Signs of Hope All Around Us
Today was a wonderfully uplifting day.
After receiving the disappointing – but not unexpected news – from Superintendent Rebecca Hammel yesterday that our beautiful campus would remain closed and digital learning would continue through the end of the school year, I was a bit saddened for our community, particularly the Class of 2020. But that sadness didn’t last long.
This morning, I joined Mr. Davis, Mrs. Anton, Mr. Crumby, Mrs. Preston, Mr. Magness, and Coach Mullins in traveling throughout our area to place congratulatory signs in the yards of every member of the Class of 2020 and to leave a Father Ryan blanket at each home. As I put the signs in the yards, I paused to look at the residences, and I was struck by the thought of the families living in each one and what the senior there was thinking. I found myself reflecting on that student and what he or she has meant to Father Ryan. I thought about their arrival as freshmen, of their experiences across the spectrum of activities, of their leadership, their commitment, their faith and their devotion to Father Ryan. And I found myself even more humbled by the opportunity my leadership team and I have to be a part of this remarkable school.
Even though these students are not going to have the traditional ending of their Father Ryan years, I have no doubt that they will be exemplars of Father Ryan, perhaps in an even more special way than other classes. These last six weeks and the ones that follow have given them a practical experience in dealing with unexpected obstacles – always a valuable experience – and the way they have responded to these hurdles gives me even greater confidence in who they will be in the years to come. They have proved to be resilient, responsive, able to adapt, and focused on serving others, and they will be able to deal with, learn from and succeed greatly because they are the Class of 2020.
Yes, this was a wonderful day, one that will inspire me often in the coming weeks. Knowing our future for the remainder of the school year has given us clarity for our end of year events. I encourage you to view the new calendar that we have developed to detail the planned status of events for the year’s end. That includes a Senior Celebration on June 18-20 on the campus – depending on government directives – where we will honor this exceptional class. I salute them and their families, and I look forward to celebrating this memorable year with Ryan Nation.
With our ongoing prayers to our Blessed Mother for those who are affected by this virus and for all throughout our community, I am reminded that WE are Father Ryan.
Peace,
Jim McIntyre
President
