In this issue of Connections, read how the St. Mary’s Ryken Class of 2023 continues the tradition of success. Acceptances to Yale and Duke universities, two United States Naval Academy and a United States Coast Guard Academy appointment, and a tie for the Xaverian Orator (highest GPA) are a few academic highlights of this extraordinary class! Our seniors have been blessed with strong spiritual programs, a caring community, a beautiful school campus and leadership opportunities that formed a holistic and foundational high school experience. Just like the alumni highlighted in this issue, each member of this class is ready to write their own story, with many blank pages to fill!
The history of the Xaverian Brothers and the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth help form the story of St. Mary’s Ryken. With
the Gospel as their guide, Theodore James Ryken and Mother Catherine Spalding wrote their life story well but edited often. Although the ink hasn’t dried, I’m sure neither would have envisioned the legacy of education that their stories created. Our next project, a renovation of the Chapel of Charity, honors their story and begins a new chapter of spiritual renewal for the St. Mary’s Ryken campus.
Over the 20 years since the chapel was last renovated, our Campus Ministry department has expanded, a spiritual direction program was created, and daily Mass is celebrated, with over a dozen priests regularly visiting the campus. The vibrant faith-life and the Caritas Resource Center service program provide an experience that is unique to St. Mary’s Ryken.
With this renovation, we wanted to tell a story of our history that is centered on Christ the Teacher. Much thought and introspection went into designing
a beautiful worship space. We are excited about bringing these concepts to life and are almost halfway to our goal of raising $250,000 for this project! If you are motivated by this transformational project or a specific item, you can donate online through the QR code on page 4. Every gift will improve the beauty of the campus and enhance the faith experience for each of our current and future students.
Thank you to each one of you who continues to write your own living and breathing story that makes our world a better place. The authentic art that is created from your wonder, adventure, faith and love makes a beautiful masterpiece.
Peace,
mission statement
St. Mary’s Ryken is a Catholic, coeducational, college preparatory school community operated under the Xaverian Brothers’ sponsorship dedicated to academic excellence and individualized student growth.
president and ceo
Dr. Rick Wood
principal
Dr. Catherine Bowes
managing editor
Betsy Haley (P ’24, ’26)
Director of Communications and Marketing
editor
Jerrilyn Borneman, Director of Development
contributors
Dana Hinton (Sisters of Charity of Nazareth)
Josh Kinney (Xaverian Brothers)
Allie Schepis
Laurie Vergott
Southern Maryland News
Toyota Motor North America design
Ideal Design Co.
Dr. Rick Wood President and CEO
photography
Betsy Haley (P ’24, ’26)
Kyle Weaver Photography Legacy Studios
Chris Palombi
smrhs.org
Please send alumni news, updated contact information and corrections to advancement@smrhs.org or call 301-373-4162.
St. Mary’s Ryken High School
22600 Camp Calvert Road Leonardtown, MD 20650
“When you write the story of your life, don’t let anyone else hold the pen.”
(Jack Kerouac)Cover photos (bottom, from left): Al Gough ’85 (with Thing on his shoulder) and his writing partner Miles Millar at the 2023 Golden Globes / Carolyn Curtis ’72 as a nurse midwife at D.C. General Hospital / Loretta Abell Taylor ’42 with Father Scott Woods
The
SMR wrestling earned its third straight title. It also placed sixth in the nation at the National Prep Championships, and for the second year in a row, the team placed second at the Maryland Independent Schools State Tournament.
Great job, Knights!
On April 4, SMR kicked off its inaugural Athletics Give Day. Over $71,000 was raised by 485 donors for student-athletes and their teams. Thank you to everyone who participated!
The SMR swim team set seven team records at the Washington Metro
Over 30 SMR students tutored 60 students from local elementary schools through a partnership with Building Bridges.
SMR Choir led the singing during a Catholic Schools Week Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Students from SMR and five Catholic elementary schools attended.
Beth Allen (P ’12, ’16, ’22) was presented with the prestigious Theodore James Ryken Award. See page 09.
Alex Smith ’25 received stellar ratings of “superior” and “excellent” for his piano and cello performances during the Maryland Music Educators Association audition.
Prep School Swim Dive League Championship.
Congratulations to Ryder Morlong ’23, who was confirmed into the Catholic Church. Ryder was blessed to have Father Scott Woods from Sacred Heart Church in La Plata as his spiritual director and Beth Allen, SMR campus minister, as his confirmation sponsor.
With help from students, faculty, staff and community members, the Caritas Resource Center assisted 72 families move from homelessness to housing.
Many SMR students and other local teens attended the Southern Maryland Roots Pilgrimage to St. Clement’s Island in the fall.
Welcome to 190 students in the SMR Class of 2027!
See page 07.
Congrats to basketball player Mekhia Chase ’23, who scored her 1,000th point as an SMR Knight.
Class of 2023 student-athletes for signing national letters of intent to continue to play
Congratulations to the 164 graduates in the Class of 2023!
Collectively they completed 18,200 service hours and received over $22,000,000 in scholarships for college.
Knight Proud!
Knights of the Roundtable Productions received standing ovations after their productions of “James and the Giant Peach” and “The Diary of Anne Frank.”
SMR students attended the 2023 March for Life in Washington, D.C.
Sage James ’27 and his sister, Sydney ’23
A big Knight shout-out to 30
their sport at the collegiate level.
The Chapel of Charity is a special place on the St. Mary’s Ryken campus because it brings together our history between the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth and the Xaverian Brothers as well as our strong faith-life.
More and more students are attending daily Mass in the chapel. “On average 40-60 students attend daily Mass, which is quite amazing,” said Father Scott Woods. “I don’t know of any other school in the diocese or in the country that has an optional daily Mass for students who choose to come daily.”
Students, faculty and staff appreciate the chapel space because it allows a quiet place on campus for prayer, reflection and Mass and to continue their faith-life while at school or work.
“People want to worship in a place that is beautiful and in an environment where they feel comfortable,” said Kathleen Cain ’23.
“Renovations will help to make the chapel more attractive and welcoming to everyone in our community. We will feel closer to God in a more beautiful space.”
“Truth and beauty draw people closer to God,” said Father Larry Swink, an SMR campus minister.
“It is for these reasons that St. Mary’s Ryken has thoughtfully chosen to renovate the chapel space to honor the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, the Xaverian Brothers and our students who are so involved in the
Renovations began this summer and are scheduled for completion by the end of the year.
spiritual programs at SMR,” said Rick Wood, St. Mary’s Ryken president and CEO. Renovations began this summer and are scheduled for completion by the end of 2023.
Highlights of the renovation project include framing of the reredos; original oil paintings above the altar to include Christ the Teacher, St. Francis Xavier, Theodore Ryken, Mother Catherine Spalding, and St. Therese of Lisieux; a new altar, altar of repose, ambo,
Crucifix, statues, lighting, porcelain tile flooring, tabernacle, and entry and sacristy doors.
In total, over $106,000 has been raised to benefit the Chapel of Charity renovation project. We are nearly halfway to our goal of raising $250,000!
In total, over $106,000 has been raised to benefit the Chapel of Charity renovation project.
We are nearly halfway to our goal of raising $250,000!
Scan the QR code to support the chapel renovation project. Every gift is a blessing!
If you have any questions about the renovation project, please contact advancement@smrhs.org.
The faculty and staff are proud of your faith journey, commitment to service and dedication to academic success.
Yaw Amponsah-Poku
Emma Ashley
Colton Attick
James Aviles
Paul Baden
Blake Bagley
Lourden Banks
Madison Bishop
Jaxson Blackwell
Nikolette Blackwell
Juliana Blake
Emma Boelke
Douglas Bogard Vander Wel
Sarah Bubb
Mason Buckler
TaKeo Bush
Caleb Butler
Justin Cable
Kathleen Cain
Le’Vell Calhoun
Justin Campbell
Najila Castillo-Wright
Trinity Chambers
Mekhia Chase
Vanness Chen
Zhuo Chen
Ashley Cheseldine
Maya Civil
Ian Coker
Adaiah Cole
Sydnie Collins
Kya Cook
Alexander Coughlon
Brooke Cowan
Jonathan Dameron
John Dean
Jack DeLucco
Destiny Deshields
Abigail Donaldson
Wyatt Dooley
Markus Downs
Ashlynn Dziekiewicz
Connor Ebey
Wilfred Ehrmantraut
David Fajerski
Virginia Fisher
Matthew Floehr
Sarah Fore
Perry Foreman
Caitlyn Foster
Katelyn Freese
Clayton Gabrielson
Naomi Garcia
Alyssa Garland
Savannah Garren
Matthew Gaskill
Lucia Geary
Erika Gensley
Trent Gerhardt
Ashley Goldstein
Breanna Gott
Chase Grand
Javier Guadalupe
Neel Guha
Russell Haggerty
Alexandra Harrer
Kolby Hayden
Matthew Hayden
Daryus Henderson
Madeleine Hicks
Catherine Howard
Delaney Huiskens
Zhion Irinyenikan
Sydney James
Marko Jelaca
Gerard Johnson
Kyle Johnson
Joshua Jones
Bradley Kelley
Jalyn Kennedy
Soleil Kennedy
John Kidd
Matthew Klein
Julia Kosich
John Kovich
Henry Krissoff
Caroline Leahy
Daniel Lee
Brett Liston
Megan Luther
Zachary Maldonado
Samantha Mammano
Viliami Masila
Cassandra Massiglia
Adrian Maza Ortiz
Daniel McBride
Lauren McNair
Aaron McNeil
Henry Meiser
Lillian Merritt
Elijah Miller
John Miller
Gabriel Moltumyr
Colleen Moore
Ryder Morlong
Margaret Muldoon
Naima Ndeh
Olivier-Stephane
Akini Ngounou
Bailee Nored
Romeo Norris
Anna O’Neill
Anthony Oquendo
Daniel Papas
Tomasi Pavihi
Rachel Pawlowitz
Samantha Pennell
Kylie Perraut
Emilie Quade
Leah Quade
Nathan Raley
Maria Rank
Jayda Reese
Braylen Rice
Katherine Richardson
Christian Robertson
Jhakon Robinson
Grace Rorke
Vincent Rosin
Daniel Savoy
Stephanie Scherer
Victoria Schneider
Nathan Shepherd
William Shin
Eve Simmons
Saul Sison
Cooper Smith
Nadia Smith
Marcela Somers
Eric Spence
Eleanor Stafford
Andrew Stickney
Charles Sullivan
Gemma Tamburri
Moira Teague
Bryleigh Tejchman
Gavin Terry
Natalie Thomas
Owen Tippett
Daniel Torreyson
Trey Trimble
Lauren VanMeter
Sabrina Vignola
Leanna Walzel
Miles Ward
William Western
Dawson Wetherald
Joseph White
Camille Williams
Chase Wilson
Madyson Wilson
Katherine Wise
Sydney Wise
Nathalie Yi
Haotian Zheng
Presidential
Luke Annulis
Lilliana Baker
Andrew Bisang
Mia DeBevoise
Christian Delegan
John Devine
Elana Dioguardi
Alexander Dusterwald
Jaela Fair
Matthew Fetters
Damian Flores
Joshua Johnson
Henry Moltumyr
Colton Pavis
Noah Russell
Isaiah Sinclair
Isabelle Strutt
Principal
Aiden Beachy
Becket Geary
Eli Hogg
Jedidiah Katz
Elise Lowien
Brendan Nagel
Emily Somerville
Shannon Wenzlick
Caroline Wright
Leadership
Ethan Agamaite
Lindsey Burfield
Mia DeBevoise
John Devine
Jasmine Downing
Ryan Gilmore
Skyler Graham
Carley Greenwell
Gavin Holden
Tyler Jameson
Kevin Lloyd
Laila Lobeda
Lloyd Lumpkin
Alexa Morris
Greta Phillips
Grace Robusto
Matthew Roman
Ethan Vayro
Gabrielle Wenrich
Caroline Wright
Dance
Lindsey Burfield
Jaala Dean
Skyler Graham
Taylor Green
Grace Robusto
Instrumental
Elana Dioguardi
Autumn Dobry
Alexander Dusterwald
Damian Flores
Ryan Gilmore
Morgan Goul
Jedidiah Katz
Anna Landowne
Jamir Nelson
Colton Pavis
Nicholas Reisinger
Isabelle Strutt
Shannon Wenzlick
Kaylee White
Theatre
Audrey Hupp
Abigail Smith
Visual Art
Kaitlyn Cornette
Bailey Geisz
Graci King
Zora Peterson
Bianca Weiss
Vocal
Sophia Lopez
Jaslyn Zellner
Blaine Whorl
Esther Cooley
Luke Cross
Skyler Graham
Liam Hanley
Jedidiah Katz
Alexa Lynam
Community Service
Lindsey Burfield
John Devine
Skyler Graham
Samuel Hutchinson
Sienna Johnson
Kevin Lloyd
Ethan Vayro
Laurie Collins
Carley Greenwell
Victoria Frances Kane
St. Theresa Scholarship
Skyler Graham
Kaden Lyons
Bianca Weiss
3,581 number of miles from SMR is the farthest a 2023 graduate will go to attend college (University of Birmingham, United Kingdom)
75 new seats installed in the Donnie Williams Center courtyard this spring
13 SMR employees are also SMR alumni
HELLO MY NAME IS
330 Knight for a Day visitors in 2022–23
$106,000 raised so far for the Chapel of Charity Renovation Campaign (Goal = $250,000)
$1,046,732 the highest amount of scholarship dollars offered to a 2023 grad
157 families had one or more students enrolled at SMR in 2022–23
85 current parents are also SMR alumni
1,709 donors to the school in 2022–23
2,750 lunches served weekly in the Campus Cafe (including 670 pounds of french fries!)
72 families assisted by the Caritas Resource Center in 2022–23
This quote exemplifies the recipient of the St. Mary’s Ryken 2022 Theodore James Ryken Award, Beth Allen (P ’12, ’16, ’22).
The Theodore James Ryken Award was established to recognize an adult member of the school community who, by their commitment and dedication, lives the mission of the Xaverian charism of education and strives:
To proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to participate in the school’s community of faith and to nurture members of the community, to be committed to academic excellence and to recognize the talents of individuals, to recognize the importance of educating the whole person, to fulfill the Gospel call to peace and justice.
When Mrs. Allen began her career at St. Mary’s Ryken as a campus minister, her goal was “to humbly serve God in the capacity of a campus minister, so I am able to reach students with the love and compassion of God so they may learn to trust Him with the simplicity of a child and discover the zeal within to always follow Him.”
“Mrs. Allen has indeed accomplished these objectives through the enduring personal relationships she forms with students, community organizations and programs,” said Dr. Rick Wood, president of St. Mary’s Ryken. “The Building Bridges tutoring program, Wednesday meal deliveries in Lexington Park and many other service opportunities have benefited our adult and student community. However, her legacy will be the Caritas Resource Center.”
In March 2020, when COVID-19 was impacting the world in multiple ways, Mrs. Allen saw a need in our homeless community, strengthened her partnership with Three Oaks Center and began a service opportunity that has transformed lives. Mrs. Allen, with assistance from SMR students, staff and community members, has personally aided over 250 families moving from a shelter, tent or homeless situation to a home with furniture, clothes, food and household items.
Our students are a major part of these moves and meal preparation.
“Any student can find community in the Caritas Resource Center,” rising senior Liam Haley said. Mrs. Allen “has led many students to experience true humility and gratitude. Frequently, she involves SMR sports team in her moves to local areas, which undoubtedly builds something greater within the team. Knowing that Mrs. Allen exhibits the compassion for all and devotes countless hours to this cause is powerful. Through her work, she opened my mind to understanding that there is more to life than what you receive, but rather what you give.”
Gemma Tamburri ’23 said, “I have never met a more loving, humble and compassionate person than Mrs. Allen. I am so honored to be able to work with her because she is the best role model for how to live a Christian life and put others before yourself. She has had a significant impact on my life!”
Daryus Henderson ’23 adds: “Mrs. Allen is the most beautiful soul I have ever met, and she takes care of everyone around her. Joshua 1:9 reminds me of Mrs. Allen’s
work, which basically says, ‘Life can be full of challenges, sorrows and tough decisions, but even amid hardship, the Lord counsels us to be strong and courageous.’ ”
“The work God has done through Beth is a perfect example of what happens when we love Christ, surrender to His will, and let him work through our words and deeds,” said Dean of Students James Parker. “Mrs. Allen’s awareness of Christ’s love has allowed Him to work through her.”
“In class, when I speak of the need to encounter Christ through another person, the students always mention Mrs. Allen as an example,” said John Olon, theology department chairman. “No matter how skeptical they are of God and His existence, they recognize something extraordinary in her, that being the love of Christ.”
St. Francis of Assisi says, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.”
Our 2022 Archdiocese of Washington Veteran Teacher of the Year is Stephanie Bolin, as selected by the faculty and staff of St. Mary’s Ryken. Mrs. Bolin, who leads the English department, is in her eighth year as a teacher at St. Mary’s Ryken and is a 2010 SMR graduate. She was also our Novice Teacher of the Year in 2016.
Mrs. Bolin leads her department and her students with a quiet grace and steadfast conviction in the value of a Catholic education to transform lives. She faithfully serves our community in both student retreats and faculty/staff retreats, in our ninth-grade English classrooms, and on the softball field as Coach Bolin. She models her faith in her appreciation for the God-given gifts of each community member. She takes special care in reaching “each child, every day.” Her students
learn the principles of Catholic social teaching through novels such as “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Lord of the Flies.” On bright spring or chilly fall days, Mrs. Bolin can be found seated with her students outside, discussing literature.
Mrs. Bolin’s colleague Dr. Aaron Percich said, “What has struck me most is her ability to provide a truly Catholic education for her students. In pushing her students to excel, Mrs. Bolin never loses sight of — and indeed beautifully fosters — a real
sense of personal dignity and worth in each student. Above all, it is her former students who are living testaments to this. When her students come to my classes, I find students whose minds have not only been sharpened by knowledge but expanded by the wonder and beauty of literature.”
In her classes, Mrs. Bolin’s students learn to read literature deeply, to write clearly and effectively and to speak with heart and courage. One student said: “Mrs. Bolin is a great teacher. She helped me truly understand how to write formal essays,
cite sources in MLA format, and effectively annotate a passage.”
Principal Catherine Bowes said, “Mrs. Bolin is a positive and focused leader. Her end-of-the-year notes for each of her department members always demonstrate her true appreciation for the gifts that each member contributes.”
“St. Mary’s Ryken prides itself on being a rigorous college prep school with a strong Catholic identity; that is why it makes perfect sense to honor Mrs. Bolin as its
outstanding veteran teacher,” said her colleague and fellow English teacher, Linda Szymkowiak. “Every day, Mrs. Bolin works tirelessly to inspire her students, players and colleagues with her talent and diligence in the classroom and her compassion and spirituality in all that she does. We are blessed to have her as our colleague and as our department leader.”
Mrs. Bolin is a 2014 graduate of Radford University, where she played on the Division I softball team and served as captain.
Our 2022 Archdiocese of Washington Novice Teacher of the Year is theology teacher Holly Kaufmann, as selected by the faculty and staff of St. Mary’s Ryken. Miss Kaufmann is in her third year as a teacher at St. Mary’s Ryken and, like our veteran teacher of the year, is also an SMR alumna, from the Class of 2016.
the application to their own lives. She conducts her lesson-opening prayers with students stating their own special intentions.”
Miss Kaufmann recently spoke with her colleagues about her conversion to Catholicism, forged after the sudden death of her father while she was a student at SMR. Of this conversion, Miss Kaufmann says simply, “I was loved into the faith.”
her and makes everyone feel valued. It has been incredible to witness her students receiving the benefits of these same qualities she continues to embody. I have loved being her school counselor when she was a student but love even more calling her my friend.”
“Miss Kaufmann is a gifted educator so early in her career,” said Principal Catherine Bowes. She “holds her students to high standards and loves each of them as they work to meet those standards. She engages students in organic discussions that require their understanding of the Word and also
Her department chairman, John Olon, said, “Miss Kaufmann has shown time and again her qualities of compassion toward others, strength in spirit amid difficulty, and tenacity in crafting classes that motivate and impact our students on a daily basis. She truly brings Christ into the lives of others.”
School counseling chairwoman Christine Jaffurs added, “Even as a 16-year-old SMR high school student, Miss Kaufmann had a grace and gentle spirit that draws people to
One of her students concluded, “I have gone to Catholic school for a while, but I still learned new things from Miss Kaufmann. She teaches us in different ways, and it makes it interesting. She is a great teacher.”
Miss Kaufmann is a 2020 graduate of Ave Maria University, where she was a Mother Teresa Scholar.
Al Gough, the co-creator of such blockbuster shows as “Wednesday” and “Smallville,” can pinpoint the exact day he discovered his purpose. It was June 12, 1982, and he was a freshman at St. Mary’s Ryken. His mother took him and his siblings to see “E.T.” at the movies. “I not only loved the movie,” Al said, “but it was the first time I noticed the effect that it had on the audience. People were laughing, crying and cheering. It was like I was struck by lightning at that moment. I wanted to make movies.”
He became a one-man AV Club at SMR and learned how to operate its brand-new video camera. He recorded basketball games for the coaches on Friday nights, then borrowed the camera to make movies on the weekends. He also became very involved in the drama club and theatre productions, learning how to produce and direct.
“When you tell people in Leonardtown in 1982 that you want to move to Hollywood and be a director, they tend to look at you funny. Really funny. I might as well have told them that I planned to visit Mars,” he said.
But he found a way to make it to the stars. He graduated from Catholic University and landed a spot at the top film program in the world, the USC School of Cinematic Arts, following in the footsteps of his Hollywood idol Steven Spielberg. (In fact, both Spielberg and George Lucas handed him his diploma when he graduated!)
While at USC, he met Miles Millar, who has been his writing/producing partner ever since. Together, they have created a litany of hit TV series and movies, including the Superman prequel “Smallville,” the Addams Family spinoff “Wednesday,” the dystopian TV series “Into the Badlands,” “Shanghai Noon,” and “Spider-Man 2.”
He described the day-to-day process of making movies and TV shows as mundane, but said the reward is immense. “During the ‘Smallville’ years, we used to get many letters from young soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq who would tell us that they would watch the show with their platoons, and how it gave them a connection to home. With ‘Wednesday,’ it’s been great to hear from so many people who have told us that it’s a show the whole family could watch together, which is rare in this era of streaming TV.”
“I think the fact that Wednesday is a fully formed person who likes herself, speaks truth to power and has a comedically dark view of the world just resonates on some level with all of us,” he added. “Miles and I basically write shows or movies that we want to see.”
Al said the most challenging aspect of his job is knowing that his current project could be his last. “It’s the fear that the music will stop and there won’t be a chair left for me. … It’s a gift to do what I do, and I never take it for granted.” No worries for the moment, though. He is already working on Season 2 of “Wednesday” and another Tim Burton movie.
He credits St. Mary’s Ryken with giving him the freedom to both explore and to fail. Former teacher Bob Durbin gave Al his first shot at directing, and he “allowed me to fail miserably at it.” Harry Hafer taught him how to direct and produce the annual musicals. And Brother Romuald taught him “to always be curious; to always be of service and to be deeply suspicious of authority. All the traits of a great Xaverian Brother!”
Al and his wife of 26 years, Beth Corets, live in Los Angeles and have three children: Sydney, Jasper and Avery.
MaryRose Depperschmidt is taking her Catholic faith to the airwaves with a podcast called “The Crab and the Cross.” The former St. Mary’s Ryken theology teacher and member of the SMR Class of 2010 was inspired to start the podcast after years of listening to other podcasts and being encouraged by colleagues to start her own.
Father Scott Woods, former SMR school chaplain, has a professional studio at his parish and invited her to use the equipment.
The curious title comes from one of her favorite stories. St. Francis Xavier, one of the first Jesuit priests, was sailing to Malaysia when he threw his cross into the sea to calm the rough waters. When he arrived on shore, a crab brought it back to him. MaryRose said she loves that story because it unites the sacred with the silly. In the Bible, she says in the intro to her show, “you have some of the most beautiful stories told right next to stories that are just really odd. That’s the space I like to occupy. The crux of the sublime and the ridiculous.” The crab also reflects her Southern Maryland culture.
On each episode, MaryRose interviews guests on a wide range of topics: racial injustice, divine providence, Taylor Swift and the theology of dogs, to name a few. Most of her guests are either people she’s followed online or people she knows personally. She looks for guests who are Catholic and have some expertise worthy of sharing with her audience. Some have written books or traveled as speakers, others have a religious vocation. “I also try to pick guests from diverse backgrounds,” she said. “I want to talk to people who think, look and live differently from one another.”
She was particularly excited to welcome activist Gloria Purvis and Father Matt Fish
to her show. “Gloria blew me away with the stories she told about her spiritual life,” MaryRose said. “She also is as passionate about pro-life issues as she is about racial justice, and I think that’s extremely rare to find among Catholics.” With Father Fish, she said, “the conversation went to places I was not expecting. It ended up being deeply personal, but also very philosophical!”
MaryRose is working on upgrading to video interviews for the next season and growing her audience so she can get sponsors. She is currently a campus minister at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, but dreams of making a living from podcasting one day. At SMCM, she says, the students inspire her with their “thirst” for faith. She also wants to find more ways to evangelize the non-Catholic students. The school is “a very secular and progressive environment,” she said, “so the challenge is figuring out how to present the Gospel to students who
have never heard it and are not particularly interested in it either.”
She wants to give a shout-out to her sophomore SMR English teacher, Julia Hart, for helping her develop “the two greatest tools I have” — the ability to think differently and to communicate well. Since graduating from St. Mary’s Ryken, she went on to earn a degree in theology and religious studies from The Catholic University of America. She returned to SMR to teach theology from 2014–22, during which time she earned her master’s in theology from Christendom College.
Just like her podcasting topics, her personal interests are diverse. She has taken up cooking, raising a tiny dachshund (who wears a bow tie), and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
You can catch her podcast, “The Crab and the Cross,” on Apple and Spotify.
Carolyn Curtis, a 1972 graduate of St. Mary’s Academy, is the 2022 recipient of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) Lifetime Visionary Award. It is the highest honor bestowed by the ACNM and honors an exceptional midwife for continuous outstanding contributions or service to midwifery. Carolyn was also recently inducted as a fellow into the American Academy of Nursing, which represents the top 1 percent of nurses throughout the world, based on her contributions in advancing public health.
Carolyn, a certified nurse midwife, is the founder and CEO of The CARAB Co. PLLC, which provides consultation and education services in the areas of maternal, neonatal and child health, women’s health and global health. She is retired from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), where she served as a senior health adviser and public health adviser/ nurse midwife, overseeing programs in Africa, Asia and South America. Before working at USAID, she practiced as a nurse midwife in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia.
Carolyn often finds herself explaining that certified nurse midwives are indeed professional caregivers, not “granny midwives.” They must complete an accredited educational program and be licensed by their state to practice midwifery. Most midwives work in hospitals.
She heard the call to midwifery as a student at St. Mary’s Academy. She studied nursing at the vocational technical center in Leonardtown during her senior year at SMA, then continued on to Catholic University for her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Georgetown University for a certificate in nurse midwifery, and the
University of Pennsylvania for a postmaster’s certificate in adult education.
“My work has never been boring,” said Carolyn, who has worked in public and private health care systems as a nurse midwife. “It is an incredible opportunity to work with women, not only when they are having their babies, but also to provide quality women’s health care, which includes doing annual physical examinations, gynecological care, family planning and caring for women during labor, birth and in the hospital once they have their babies.”
With her educational background and clinical skills, she began teaching graduate nursing, nurse midwifery and medical students. She also started publishing articles and working with professional associations such as the International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians, the International Confederation of Midwives, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. “What really has been great,” she said, “is my ability to have some effect on policy for midwifery education throughout the world as well as policy for reimbursement of midwives and nurse practitioners here in the Washington, D.C., area.”
She founded The CARAB Co. in the 1980s as a consulting company for nurse midwifery educational programs, but has since expanded to include women’s health, nursing, midwifery, medical education and global health.
Her favorite memories from St. Mary’s Academy revolved around the stage. She took part in the talent shows and musicals, and was also a member of the cheer squad and Glee Club. Her French teacher, Sister Camille, was her favorite instructor, and Carolyn says the French skills came in handy when she was working in West Africa!
She still loves to sing and has added playing hand percussion instruments and sewing to her list of hobbies. She is very close with her nieces, nephews and cousins — “They are my support system,” she said.
“My work has never been boring. It is an incredible opportunity … to provide quality women’s health care.”
“Matt Getson Never Gives Up!” is a motto that Matt Getson coined for himself early in his academic career. At age 5, Matt enrolled in Town Creek Elementary School. Despite facing challenges his peers did not, the team of educators welcomed and supported him, believed in him, and invested in his success. Having embraced his motto, he was able to reach his goals. After graduating from Town Creek, Matt attended Little Flower Catholic School and eventually St. Mary’s Ryken, where he graduated in 2020.
When Matt was eligible to begin his Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout project, he thought it would be nice to give back to the place where his academic success began. He constructed an outdoor learning area for his elementary school alma mater complete with picnic tables and a teacher’s table in a shady spot where students can enjoy the outdoors and learn. “It feels good to help a community that supported me,” said Matt, who’s now a rising junior at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. “I believe that volunteering is important and that acts of service benefit me as well.”
“He will always be grateful to the educators who gave him a fresh start, as well as to the Scouts and leaders at Troop 1203,” his mother, Kristi Getson, added.
Matt spent the better part of a year working on the project, including brainstorming, planning, preparing and building. He coordinated with local businesses to get the construction materials himself, learned from his father how to overcome project setbacks, and used newfound leadership skills to direct the construction effort. Family members and fellow Boy Scouts from Troop 1203 helped build and deliver the picnic tables to the school. “Being a Boy Scout taught me to always be prepared and to support others,” he said. “The Eagle Scout project challenged me, expanded my communication skills, and helped me discover how to be a good leader.”
He said SMR furthered his faith-life and taught him the importance of service. He also credits SMR for his work ethic and organizational skills. “All of this made me a better student and a better person,” he said. At Mount St. Mary’s, Matt is working on a self-designed major with a focus in
science and history. He is a member of the Best Buds club and Campus Ministry and is considering work at a museum after graduation. Matt still follows the same motto from elementary school today, stating “I am always determined to accomplish my goals and overcome any challenges I may face.”
Surrounded by family, she celebrated the anniversary at SMR with a Mass, tree planting and reception.
Affectionately known as “Tiny T” in the SMR community, Loretta Abell Taylor graduated in 1942 from St. Mary’s Academy. Her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren surrounded Tiny T as the family gathered for Mass in the Chapel of Charity to kick off the celebration. The chapel is special to the family, as it was rededicated by Tiny T and her late husband, Francis E. Taylor, after being renovated from the campus library in 2001.
As the traditional 80th anniversary gift is oak, SMR surprised Tiny T by planting an oak tree in her honor on the school grounds. Father Scott Woods, a longtime family friend, presided over the Mass and tree blessings. Afterward, the family gathered for a dinner reception.
“We are truly blessed to have the Taylor family and Tiny T as part of the St. Mary’s Ryken legacy,” said SMR President Rick Wood. “Tiny is such a special person, and we treasure being in her presence and hearing all of her stories about her time at SMA. The oak tree on our campus will serve as a symbol of her strength and loyalty to our school community.”
Austin O’Bryhim ’10 and his wife, Jessica, whom he married in April 2018, arrived in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in November 2021, golden retriever in tow. They are putting down roots and immersing themselves in their new community.
Austin has a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology and a Master of Business Administration in international finance from the College of Charleston. “My time at St. Mary’s Ryken was full of selfdiscovery with what I excelled at, and I was on course to study pre-med in college.” However, at the recommendation of a mentor at the Medical University of South Carolina, he decided to get an MBA to gain some financial prowess to be comfortable opening up a practice. But once Austin finished his MBA, he no longer wanted to pursue medicine, which would have meant another decade of schooling; he wanted to start his career immediately.
Austin helped open a State Farm agency for a close friend in Charleston in 2015, and in 2021, he decided it was time to branch out and open his own agency. But unfortunately, Austin found himself disenchanted with the historic seaside town he once loved. It used to be a city where he knew many people, but it turned into a transient destination where people came as fast as they were going.
“My career necessitates a personal relationship with my clients, which is hard to muster in a rapidly changing city population. Growing up in La Plata, everyone knew everyone. What you did in the community mattered; you could directly impact it to help neighbors and friends.” So Austin and Jessica drove west to Wyoming.
“I became an agent to help people prepare and protect what’s most important to them and help them plan for their future,” he said. “Being a State Farm agent fuels my desire to make a difference in the lives of the people around me, especially young drivers.” His branch is involved with local nonprofit initiatives, such as the Jackson Hole Driving Academy, which educates young drivers about driving hazards unique to mountain life. Project Graduation, another initiative supported by the branch, aims to ensure high school seniors are allowed a fun drug- and alcohol-free graduation night.
Austin has set a precedent for giving back to his community in his second year of owning the agency. “I have been able to give almost $50,000 to charities this past year — and find time to volunteer. I am blessed to be in a financial position to give back.”
Not very many students in the world can say honestly that their teachers had an impact on shaping their lives. Austin confidently credits his success today to St. Mary’s Ryken. Being involved in various leadership positions for different clubs gave him the confidence to continue seeking leadership opportunities in college, which translated directly into how he leads his company today. “So many teachers had a positive influence on my life,” he said. “Mr. Olon, Mr. DeLucco, Mrs. Borland, Mrs. Schuck, Mrs. Wood, Mr. Farrell (RIP), and many others taught me about finding something I loved and then doing that to become the best version of myself and what it meant to be part of a real community. I still keep up with a few on social media because they created a lasting impression.”
And it was social media that reconnected him to SMR.
In October, SMR held its annual community Knight Raffle to raise money for unbudgeted campus needs. The school’s goal was to raise $65,000. In the 11th hour, Terry Wood posted on Facebook to entice family and friends to purchase raffle tickets to help SMR reach its goal. Austin replied, “How many more do you need to sell?” Mrs. Wood knew we were close but didn’t know the exact answer. Austin purchased $3,000 worth of raffle tickets to help SMR exceed its goal, raising $67,000!
His giving heart will take this small-town boy from La Plata to grand heights in Jackson Hole. We are Knight Proud!
Active-duty personnel on flight status are required to have a specialized physical annually in order to be deemed safe to operate military aircraft. That means flight surgeons need to be stationed at the front lines. Dr. Snyder has served in Iraq, Afghanistan and South Korea, in addition to stateside, since joining the Army.
“While deployed to Afghanistan from 2017-18, I would oftentimes fly to remote locations such as Kandahar or Jalalabad from my headquarters at Bagram to ensure that the pilots in our Military Intelligence Brigade had access to medical care,” Dr. Snyder said. “These primary care services, for example, might include diagnosing and prescribing medications for chronic or acute illnesses. … Access to a flight surgeon in deployed combat environments can be crucial to operational mission success.”
“One of the things I find rewarding about serving as a flight surgeon is the ability to make a positive impact on the lives of soldiers,” she added. “I have diagnosed and treated a variety of medical conditions in soldiers, which I have found professionally rewarding. I have also found it rewarding to keep aviators flying, providing them medical support in deployed environments where they may not get access to care otherwise.”
Dr. Snyder’s family is deeply entrenched in the military, which helped influence her decision to join. Her grandfather was in the Army Air Corps during World War II and served as an airplane mechanic. Her father
worked at the Naval Research Laboratory, and her sister is a retired Army major.
She decided to pursue a career as a military officer while a junior at St. Mary’s Ryken. Boosted by Brother Romuald Stuedle’s chemistry classes and Dr. Rick Wood’s biology classes at SMR, she earned a degree in chemistry and life sciences from the U.S. Military Academy West Point in 2004. She said Brother Rom “challenged me to work hard in my science coursework. … He had a great sense of humor and was a wonderful role model in the classroom. Dr. Wood was also a great biology teacher!”
After graduating from West Point, Dr. Snyder served as an Adjutant General Corps Army officer until 2010, then earned her doctorate in osteopathic medicine from Rowan University in 2014.
“Osteopathic medicine … was always appealing to me personally as a physician due to its holistic, or whole person, integrated approach to medical care,” she said. She earned her flight surgeon badge two years later and a master’s in public health in 2020. She is currently
a flight surgeon at Fort Rucker’s U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory in Alabama. Living near Florida has allowed her to participate in some of the water sports she loves and to be near her parents, who just moved there. She also loves to ride horses and go hiking with her battle buddy, a golden retriever named Sammy.
“Pursuing a career in the active-duty Army has placed me in states all over the country and overseas,” Dr. Snyder said. “I have always felt very fortunate to live and travel all over the world. After traveling overseas, I am always happy to return to the United States and value the democratic freedoms we enjoy here at home.”
As an Army flight surgeon, she has dedicated her life to improving the well-being of others. It’s her job to recognize when aviation personnel are in trouble physically or mentally and treat them so they can get back to their mission.
Laura Moreland, who graduated from St. Mary’s Ryken in 2016, is excited to share that her children’s book, “Wondering About Colors,” was published in October and is being sold on Amazon.
She was inspired to write and illustrate the book while working as a kindergarten teacher after graduating from Towson University in 2020 with a degree in early childhood education. Every day, she spent time engaging her students with books. Part of the kindergarten curriculum involves learning colors and being able to draw/ name objects of each color. “Children need to be excited and encouraged to learn,” she said, “and this book focuses on that.”
Her parents, Alice and Bobby Moreland, said Laura “has a heart for children” and they’re so proud of her. “Like many of her accomplishments, she took the initiative and made it happen. We are constantly in awe of her God-given talents.”
Laura’s favorite childhood book, “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch, influenced her love of reading. “This book made me realize at a young age how quickly time goes by, and to not take the people in your life for granted and seize any opportunity you can.” She is also a big fan of author Colleen Hoover; she is reading “Verity” now and has read many of her other books. “If I had a talk show, she would be one of my top three guests so I could delve into her writing style! And the other two guests — well, Adam Sandler is hilarious, and he also supports many charities that I care about, and Taylor Swift; I’ve always been a massive fan of her music and how much she’s done throughout her career.”
Laura is the youngest of six siblings, all St. Mary’s Ryken graduates: Bert ’96, Lisa ’98, Lee ’00, Mike ’03 and Jimmy ’07. They
grew up in Chaptico on Indiantown Farm. “St. Mary’s Ryken is special in my family’s heart,” she said.
Some of her favorite SMR memories occurred during those long walks from Paschal Hall to the lower campus, when she could chat with friends. “The two teachers who inspired me the most are Jason Early and John Olon,” she said.
“Mr. Early was my history teacher during my junior and senior years, and his lessons were always engaging. Mr. Olon was my advisor throughout my four years at SMR, but I also had him as my theology teacher during my junior and senior years. I always
left his class feeling more connected to my faith. He gave me a different look on life that has stayed with me since graduating and molded me into the Catholic I am today.”
Laura left teaching to become a senior event coordinator at Deloitte, where she supports firm logistics, administration, and management efforts for the Rosslyn, Virginia office. She is currently training for a half marathon after completing her first one in spring 2022. She loves to travel to new locations, spend time with family and friends, and plan for her wedding in November 2023. And perhaps, a new book is in the future.
Reprinted with permission from Southern Maryland News
By Michael ReidProms can be very expensive, but two Southern Maryland women are hoping to ease the financial burden for at least one aspect of the annual teenage celebration. For the third straight year, Brittany Gill and Katrina Cropp ’04 collected prom dresses for high school seniors.
The women collected over 800 dresses in a variety of sizes that were available free of charge at a try-on and take-home event, to anyone who needed one.
Though the event was held in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, Brittany said she has contacted guidance counselors from each Southern Maryland high school to let students know dresses were available.
In addition, there was makeup, costume jewelry and accessories, and boys’ formal wear for students to choose from.
“Last year we had a tuxedo with a blue cummerbund with blue lightning bolts that was the peak of the 1990s,” said Brittany, who lives in Great Mills, “and some high school boy got it, and he was so excited.”
Donations have come from local individuals, and Brittany’s cousin in North Carolina has sent her some dresses. A few years back a wedding was postponed because of the coronavirus, and each of the bridesmaids’ dresses were donated.
“People have been so incredibly generous, ‘Just take the stuff,’” said Katrina, who lives in Park Hall and, who along with Brittany, will pick up donations at meet-up areas such as store parking lots. “It’s a fun thing we can do, and there’s definitely a need in the area. There’s a lot of families in this town that need help and support, and this
was something that wasn’t really being done. And everybody has funny stories about their dresses.”
The event started in 2020 when Brittany collected a few dresses, intending to take them to the St. Mary’s County Library’s Cinderella Society, but the pandemic brought an end to all high school proms that year.
“I had this surplus of dresses, and I couldn’t find anyone who was doing” this type of drive, said Brittany, who is a civilian employee at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. “So I talked to Katrina, and (we agreed that) if no one else was going to do it we would do it ourselves.”
“I thought it was a wonderful idea,” said Katrina, who is a co-owner of her family’s Colony Builders construction company. “I hoard gowns, and I love going to galas. I still have all my college and sorority dresses, so I was so happy we were going to donate them somewhere. With the amount of dresses we both owned (somewhere in the neighborhood of 60), I knew it would be successful.”
The community has pitched in to help out, too. A thrift store donated dresses and shoes, dress racks were donated and dry cleaning bills were taken care of.
The women ask that donated dresses be dry cleaned and ready to wear and in relatively good shape. But they can also touch up dresses if need be.
“If it’s not crazy complicated I’ll take on the task,” said Katrina, who added she is “quasi-handy.”
There will also be non-prom dresses available, such as ones for Easter or other types of parties.
This year Katrina said they even have a few Alfred Angelos, a designer known for his bridesmaid dresses.
Brittany said there will be a variety of colors, styles and sizes, but added that “the No. 1 lesson that I’ve learned is that I know nothing about what teenagers are looking for these days.”
“I had a great senior prom, and it was so much fun, and these kids have had a rough couple years” with the pandemic, Brittany said, “so I wanted to make sure that anybody who wants to have a nice time (at their prom) has a nice time and isn’t excluded.”
“I love helping the girls try on the dresses,” Katrina said. “You can see their eyes light up when they find a dress and it fits perfectly. It was cool to be a part of that experience because I remember finding my prom dress, and even my wedding gown.”
Reprinted with permission from Toyota Motor North America | By
Jamie Szewczyk ’10, an electrode production manager at One Toyota, recently transferred to Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina, from Toyota West Virginia. She spoke to One Toyota about her experience as a woman in the STEM field and her exciting move to Japan for training.
“I’ll be living in Japan for about two years to learn about the battery-making process. We’ll then teach it to our teams and bring our knowledge back to North Carolina. I’ll be a main point of contact there for people to reach out with any questions or information sharing.”
How long have you worked for Toyota?
I did a co-op with Toyota in 2013 at the West Virginia plant, then I got hired full time in 2015.
What’s a typical day like for you?
My typical day is mostly strategy and planning. We’re traveling and doing a lot of training while we can in North America. I was just in Green Bay, Wisconsin, doing a training on a specific type of coating.
When I was a production manager at Toyota West Virginia, I was on the floor talking with team members, helping troubleshoot problems and making sure we were staying on track.
Right now, with the battery plant, it’s different since it’s a startup, but eventually I’ll get back to helping on the floor.
What has your experience been like as a woman in the STEM field?
I’ve really enjoyed it. Some days I don’t even realize it. I’ll sit with a whole team of men and share ideas and talk out loud. There was never a moment where I thought, “Oh, I’m the only woman in here.” Everyone has always been open and accepting of me.
Jordan Grinnell | St. Mary’s RykenWhy is it important to have more women in this field?
Having a diverse group, everyone brings different perspectives. So having those different perspectives and opinions adds to group conversations and helps solve problems quicker.
Is there any advice you would give the younger generation of females who want to go into STEM?
Be hands-on. That’s the way I’ve learned best. I loved doing my co-op with Toyota, and it helped me make those connections at the West Virginia plant to then come back and have a successful career full time.
Whether it’s through an internship or co-op program, take that time and get the hands-on experience while you’re still in school.
Who was your most influential teacher at St. Mary’s Ryken?
My most influential teacher was Mrs. Elizabeth Schuck. She instilled my love of chemistry, which led me to choose chemical engineering as my major at Virginia Tech.
contributed to this article.
With Toyota starting a battery plant in North America, I will be able to use that fundamental chemistry knowledge in my daily work.
What is your favorite thing about working at Toyota?
I’ve always loved the people and the culture. I’ve also really enjoyed all the people that I’ve worked with. I’ve moved departments a few times, and everyone is very genuine and willing to help and work together.
What are you driving?
A Toyota Highlander.
What do you like to do outside of work?
My fiancé, Tim Halstead, and I are kind of homebodies. We love trying new restaurants and cooking at home. We also love taking our dog on walks. We’re really looking forward to new adventures in Japan. Is there anything about you that might surprise our readers?
Growing up, my dad and I owned a DJ business called Dance Party DJs. We started when I was in middle school because I didn’t like any of the DJs at school dances. So, we started our own company and worked at dances and proms. He still does it and has worked at a lot of corporate events and a couple of weddings.
Tell us about a fond memory of your time as an SMR student.
It is difficult to pick just one memory. I have great memories from participating in Key Club with Mr. Steve Kupka, the school dances, and playing volleyball. I made some great friends and close connections while at SMR that I still hold till this day — one of them is even a bridesmaid in my upcoming wedding in November!
After years of dabbling as an animal welfare advocate and researching animal care, Kathryn Kopanke is getting back to what she really loves — working directly with equines. Last year, the 2006 SMR alum started her own business as a certified equine nutrition adviser.
Thrive Equine Services, based in Southern Maryland, helps owners of horses, donkeys and mules get their animals’ nutrition on track. “The challenge is that (nutrition is) key to equine health but also can be confusing and time-consuming to get right,” Kathryn said. “Feed labels, the nutritional needs of each unique horse, forage requirements, and the slew of advertisements being pitched to equine owners at all times are enough to make anyone overwhelmed.”
Now, Kathryn takes on-farm consultations or visits with clients virtually.
She has been studying with a farrier and plans to add hoof care to her list of services once her training is complete. “Nutrition, specifically the minerals and sugars in an equine’s diet, directly impact the equine foot. (The saying ‘No hoof, no horse’ is valid!) If their feet are suffering, they are holistically suffering.”
“My goal is to get a lot of practice in the equine nutrition and hoof-care realm so I can educate the public, starting with our Southern Maryland community, on the importance of both and how closely they are tied together,” she added. “Down the road, I look forward to being able to volunteer my expertise and time both locally and globally with working equines.”
Volunteering isn’t new for Kathryn, who was part of the Xaverian Brothers Sponsored School Stewards and the Key Club at St. Mary’s Ryken. After graduating from college, she also volunteered at an equineassisted therapy nonprofit called Rose of
Sharon Equestrian School. It was there that she truly got to know horses and realized how much she loved working with them and taking care of them.
“Those who have spent their lives around horses understand better than I that the more time you spend with them, the more aware you are of not only what’s going on around you but also what’s going on inside of you,” she said. “It’s a beautiful reminder that there is always still so much to learn if you just listen.”
Kathryn attended the University of North Carolina Wilmington as a biology major on the pre-veterinarian track and worked as a vet tech. She credits President Rick Wood, then Mr. Wood, her AP Biology teacher at SMR, with sparking her curiosity about science.
After graduation, she gravitated toward medical research, which led to an interest in animal welfare policy and ethics. Thanks to John Olon’s philosophy class at SMR, which taught her how to flex her ethical questioning and deductive reasoning muscles, she decided to pursue a master’s degree in international animal welfare, ethics and law through a remote program at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. While working on her master’s, she took a job interning for the ASPCA’s Government Relations
Department in Washington. The internship turned into a full-time job with the department, where she organized animal welfare campaigns in equine and farm animal welfare as well as cat and dog protection. After more than six years working on equine issues on the local, state and federal level, she was ready to get hands-on with animals again. She left the ASPCA in August 2022 and launched Thrive. “I’ve always been surrounded by supportive and determined small-business owners and made the decision to develop a service that scratched my science-loving itch and allowed me to work directly with equines and their owners.”
Kathryn’s patients may be ill, suffering from trauma and malnutrition, or may simply be overweight. She looks forward to collaborating with veterinarians on equines with illnesses and disorders. “Equines are a substantial time and often monetary investment with feeding, health care bills, boarding or farm upkeep and long-term care,” she said, “so it’s rewarding to help streamline feeding programs to make it easier on the client and healthier for the horse.”
“Equine professionals, owners, rescuers and enthusiasts are some of the most dedicated animal folks out there,” she added. “Not only has my passion for equine welfare emerged in my volunteer, academic, and policy work experience but also my passion for the humans involved. I truly enjoy interfacing with and getting to know those in the equine world and look forward to continuing to meet them in our community.”
Kathryn and her husband, Spike ’05, lived aboard a sailboat for five years and are now building a land home in St. Mary’s County. She does not own any horses, but she does have a donkey who lives on her friend’s farm nearby, as well as a cat and dog. She loves to hike, write poetry and cook spicy food.
At the Donnie Williams Center last fall, St. Mary’s Ryken welcomed five alumni into the Athletic Hall of Fame.
Congratulations to the 2022 Inductees:
Philip Cronan from the Class of 1990, Baseball
Romar Dennis from the Class of 2013, Lacrosse
Treveon Graham from the Class of 2011, Basketball
Daniel Raley from the Class of 1967, Baseball
Elizabeth “Betty” Raley Woodburn from the Class of 1970, Cheerleading
The St. Mary’s Ryken Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1981 to honor those alumni, coaches and administrators who achieved excellence and distinguished themselves in the school’s athletic programs. Inductees are selected through a nomination process overseen by the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee and honored during Homecoming Weekend.
Stephanie Dameron Bolin ’10, Softball
John Flowers ’07, Basketball
John Gretz, Coach (1973–77)
Joe Hatcher ’76, Cross Country & Track
Tim O’Connor ’76, Cross Country & Track
Tom Offenbacher ’74, Cross Country & Track
Roman Pausch ’77, Cross Country & Track
Tyler Smith ’12, Basketball
Reed Sothoron ’00, Lacrosse
will be honored on Friday, Oct. 6 before the SMR Homecoming Game!
If you would like to attend the ceremony and reception to support the inductees, visit www.smrhs.org/athleticshalloffame to RSVP.
Philip Cronan ’90 was a stellar athlete at SMR from 1986-90. He was recruited to play catcher on the varsity baseball team as a freshman, which was unprecedented. During his years, he led the team with his batting average, culminating in his senior year with a .525 average. Philip is a three-time First Team All St. Mary’s County and St. Mary’s Ryken Most Valuable Player; two-time All-SMAC his junior and senior years; and captain his junior and senior years. Philip said: “Athletics had a profound impact on my life. I learned discipline, sacrifice, self-awareness, teamwork, setting goals, and preparation — all skills instrumental to helping me live my best life!”
In 1990, playing for the American Legion, he was named the Frank Riley League Champion and was second runner-up in the American Legion State Championship. After graduation, Philip played baseball for Charles County Community College before signing to play Division I baseball at East Carolina University, where he earned a B.S. degree in public relations. His ECU team won the conference championship in 1993. In addition, he was a member of the StudentAthlete Advisory Committee, representing student-athletes regarding policy development and NCAA legislation.
Philip’s baseball career spans more than 30 years from player to coach, including assistant coach for the St. Michael’s High School Class A baseball state champions in 2011.
Philip earned a master’s degree in early childhood education from the College of Notre Dame in 1996 before he decided to go to the University of Baltimore School of Law, graduating in 2001 with a Juris Doctorate. Today, Philip is a founding principal in Hollis, Cronan & Fronk, P.A. He provides legal counseling and services to individuals, families and business entities. He has focused his law practice on family law, criminal defense in both circuit and district courts, and general civil litigation.
“Athletics had a profound impact on my life. I learned discipline, sacrifice, self-awareness, teamwork, setting goals, and preparation.”
Before beginning a solo practice in 2004, Philip was an assistant state’s attorney for Caroline County. He handled matters ranging from serious traffic cases, including DUI/DWI, to felony and violent drug crimes.
Philip is an active volunteer in his community, serving on the boards of the Mid-Shore Junior Achievement, Council on Domestic Violence, Family Services Programs, American Legion Post No. 91, and B.P.O. Elks Lodge No. 1272, to name a few.
Philip married his high school sweetheart, Gennie Mathews ’90. They have three children: Jackson attends East Carolina University, and daughters Catherine and Madeline attend Saints Peter & Paul High School. The family resides on the Eastern Shore.
Romar Dennis, a 2013 graduate of St. Mary’s Ryken, has been playing lacrosse since his teen years — in high school at St. Mary’s Ryken, and in college at Loyola University of Maryland. Despite landing a plum job as an analyst with a financial firm in Baltimore after college, he’s making a run in the lacrosse major leagues. For two years, he juggled the job at Morgan Stanley with a part-time stint playing for the Denver Outlaws. Then a new league, the Premier Lacrosse League, lured him to Los Angeles to play full-time for the Atlas, one of eight pro teams that tour around the country from June to September.
“My passion for lacrosse comes from being around the sport at the highest level in Maryland,” Romar said. “I used to go to Annapolis and College Park to watch some of the great mid-2000s college match-ups, and that really ignited my love for the sport.” He also credits his former coaches with getting him to this point. Lenny Casalino, who was integral to lacrosse in Southern Maryland, introduced him to the sport and helped him develop his competitive side. “He’s the reason I was good enough to play at SMR,” Romar said.
At SMR, Coach John Sothoron “really pushed me to my limit and demanded the best from me. That ‘tough love’ was something I didn’t always appreciate, but as I got to college, I realized he was preparing me for everything I would face after him.” And Coach Chris Perkinson “always knew how to pick us back up and teach the small nuances of the game that made the difference between being a good and great player.”
During the season, Romar, a midfielder, trains several times a week on the field and in the weight room with the Atlas, and he helps run instructional clinics for the league’s lacrosse academy for young players. He’s also a coach at a high school.
He has always been mindful that lacrosse is an exclusive sport, tied to a very wealthy demographic. “My parents let me play because it helped me go to SMR, then playing at SMR earned me a full athletic scholarship to Loyola,” he said. Now he’s trying to change that. He helped start the Black Lacrosse Alliance and is on the advisory board of Harlem Lacrosse – L.A., which both help make the game more accessible to kids from different backgrounds.
He knows how big of an impact sports can play on someone’s life on and off the field. His father was drafted from Panama to play minor league baseball in the Yankees farm system. The Yankees are “a big part of my family’s immigration story,” Romar said.
Treveon Graham ’11 was an all-star breakthrough playing in the Knights’ 2008–11 seasons. While at St. Mary’s Ryken, he was named Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Player of the Year and The Washington Post All-Met Team in 2010 and 2011. Treveon averaged 21.5 points and 12 rebounds per game. He was courted to play for Boston, Clemson, Cincinnati, Cleveland State and Northeastern universities. He chose to play for Coach Shaka Smart at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
Treveon poured in 1,882 points over his career at VCU between 2011–15 and guided the Rams to four consecutive NCAA tournaments and a pair of conference championships. In addition, he was a two-time All-Atlantic 10 Conference First Team selection.
Last year Virginia Commonwealth University retired his basketball jersey of No. 21 in a pregame ceremony at the Siegel Center. A 6-foot-5 forward, Treveon was named MVP of the 2015 Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament when he averaged 17.3 points and 9.8 rebounds over four days to lead the Rams to the title. He provided 20 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists in the championship game against Dayton that season.
In a VCU career chock full of memorable moments, Treveon is also known for his long, game-winning 3-pointer in a victory over 25th-ranked Virginia on Nov. 12, 2013, the first meeting between the two programs in 15 years.
He averaged 13.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per game for the Rams in 140 career games. Treveon is the sixth VCU men’s player to see his jersey retired.
In 2016 his NBA career was launched when he joined the Charlotte Hornets for two seasons. In 2018 he signed with the Brooklyn Nets and played 35 games until an injury sidelined him. Treveon returned in 2019, playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves and then the Atlanta Hawks in 2020. You can catch Treveon playing with the Long Island Nets this upcoming season!
Legion and St. Michael’s Knights of Columbus for the past 50 years.
In 1972 Dan married Ann Raley, and they have two children and six grandchildren, whom all live on the family farm in Great Mills. Dan and Ann celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in July.
Favorite SMR memory: Coach Terry Smith making all of us “Ridge Boys” do “sliding” practice.
named Female Athlete of the Year. After college, Betty competed in the St. Mary’s County women’s softball league and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2005.
Betty shared her talents coaching the St. Michael’s Catholic School girls basketball team in the late 1970s, taking them to their first winning season. She says it was gratifying to coach the girls to a successful season, but added, “Coaching was not my strong point, so I handed the team down to my husband Pat ’69, who went on to coach another 20 successful years and championships.”
Daniel Raley ’67 was the Brooks Robinson of the 1966 and 1967 Ryken baseball team. According to teammate Fred Curran ’67, “His play, leadership and determination were instrumental in our back-to-back Southern Maryland Championships!”
During his senior season, his batting average was .515, and he led the team in scoring. After high school, Dan played at Loyola College, now Loyola University Maryland, in Baltimore.
Dan graduated from Loyola in 1971 with a history degree. He participated in ROTC at Loyola and served as a second lieutenant in the Army for three years after graduation.
In 1979, Dan and his cousin bought the family grocery store and operated it until 2005. In 1998 he won a seat as county commissioner for the 4th District of St. Mary’s County and served in that position for 12 years. Now retired, Dan has volunteered and served on the Board of Directors for the Lexington Park Rescue Squad, St. Clement’s Island 100, and has been a member of the Ridge American
Elizabeth “Betty” Raley Woodburn ’70 put the “cheer” in cheerleading! She was a true athlete in her days at St. Mary’s Academy, performing complex gymnastics when opportunities for female athletes were scarce.
Betty was captain of the squad (JV and varsity), serving as a leader and mentor to the team members. Her peers recognized her at the academy as one of the best student-athletes. She was also a star in track, winning a statewide competition in the 100-yard-dash barefoot! Her relay team also placed first.
After the academy, Betty attended St. Mary’s College of Maryland, starting on the girls basketball team her first year. She was a member of the first-ever winning basketball team and was
With all her significant accomplishments over the years and paving the way for female high school athletes, Betty says, “My family is the success story of my life! Marrying Patrick Woodburn was the best decision of my life. Together we raised six beautiful children, and we now have eight grandchildren. “
Betty and Pat are longtime volunteers with St. Michael’s school and church, and they helped start the annual auction with family members Mary and Ray Raley. The Raley family owns and operates Mary’s Hope, an events venue in St. Inigoes.
What did she love about cheerleading? “The entire squad! The ladies were hardworking, considerate and cooperative. We had fun! We operated as a cohesive unit. I am incredibly grateful to Brother Gerry Rooney, who took excellent care of us.”
Betty was a true athlete in her days at St. Mary’s Academy, performing complex gymnastics when opportunities for female athletes were scarce.
In a nutshell, I retired in 2010 because my dad’s health had begun to fail. He passed that summer. I had made a promise to him that I would care for Mom, sell our large homes, and buy a smaller place for the two of us. That process took two years, with Mom’s health beginning to fail. She was already 88. We moved to Annapolis in 2012 to be near my grandchildren and to get the medical attention Mom needed. I had not planned on moving away from SMR. St. Mary’s Academy and SMR had been my life for 34 years.
Living near my grandchildren was a blessing. I had waited so long for them, and now I got to spend quality time with them. It doesn’t seem possible that they are teenagers already. I miss working with teenagers. I smile when I think of my former students who are now parents and some even grandparents.
By 2015 Mom was totally dependent without my help 24/7. By then my health needed some TLC and I needed help with Mom, which came from three retired caregivers, who each helped me with Mom part time. That gave me time to be both daughter to Mom and grandma to the grandkids.
Mom passed at age 99 and 6 months. We kept her safe and, I trust, happy and content, which she richly deserved. I thought often of how she, as well as my dad, were part of The Greatest Generation — the strong, never complaining, generation. Ask me what I’ve done since retirement and I’ll tell you I was privileged to care for her those last 12 years of her life. That left me little time to be actively involved in the community
or travel. I have been blessed to maintain some strong friendships with members of the SMR community, and I visit St. Mary’s County when I can; it’s home. Since December 2021, I have had knee replacement and hand surgery. I still need the other knee done, hopefully this year. As most caregivers will tell you, now it’s time to take care of me.
I was thrilled not long ago to visit the SMR campus and be given a tour by Dr. Wood. I am so proud of what has been done with both the campus and the academic program there since I retired. I would have loved to have been there and shared in those accomplishments in some way.
History Teacher, Cheerleading Coach
SMA 1978–81 / SMR 1981–2018
family decided to move back to Maryland after 10 years in Idaho. I flew back out to Idaho and drove cross country with Jenna and the kids to Maryland. We saw a lot of the country during that trip and have a lot of great memories, including our drive in a blizzard in Wyoming.
Since 2018, my husband and I have done some traveling, mostly out West. We love it there! We have visited several national parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Tetons and, of course, the greatest park of all, Yellowstone. No matter how many times we go there, we see it as if for the first time. It is awesome! Our last trip out there in 2021 was spent visiting places in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Utah. Our last adventure was in August of 2022 when we went on a cruise to Alaska with friends. Denali National Park, the mountain itself and Glacier Bay were my favorites on this trip. It’s very beautiful and exciting.
Right after I retired, my family and I went on a vacation to Myrtle Beach, which included my immediate family, plus my brothers and their families. That fall, my husband Lennie and I went to Idaho and visited my daughter, Jenna, her husband Bryan and my grands, Wyatt and Charlotte. While we were there we went to the Idaho State Fair, which I had always wanted to do, but since I was normally teaching in September, it was never possible. Retirement has its perks! Right after that Jenna and
I also enjoy visiting wineries, spending time in Baltimore with my son, Jason, and going through old family pictures with him. We found a picture of my mother as a baby, as well as her mother as a baby! Amazing! Now that Jenna is back in Maryland and living in St. Mary’s County, I get to see Wyatt and Charlotte often… and when I am with them I am definitely in my happy place! I’ve learned the game of soccer so that I can follow Wyatt and his soccer team, the Shockers. I also volunteer as a chaperone at St. John’s School in Hollywood, Maryland, when my grandkids need me.
I enjoy reading when I have down time, which is something that had to wait for summertime when I was teaching — another perk! I enjoy my visits to see friends and family, especially my history department buddy, Donna Martinez. We reminisce about SMR and all the experiences we had over the years there. We also shop! Some things never change…
My retirement came at the end of the 2016 school year. My students were finishing their junior year, and it was hard missing their senior year. That first year, I missed the college bus trips, retreats, the basketball games, student connections, the special projects and performances that the students created.
court interpreter in Annapolis and she and her hubby Tom have Andrés, 6, and Bea, 2. Marty ’12 and his wife Izza have a new baby, Theo, who is 1. Marty is a physical therapist in St. Mary’s County. Kenny ’12 is a computer engineer and lives in Washington, D.C. We are loving those grandkids!
Since I retired from SMR in 2016 after 35 years in the classroom, on the field hockey field, at cheerleading events, on student retreats and at faculty meetings, my life has gotten somewhat simpler. I no longer have a home on the Potomac River, but I do have a condo on the Atlantic Ocean — in Jensen Beach, Florida, on South Hutchinson Island. Warm water and palm trees — what a wonderful combination!
I use my “free time” now for co-chairing our condo social committee, reading, water aerobics, playing cards and mah-jongg, and touring local attractions — especially with visiting family and friends. And traveling! Mrs. Morgan (English department and media specialist from SMR) and I have traveled to France twice and to England, Scotland and Wales last year. This year our trip is to Spain and Portugal — and next year we’re off on safari to South Africa!
I’ve met so many interesting people here, from many different places, but I still have fond memories — and friends — from Southern Maryland … but I’ve yet to find someone that sells SoMd stuffed ham!
It was a lot of fun to teach the “Food Truck” business course in the Summer Knights program. I continued to teach summer photography and cooking in the SMR kitchen. For one year, I worked part time to support the international students. It was fun. We had activities such as sailing, trips to D.C., and the Lunar New Year celebration.
My husband Mark and I love having family close by. Our three SMR alumni children are doing great. Marina ’01 is a Spanish
Volunteer work always includes music in the church for me. Either playing the piano or singing in the choir. For several years, I sang with Encore Adult Singers. We sang for 2,000 people at the Kennedy Center one Christmas. What a thrill!
One of my first purchases after retiring was a sewing machine. I started quilting. Now I belong to a volunteer group at church that makes lap quilts for the sick and dying. Some of us also make stuffed baby elephants. These go into homemade duffel bags for children removed from their home by Child Services. Each child can have their own luggage made with love and prayers instead of a trash bag.
In January and April 2021, I received new titanium knee joints. I am very grateful for them, and now I can swim and ride bikes without pain.
We are so blessed. We have many happy memories of our friendships, students and time at SMR.
Elizabeth “Liz” Schuck Science Teacher1999–2022
Since retirement, I have been watching one of my grandchildren full time, and my husband and I spend a lot of weekends with all of our grandchildren as well. We have five grandchildren age 6 and under. We also welcomed a new dog to our home; she is a 6-year-old Catahoula Leopard dog and
is a wonderful addition to our family. I am taking/have taken several online courses in subjects like history, languages and math. I do some volunteering and some running and kayaking. I miss SMR, but I am enjoying my retirement!
Dave Tallman Basketball Coach, Athletic Director2010–14
Dave Tallman was St. Mary’s Ryken’s athletic director from 2010–14. As head basketball coach, he built SMR into a powerhouse team, with two 18-win seasons, including a third-place finish in 2011.
In 2014, he and his wife Natalie decided to move closer to his family in Morgantown, West Virginia, and take the helm of
Morgantown High School’s basketball team. Since then, Coach Tallman has led the school to new heights. He has won over 180 games in nine seasons. His 2016 team won the school’s first state championship with a perfect 27-0 record. In 2021 his team was runner-up. Last season Morgantown won its second state championship, with a record of 23-4. Coach Tallman has been named West Virginia Coach of the Year for All-Sports (2016), USA Today West Virginia Coach of the Year (2016), NFHS West Virginia Coach of the Year (2022), and is the West Virginia representative on the National High School Basketball Coaches Association board.
Coach Tallman’s team is currently ranked No. 1 in West Virginia with a record of 18-1.
In his off-season, Coach Tallman loves to spend time with Natalie and their two children, Tre and Brooklyn. You can also see him coaching during the summer on ESPN with Best Virginia, a West Virginia University alumni team, in The Basketball Tournament (TBT). One of his players on Best Virginia is SMR’s own John Flowers ’07.
Pillars of the Community are friends and benefactors of St. Mary’s Ryken. They are committed to the same philosophies and ideals as our founders and, through their wisdom and generosity, seek to ensure that the highest quality of education will be available for future generations.
The entire St. Mary’s Ryken community is grateful for their vision, leadership and dedicated service to our students, faculty and staff, and all the lives they have touched.
Mary Joy Hurlburt began her career as an art teacher at St. Mary’s Ryken before entering administrative leadership roles, serving as the dean of academics, principal and president. In addition, she focused on improving the school and preserving its heritage as a Xaverian Brothers Sponsored School. In 2005, she was the first woman to become president of any of the 13 Xaverian Brothers schools. During her tenure, Mary Joy worked diligently to improve the campus, overseeing the construction of a turf field, track and stadium, the creation of a Campus Ministry center, renovation of the fine arts spaces, installation of air conditioning in all of the buildings, and the completion of the Donnie Williams Center and the MIL
Corp. STEM Innovation Wing. Mary Joy served 33 years at St. Mary’s Ryken and retired in 2019. She now serves as director of the MIL Family Foundation. In addition, she is a corporate member of the Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools.
Mary Joy has served on the Board of Directors of St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers, Massachusetts; Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, Maryland; and her alma mater, The Academy of the Holy Cross in Kensington, Maryland. In addition, she is the past president of the Washington Catholic High School President’s Association.
In December 2018, she received the Theodore James Ryken Award, the most prestigious award given to members of the school community. In 2021, she received the Distinguished Alumnae Award from The Academy of the Holy Cross.
serves on the Board of Advisors of the newly created University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland.
Mary Joy and George have been married for 48 years. Their son Jimmy graduated in 1993, and they enjoy their two beautiful grandchildren, Eli and Minah. Their new retirement adventure includes traveling the world as much as possible.
George Hurlburt had a distinguished 38-year career with the Department of the Navy. As a young Vietnam-seasoned naval intelligence officer, George became a briefing officer for the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. While a civilian Navy employee, he became the technical marketing manager for the Naval Air Test Center Patuxent River, working under three successive admirals. Increasingly relying on electronic dashboards, George gravitated to automation, where he eventually held the titles of both IRM and chief information officer. He led the development of proven information systems with longevity. One such system served to unify the testing communities of the Joint Services for over 20 years, well before the notions of net-centricity and joint collaboration became common.
A pioneer in joint service electronic collaboration, George came to appreciate the complex behavior of networks. He developed an architectural tool based upon a fluid ontology, which gained notoriety in defense architectural circles.
In retirement, he continues to design similar dynamic systems. George is an avid photographer and often combines this hobby with his nonprofit work. He is the treasurer of three nonprofit boards in Southern Maryland. In addition, he
Ellie Tennyson is the founder and managing director of the Tennyson Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors. She oversees investments, utilizing her experience and knowledge of asset planning, financial markets and strategies to assist clients in living their life the best way possible, without undue compromise to their current or future lifestyle and without taking unnecessary investment risks.
Before her move to Wells Fargo Advisors, Ellie was an investment officer for Riggs National Bank. During her tenure there, she specialized in fixed-income investments and worked primarily with local corporations, associations and institutions. She began her career in 1992 at Prudential Securities, a Wells Fargo Advisors predecessor firm.
As a proponent of continued education, Ellie has taken the necessary steps to become both a certified financial planner
and a certified investment management analyst. In addition to these designations, she is licensed in Life, Health, Long-Term Care Insurance, Variable Life and Annuities. Ellie serves on the Board of Directors at St. Mary’s Ryken and is the former president of The Bread of Life Center for Peace, a local nonprofit organization. She is also actively involved in her church, local schools, and the assisted living community.
Patrick Tennyson, Ellie’s husband, has spent most of his career working in the family’s construction business, Tennyson Custom Builders, and WM Davis. In 2005, he put his family first and made a career change — he became a stay-at-home dad. Pat described his new job as the most challenging, yet the most rewarding. He became an expert in mediation and dispute resolution!
For the next 14 years, he chauffeured their four children and their friends to school, tutoring, and practices for soccer, BMX, basketball, golf, softball, lacrosse, field hockey and ice hockey. Pat rarely missed a home game, while Ellie attended the away games. The Chevy Suburban racked up many miles with four children involved in two or more activities. While the children attended Father Andrew White School, Pat was a dedicated parent volunteer and spent numerous hours building and creating “whatever was needed” for the school’s biggest fundraiser, the Spring Social.
Currently, Pat is the owner of The Helping Hammer. He believes no job is too small and works with the senior community, often providing his services pro bono. Pat looks forward to caravanning his grandchildren to their events and activities in the future.
Ellie and Pat are the proud parents of Christopher ’13, Elizabeth ’15, Joseph ’18 and Grace ’20. When not spending time with family, Ellie enjoys traveling, wine tastings, and searching for unique and vintage treasures, while Pat can be found on the golf course whenever he has a chance!
On the weekend of Nov. 18, as fall began to settle comfortably in Appalachia, two Catholic high schools came together for a common purpose — to create a festive Christmas environment for families in need.
Students from Presentation Academy in Louisville, Kentucky, and St. Mary’s Ryken, met in Beattyville, a rural and underserved Eastern Kentucky community. They spent the weekend helping Dora Ross of Kentucky Cornerstone Ministry prepare for her annual Christmas giveaway.
While holiday festivities abound in communities this time of year, this particular occasion serves an even greater purpose. At Ms. Dora’s Christmas event, families impacted by poverty, disaster and other hardships can receive gifts for children, much-needed food boxes, and other items to help ease holiday struggles. This year’s Christmas giveaway took place on Dec. 10, and Ms. Dora was finalizing preparations. Churches and individuals across the country support Christmas in Appalachia through donations and service, but the Catholic students helped ensure Kentucky Cornerstone looked the part for the holiday. Throughout the weekend, they hung decorations, cleaned and organized the store, and came together to appreciate the community, the ministry, and each other.
“My experience helping Dora touched my heart,” said Presentation junior Hope Birk. “She has given so much of her time and love to so many people, and it was so rewarding giving that back to her. The whole time I was at the Kentucky Cornerstone, I had a smile on my face because I felt content being able to give back to others. I’m beyond grateful that I went on the mission trip and will always remember it.”
Cooper Wright, a rising sophomore at St. Mary’s Ryken, said his favorite part of the trip was cooking dinner for everyone
and learning more about his classmates and new friends while serving others. The visit to Kentucky was a first for Cooper.
“I got some new perspective of how blessed I am to live where I live and attend the school I do,” he said. “I was also very blown away by how much Ms. Dora does for her community, and I felt very honored to be able to help.”
For Katie Williams, another rising sophomore at SMR, the trip helped prepare her for the Advent season.
“It was truly inspiring to see how (Ms. Dora) sacrifices so much to help the people around her,” Katie said. “Driving through the town and helping with the store made me realize how much I really have and that I should be grateful for it.”
Katie also enjoyed meeting the students from Presentation Academy and made fast friends with her peers. Both schools, 600 miles apart from each other, share roots in the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. The
joint mission trip to Appalachia has opened doors for more service opportunities and collaboration in the future.
While in Kentucky, SMR students and chaperones also had the opportunity to visit the Nazareth Motherhouse Campus in Bardstown and meet with a few of the sisters there. This, too, was a meaningful experience, Katie said.
“You dedicate your lives to serving God by serving those in need, and I will always look up to you as role models,” she told the sisters.
Sister Luke Boiarski, SCN, director of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Lay Mission Volunteer Program, met with the students and chaperones in Beattyville. It was a wonderful time, she said, and an experience that highlights the compassion and dedication of others.
“I was so amazed at how these two schools came together in work, laughter and prayer,” she said.
Eager to make new friends and build connections, students at the 2023 Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools Leadership Retreat arrived at the Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in West Hartford, Connecticut, with open hearts, ready to receive.
Building upon the momentum of last year’s retreat, which reunited students in person after a virtual session was held in 2021 due to the pandemic, an amplified thrill to connect across the network was on the top of everyone’s mind.
“My favorite part was just meeting everyone,” said one student from Mount Saint Joseph High School in Baltimore. “I absolutely love meeting new friends.”
Each day, packed with meaning, laughter and wisdom, was meticulously designed to leave students with an unforgettable bonding experience and deepened sense of faith. Through daily prayers, guest speakers, shared meals, thought-provoking activities and group discussions, 121 students experienced their “connectedness” to the Xaverian charism firsthand.
Dr. Ben Horgan, XBSS formation director and Saint John’s High School alum, addressed the students.
“Nothing special is achieved without much labor, effort and zeal,” he said, quoting the Fundamental Principles of the Xaverian Brothers. “Xaverian spirituality, finding God in the common, ordinary, unspectacular flow of everyday life … these words directly relate to our founder, Theodore James Ryken. He was common, he was ordinary, and despite that, look, we’re all here today in this room.”
Dr. Horgan went on to share the meek and mighty ways God uses people, and how He responds to humble hearts.
“You’re all here for a reason,” he assured the students. “God wanted you to be in this place with your peers from Xaverian schools across the country.”
Inclusion, belonging, diversity and service were all themes explored during the retreat. Edification, encouragement, and building each other up was central to each day.
“The groups really started to come together,” said one student. “It’s so incredible to meet students from so many different states, and I’m just really grateful for that experience.”
All 13 XBSS schools were challenged to think about how they could creatively serve the marginalized and forgotten in their respective communities by using their specific God-given gifts, talents, passions and interests.
“Many of you might underestimate the influence that you have in your communities,”
Dr. Patrick Slattery, XBSS executive director,
told a crowd of students. “You have a lot of folks that think quite highly of you. When you have that many people seeing something in you, that want to awaken that greatness and potential in you, that’s God speaking to you. There will be moments when God gives you great opportunity to step up and use that leadership. You’re called to something more; to do more, to give more, to give that gift that you have as a gift to others.”
Dr. Slattery emphasized how retreats often lead to decisions and asked the students how they could help lead by going back to their schools and communities to pour out what’s been poured into them.
The retreat forged and sharpened servant leaders from across the school network and lit a fire in the hearts of students to return to their communities, empower others, promote justice, serve the marginalized, live as agents of God’s love, and lead the way for lasting change.
The St. Mary’s Ryken Board of Directors is undergoing a changing of the guard July 1, as we welcome Enid Sanchez-Bubb (P ’21, ’23) as the new chairwoman.
“I am honored to serve on the St. Mary’s Ryken Board of Directors and as the vice chair for the remainder of this school year in preparation to serve as the incoming chairwoman of the board next school year. We will focus on maintaining the school’s academic excellence to support our students’ growth and help them achieve their goals. At the same time, we will provide a Catholic atmosphere conducive to their spiritual development. As a board member, I aim to positively influence our students’ lives, leading to a brighter future for our community and nation.”
Enid Sanchez-Bubb is the founder and president of C3 Innovations Inc. She has 25 years of results-oriented naval aviation experience spanning program/project management, software development, and supervisory and technical roles. Before founding C3 Innovations, she was the Navy Mission Planning Systems deputy program manager. She provided dynamic, interactive and integrative management over a geographically diverse 150-plusmember military, civilian and contractor team with a budget of more than $250 million. Ms. Sanchez-Bubb worked throughout her career in multiple high pace, high-visibility programs such as Navy Enterprise Resource Planning, F/A-18 Aircraft Communication and Data Link Systems, E-6B Airborne Command Post modifications, and numerous Navy helicopters’ navigation, software and computer systems. As an electronics engineer, she also worked with the General Service Administration on several projects with the Army and the FBI.
Ms. Sanchez-Bubb has been a quintessential balancer of trade-space variables seeking to understand the “art of the possible” technologies with the “here and now” demands of acquisition cost, schedule and performance. She is a dynamic, passionate, inclusive and motivational leader.
Ms. Sanchez-Bubb has a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, and a master’s degree in business administration from the Florida Institute of Technology. In addition, she graduated from the Senior Executive Development Program in November 2007 and from the Leadership Southern Maryland program in 2011. Ms. Sanchez-Bubb and her husband William have three daughters: Isabella, Ariana ’21, and Sarah ’23.
Ms. Sanchez-Bubb has served on the Board of Directors for three years on the Finance Committee. “Enid’s leadership and insightful wisdom on the board has been instrumental in shaping our vision for the school’s future,” said President Rick Wood. “She has been preparing for her new role by meeting with our current chairman, Jimmy Burke.”
“I would like to thank Dr. Wood for the opportunity to further serve on the board as chairwoman for the next school year,” Ms. Sanchez-Bubb said.
“I would also like to thank Jimmy Burke for serving
as chairman for the past six years; his knowledge and professionalism helped make our school the best high school in the Southern Maryland region. His shoes will be hard to fill.”
James “Jimmy” Burke ’86 (P ’19, ’22) served on the St. Mary’s Ryken Board of Directors from 2006-10. He returned in July 2017 to take over the helm as chairman.
Dr. Wood commented: “The entire SMR community is grateful for Jimmy’s dedicated leadership over the years and steadfast focus, especially during the completion of the capital campaign bringing the Donnie Williams Center to our campus, helping to steer the community through the pandemic, and leading the board with his time, talents and humor.”
“As my time as a board member and, over the last several years, as chairman of the board of St. Mary’s Ryken comes to a close, I look back fondly at what we all have accomplished together,” said Jimmy Burke. “We have successfully navigated a leadership transition, capital improvements, and, more recently, a pandemic. Through it all, the school has emerged more robust and more committed to its core values. I want to thank Dr. Rick Wood, my fellow board members, and our school’s incredible faculty and staff for their commitment to our students and their families.”
year was this photo taken, and who are the students in the prom court? What year was this photo taken, and who are these smiling students?
The first correct answer for each photo will win a St. Mary’s Ryken sweatshirt, T-shirt or hat (your choice)! Submit your answers to betsy.haley@smrhs.org.
Alumni, parents and friends gathered for our beer, bourbon and wine event in the Donnie Williams Center for an evening of fun and fellowship. Guests enjoyed tasting the various beverages and delicious food pairings by Quality Street Kitchen.
SMR COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHTS Sept. 8 2023
SAVE THE DATE! 36 Connections 2023
Oct.SAVE THE DATE!
This year the competition heated up on and off the course! The sold-out tournament on Oct. 14, 2022, had its first winning women’s team, pictured below: Deb Pierce, Tracey Guy, Betty Ann Quade (P’ 22), and Kristina Demmick. Off the course, the Class of 1967, celebrating its 55th reunion, challenged our Lady Knights in the Best Dressed competition.
Madelyn Scherer with her grandparents, Rose ‘71 and Joseph Guyther
Battle of the Argyles with the Class of 1967 and Lady Knight golfers
Deb Pierce, Tracey Guy, Betty Ann Quade and Kristina Demmick
During the annual Founders Week celebrations in November, scholarship recipients greeted their benefactors for an appreciation luncheon.
Thank you to our alumni, parents, grandparents and friends for helping us exceed our goal to raise $27,000 on Giving Tuesday, a national day of philanthropy, on Nov. 29, 2022!
$106,000 was raised during the event to support the chapel renovations! Thank you to all sponsors and guests.
The Knight Gala on March 25 launched our fundraising efforts to raise money to renovate the SMR Chapel of Charity. The SMR Jazz Band and Show Choir kicked off the night with music and dancing during the cocktail reception. Our guests enjoyed a delicious meal and dessert from Ken’s Creative Kitchen, the NightLife band had everyone dancing, and casino games, a photo booth, basket raffles and a silent auction were enjoyed by everyone.
Nov. 28
2023
Conner Russell ’17, Taylor Latham ’17 and Carleigh Wood ’19 Sondra Collins (P ’16, ’18, ’22) and Megan Mulford with recipients of the Laurie Collins Memorial Scholarship, from left: Victoria Schneider ’23, Shannon Cain ’24, Rawlings Don-Simmons ’25, Paul Baden ’23, Zachary Pugh ’26, Jaxon Rhea ’24, Madison Brouillette ’24, Courtney Perraut ’26 and Ryan Guy ’25 Linda Dean ’64, Kevin Nepini and Kim Dean Nepini ’87 (P ’11, ’13, ’26, ’27) and Kristi Dean ’91 Married alums from the Class of 2004: Jesse Reuter and Michelle Rinaldo ReuterClass of 1972
Carmencita Bell is the assistant principal at Maurice J. McDonough High School in Charles County.
Class of 1983
Sue Ann Armitage was named to the Daily Record’s Power List of Family Law Attorneys in recognition of her 30 years of practice. The Daily Record recognizes “the most influential figures in law, higher education, health care, business, financial services, and other fields.”
A big Knight shout-out to SMR alum and Maryland state senator Jack Bailey for his mentorship of Emma Boelke ’23, who participated in the legislative page program. Thank you, Sen. Bailey, for your support of St. Mary’s Ryken students.
Class of 2005
Samantha Grigg became a certified surgical technologist in 2021 and will complete her certified surgical first assistant program in Nashville in October 2023. She assists surgeons during surgical procedures of all kinds.
Class of 1998
Congratulations to Jason DeLucco, who was promoted to Dean of Faculty and Student Development at St. Mary’s Ryken.
After graduating from SMR in 2006, Lt. Cmdr. Maggie (Boyle) Bocian attended the United States Naval Academy. She was a member of the varsity intercollegiate sailing team, a Pipes and Drums highland dancer, and Class of 2010 secretary. In 2010, Maggie graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and was commissioned into the Navy. She later graduated from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in 2015 with a master’s degree in health care administration and policy. Maggie continues to serve on active duty as a health care administrator in the Navy’s Medical Service Corps and is in training to be a manpower and personnel officer. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband, Brandon Bocian, a major in the Marine Corps, and their four children.
Anna Lomb lives in Middletown, Maryland, and works as a special education teacher for Frederick County Public Schools. She has been fostering two boys since August 2021 and will be adopting them in 2023.
Stephanie Bolin, SMR English department chair, and her husband William Bolin, an SMR theology teacher, welcomed their second child, Daniel George Bolin, on Dec. 31, 2022.
Amanda Ripple married Austin Lundquist at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hollywood, Maryland, on April 2, 2022. Amanda’s grandfather, Deacon Ammon Ripple, performed the ceremony. Austin is on active duty with the Coast Guard, and they are stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Aleksey House ’14 married Preston Dabbs on Oct. 1, 2022, at Capital One Hall in Tysons, Virginia.
Soo Min Jeong joined Goodwin as an associate in the firm’s Private Equity group and is a member of the private investment funds practice. Soo Min primarily focuses on all aspects of the formation, operation and ongoing maintenance of private investment funds, including venture capital and private equity funds. Soo Min received her law degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law in 2020.
Mark Mergner married Annie Marcolin, an SMR campus minister, on Jan. 2, 2023, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Rockville, Maryland. They reside in California, Maryland.
On Feb. 12, 2022, Meghan Conner married David Martin ’16 in Boynton Beach, Florida. They reside in Prince Frederick, Maryland.
Christina Basile married Chase Travers ’15 on Dec. 3, 2022, at Holy Rosary Church in Washington. They reside in California, Maryland.
Naiyah Thompson graduated from Boston University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with a minor in Deaf Studies. She went on to get her Master of Public Health from George Washington University – Milken Institute School of Public Health. Now, Naiyah is at Michigan State University pursuing a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine; she received her white coat in August 2022.
Elizabeth “Liz” Bullard received her Master of Science degree in clinical mental health counseling on Dec. 17, 2022, from Lipscomb University in Nashville. She received her undergraduate degree in May 2020 from Mount St. Mary’s University, summa cum laude with double majors in psychology and theology and a minor in religious education. On June 16, 2023, Liz married John Oldham at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville. They met in the summer of 2018 when they were missionaries together in the Totus Tuus program serving the Diocese of Nashville and are excited that they married on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The last time we caught up with Alanna Daley she was serving her community at a mission in Los Angeles. In July 2022, she completed a pilgrimage walking the Camino de Santiago through Spain that follows the route of St. James the Apostle. The journey has multiple routes, but each ends at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain, and Catholic pilgrims earn a plenary indulgence! (Alanna is on the far right.)
Brendan Harper ’16 is an active musician and teacher in the Washington, D.C. area, with over 18 years of musical education experience. Brendan finished his undergraduate Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance in 2020. He continued his graduate work at the Catholic University of America and graduated in the spring of 2023. He now holds a double Master of Music degree in Piano Performance and Conducting. During his education at Catholic University, Brendan studied with Dr. Ivo Kaltchev, head of the Piano Academic Area at the Rome School of Music, Drama and Art. He has performed in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area including colleges, churches, nursing homes, theaters, and the Kennedy Center, and made his international debut in Vienna, Austria, in 2019. He has been teaching piano for over eight years, with experience teaching students of various ages and levels. He founded his own private studio, Harper’s Music Studio, where he teaches students of various ages and levels. He has played and studied music from all time periods, specializing in Romantic, Impressionistic and jazz music.
Brendan started his conducting and music directing career as an undergraduate through leading performances for Centerstage Theater Company, showcases, musicals, and religious services. In 2019, Brendan was one of four chosen students to conduct a movement of Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” to be performed with Catholic
University’s Chamber Orchestra. He studied with Maestro Simeone Tartaglione, head of Instrumental Music and Conducting, and Maestro Murry Sidlin. He has recently held numerous positions in conducting, including conductor for one of Catholic University’s choirs, chorus master for Catholic University’s production of “The Tender Land,” and guest conductor for concerts along the Eastern Shore. He recently aired on EWTN as a student conductor for Catholic University’s Christmas Concert for Charity, he opened for Catholic University’s 2023 Spring Orchestra concert with Charles Ive’s “The Unanswered Question” and has recently finished music directing and conducting “Abel: A New Opera,” written by a composition student at Catholic University. He is currently principal conductor at the Greater Annapolis Ballet.
Since graduating, Brendan plans to pursue teaching music in higher education and continue developing his private studio. Because he has been incredibly inspired by teachers throughout his life, he feels called to teach the new generation, and hopefully, be an inspiration to new students. St. Mary’s Ryken made a huge impact on Brendan’s musical career, especially through teachers like Tessa Silvestro, Kim Norris and Andrew Smouse.
and leadership in Athens. Since then, she has been working as an intern in the Education and Community Outreach department with Washington Performing Arts in D.C.
“Early in my career as an arts administrator, I fundraised extensively for the charity Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, produced an all-female adaptation of Sophocles’ ‘Ajax,’ and worked as a teaching artist teaching Shakespeare in middle schools,” Erin said. “I recently moved to New York City, where I am working on executive producing a new filmed adaptation of ‘Hamlet.’ ”
She plans on using her educational experience to work in the nonprofit performing arts industry as a producer and director.
Erin Carroll ’17 graduated in May 2022 with a Master of Science degree in performing arts leadership and management, during which she also studied global arts advocacy
Katie O’Shields ’20 is enjoying her junior year at Christopher Newport University, where she made the dean’s list for the fall semester. Katie performed, for the third time, in New York City at 54 Below on March 10th’s sold-out show on West 54th Street. She just finished up a run as Hannah Ferguson in “The Spitfire Grill” in October and is preparing for CNU’s current production of “Head Over Heels.” This past summer she worked at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in their highly popular “Das Festhaus Show: OctoberZest.”
Mike Ma went to the University of St. Andrew’s in the United Kingdom and completed his master’s year in social anthropology and international relations. He is currently earning his Master’s in Philosophy degree at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom in social anthropology, specializing in Politics of Heritage and Museum. Mike is currently applying to Ph.D. programs.
On Oct. 9, 2022, Rachel Stauffer married David Moreau at Diamond V Farm in Blue Ridge, Virginia. They reside in Mechanicsville, Maryland.
Cassia Hallums graduated in December 2022 with a degree in nursing from Salisbury University. She has another bachelor’s degree in health science with a minor in psychology from Mount St. Mary’s University. She is working at Johns Hopkins of Bayview as a labor and delivery nurse.
Jacob Halterman entered the novitiate of St. Anselm Abbey on July 8, 2022, after graduating from Saint Anselm College. He was given the religious name of Brother Ambrose after his patron saint, St. Ambrose of Milan.
On Oct. 28, 2022, Claire Smith had a little girl, Nova Willis. Claire has been working as a paramedic for the Dorchester County Emergency Services and deeply enjoys serving her community in this way.
Erin Balderson was named Nurse of the Year in April 2023 at MedStar St. Mary’s, where she works as a telemetry nurse.
Jacob O’Hara graduated from University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Science in ScienceBusiness with a minor in Latin. He is now pursuing a degree of Doctor of Medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine. Jacob received his white coat in August 2022.
Grant Hooper graduated in 2021 from the U.S. Naval Academy, where he played sprint football and majored in political science. He is attending flight school for the Navy in Pensacola, Florida, working to become a naval flight officer.
Class of 2018
Kristian Marks earned a Sun Conference Champion of Character Award, given to a student-athlete who embodies the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ five core values — integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership. In his nomination for Kristian, Ave Maria University head coach Joe Patterson spotlighted his “tremendous” leadership qualities as a team captain and a two-year member of the program’s leadership council.
John Callaghan II graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a major in computational physics and a minor in mathematics. On May 21, 2022, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps.
Anna Shevchuk, an ensign in the Navy, is currently in Pensacola, Florida, prepping to start the first phase of flight school, which is almost all classroom academics. She has been living there since August 2022, completing prerequisite training for Naval Introductory Flight Evaluation, which will prepare her to be a naval officer. She starts the second phase of her training in June 2023 in Corpus Christi, Texas. There, she will learn to fly the T6-B Texan and then choose which aircraft she’d like to fly. “I am not sure yet what platform I want; each one is very unique. But I am excited to find my community! I will be serving in the Navy for around the next 10 years, and I can’t wait to see where my career will take me.”
Noah Walker attends West Virginia University as a political science major and has applied for an internship as an intelligence analyst.
Jaeden White graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business from Frostburg State University in spring 2022 and is living in Huntingtown, Maryland. He is looking for a full-time career while maintaining a full-time job at a golf course where he started working while home from college each summer.
Tyler Wright graduated from Limestone University in Gaffney, South Carolina, with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration – marketing in May 2022. He is pursuing an MBA at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Katelyn Kovach is a rising junior at The George Washington University (GWU) in Washington, D.C., double majoring in theatre and marketing. She is the artistic director of Forbidden Planet Productions, a student theatre company at GWU, as well as a marketing co-director for POP! Thrift, a student-run thrifting and sustainable fashion business on campus. She is an alumna of the GWU Elizabeth J. Somers Women’s Leadership Program and a member of GWU’s Asian Student Association.
As a member of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Washington, D.C., chapter, Katelyn recently joined them on a Kakehashi Project trip to Japan with the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE). “Kakehashi” means “building bridges” in Japanese, and this is the main focus of the program. The JACL selected 37 Japanese American college students and young professionals from across the country to embark on a weeklong tour of Japan with the goal of identifying with their shared roots and ancestral ties in Japan, familiarizing themselves with the culture, and becoming effective Kakehashi, bridging the gap between the unique identities as Japanese Americans. “I am Gosei, meaning fifthgeneration Japanese American,” she said, “and this was my first time ever visiting Japan.”
“On the trip I had the opportunity to visit many places in both Tokyo and Okinawa. We visited Tokyo Tower and the Himeyuri Peace Museum, explored Shuri Castle and the Sefa Utaki and Meiji Jingu shrines,
shopped in Harajuku, Shibuya, and Kokusai Dori, spoke with students at the University of the Ryukyus, and met with many important figures, including Glen Fukushima from the Center for American Progress, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoshikawa Yuumi, and Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Special Adviser to the Prime Minister Kihara Seiji. I was chosen to give a special address during our courtesy call to Mr. Seiji.”
“Part of my agreement as a Kakehashi Project participant is to promote travel to Japan, so I will be working with the Maryland State Society and the Cherry Blossom Princess Program as the 2022 Maryland Cherry Blossom Princess, as well as the GWU Elizabeth J. Somers Women’s Leadership Program to give presentations sharing my experience and what I learned while visiting Japan.”
“Part of the reason I have been granted opportunities such as Kakehashi and the Cherry Blossom Princess programs is because of the leadership and advocacy skills I gained as a student at St. Mary’s Ryken. I learned many valuable lessons that have given me the strong foundation to promote myself, apply for, and excel at opportunities such as these. Without having co-founded the SMR AsianAmerican Alliance along with Daphne Spencer ’21, who knows if I would have gone on to continue to join and be a leader in other cultural and Asian-interest groups. SMR fostered my growth as a student and a leader, and gave me the space and support to develop a culturally focused student organization while in high school.”
Gunnar Brodfuehrer graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in May 2023. He was commissioned as a Coast Guard officer and will begin naval flight school in Pensacola, Florida, this summer.
Joy Dewar married Jonathan ValladaresCormier on Jan. 7, 2023, at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington. A reception followed at The Army and Navy Club. Joy and Jonathan met at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where Joy graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology in December 2022. She plans to apply for a job after getting settled in Wisconsin, where Jonathan works. Many SMR alumni attended the wedding. In the photo, from left, is Jennifer Tennant ’19 (bridesmaid), Lizzy Trossbach ’20, Amber Dewar ’22 (maid of honor), Joy ’19 and Jonathan Valladares-Cormier, David DeLuca ’18, and seminarians (altar servers) Jessiah Rojas ’16, Evan Domonkos ’19, and Peter Trossbach ’19.
Congratulations to Raina De La Cruz and Sam Silverstone who graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in May 23 from the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. Sam and Raina share three graduations. Their first from St. Mary’s Bryantown in 2015, from St. Mary’s Ryken in 2019 and now from the University of Maryland in 2023.
From 2019-21 Elijah Kalu attended Kentucky Christian University, where he played defense on the football team. In 2021 he transferred to Trinity International University in Illinois, where he continues to play football (defense No. 91) and will graduate in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree.
Noah Guadagnoli graduated from Elon University in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science.
In December, SMR ice hockey alumni enjoyed competitive games celebrating the 20th year of St. Mary’s Ryken ice hockey during the annual alumni game. Thank you to Jan de Regt, who started the SMR ice hockey program in 2002, for dropping the ceremonial puck to start the game.
In May 2022, Greg Liverpool graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science degree in sports management with a minor in business administration. Following graduation, Greg was hired by the Indianapolis Colts as a scouting assistant. “It has been an exciting time, and I’m thankful for the opportunity here,” Greg said. “In my position as scouting assistant, I’m responsible for a wide range of duties that cover both the college and pro scouting process. In the college process, I assist our area scouts and department chairs with evaluating prospects, interviewing prospects, and maintaining our scouting database. In the pro scouting process, I assist with tryouts, player signings, evaluating current professional players, and other tasks as needed. I’m really enjoying learning from scouts with decades of NFL experience.”
Catherine Nguyen was a two-time recipient of the U.S. State Department Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) for 2021 and 2022, where she studied Indonesian at a host university in East Java, reaching advanced proficiency during the duration of the summer program. The CLS Program is part of a U.S. government effort to expand dramatically the number of Americans studying and mastering critical foreign languages. Each summer, CLS provides rigorous academic instruction in 15 languages that are critical to America’s national security and economic prosperity. With an acceptance rate of less than 10%, the Critical Language Scholarship is one of the most competitive scholarships in the U.S. and the most prestigious language program for U.S. citizens.
Congratulations to Sarah Skane for being named to the Academic All-MAC Team for cross country at York College. She was the only Spartan runner to receive this honor for the 2022 cross country season! In fall of 2021, she earned academic all-region honors and a place on the All-MAC Sportsmanship Team.
Carleigh Wood graduated from Elon University in May 2023 with Bachelor of Science degree in engineering with a concentration in biomedical and minors in entrepreneurship and mathematics.
Lilly Bull, in her junior year at Randolph-Macon College in the nursing program, has been inducted into the Order of the Omega. Lilly is
president of the Kappa Alpha Theta fraternity and second vice president of the Virginia Student Nurses Association.
Taylor Vaughn Nelson graduated from Morgan State University with a major in liberal arts. Taylor graduated in three years and was one of 11 graduates with a 4.0 GPA.
Dillon Miller is in his third year at the U.S. Naval Academy and is studying robotics and control engineering. He spends most of his free time with friends, doing homework, and working out. He also participates in intramural dodgeball and is learning jiu jitsu. “I am currently doing independent research into autonomous aerial refueling for U.S. Navy aircraft through our robotics and controls department,” he said. “After commissioning in May 2024, I plan to attend the University of Maryland for a graduate degree in robotics engineering.” Dillon plans to be a naval flight officer.
Class of 2021
Robert Hicks is a contractual virtual worker in the Governor’s Office of Constituent Services, working primarily as a policy aide for the Maryland General Assembly, assisting Del. Todd Morgan of District 29C. In July 2023, Robert will go to Quantico to receive training as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. After Robert graduates from St. Mary’s College in 2025, he will be commissioned as an officer.
Jaida Rhea was recently accepted into the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
program. This program is designed to train undergraduate students in oceanic and atmospheric science and will provide Jaida with academic assistance for two years and a full-time paid internship at a NOAA facility during the summer. She will also have the opportunity to present her research from that internship at NOAA’s Annual Science and Education Symposium. This prestigious program will provide Jaida excellent hands-on experience in the field she is passionate about.
Class of 2022
Jack Guerre has an internship at Disney World in the Disney College Program. He began the program in February and will finish this August.
In February, CatherineMarie “Cate” Kennedy Kinslow earned the rank of Eagle Scout in Troop 1793.
Class of 2023
Margaret “Maggie” Muldoon is attending Randolph-Macon College in the fall and will continue her athletic career playing field hockey and lacrosse. Maggie was selected to play for Student Athlete World representing the United States. This summer she will be traveling to Spain and Portugal to play in the Lisboa Lacrosse Cup, which is one of the biggest lacrosse tournaments in Europe. In addition to playing lacrosse, she will have the opportunity to tour and learn the history of both countries.
Ernest
Hollings Undergraduate scholarship
Throughout the year during daily Mass, we remember the family and friends of our community who have passed away. To submit a loved one’s name into our Book of Intentions, please complete the online form at www.smrhs.org/prayerrequest or contact the Development department at 301-373-4162.
05/22/2022
05/25/2022
06/01/2022
06/06/2022
06/08/2022
Mrs. Louise Payne
Mr. Robert Russell (Alumna Spouse ’68)
Ms. Diane Gillikin
Mr. James Norris Sr. (GP ’15, ’17)
Mrs. Edna Boothe ’73
06/08/2022 Ms. Helen Oliver (P ’70, ’74, ’76)
06/09/2022
06/09/2022
06/10/2022
06/11/2022
06/14/2022
06/15/2022
06/20/2022
06/20/2022
07/05/2022
07/06/2022
07/12/2022
07/12/2022
07/18/2022
07/20/2022
08/04/2022
Mr. Jeffrey Ranta ’95
Mr. Sal Sanfilippo (GP ’03, ’04, ’06, ’10)
Mrs. Lois Trent (P ’76, ’77, ’79, ’80, ’82, ’83, ’84, ’86, ’88)
Mr. Christopher Iekel (P ’81)
Mr. William Pritchard ’65
Mr. Steven Daczkowski (P ’19, ’21)
Mr. Joseph Ellis Sr. (P ’97)
Mr. Robert Owens (P ’87, GP ’04)
Mrs. Frances Long (P ’78, ’79, ’81, ’82)
Mr. James Tennison (P ’70, ’72, ’75, ’77)
Mr. Bernard Goldsborough (Alumna Spouse ’48)
Mr. Robert Abell (P ’79, ’80, ’83, GP ’07, ’13, ’14, ’15, ’16)
Mr. Peter Griffin Sr. (Alumna Spouse ’61, P ’00, ’01)
Mrs. Olga Russell (Alumnus Spouse ’57)
Mr. Albert Bleakley (P ’87, ’89)
08/17/2022 Mr. Edward Kennett 08/20/2022
Patricia Goin ’64 08/30/2022
Rita Shorter (GP ’91, ’96, ’00, ’07)
Wilbur Brown II (P ’83, ’87)
Anne Hunt ’56
Audrey Norton
Susan Aughinbaugh (GP ’13, ’16, ’20) 09/15/2022
01/07/2023 Mrs. Ann Lawrence (Alumnus Spouse ’45, P ’73, ’81, ’84)
01/14/2023 Mrs. Elizabeth Brickman ’78 (P ’08, ’10, ’12)
01/26/2023 Mr. Alfred Myers (P ’81)
02/06/2023 Dr. William Boyd II ’63 (P ’88, ’93, ’98)
02/13/2023 Mr. Ervin Dotson
02/17/2023 Ms. Sarah Gardner ’89
02/21/2023 Mr. Roger Stultz
02/23/2023 Mr. William Wagoner Sr. (P ’81)
02/27/2023 Mr. James Miedzinski ’50
03/02/2023 Mr. Lionello Vignola (P ’23, ’24)
03/08/2023 Mr. Gregory Eaton ’85
’57 (Alumna Spouse ’60, P ’84, ’86, ’87, ’90, GP ’22)
Ronald Prettyman
Eugene Burroughs III
Allen Stabler (Alumna Spouse ’52, P ’80, ’82, ’83, ’88, ’92, GP ’19)
Mr. Thomas Gregory Sr. (P ’93)
12/15/2022 Mr. William Hewitt ’70
12/15/2022 Mrs. Mary Burch (Alumnus Spouse ’64, GP ’21)
12/16/2022 Ms. Clara Gardiner
12/31/2022
12/31/2022
Mr. Joseph Buckler Sr. (GP ’20, ’22, ’23)
Mrs. Barbara Cooke ’59 (P ’82)
01/01/2023 Mrs. Alice Miller (GP ’11)
01/07/2023 Mr. George Tabick (P ’02)
03/13/2023 Mr. Michael Jackson (P ’16, ’25)
03/24/2023 Mrs. Elaine Williams (P ’81, ’82, ’83, ’87)
03/31/2023 Mrs. Martha Dell ’53
04/01/2023 Mrs. Rachel Ryan ’40
04/02/2023 Mr. John Browning
04/04/2023 Mr. Gordon Aldridge (GP ’01, ’01, ’08, ’10, ’16, ’19)
04/07/2023 Mrs. Susan Borneman (P ’81)
04/14/2023 Mr. Robert Schwier ’62
04/23/2023 Mr. Walter Meinhardt (P ’74; GP ’01, ’02, ’07, ’07, ’09, ’09, ’09, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’17)
04/30/2023 Mr. Raymond Nowak ’67
05/03/2023 Mr. Thomas Burch Jr. ’64 (GP ’21)
05/11/2023 Mrs. Cheryl Norton ’69
P = parent of alum GP = grandparent of alum
A College Preparatory Catholic High School
22600 Camp Calvert Road Leonardtown, MD 20650
Friday, Oct. 6
Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
RSVP: www.smrhs.org/ athleticshalloffame
Friday, Oct. 6 5:30 p.m. Alumni Tailgate Before the Homecoming Game
Friday, Oct. 6 7 p.m.
Homecoming Game: SMR vs. St. Paul VI
Friday, Oct. 13 Annual Golf Tournament at Breton Bay Golf and Country Club, Leonardtown, Maryland