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JANUARY 2026

Did You Know?

Happy New Year! We are excited to kick off our final semester of Father Ryan’s 100th anniversary celebration, culminating in the graduation of our 100th class, the Class of 2026. In this season of reflecting on the past and embracing the future, we explore our Irish Athletics. We have had many successes over the past century and are deeply proud of all that our student athletes bring to the playing field or court. The 1965 Irish men’s basketball team helped lead in our nation’s pursuit of civil rights when Father Ryan played the all-Black Pearl High School in what was the South’s first integrated high school athletic event. Our Tradition of Faith, Knowledge, Service is woven into every practice and game with a holistic approach to our student athletes’ academic, spiritual, and personal development, as well as their athletic achievements. We celebrate every athlete who competes for the Irish, from Charlie Becker ’24, wide receiver for the Indiana Hoosiers 2025 Big Ten Conference national championship football team, and Ellie Maxwell ’25, University of Chicago Volleyball sensation and 2025 UAA Rookie of the Year, to the student who joins one of our many no-try-out teams for the joy of the sport. This month’s Irish Insights blog post is by Ann Mullins '03, Director of Athletics and our head Volleyball coach. She shares her insights on the state of high school sports today and explores Father Ryan’s approach to shaping balanced student athletes and leaders.

We have 73 team state championships, including recent back-to-back rugby championships? We have 177 individual state championships? We have 38 teams with 19 notry-out teams? 72% of our student body participates in athletics? 10 Class of 2026 studentathletes committed to playing in college?

Join Us for Junior Irish Events! You belong at Father Ryan! Join us for an event this spring.

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Morning Coffee with Father Ryan

Wednesday, January 14 9:30-10:30am Neuhoff Library Overview by President Paul Davis ’81 followed by parent questions of our Senior

Read the Blog

Leadership Team.

Register Here Meet Lucy ’25, a University of Arkansas freshman and swim team member, who made the most of her Father Ryan experience. From taking Dual Enrollment courses, serving as a Student Ambassador, and breaking school

Junior Irish School Spirit Night

records as an Irish swimmer, she represents Father Ryan’s mission in all aspects of her life. Learn more about her Father Ryan experience.

January 23 6:00pm Join fellow Junior Irish for a night of Father Ryan basketball, pizza, giveaways, and games!

Explore more Father Ryan student experiences.

Irish Easter Egg Hunt

Visit fatherryan.org/athletics to learn more about playing for the Irish. Want to stay up to date with the latest in Irish athletics achievements? Follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

Thanks for Joining Us at Breakfast with Santa

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March 28 10:00am-12:00pm Father Ryan’s Alumni Association invites you and your 2/6

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Our Father Ryan Alumni Association loved hosting Junior Irish at the 4th annual Breakfast with Santa on December 13. Thanks to our Cooking Club for helping to prepare the pancake breakfast, to the talented members of Mosaic, our Father Ryan Show Choir, our Student Ambassador Elves, and, of course, the Big Man himself, who happily sat for photos. Hope your Christmas holidays were wonderful!

family to hop on down Father Ryan's bunny trail for our free, annual Irish Easter Egg Hunt! Easter Egg Hunts begin at 11:00am with three hunts by age group. Registration is coming soon! Father Ryan's Spring Musical, Into the Woods

Don't Miss Upcoming Junior Irish Events! Morning Coffee with Father Ryan Wednesday, January 14, 2026 9:30am-10:30am

April 9-11 Tickets will go on sale later this spring. Questions?

Neuhoff Library Join President Paul Davis ’81, senior administrators, and students for a

Contact Kelli McClendon at mcclendonk@fatherryan .org.

chance to get your questions answered about any aspect of the Father Ryan experience. See what parents asked at our first-ever Coffee in November.

Spring Preview

Check out the questions asked by parents at our previous Morning Coffee event.

Register Here April 14 Junior Irish School Spirit Night Friday, January 23, 2026 6:00pm until end of the Varsity Boys Basketball Game Catignani-Drennan Fieldhouse Join us for a night of Father Ryan basketball, pizza, giveaways, and games!

9:15-10:45am Discover what it means to be known, loved, and inspired at Father Ryan. Visit our 43-acre campus and hear directly from our students about their experiences, with the opportunity to ask questions

Event Details: Junior Irish School Spirit Night is FREE for all registered children. Parent(s) will need to purchase a ticket for the basketball game(s).

that matter most to your family.

Purchase Tickets

Learn More

Registration includes pizza and a drink as well as a free game ticket to watch

Cheer on the Irish this winter!

the Irish take on Harpeth Hall and MBA! Additional food and snacks may be purchased at the concession stand.

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Father Ryan Spring Preview Tuesday, April 14, 2026 9:15-10:45am

Check out the Irish Athletics schedule.

Discover what it means to be known, loved, and inspired at Father Ryan. Visit our 43-acre campus and hear directly from our students about their experiences, with the opportunity to ask questions that matter most to your family.

View All Junior Irish Events

Registration coming soon.

Camp Ryan Registration is Open! Register now to be part Camp Ryan, voted one of Nashville’s Best Summer Camps in the 2025 Nashville Scene. We have distinctive, fun academics, arts, sports, and specialty camps for preschoolers through high school students. Visit fatherryan.org/camps to register. Slots fill quickly.

Hurry - Hayes Scholars Program Applications Close January 8 If your student scored in the top 20% composite local percentile on the High School Placement Test administered by Father Ryan High School, he or she is invited to apply to our signature enrichment program for top students. Meet Jake ’28, Hayes Scholar, to experience how the program inspires him as a scholar, musician, actor, person of faith, and friend.

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Download the Hayes Scholars PDF to learn more.

Application questions? Please contact Erin (Baltz) Riggs '00 at riggse@fatherryan.org. May you and your family have a blessed and joyous 2026!

Want to learn more about Junior Irish opportunities? Visit our Junior Irish webpage to learn more about how you can get your child involved with Father Ryan today!

Junior Irish Webpage

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Erin (Baltz) Riggs '00

Peyton (Carell) Fuller'13

Ben Spence

Erin (Corrigan) Vallett '95

Director of Enrollment

Assoc. Director of Enrollment

Enrollment Registrar

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