FEBRUARY 2025
Father Ryan's Legacy of Social Justice: The Game That Changed the South
We kicked off our celebration of Black History Month early on January 8 with a panel hosted by Dr. Russell Wigginton, Jr. '84, President of the National Civil Rights Museum, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Game that Changed the South—Pearl High vs. Father Ryan at Municipal Auditorium in 1965.
The entire school enjoyed an inspiring discussion on social justice, the Civil Rights Museum, and the continued importance of this historic game in 1965. This was the first high school game in the South with an integrated team (Father Ryan) vs. an all-Black team (Pearl). A decade earlier, Father Ryan was the first of two Tennessee schools to integrate classrooms just four months after the 1954 landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education that ended school segregation.
Thanks to our distinguished guests:
for an
Camp Ryan offers incredible summer adventures for kids ages K-8 in academics, arts, sports, and science and tech–plus before and after care. If your child can dream it, we have a camp for it!
Andrew Maraniss, Author, Strong Inside: Perry Wallace and the Collision of Race and Sports in the South
Mark Reeves, TSSAA Executive Director
Adolpho Birch III '84, Chief External and League Affairs Officer, Tennessee Titans
Ann Mullins '03, Head Volleyball Coach and Director of Athletics, Father Ryan
Joe Herbert, Pearl High School 1966 graduate, 1965 Pearl High School Basketball Team
Deacon Bill Hill '67, 1965 Irish Basketball Team, Founder of St.
Katharine Drexel Scholarship Endowment at Father Ryan
Enoch Bunch '00, Account Executive, Getty Images
Dylan Lynch '03, HR Manager-Pension Services/Disability at Metro
Nashville Government
Junior Irish School Spirit Night
Feeding Your Mind, Body, and Spirit
We focus on every student’s academic, spiritual, and personal potential at Father Ryan, a “whole student” approach that extends to our Junior Irish families. This month, we introduce monthly book recommendations by our Father Ryan community for your family, from titles parents will enjoy to page-turners for students.
The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults by Frances Jensen.
“The Teenage Brain is a great read for parents because it helps explain why teens think and act as they do. With relatable examples and fundamental science, it explains what is happening in their developing brains and how it impacts emotions, decision-making, and behavior. The book offers practical tips to strengthen communication, build trust, and support your teen through this exciting and sometimes challenging phase of life.”Brooke Reusch, Director of Advancement and Current Father Ryan Parent
Thanks to all the 245 Junior Irish families who joined a packed house on January 24 to cheer on Irish basketball! Both exciting games led to a great night for our community and a victory for our Girls team as they defeated Harpeth Hall 42-25. The Junior Irish fun included pizza and Junior Irish musicians playing with our Band for both games. It is always great to have the next generation of Irish on our courts and in our stands!
Irish Insights: The Father Ryan Blog February's Topic: The Impact of Student Leadership
This month, Jessie Henry ’25 shares how she learned to lead at Father Ryan and the impact her leadership roles through our House System, community service, and more are having on her high school experience and her future. Read
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Admissions Decisions for Class of 2029 Applicants, watch your (snail) mailbox after February 28!
Shellie Braeuner '83, Theology teacher, has three fiction picks:
For Adult Readers: We are Legion (We are Bob) Book 1 of the Bobiverse by Dennis E. Taylor
“When Robert Johannson came into a fortune, he decided to follow a whim and hire a company that promised to freeze his head until such time as they could clone him a new body. He figured that if it didn't work, he would never know.
Imagine his surprise when he awakens a century later as a disembodied consciousness in a computer. His role is to take charge of a spaceship and find a new home for the last survivors of humanity's fighting factions. He explores the nature of the soul, individuality, and what it means to be human, all while trying to design the perfect virtual Bourbon. Humor, philosophy, and a dash of cutting edge astrophysics all make this a fantastic read.”
For Young Adult readers: A Dog Called Ducky by Amanda K. Morgan
“Based on the TikTok star of the same name, Ducky is an irrepressible little mutt that brings a town together, but not before helping Layla find the love of her life.”
For Middle Grade readers: A Two-Placed Heart by Doan Phuong Nguyen
“This is the story of a young Vietnamese immigrant trying to remember her homeland while adapting to life in Nashville, TN. Written in light free verse, it is the perfect book for readers who are just trying to move from
Irish Easter Egg Hunt
April 5, 2025
10:00am–12:00pm
All Junior Irish and Families welcome to this free event.
Spring Play—Fiddler on the Roof
April 10-13, 2025
Father Ryan Center for the Arts
Tickets: Adults; $15, Seniors and students $10, FRHS students free with ID. Children under 4 are free. Online link coming soon. Tickets also may be purchased at the door.
Cheer on the Irish this Winter and Spring! We love to have you at our games.
Sports Schedule
simple chapter books to more complex fiction.”
Each month, we will share more recommendations.
Hungry for more than words?
Check out our Irish Foodies list, an extensive list of Nashvillearea restaurants owned and managed by Father Ryan Families.
Visit our Junior Irish webpage to learn more about how you can get your child involved with Father Ryan today!
