Community Events

St. Mary’s Ryken Community Fellowship

Knights Uncorked!

After two years of event hibernation, SMR hosted Knights Uncorked! in September 2021, a beer, bourbon and wine tasting event for our community. Guests were treated to delicious beers, bourbons and wine from around the world, as well as amazing food pairings by Quality Street Catering. Last year’s event sold out, so save the date for the second annual Knights Uncorked! on Sept. 16, 2022.

SMR Golf Tournament

The annual SMR Golf Tourney was held Oct. 1 with a sold-out crowd hitting the course at 9 a.m. Alumni, parents and friends enjoyed a great day of golf at the Breton Bay Country Club. Our big winners for the day were an SMR-sponsored team consisting of Joseph Bryner ’17, Brian Loewe P ’17, Jason DeLucco ’98, P ’23, ’26 and Jason Early ’04.

Joe Whitaker P ’25, Denver Terrence, Joy Bowman and Ben Alexander

Jimmy Burke ’86, P ’19, ’22, president of the St. Mary’s Ryken Board of Directors

Grandparents Day

In the fall we held our annual Grandparents Day celebrations for our freshman and sophomore classes. We celebrated Mass with the school community, followed by a luncheon for the grandparents and their grandchildren. The students proudly gave tours of the Donnie Williams Center and showed off the SMR campus.

Christian Levy ’24 with his grandmother,

Judith Coleman

Petr Theriault ’24 with his grandparents, Linda and Steven Petty

Stephen Raley ’69, fourth from left, and Dr. Cinda and Carl Raley ’62 celebrate the winners of the George & Eleanor Raley Scholarship: from left, Caden Costanzo ’25, Kaylee Webb ’24, Lillian Merritt ’23, Sergio Guadalupe ’25 and Campbell Earhart ’22.

Scholarship Luncheon

Every year in December, the people who have established scholarships at St. Mary’s Ryken — whether individuals, families, alumni, businesses or foundations—are invited to campus to meet the students who are benefiting from their generosity. More than 200 donors and students annually fill the Donnie Williams Center for a meal and conversation. Donors hear about the hopes and dreams of the students impacted by their gifts; students learn the stories of their scholarships’ namesakes and have the opportunity to thank their donors in person.

Giving Knights on Giving Tuesday

We asked you to join the Knighthood and you responded YES! Thank you to our alumni, parents, faculty and staff for showing your Knight Pride and donating to #GivingKnights on #GivingTuesday. Several National Honor Society students visited the Leonardtown branch of our sheriff’s office to drop off coffee, breakfast and notes of gratitude. They were greeted by Capt. Steve Hall ’88 and Lt. Rob Russell ’85.

Lt. Rob Russell ’85 and Capt. Steve Hall ’88 with National Honor Society students on Giving Tuesday Jimmy ’86 and Kim Burke P ’19, ’22 with two of their children, Andy ’22 and Samantha

Xaverian Society Reception

The Xaverian Society Reception held on Feb. 23 was a night of gratitude to celebrate friends and benefactors who are committed to St. Mary’s Ryken. Jimmy ’86 and Kim Burke were recognized as Pillars of the Community for their steadfast generosity and servant leadership to our school. 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. Two of Jimmy’s siblings and two of their children were able to attend the celebration.

Dr. Rick Wood, president of SMR, presented the award to Jimmy and Kim, adding, “As board chair, Jimmy’s vision helped build the amazing complex that we are in today (the Donnie Williams Center). He also led the board to provide resources and a strong educational response to the recent pandemic. I appreciate his contemplative thoughts, mentoring guidance, and trust in me during some unchartered waters in education.”

SAVE THE DATE!

#GivingKnights 2022 is Nov. 29.

The SMR Show Choir performs for Knight Gala guests.

What a Great Knight!

The annual SMR Knight Gala was held April 2 at the Hollywood Firehouse Social Hall. The SMR community gathered together for the first time in two years and enjoyed dinner by Ken’s Creative Kitchen out of Annapolis, casino games, basket raffles, a silent auction and more! Our guests danced the night away to music by NightLife, and were treated to an amazing show by the SMR Show Choir and Jazz Band. Save the date for next year, March 25, 2023!

Christine Senese ’72 and Steve Raley ’69 SMR Board Member Sue Ann Armitage ’83, P ’16 with Maryland State Sen. Jack Bailey ’83