Academic Achievements 2009

2008-09 School Year

Students Inspired To Succeed Through Faith, Knowledge And Service

A Tradition of Faith, Knowledge, Service

A Message from Sara Hayes, Dean of Academics

Education Beyond The Intellect

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ach year I grow more proud of the accomplishments of our students and of the commitment of our faculty and administration to helping these young men and women succeed.

In this magazine we shed light on some of the various ways our students are achieving remarkable things at Father Ryan. No matter the interest level, no matter the subject and no matter the academic level, these young men and women are exploring the realms of knowledge and preparing themselves for an exceptional future.

Our students are studying and accomplishing in the classroom while they also are playing sports, performing in the band, testing their talents in a variety of visual and performing arts and living out a life of service. You’ll see examples of this throughout this piece; know that for every one that you see here, there are dozens more doing equally exceptional work.

We recognize that the scope of knowledge changes. That’s why we are constantly evaluating and adding courses and teaching techniques to make the academic experience more rewarding. We’ve added courses like Environmental Science, where students learn how to be “green” and why that’s important, Comparative Religions, Chinese, Personal Fitness, Asian Studies and Introduction to Film Studies. All of these classes, plus 19 AP classes inspire our students to broaden their interests in their studies and succeed.

I invite you to review these accomplishments and discover again how our students and faculty are making a difference at Father Ryan and how through their academic achievements they are continuing our tradition of Faith, Knowledge and Service.

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hen the bell rings to signal a change of class, students scatter north, south, east and west. Ryan is built campus style with separate buildings surrounding a common courtyard. But the campus layout is only part of the reason that students take so many different paths.

At the core of their education, the values of faith, knowledge and service also direct students to follow their hearts.

Like Shae Keane, who has successfully balanced a challenging academic course load including AP Calculus and AP English with extra-curricular activities—she’s president of the senior class and plays for the lacrosse team—and still makes time to participate in service organizations, like Rachel’s Challenge.

Patrick Marchetti serves as a Eucharistic Minister, is the student body secretary and is a member of the football and wrestling teams.

He has been appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and will enroll there in the fall, where he will join the wrestling team.

This kind of academic and extra-curricular variety is typical of the Father Ryan experience. As a premier Catholic, college preparatory school, Father Ryan knows that curriculum matters to college administrators. Our students have the opportunity to take everything from Web Design to Environmental Science. We offer an extensive list of upper level and honors courses along with 19 AP classes in history, English, psychology, fine arts, math, science, language and music. This variety of studies has inspired 100 percent of the class of 2009 to continue their education and garner some exceptional awards.

Brendan Connolly was named the Region MVP in basketball and DII AA Mr. Basketball finalist, surpassing 1000 points during his high school basketball career. Besides an athlete, he is a Eucharistic Minister, a student council rep, an active participant in the Rachel’s Challenge program and a member of the Cum Laude Society. With successful academic and athletic careers, he will attend Princeton University next year where he will play on the basketball team.

Sarah Wathen has received both an academic and a music scholarship to Belmont University. While at Father Ryan, she actively participated in the choir, qualified for the Mid-State Choir and is a member of the Cum Laude Society.

In addition to academic scholarships, Father Ryan students distinguish themselves on the playing field, earning scholarships in football, basketball, tennis, soccer, wrestling and swimming.

Five seniors were named National Interscholastic Swim Coaches’ Association Academic All-Americans. Lexie Dunn, Mari Clare Derrick, Emily Gilles, Alyssa Plantz and Laura Wigger all had 3.75 overall GPAs for seven semesters in addition to being accomplished swimmers and divers. Only two percent of all high school swimmers and divers are recognized as Academic All Americans each year.

This senior class has 14 National Merit Commended Students, and 11 perfect scores on sections of the ACT and SAT. A total of 141 students took at least one of 19 AP exams this year in addition to other courses at the college-level. Wherever this class leads in the next four to eight years, success will follow.

Father Ryan Students Earn Membership Into Academic Societies.

Changing Courses A

s the 83rd class of Father Ryan High School changes course from high school to beyond, there is an expectation that students will be accepted to college. After all, Father Ryan is a college preparatory school. What’s more, Father Ryan is a Catholic college preparatory school. And this year’s class is pursuing Catholic higher education like never before.

Sarah Wilkinson, Director of College Counseling at Father Ryan, has been working with seniors and their families all year, making college recommendations and helping students make decisions as those acceptances have arrived.

Colleges look to the strength of the curriculum and how hard the students have pushed themselves as well as grade point averages, test scores, recommendations from the administration and teachers and the student’s involvement in extracurricular activities. A higher number of students are seeking acceptance at state schools this year at a time when, according to Wilkinson, “state colleges and universities are selective and getting much more so. The Hope Lottery Scholarship and the General Assembly Merit Scholar for high achievers are attracting high caliber students to Tennessee schools.”

With Father Ryan’s excellent curriculum and focus on work ethic, it’s not hard to believe that this graduating class has been accepted to prestigious colleges and universities close to home such as Vanderbilt University, University of the South and Rhodes College, to schools farther afield: Boston College, Fordham University, Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins University, Carnegie-Mellon, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Villanova, Catholic University of America, Miami University of Ohio, Princeton University, Trinity University, St. Louis University and the University of Notre Dame among others.

One hundred percent of the students pursuing colleges have been accepted to more than 100 different colleges and universities across the country; 18 of those are Catholic institutions.

Graduates Inspired To Seek Catholic College Education

What Are Colleges & Universities Seeking?

Whether for a Catholic higher education, a private college or a state school, Father Ryan’s mission is to prepare students for the college of their choice by focusing on an outstanding curriculum and challenging students to work to their fullest potential.

F ACT Scores Proof of College Preparedness Father Ryan prides itself on welcoming students of a wide range of academic abilities. But while Father Ryan students come to school with different talents, our administration and faculty work to develop academic achievement in all our students. Students are encouraged at every level to discipline themselves and respond to challenges in their fields of interest. Consequently, our students consistently attain high scores in the standardized testings such as the ACT.

Class Rank Deciles

2008 Average ACT

1st Decile

29

2nd Decile

28

3rd-4th Decile

26

5th-6th Decile

24

7th-8th Decile

21

9th-10th Decile

21

ather Ryan’s emphasis on faith, knowledge and service parallels the qualities that Catholic colleges and universities are looking for in their students. This year’s seniors have been accepted to and many are attending the following Catholic colleges: Aquinas College Bellarmine University Boston College Catholic University of America Christian Brothers University College of the Holy Cross DePaul University Duquesne University Fordham University Georgetown University Loyola University of Chicago Loyola University of New Orleans Spring Hill College St. Louis University University of Dayton University of Notre Dame Villanova University Xavier University

Top Students Continue To Impress A

s is typical with students at the top of their class, Father Ryan’s valedictorian and salutatorian, Stephen Bailey and Rachel Hunkler, are not only actively involved in academics, but also in their communities.

Stephen Bailey is certainly not an average student. Throughout his high school career, he has been involved with and excelled in activities across a variety of fields.

He has even set a school record, taking an impressive 13 AP courses while enrolled at Father Ryan. Despite his rigorous course load, he has participated in numerous school organizations like Model U.N., the ACE Mentor Program, music ministry and Science Academy, among others. He has also been involved in track and field.

His activities outside of Father Ryan are equally impressive. He has participated with the St. Henry choir, the Nashville Pipes and Drums and has held a pharmaceutical internship.

That level of involvement and his academic success, not to mention his perfect science score on the ACT and perfect Math score on the SAT, have helped him land enrollment right here in Nashville at Vanderbilt University. He applied for early admission and will join the Commodores as an electrical engineering major in the fall.

Likewise, Hunkler was accepted to Vanderbilt, but was offered a full scholarship to the University of Alabama, where she will be enrolling in the fall. She has chosen to major in Spanish education, for which she is wellprepared following her tenure at Ryan. She belongs to the Spanish Honor Society, served as president

of the Spanish Club and is a member of the Future Teachers of America.

Rachel’s involvement at Ryan spans several fields of interest including cheerleading, youth leadership, campus ministry, music and theater.

Her accomplishments have not gone unnoticed: she has been awarded the Father Black Award, the Princeton Club Award, the Principal’s Award and the Bellevue Exchange Club Student of the Month. These awards are recognition of her exemplary academics, community involvement and character.

With a combination of outstanding academic performance, a perfect writing score on the ACT and dozens of outside activities, Hunkler has earned over $254,000 in scholarship money. Only a few hours from home, she will be immersed in Alabama’s Honors Program and International Honors Program.

In only four years, both Bailey and Hunkler have accomplished an extraordinary amount.

“I am continually impressed with the successes our students achieve each year. Stephen and Rachel are phenomenal examples of what can be accomplished with hard work and the support of a community of teachers, friends and family,” said Jim McIntyre, president.

Bailey has received certificates for the highest academic average in 11 classes while at Father Ryan and Hunkler has won 10 at Academic Night. They were also among 14 Ryan students recognized as National Merit Commended Students this year.

With the heavy amount of academic and extracurriculars under their belts, these top students will have the capability to pursue excellence beyond Father Ryan and achieve leadership roles in their own communities.

McIntyre agrees, “I have no doubt that their dedication and integrity will take them far in life, and I know I will hear great things from them in the future.”

Students Discover Inspiration in the Arts

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eading Shakespearean literature or solving a mathematical equation are important parts of an education, but they aren’t the only parts. One of the strengths of the Father Ryan experience is the breadth of course offerings, designed to ground students in the basics while exposing them to new areas of learning and discovery. Ryan students have the opportunity to develop their skills and excel by expanding their abilities beyond textbooks and computer screens to areas like the fine arts, a growing strength at Father Ryan.

Olivia Morris’s inspiration came from the visual arts. She’s always liked art and developed her artistic talent through Ryan’s many art classes, like AP Studio Art 2-D Design. She won first prize at the diocese’s Catholic Charities Art Competition and her designs were selected for the covers of Father Ryan’s 2008 Christmas Card and 2009 Baccalaureate program. For Michael Wasyliw, inspiration also came from the visual arts. As an AP Art student he won Best of Show at the Urban Housing Solution’s art show and auction for his see-through mailbox entitled “Letters of Hope.”

Students interested in the arts are also participating in theater and music. Like Francis Corby, students can be active in multiple arenas. Corby has participated in Music

Ministry, the Father Ryan Singers and several theater productions like South Pacific.

The Father Ryan Band has a rich tradition providing opportunities for students interested in learning about and playing music, from Jazz Band to Marching Band to AP Music Theory. In 2008, the Marching Band placed 2nd in its class at the Bands of America Grand Nationals, placing 31st among 500 bands in the country. The Winter Guard also placed 2nd in its class in the world at the WGI World Championships.

Numerous Father Ryan band alumni are playing and marching in music and band programs at colleges around the country.

Today, Father Ryan offers courses of study that appeal to a diverse group of students. “It’s our belief that we can educate beyond the intellect by engaging students in subjects that are interesting and have an impact in students’ lives,” said Principal Paul Davis ‘81. “When you have a talented and committed arts faculty like ours, you never know where one arts course might lead an interested student.”

Father Ryan Students Earn Membership Into Academic Societies.

Father Ryan Students Inducted Into Cum Laude Society

Father Ryan Creates Cardinal Newman Association With the increasing level of success Father Ryan students are achieving, the school is creating new ways to recognize their exceptional accomplishments. This year marks the beginning of a new academic honors society at Father Ryan, the Cardinal Newman Association, that recognizes students who have scored 30 or higher on the ACT or 1320 or higher on the SAT.

National Merit Honors 14 Ryan Students

The association is named after Cardinal John Henry Newman, who was known in his lifetime as one who tirelessly pursued study in seeking the truth.

As of April 1, 2009, six juniors and 29 seniors have earned the Cardinal Newman award for their outstanding test scores. The juniors inducted were Kevin M. Davis, Domenic DiGiovanni, Emmy DiGiovanni, Becca Menke, Emily Phillips and Lisa Stuart.

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hirty-three Father Ryan students were honored for their academic achievement with induction into the Cum Laude Society, the most prestigious academic society for secondary schools in the world.

Davis, Maggie DeKalb, Ann Goodrich, Megan Kaiser, Shae Keane, Andrew LaHaie, Patrick Marchetti, Peter McNamara, Olivia Morris, Stephanie Reynolds, Maria Rigby, Courtney Rymer, Hudson Todd, Eric Tudor, Rachel Van Buren and Laura Wigger.

Father Ryan is one of only four schools in Nashville and the only Catholic high school with a Cum Laude Society chapter; it is one of only 14 in Tennessee.

Founded in 1906, the Cum Laude Society is dedicated to honoring scholastic achievement in secondary schools and is modeled after Phi Beta Kappa.

Junior members inducted were Olivia Baird, Katie Boyd, Amie Bradshaw, Katie Butler, Harrison Daigle, Dom DiGiovanni, Emmy DiGiovanni, Stephanie Doctor, Sarah Hayden, Dominic Herrmann, Rebecca Menke, Emily Phillips, Jennifer Travis, Wes Wesley and Chase Wilson.

Father Ryan joined the prestigious collection of schools recognized for their superior academic programs in April 2003. Eighteen seniors and 15 juniors received the honor this year. Senior members inducted, not including the 19 seniors inducted last year, were Allison Abramo, Matt Benenson, Kevin

Membership in the Cum Laude Society is based on weighted grade point average, nationally averaged test scores, and strength of curriculum. The top 20 percent of the senior class and ten percent of the junior class are considered for membership annually.

The seniors were Stephen Bailey, Matt Benenson, Seth Binkley, Erin Blair, Shannon Cain, Liz Conn, Brendan Connolly, Elizabeth Davis, Kevin P. Davis, Shelby Davis, Kerry Durso, Scott Englert, Kathryn Golab, Rachel Hunkler, Nick Lybarger, Peter McNamara, Stephanie Reynolds, Maria Rigby, Ryan Robe, Camille Roberts, Alex Roushdi, Adam Stratz, Hudson Todd, Sarah Wathen, Brandon Ward, Kathryn Webb, Laura Wigger, Katie Wohl and Andrew Zipperer.

Cardinal Newman, a man of enormous intellect, was ordained a deacon in the Church of England and founded the famous Oxford Movement, a movement within the Church of England that aimed to emphasize the church’s Catholic inheritance as a source of legitimacy and deeper spirituality. In the course of his study in this movement, John Newman converted to Roman Catholicism and spent his life working tirelessly for the poor, studying the faith, and helping countless people, both Catholic and non-Catholic alike, with their difficulties of faith.

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ourteen Father Ryan seniors were named as 2008 National Merit Commended Students by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, bringing the number of students honored by National Merit in the last 11 years to 95.

The students named as Commended Students are Stephen Bailey, Matt Benenson, Liz Conn, Brendan Connolly, Scott Englert, Rachel Hunkler, Nick Lybarger, Stephanie Reynolds, Ryan Robe, Alex Roushdi, Hudson Todd, Kathryn Webb, Nick Wilson and Kathryn Wohl.

The students represent a total of 10 parishes and Catholic schools throughout the diocese including the Cathedral, Christ the King, Holy Family, Holy Rosary, Overbrook, St. Bernard, St. Henry and St. Ignatius. Collectively, the students completed a total of 71 Honors and 75 AP classes during their junior and senior years. They have an average weighted GPA of 4.5.

Destined To Serve

ather Ryan is bringing cutting-edge technology to its

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campus by testing the Kindle, an electronic book that

ontinuing Father Ryan’s strong tradition with the nation’s military academies, Patrick Marchetti and William Varley received appointments to the United States Military Academy at West Point and signed their National Letters of Intent to play athletics; Marchetti will wrestle and Varley will swim.

allows users to download books onto and read the text from a handheld device. In the upcoming academic year, the Kindle

will be used in conjunction with the Cooperative Support Program as a tool to help students with learning differences.

“As an academic institution, our duty is to educate our students, and we want to take advantage of emerging

These appointments come after a highly successful year for both students. As co-captain of the wrestling team, Marchetti earned a state championship title in the 160 pound weight (back) Wrestling coach Pat Simpson, Chris Marchetti, Bill Varley, Swim coach Rob Philbin, class, leading Ryan to its 17th state wrestling (front) Gina Marchetti, Patrick Marchetti, William Varley and Pamela Ligon. championship. It was his second consecutive state championship after finishing third as both of Ryan students to the academies may be due to the a freshman and sophomore. “He’s one of the hardest similar values the military embraces as the foundation workers I’ve ever coached,” wrestling coach, Pat for their service. “We expect much from our students— Simpson, said. “He’s probably the ideal athlete to demanding academics and moral behavior. We also coach. He takes all honors classes, he’s a hard worker, provide our students with leadership opportunities, he’s involved in every activity in school he can be.” engaging them in service activities and encouraging Varley has also come a long way in his tenure them to be people of integrity,” McIntyre said. “The at Father Ryan. He received Swimming All-American military welcomes and reinforces those values.” status for his record-setting time in the 50 Freestyle.

As a captain, he also helped his team beat the school Father Ryan Military Academy Appointments record for the 200 Freestyle Relay, and at the State and Acceptances Since 2000 Championships, he propelled the team to 10th place Holly Siebel (U.S. Naval Academy – 2000) among 116 competing teams.

Father Ryan has a long and celebrated history with academy appointments. Since 2000, 18 students have been appointed to military academies. David Anderson ’08 has just started his career after being accepted to three: the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the United States Naval Academy and the United States Air Force Academy. Andre Dieu ’01 is heavily into his career, having graduated from the Air Force Academy and now serving as a pilot stationed in Turkey.

According to Mr. McIntyre, the appeal of the military academies to Ryan students and the appeal

Father Ryan To Introduce New Technology F

Joe Lawless (U.S. Naval Academy – 2000) David Forbes (Citadel – 2000) Andre Dieu (Air Force Prep School and Academy – 2001) Russell Cleeton (Air Force Academy – 2002) Tommy Ragsdale (U.S. Naval Academy – 2002) Patrick Bacue (Citadel – 2003) Harrison Dooley (Citadel – 2004) Raymond Dunning (West Point Prep School – 2004) Stephanie Bacue (Air Force Academy – 2005) Ryan Mudry (Air Force Academy – 2005) Whitt Dunning (West Point – 2005) Alex Cheij (U.S. Naval Academy – 2006) Rusty Denson (Coast Guard – 2006) Charlie Baldinger (West Point – 2007) David Anderson (Air Force Academy – 2008)

technologies in order to give them the best possible education.

The Kindle is an alternative means by which we can address

options on the newest edition. The device is also equipped

each student’s learning needs. We are thrilled to put these

with a text-to-speech feature that enables users to listen to

devices to use in an effort to give our students the best

rather than read the text, much like books on tape.

academic experience,” says Sara Hayes, Academic Dean.

Principal Paul Davis sees the advantage of the Kindle The Kindle’s wireless access makes downloading any of the

at Father Ryan. “We want to continue our tradition of

270,000 books available from Amazon’s Kindle Store easy

faith, knowledge, service, and an important part of that is

and fast. The size of a typical paperback and weighing

fostering academic skills. With the Kindle, we are offering

only 10.3 ounces, the Kindle e-book is a more backpack-

our students with learning differences the tools to succeed.

friendly alternative to heavy textbooks and can store up

We hope to expand the use of these devices to the rest of the

to 1,500 books. Users can operate the Kindle like a regular

student body in the near future.”

book: highlighting, bookmarking and taking notes are all

Advanced Placement Courses Increase; Students Excel

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dvanced Placement courses provide an opportunity for students to challenge themselves with year-long, collegelevel study on a specific subject. The preparation these courses provide enables students to pursue upper level courses in college at an earlier stage, furthering their interests and expanding their educational opportunities.

At Father Ryan, the number of AP courses offered has grown significantly, with subjects such as Statistics, Music Theory, Art and Spanish Literature among those added. The percent of our students taking these exams has dramatically increased as well. For the past five years, the pass rate—a grade of 3 or higher—has remained a constant 80 percent or above.

It’s a story of academic success that reflects the academic challenges our students embrace.

Enrollment

Students Taking AP Exams

% Of Enrollment

# Of Exams

Pass Rate

2004-2005

945

109

11.5

199

80%

2005-2006

925

126

13.6

220

80%

2006-2007

910

131

14.3

231

82%

2007-2008

875

182

20.8

331

82%

2008-2009

865

141

27.7

263

pending

Where this class goes, good things will happen.

Father Ryan’s emphasis on education beyond the intellect and our tradition of Faith, Knowledge, Service have laid the groundwork for the 2009 graduating class to become engineers, architects, business people, actors, musicians, persons committed to service… and leaders. This senior class gained acceptances to more than 100 colleges and universities across the country, including 18 Catholic institutions, with over $13 million in scholarships already awarded.

Where will this class lead? Anywhere they want.

A Tradition of Faith, Knowledge, Service

700 Norwood Drive • Nashville, TN 37204 • (615) 383-4200 • www.FatherRyan.org ©2009 15716

Our seniors were accepted to more than 100 colleges and universities, receiving over $13 million in scholarships. Colleges attending are in bold.

Aquinas College • Auburn University • Austin Peay State University • Bellarmine University • Belmont University • Birmingham-Southern College • Boston College • Boston University • Bradley University • Brevard College • California State University, Channel Islands • Campbellsville University • Carnegie Mellon University • Carson-Newman College • Catholic University of America • Centre College • Christian Brothers University • College of Charleston • College of the Holy Cross Colorado State University • Columbia College • Columbia State Community College • Cumberland University • DePaul University • Duquesne University • Dyersburg State Community College • East Tennessee State University • Emory and Henry College • Florida International University • Fordham University • Georgetown University • Georgia Institute of Technology • Hanover College • Indiana University at Bloomington • Johns Hopkins University • King College • Lambuth University • Lipscomb University • Louisiana State University • Loyola University, Chicago • Loyola University, New Orleans • Maryville College • Methodist University • Miami University, Oxford • Middle Tennessee State University • Millsaps College • Mississippi State University • Nashville Auto-Diesel College • Nashville State Technical Community College • Oberlin College and Conservatory • Oglethorpe University • Pellissippi State Technical Community College • Princeton University • Rhodes College • Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology • Saint Louis University • Savannah College of Art and Design • Sewanee: The University of the South • Shorter College • Southern Methodist University • Southwestern University • Spring Hill College • Tennessee State University • Tennessee Technological University Texas Christian University • Trinity University • Tusculum College • United States Air Force Academy • United States Military Academy • University of Alabama • University of Alabama at Birmingham • University of Arkansas • University of Colorado, Boulder • University of Dayton • University of Evansville • University of Georgia • University of Indianapolis • University of Iowa • University of Kentucky • University of Louisville • University of Mississippi • University of Northern Colorado • University of Notre Dame • University of Oregon • University of Richmond • University of Rochester • University of San Diego • University of Tampa • University of Tennessee, Chattanooga • University of Tennessee, Knoxville • University of Tennessee, Martin • Vanderbilt University • Villanova University • Volunteer State Community College • Wagner College • West Virginia University • Western Carolina University • Western Kentucky University • William Jewell College • Wittenberg University • Xavier University