72, Mike Williams ’75, Teresa Valentine ’75, ROBERT SIVLEY: Brother of Terry Williams ’77, Andy WilCharles Sivley ’61. liams, Kelly Staggs, and Grace Broyles. S.H. “JACK” SROUJI: Father of John Srouji ’85, Joseph Srou- JO ANNE WILLIAMS: Wife of ji ’90, Claire Davis, and Julie the late Joseph V. Williams ’48. Gantner. VICKI L. WOOD ’83.

Mother of Marty Morgan ’73, Candy DOROTHY ZIMMERLE: MothMorgan, Beth Morgan, Liana er of Terri Lanius (deceased), Baltz, and Lorrie Morgan. Jerry Zimmerle ’59, and Edwin JESSE C. REED ’04: Brother Zimmerle ’73. CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL of Seth and Jason ’01 Reed. “MIKE” VARALLO ’82: Son MICHAEL REESE ’73: Father of Frank A. Varallo III ’56, and of Mick ’97 and Chris Reese brother of Frank Varallo IV ’79 Stay in Touch with the ’00; son of James Reese ’37 (de- (deceased), Jennifer Varallo, FATHER RYAN ceased); and brother of Mary Jo and Greg Varallo ’90. FAMILY Burns, Jimmy Reese ’62, Libby JACK WALTON, JR.: Husband Irish Ayes is always eager to hear Aaron, Cecelia Inman, Delia what and how our alumni and of Patricia (Feldhaus) Walton Reese, and Theresa Stacey (defamilies are doing. Send us your ’77 and father of Amy Phillips ceased). updates on college experiences, ’02, Jack Walton, III, and Kellie jobs and promotions, marriages, births and other BETTE REILLY: Mother of Walton ’12. personal highlights to Colleen Knudson, Keith ’90, CATHERINE O. WATSON: fatherryan.org/alumni Kevin ’90 and Tom ’92 Reilly. and click on Stay in Touch to Mother of George H. Watson, complete the form. Jr. ’66 (deceased), Carolyn PadJOHN ANTHONY “TONY” ROSA ’78: Brother of Charles ula, and Nancy Pewitt. Parents of ALUMNI Rosa ’69 and Frankie Rutledge MARGUERITE WEAVER: If your son or daughter no longer (both deceased), Kathy Pitts and Mother of John Weaver ’67. lives at home, please notify the Jim Rosa ’73.

of Evelyn Nettles, Michael NetAUBREY LEE SANDERS ’47: tles ’73, and Francine Lane ’83. Brother of Russell and Joe ’35 JEAN ORTALE: Mother of Pat Sanders (both deceased) and ’71, Jim ’72, Sev ’73, Victor ’76 Ann Ruth Martin. and Buddy ’79 Ortale and AmeJ. GEORGE SCHNEIDER ’71: lia Gesch ’77. Brother of John Schneider ’74.

ANNA

TRAINOR:

JOHN S. “JACK” WEBER, JR. ’47: Brother of Bob ’48,

Bill ’52, Dan ’57 and James ’58 Weber.

Father Ryan Alumni Office by going to fatherryan.org/alumni and click on Stay in Touch to complete the form.

T. PATRICK WHITLEY: Step-

son of Jody Derrick ’75 and

770 Norwood Drive Nashville, TN 37204 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

save the date for a memorable homecoming SEPTEMBER 28, 2018

From the aromas of our 6th Annual Pride in the Pit BBQ Contest to the salute to our Homecoming Queens from years past to the welcome of our Junior Irish fans from throughout the area’s elementary schools, this will be a Homecoming to remember. Come out and honor our soon-to-be Golden Grads from the Class of 1969, our honorary captains, and cheer on the Irish as they face Ensworth High.

Join us and celebrate an Irish Homecoming. For more details, go to www.fatherryan.org/homecoming www.fatherryan.org

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615-383-4200

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Father Ryan High School

Published on Aug 15, 2018

Irish Ayes - Summer 2018

Published on Aug 15, 2018

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