OCTOBER 2025
6 National Merit Semi-Finalists and 4 Commended Scholars
Congratulations to the 10 Father Ryan Class of 2026 members recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation based on their performance on the PSAT. With six National Merit Semi-Finalists, Father Ryan has:
The most Semi-Finalists of all Catholic schools in Tennessee
The 3rd-highest number of Semi-Finalists of all private schools in Nashville
The 5th-highest number of Semi-Finalists of all private schools in Tennessee!
Our 100th graduating class, the Class of 2026, also includes the first group of Hayes Scholars, our academic program designed to support and challenge top-performing students in all areas of academic excellence. Only the top one percent of the country’s high school seniors are recognized annually as National Merit Semi-Finalists. Having six Semi-Finalists is a testament to Father Ryan’s academic strength and its mission of serving students across all levels of learning.
Did You Know?
48 students traveled to 6 countries with our 5 study abroad programs in 2024-2025
28 AP classes offered
In 2024-2025, 225 students took at least one AP course, with a 91% qualifying score rate
210 annual student leadership opportunities
48 House leadership positions specifically for freshmen
Join Us for Fall Events!
You belong at Father Ryan! Join us for a fall event.
Read more about the individual achievements of our National Merit honorees.
Semi-Finalists:
Eilie Durden - Valor Collegiate Academy
Addy Guss - Independence High School
Joaquin Panelo - St. Bernard Academy
Clarabelle Shafer - St. Bernard Academy
Sully Smith - St. Ann School
Alex Tinker - St. Mary’s Catholic School, VA
Commended Scholars:
Seamus Kelty - St. Bernard Academy
Riley McLain - St. Rose of Lima School
Savannah Nimitz - University School of Nashville
Finn Shaver - J.T. Moore Middle School
Student Pilgrimage to Rome
Junior Irish Band Night
Friday, October 24, 2025 4:00-8:00pm
Open to All 7th-8th Grade Band Students
Students will become members of the Father Ryan band and perform with the band at their final home football game. Junior Irish will receive a Junior Irish Band shirt, participate in the pregame meal, and perform during the first half and halftime. Students will be available for pick-up after the halftime performance.
Register Here
Preview Day
Sunday, October 26, 2025
1:00–4:00pm , check in begins at 12:30pm
Father Ryan Center for the Arts
Open to All 4th-8th Grade Students and Families
Register for Preview Day
Relay for Life
In early September, 12 students travelled to Rome on a pilgrimage for the canonization of Carlos Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati into sainthood, presided over by Pope Leo XIV. During that visit, they were able to share their Irish spirit with the Pope!
Accompanied by President Paul Davis ’81 and other faculty, the students visited numerous Holy sites, deepening their faith and connections with one another. This trip is part of our commitment to global learning. In 20242025, 48 students traveled to six countries with our five study abroad programs. This month, 18 students will travel to Portugal.
Junior Irish Night
Saturday, November 8 12:00-8:00pm
Father Ryan Campus
All members of the Junior Irish community are invited to join us on campus as Father Ryan runs the largest student-led Relay For Life in the country as they raise money for the fight against cancer.
Fall Play: The Stories We Tell November 12-14
Christmas at Father Ryan December 9-10
Breakfast with Santa December 13
Junior Irish School Spirit Night
January 26
Irish Easter Egg Hunt
March 28
Spring Musical: Into the Woods
Thank you to our Junior Irish families for an incredible evening of games, goodie bags, festivities, and cheering on our Irish for our Homecoming game against Memphis University School. Mark your calendars for upcoming Junior Irish events and show your Irish Pride! To get a glimpse of Father Ryan's Homecoming, watch the recap video below.
Register for Preview Day, Sunday, October 26
Discover what makes Father Ryan Nashville’s trusted coeducational, college preparatory high school, centered in Catholic values and a century of excellence in Catholic education. Meet students and faculty, attend classes, learn about our personalized learning program, and much more. Open to all 4th-8th grade students and their families.
April 9-11
Spring Preview April 14
View All Junior Irish Events
Join us on Sunday, October 26, 1:00–4:00pm, Father Ryan Center for the Arts. Check-in begins at 12:30pm.
Registration Required
Impact of Peer Mentoring Through Our House System
In this month’s Irish Insights blog, Francisco M. Espinosa, Jr., Principal, and Amy Duke, Director of Houses, talk about the lasting impact of peer mentoring through our nationally renowned House System. Created to make a large school feel like family, our daily, all-grade House Mentor Groups ensure every student is truly known and loved at Father Ryan—by peers and by our faculty.
Read the Blog
House System 101
How does our House System translate into success beyond Father Ryan? We checked in with Kennedy Cockerham ’25, Immaculata House Captain last year, and a current freshman at the Haslam College of Business, University of Tennessee, Knoxville:
“Father Ryan not only prepared me academically for the University of Tennessee, but also helped me grow in my faith, which I continue to practice by attending church in Knoxville. My time at Father Ryan gave me the confidence to talk to anyone and build meaningful connections every day. Father Ryan has helped
shape me into a prepared college student, aiding me with all the knowledge needed to have a successful college life."
Enjoy Kennedy’s reflections on her Father Ryan experience.
Caring for Our Students' Mental Health
The well-being of our students is central to everything we do. On September 9, in honor of Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, our Personal Counseling Department provided information and resources for students during a schoolwide program. That same week, for our Dean of Students Speaker Series, Deanna (Wycheck) ’09 and Cole Szabo, both licensed therapists, spoke to students and parents about substance abuse and healthy coping strategies for stress management.
Inspired by this presentation, our House Mentor Group Leaders created and led peer sessions on time management and other social-emotional learning tools, guided by our Personal Counseling Department. These student-led sessions will continue throughout the year.
Irish Athletics
Fall sports are off to a great start with numerous student-athletes and teams receiving regional recognition. Follow the Irish on Instagram and Facebook for updated sports news. Visit fatherryan.org/tickets to get your tickets for sporting events.
Get Interactive with Our Viewbook!
Watch student stories! See videos about our personalized learning and more! Dive deeper into what it means to be part of Father Ryan in our interactive viewbook.
Learn More About Father Ryan
Visit our Junior Irish webpage to learn more about how you can get your child involved with Father Ryan today!
Junior Irish Webpage
Erin (Baltz) Riggs '00 Director of
Peyton (Carell) Fuller'13
Ben Spence
Erin (Corrigan) Vallett '95 Enrollment Registrar