annual report - st. mary's ryken high school

Annual Report2008-2009

A CATHOLIC COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

leading the way

When Bob Durbin was in graduate school studying classical Greek and Latin, his mother asked him, “Shouldn’t you be getting a more marketable skill?”

Those of us who know Mr. Durbin chuckle at this thought. Now in his 40th year at St. Mary’s Ryken, and the majority of those spent using his Latin skills, Mr. Durbin is not only a teacher, but a beloved mentor and friend.

“I wasn’t sure I wanted to be a teacher, at first” he remembers. After finishing his master’s in education from Loyola University Maryland, Mr. Durbin heard about an immediate opening for a Latin teacher at Cardinal Gibbons High School, also in Baltimore. “I went to the school for an interview and was hired that day.” Once he began teaching, though, he was hooked. “I knew that this was what I wanted to do,” he said.

In his sixth year at Cardinal Gibbons, Mr. Durbin heard that the order of brothers who taught at nearby Mount St. Joseph High School was recruiting staff for a Southern Maryland school.

The Xaverian Brothers were looking to fill several teaching positions at Ryken High School. Mr. Durbin went for an interview where “Brother Cornelius sat down with me and said, ‘Bob, I want someone to give these students the meat and potatoes of English.’”

And so, in the 1971-72 academic year, Mr. Durbin began his career at Ryken High School teaching sophomore English. In the spirit of Catholic education, he soon found himself taking on additional responsibilities as well. “We all pitched in,” he said. “Brother Rom cut the grass and I was the assistant athletic director and drove the bus that picked up the kids in Town Creek.”

He pauses to explain that in the days before there was a bridge connecting Solomons and St. Mary’s County, students from

Tribute to Mr. Durbin

A 1974 yearbook photo of several members of the team and Coach Durbin.

Calvert County could take a ferry that left from the Navy’s Solomons Recreation Center and dropped them off in Town Creek. It was Mr. Durbin, along with Brother Cornelius and the other brothers, who took them the rest of the way to high school.

When the high school wanted to begin offering Latin classes, it was Mr. Durbin who stepped up to fill the role. “If it will possibly help the school,” he says. “I will do it.” Indeed, at St. Mary’s Ryken, in addition to teaching, he has been the assistant athletic director, the athletic director (for seven years), longtime golf and tennis coach, cheerleading coach, founder of the Latin Club and the Celtic Club, moderator for ten years of the Shakespearean Drama Club, moderator of the XBSS Stewards for four years, moderator with Barbara Ives for the new Weather Club and the drama coach for five years.

Why does he like Latin? “It’s the best subject,” he says enthusiastically and without hesitation. “I like it. It can be like a puzzle " trying to figure out the endings of words.”

“Latin has so much value,” he continues and instantly rattles off a list of reasons why Latin is not a dead language. “It is still a liturgical language. It’s the core of romance languages and influences as much as 85% of the English language. The best way to learn the syntax and grammar of the English language is to study Latin. Best of all, you are able to read and to translate the great classics such as Aenid and Vergil.”

This year is Mr. Durbin’s 40th at St. Mary’s Ryken. “I guess I’m like Cal Ripken in that regard " staying in one place for so long,” he said. “Everyday still feels like a fresh beginning, as if it were my first day here.”

He states that the students haven’t really changed that much since he began teaching. “They are still the same at heart. The students reach out for whatever we have to offer and it is our job as teachers to get involved and to help mold them into Christian young men and women.”

Teacher, mentor, philosopher, dramatist, classicist, world traveler, devoted Christian...

Mr. Durbin at a recent school assembly.

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your generosity and support of St. Mary’s Ryken High School. The new school year is underway and already we can see the numerous achievements of our students.

Before leaving for Mass this morning, I read a letter of thanks from the Romero Center, an Urban Retreat and Social Justice Center in Camden, N. J., where two of our teachers and eight students worked over a long weekend. I then attended Mass with our entire student body while our gifted choir sang throughout the liturgy. Recently, our chapter of the National Honor Society welcomed 35 new members and 11 retreats have already been held off-campus for freshmen, sophomores and juniors. This weekend our drama club opens its fall production, You Can’t Take It With You.

None of the above would ever be possible without the dedication of our faculty to the mission of our school community. Throughout the pages of this annual report, you will see the broad accomplishments of our students. They have used the expanding horizons that our curriculum reflects to strengthen their knowledge and skills under the mentorship of a faculty and staff committed to engaging students in deep learning and ethical responsibilities. The second goal of our strategic plan is “to draw, to hold and to sustain the strongest possible faculty, who will be faithful to the Xaverian philosophy of education and to fulfilling the mission of St. Mary’s Ryken.”

The gifts and support that you have provided to the St. Mary’s Ryken Fund and to the schoool’s endowments have opened the door for 48% of our student population to attend and to receive an education grounded in morals and values. We maintain a balanced budget while being able to grow our programs and enhance the experience that all students receive on their journey of faith and academic growth.

Thank you for your continued support of our mission. Please know how very grateful I am to each and every one of you for making a difference in the lives of our students.

Table of Contents2 Advancement Office

3 Board of Directors4 Honor Roll of Donors

5 St. Francis Xavier Society10 Class of 2009 Accolades

12 Scholarships & Endowments13 Honor Roll continues

16 Memorial Gifts18 Alumni Giving by Class

Editor and DesignerDenise Krumenacker

St. Mary’s Ryken High School22600 Camp Calvert RoadLeonardtown, MD 20650

Tel: 301-475-2814

E-mail: [email protected]

Annual ReportFrom the President

Sincerely,

Mary Joy HurlburtPresident

St. Mary’s Ryken Mission StatementSt. Mary’s Ryken is a Catholic,

coeducational, college preparatoryhigh school operated under the Xaverian Brothers’ sponsorship,

committed to academic excellence and to individualized student growth in faith,moral probity, physical health, social

demeanor and responsible citizenship.

PhotographyRobert Burke

Debbie CarrollGeorge Hurlburt

Kathryn KingDenise Krumenacker

LifeTouchReid SilvermanJeff Worcester

Fiscal Year 2009

2 St. Mary’s Ryken

Dear Friends,

Looking back over the year, we count among our blessings the Class of 2009 and their many successes. May these young men and women continue their educational journey and become leaders in their universities, workplaces, homes and communities.

Their achievements were a direct result of your support and others like you in the community. In a year of economic fluctuation, your generosity to the St. Mary’s Ryken Fund was instrumental in ensuring that many students could continue their education at St. Mary’s Ryken. The Advancement Office, along with the students, faculty and administration, expresses our gratitude to all of you.

With the guidance of our Board of Directors, each day we make strides towards our vision of being one of the best Catholic, college preparatory schools on the East Coast. With each gift, large or small, we are leading the way. Please know that St. Mary’s Ryken is a most worthy recipient of your philanthropy, and your gifts have been wisely invested and stewarded properly.

During the 2010 school year, we will face many challenges and many rewards. Yet, we find comfort knowing that we have been blessed with an incredible faculty and administration; enthusiastic students; and caring alumni, parents and friends to help us lead the way towards another successful year.

Front row, from the left:Renea Doyle, advancement services manager; Denise Krumenacker, director of communications; Suzannne Taylor, director of alumni relations. Standing: Bob Harmon, director of admissions and Leanne Sanders, director of advancement.

Office of Advancement

Sincerely,

K. Leanne SandersDirector of Advancement

Meet the Advancement Team

§

Members of the Class of 1984at this year’s graduation ceremony

Members of the Class of 1959 fromSt. Mary’s Academy (pictured above) and

Ryken High School (pictured below)

Congratulations to the 2009 Gold & Silver Diploma Recipients

K. Leanne Sanders

32008-2009 Annual Report

Mr. James CornelsenChairman of the BoardPresidentOld Line BankBowie, Md.

Mr. J. Ernest Bell II, Esq. ’59Attorney, private practiceLeonardtown, Md.

Mr. Scott Bowling ’81AttorneyChapman, Bowling & ScottLaPlata, Md.

Mr. Donald B. BurchVice President, OperationsBurch Oil CompanyHollywood, Md.

Mr. James M. Burke ’86Senior Vice PresidentCommunity Bank of Tri-CountyWaldorf, Md.

Dr. Gladys I. CampPrincipalThomson Elementary SchoolWashington, D.C.

Mrs. Patricia Carruth ’88EducatorBlessed Lambs SchoolWaldorf, Md.

Dr. Keith A. CrowleyAssistant PrincipalXaverian Brothers High SchoolWestwood, Mass.

Brother Edward F. Driscoll, CFXPrincipalSt. Xavier High SchoolLouisville, Ky.

Mr. Duncan Farmer, Esq. ’64Principal & AttorneyBurger, Trailor, Farmer & CohenWest Palm Beach, Fla. Dr. Teresa FazioLogistics Branch HeadPropulsion & PowerNaval Air Systems CommandPatuxent River, Md.

Mr. Glenn Gass ’67Project Engineer & ConsultantLeonardtown, Md.

Mrs. Mary Leigh Harless ’83Civic volunteerLexington Park, Md. Mrs. Alice HessionDirector of SponsorshipXaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools

Mrs. Rosalie HooperVice PresidentHooper & AssociatesWaldorf, Md.

Brother Cornelius Hubbuch, CFXPrincipal Emeritus, Ryken High SchoolXaverian Brothers GeneralateBaltimore, Md.

Mrs. Mary Joy HurlburtPresidentSt. Mary’s Ryken

Mrs. Leigh Ann Candela Keller ’83PresidentTravel Leaders / Waldorf Action Travel ToursWaldorf, Md.

Dr. Bruce K. Lloyd ’64CardiologistGeorgetown University HospitalWashington, D.C.

Mrs. Diane MockCPA and PartnerBridgett, Mock & AssociatesWaldorf, Md.

Mr. Michael MummaughPresidentParagon PropertiesLeonardtown, Md.

Mr. Leonard R. Raley ’74President and CEOUniversity System of Maryland FoundationAdelphi, Md.

Mr. William C. Reuter Jr.Vice President, Administration & DevelopmentDCS CorporationLexington Park, Md.

Mr. Robert A. Russell ’57Senior Program ManagerWyle LabsLexington Park, Md.

Brother Rodney Sulzer, CFX Retired administratorSt. Mary’s RykenVenice, Fla.

Mrs. Carolyn WilliamsonXaverian Brothers Sponsors Schools, Corporate member Retired Faculty, St. Mary’s RykenLeonardtown, Md.

The St. Mary’s RykenBoard of Directors 2008-09

Beginning in 2004 with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools reaccreditation process, the St. Mary’s Ryken leadership embarked on a strategic planning process that sought to answer the question: How best can we advance the mission of St. Mary’s Ryken for decades to come?

A long-range strategic master plan for the school was formed, and, in June 2009, Phase I commenced with the groundbreaking for the stadium, track and field. Photos of the construction progress are on the Web site at www.smrhs.org. Click on “Media Gallery” at the top of the home page and then click on the “Strategic Plan Progress” channel.

Phase I Construction

A view of field from the top row of the stadium


Albright College

Auburn University

Berklee School of Music

Brown University

Catholic University of America

Chapman University

ClaflinUniversity

Coastal Carolina University

College of Charleston

College of Mount St. Vincent

College of William and Mary

Dean College

Drexel University

East Carolina University

Elon University

Emory and Henry College

Flagler College

FloridaInstituteofTechnology

Frederick Community College

Frostburg State University

Gannon University

George Washington University

GeorgiaInstituteofTechnology

Hartwick College

High Point University

Immaculata University

Indiana University

James Madison University

Johnson and Wales University

Liberty University

Mary Baldwin College

Meredith College

Millersville University

Missouri State University

Mount St. Mary’s University

North Carolina A & T University

Norwich University

OklahomaChristianUniversity

Radford University

Randolph Macon College

Roanoke College

RochesterInstituteofTechnology

SaintAugustine’sCollege

Salisbury University

St. Mary’s College of Maryland

Stevenson University

Strayer University

Thiel College

Towson University

United States Air Force Academy

United States Military Academy

West Point

United States Naval Academy

UniversalTechnicalInstitute

University of Alabama

University of Delaware

University of Maryland

BaltimoreCounty


College Park


Eastern Shore

University of Mississippi

University of North Carolina

Chapel Hill


Charlotte


Greensboro

University of Rochester

University of Vermont

University of Wyoming

Villanova University

Virginia Commonwealth

University

Virginia Tech

Washington College

West Virginia University

Wingate University

Winthrop University

WorcesterPolytechnicInstitute

XavierUniversity(Ohio)

York College of Pennsylvania

The members of the Class of 2009 enrolled in the following four-year colleges and universities:

• Students received offers of admission from 173 different colleges and universities and 13 offers of admission into college and university honors programs

• Almost 60% of the class received scholarship offers (academic and athletic) totaling over $9.2 million and approximately 20% of the class had offers totaling $100,000 or more

• Four students were named Commended Scholars by the National Merit Scholarship Program - a distinction bestowed on about 3% of all high school seniors; 13 students were named Maryland Distinguished Scholars (nine in academics, four in fine arts); and 23 were named AP Scholars

The following awards were presented at graduation on May 26, 2009: Brother Clyde Student Athlete AwardErin Leddy andKyle Nazarek Sister Sara Ann Abell Service AwardTarah Romano Brother Ronald Lang, CFX Service AwardDaniel Burke

St. Mary’s Ryken Knight AwardAddison Goodley and Katherine Leard Brother Lambert Award for Academic ExcellenceJacquelyn Blake-Hedges Cardinal’s Citizenship AwardKatherine Leard Xaverian AwardAddison Goodley

Accolad es for the Class of 2009

112008-2009 Annual Report

Patrick BrennanUnited States Military Academy, West Point

lacrosse

R.J. BuckUniversity of North

Carolina A&Tbasketball

Lauren FeusahrensUniversity of North

Carolinalacrosse

Erin LeddyMount St. Mary’s

Universitysoftball

Kyle NazerekUnited States

Air Force Academylacrosse

Evan RyanUnited States Military Academy, West Point

preplacrosse

Oluseun SanusiHartwick University

(Oneonta, N.Y.)soccer

Class SpeakerAddison GoodleySt. Aloysius ParishLeonardtown, Md.

Front row (from the left): Tammy Dean ’83; Ann Kovalcik ’78; Beverly Bailey ’80; Amy Woodall Quade ’77; Trish Schiele ’78Second row of chairs (from the left): Mike Dean ’83; Chris Cooke ’80; Thomas Bennett ’53; James Boyd ’67; David Hamilton ’82Standing (from the left): Victoria Dean ’09; Jacob Cooke ’09; Maura Kovalcik ’09; Chris Bennett ’09; Victoria Fitzgerald ’09; Tom Bennett ’74; John Boyd ’09; Maggie Quade ’09; Rayner Blair ’75; Tara Hamilton ’09; Kenneth Allston ’77; Jessica Allston ’09; Katelyn Schiele ’09

A Family TraditionPictured below are Alumni whose children are members of the Class of 2009.

• 96% of seniors take the SAT - more than twice the national average

• 76% of seniors take four years of math (three are required), over 90% of seniors take a fourth year of science (three are required)

• In the 2008-09 academic year, there were 661 participants in sports.

• Each year, almost 70% of the student body participates in a sport and SMR student-athletes have an average 3.5 GPA.

• In 2008-09, students completed 9,000 hours of Christian service - 3,000 more than what is required.

Our stud ents

are our best asset

Seven students in the Class of 2009 received athletic scholarships andeach will play in his/her respective sport:

XBSS OratorJacquelyn Blake-Hedges

St. Catherineof Alexandria Parish

Port Tobacco, Md.


The Sean Brady Memorial Scholarship FundEstablished in 1992 by Thomas W. Brady and Eileen F. Valentine in memory of their son, Sean, a member of the Class of 1992. Two awards are made annually: one scholarship is awarded to a current student with financial need; and a second to a graduating senior for college tuition.

The Laurie Collins Scholarship FundEstablished to honor the memory of Laurie, a member of the Class of 1992 who demonstrated a love of school, family and church. Scholarships are awarded to incoming students who demonstrate academic achievement and participation in extracurricular activities.

The James Dobry Scholarship EndowmentCreated by Mr. Dobry in 2003 to provide financial assistance for students from St. Mary’s County. Awards are based on both academic merit and financial need.

The Kenneth B. Duke Jr. Memorial Scholarship FundEstablished by family members to honor Kenneth, a 1939 graduate of St. Mary’s Academy. The fund provides financial assistance to two students enrolling as freshmen.

The Margaret Powers Ellis ScholarshipEstablished by the Hurlburt Family in memory of Peggy Ellis to honor her life-long commitment to Catholic education. Awards will be made to students with strong academic backgrounds and a demonstrated need for financial assistance.

The William & Violet Fenwick ScholarshipEstablished by the Fenwick family in 2006 to honor the memory and continue the legacy of their parents, William and Violet, who were committed to Catholic education. Awards will be made to students with strong academic backgrounds and a demonstrated need for financial assistance.

The Gabe and Joyce Gabrelcik & SonsScholarship EndowmentEstablished by the Gabrelciks in 2005 to honor the memory of Bob Gabrelcik, a member of the Ryken High School Class of 1971. Bob was dedicated to Catholic education and very generous in his financial assistance for students. Students must demonstrate both academic achievement and financial need.

The Joseph Marion Gough EndowmentThroughout his lifetime, Mr. Gough, a 1945 St. Mary’s Academy graduate and father of two alumnae, personified commitment to Catholic education and citizenship in St. Mary’s County. This fund, established by his estate in 2006, will provide assistance for those students who desire a St. Mary’s Ryken education and have financial need.

The GPG Scholarship FundCreated in 2007 by four recent graduates - two brothers and two of their classmates - who felt very fortunate that their parents sacrificed to give them the benefit of a Catholic education. The scholarship will be awarded to a well-rounded scholar who would otherwise be unable to afford St. Mary’s Ryken. The recipient will be academically talented and will carry himself or herself with dignity in all academic pursuits and extracurricular activities.

The George and Eleanor Raley Scholarship FundEstablished in 2004 by the Raley family in honor their parents, George and Eleanor Alvey Raley. Mr. and Mrs. Raley were strong advocates for Catholic education, sending all six of their sons to Ryken High School. Mrs. Raley was a 1936 graduate of St. Mary’s Academy and Mr. Raley served as the Supervisor of Maintenance at RHS and SMR from 1979-1991. Awards will be made to students who are residents of St. Mary’s County, primarily on the basis of financial need.

The Brother Romuald Stuedle, CFX, Scholarship FundEstablished by the Class of 1998 in memory of Brother Rom, a devoted faculty member who taught chemistry and physics, and coached several sports during his long tenure at St. Mary’s Ryken. This fund awards a scholarship to a rising senior who demonstrates academic achievement, financial need and community involvement.

The John D. Yamnicky Sr. Memorial ScholarshipEstablished to honor the memory of this former parent and member of the Board of Directors who lost his life at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. The purpose of this fund is to provide a scholarship for an academically talented student with financial need.

Endowm ents a nd Schola rsh ipsThrough the continued generosity of alumni, parents and friends, St. Mary’s Ryken is able to offer tuition assistance to academically talented students who may otherwise be unable to attend the school. Thank you for your support of our students and of Catholic education.

In today’s society, role models can be difficult to come by. Students usually turn to pop stars or sports starts for inspiration. But, how about providing them with a role model who was once just like them?

That’s what the newly established Distinguished Alumni Award aims to do - honor the accomplishments of outstanding St. Mary’s Ryken graduates and celebrate their serving as positive role models to inspire today’s students. The inaugural award was presented this past May to Mr. Alfred “Al” Gough, III ’85.

Bitten by the acting bug in the SMR Drama Club (moderated at that time by faculty member Mr. Robert Durbin), Al kept drama as a hobby and went on to graduate from Catholic University with a major in finance. He was working in public relations in New York and in the process of applying to graduate business schools when he remembered his dream.

“I thought, if I don’t go to film school now, I’ll never go,” he

said. So, within a matter of days, he packed up his car, headed to California and enrolled in the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California. He’s been working steadily as a screenwriter and producer ever since. Producer of the recent Hannah Montana movie, Al is probably better known for creating, co-writing, and executive producing seasons 1-7 of Smallville. He also co-wrote scripts for, among others, Spider-Man 2, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, Shanghai Nights, Shanghai Noon and Lethal Weapon 4.

Al shared his experiences with the students during two assemblies and then opened the floor for questions. The students, seeing their chance, barraged him with questions about Hollywood, both personal and professional. They learned that the script that was the most difficult to write and took the longest was The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon

Emperor, which took “about 30 drafts.” Shanghai Nights was the most fun to write and Owen Wilson is his favorite actor to work with. He politely demurred to answer the “How much money do you make?” question.

“I would not be where I am today without some amazing teachers,” he emphasizes. “Bob Durbin gave me my first directing job and allowed me to fail without judgement; Harry Hafer taught me that passion + vision equals success...and, finally, Carolyn Williamson taught me that chasing dreams isn’t crazy or just for other people.”

Al sheepishly admits that his “fondest memories of St. Marys Ryken are - wanting to leave! This isn’t to say that I didn’t enjoy my time there (I did.), but I have known what I wanted to do since I was 15 years old. The irony is, for all my time spent wanting out, I spend almost every day of my professional life trying to get back in! That’s what I do as a screenwriter, try to access my inner teenager. I will always cherish my time at SMR - and wish that I had taken better notes!”

Al Gough shared memories from his time at St. Mary’s Ryken with the students.

Distinguished Alum ni Award

Distinguished Alumnus Al Gough (center) with two of his mentors:Mrs. Carolyn Williamson and Mr. Bob Durbin.

Mr. Alfred Gough, III receives inaugural award and shares his story of screenwriting success

The Drama Club in 1985. Back row, on the far right, are Mr. Durbin and Al Gough.

A CATHOLIC COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL

22600 Camp Calvert Rd.Leonardtown, MD 20650

RHS Tailgate - Feb. 9, 2010

The Annual Spring Gala - Mar. 27, 2010

Save the DateTo volunteer or for more information, please contact the Advancement Office at 301-373-4182 or [email protected].

www.smrhs.orgA Xaverian Brothers Sponsored School

Make school history by creating The St. Mary’s Ryken Knights’ Fight Song. Deadline for submissions is January 4, 2010. More information and the rules can be found at www.smrhs.org. Click on the Athletics tab and then on The SMR Fight Song Contest in the blue bar on the left-hand side.

The SMR Fight Song Contest

annual report - st. mary's ryken high school

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