The Class of 2010 The girls eventually became part of the tradition and were welcomed by their male peers. According to Dieterich, “We didn’t give them a hard time because we weren’t sure,” and he points out that the faculty, too, may have been unsure, simply because they had to adjust their teaching style. But as a student, “it wasn’t that much different to have guys and girls in the classroom. It was kind of nice, because it was more like the real world. We were learning how society is in real life.” That first year, all the class officers were male, but it didn’t take long before a few girls had infiltrated. Girls began to take on more leadership roles and heavily influenced Father Ryan’s curriculum. Teacher C.A. Williams remembers the early years when the school offered classes like Home Economics and Steno Skills. “We had classes in typing, business, short-hand. Girls were being prepared for clerical work or to be a homemaker. Today, it’s not so stereotypical. It’s now anybody’s class, not a guy’s class or a girl’s class.” Williams, who is entering her 39th year at Father Ryan, is an advocate for coeducation. “When I found out Ryan was going co-ed, I was shocked, but I thought it was way cool. I think it’s healthier when guys and girls interact daily and develop those friendships.”
Often cited as an influential woman at Ryan, Williams began her first week of teaching with a learning experience of her own—at the mercy of a student. She taught the last period of the day on the third floor where, she notes, there was no air conditioning. “On my first day, a student convinced me that teachers could dismiss their last period class early if the lesson were completed, because the room became so hot. So, that first day, I had finished my lesson, and I let them leave about 15 minutes early. I did this all week.” It wasn’t until teacher Jim Langdon ‘54 stepped in that she caught on. “I would go into the faculty lounge after class, and he asked me why I was always in there at that time. I told him I had dismissed my students early. He was so kind. He pulled me aside and calmly told me the truth. I had no idea!” And from that moment, he became her mentor. Principal Paul Davis, a 1981 alumnus, launched his career at Father Ryan in 1986. He points to several women on the faculty as his mentors, including C.A. Williams, Jinx Cockerham, Peggy Adams and Becky Young. Each was influential in increasing female leadership among the staff and among the student body. In fact, women initiated some of Father Ryan’s most successful programs.
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n the early months of 1970, Cathedral pastor Monsignor Albert Siener came to a difficult conclusion. Operating costs for Cathedral High School were escalating and, coupled with the decline of religious personnel, the school could no longer handle the financial burden. Father Paul Morris, Superintendent of Diocesan Parochial School System, confirmed these thoughts. In the letter to Monsignor Siener, he wrote of his support to merge Cathedral and Father Ryan. He wrote, “My personal and professional feeling is that the consolidation of Cathedral high school and Father Ryan high school will indeed strengthen the Catholic school System in the city of Nashville.” With Father Morris’ approval, the plan to merge the high schools became official. Months before the closing, a school survey by 20
Graduates Full of Promise
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t would be impossible to characterize the Class of 2010 as anything other than accomplished. Just look at the numbers. Acceptances to more than 100 colleges and universities across the country and abroad. More than $17 million earned in scholarships. Enrollment in 59 colleges in 23 states (and one in England). Seven students honored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, three as Finalists. What’s more is that one fifth of the class are members in academic and service societies—35 of the Cum Laude Society, 32 of the Cardinal Newman Association and 23 of the St. Vincent de Paul Service Society. But behind those numbers is something far more extraordinary. These students have reached beyond the basics of their education and beyond what is expected of them. While juggling advanced courses with school activities has become a national norm, doing so in addition to feeding the homeless or tutoring students is far above it. As Dom DiGiovanni said in his valedictory speech, “In a time when society points to norms and standards, Father Ryan’s mission strives to raise the bar.” Father Ryan students are setting the new standard. Like Nina Fredericks, who successfully balanced a challenging academic course load including AP Calculus with extra-curricular activities—student ambassador and Ultimate Frisbee Club—and still made time to participate in service organizations like Relay for Life and Rachel’s Challenge. She received the Presidential Scholarship to attend Creighton University in the fall. Or Nick Pollard, named TSSAA’s Mr. Football for his athleticism, academics and character, who represented Father Ryan as an ambassador on and off campus, volunteering with organizations such as Room in the Inn, Nashville’s Soup Kitchen and Norman Binkley Elementary School. The University of Tennessee in Chattanooga awarded him a scholarship to play football this fall. It’s not hard to believe that this graduating class has been accepted to prestigious colleges and universities such as Boston College, Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute, Villanova, Washington and Lee and the University of Notre Dame. One student will continue her education in Europe. Sean Della Croce was accepted to the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, chosen from 1,000 applicants world-wide for one of 55 available openings in the school’s music performance program. She established her own music publishing company, Working Week Music, and released her debut EP, On The Line, for which she wrote all the songs. Apart from her musical work, she was a staff writer for the Moina and a member of the National Honor Society. She is just one example of the breadth of talent and ambition within these graduates. Doctor, architect, musician, teacher, engineer, actor, service volunteer. The number of paths that these young men and women can take is endless. In their four years at Ryan, the Class of 2010—a class of entrepreneurs and philanthropists—has accomplished what few have in a lifetime, and they’re not done yet. 9