Deacon Hill Announces Total at Annual Drexel Donor Recognition Mass and Brunch
Nashville, Tenn., — Rev. Mr. Bill Hill, a member of the Father Ryan Class of 1967, announced Saturday that the school’s Saint Katharine Drexel Scholarship has surpassed the $300,000 mark, providing important financial assistance to Black students looking to attend the now-100-year-old Catholic high school.
Deacon Hill, who established the scholarship in 2020 and has led its fundraising ever since, made the announcement during the annual Donor Recognition Mass and Brunch on Saturday at Father Ryan. “As a young grade schooler in Nashville, I had the benefit of the Catholic education provided by Father Ryan because of the dedication of my mother and others in the community who wanted me to have this opportunity,” Deacon Hill said. “I am grateful to the donors whose generosity to the Saint Katharine Drexel Scholarship is making the same education I had possible for some many other students.”
The event attracted more than 50 of the 175 donors to the scholarship, including Father Joe McMahon, who celebrated the Mass with the assistance of Deacon Hill and Deacon Harry Guess, and the vocal talents of the St. Vincent Choir. In addition, Father Ryan sophomore and Drexel Scholarship recipient Kayleigh Baugus, who spoke to the audience about her experience.
“I toured several private schools and a magnet school as an 8th-grader,” Baugus said, “and Father Ryan really stood out. I felt known and loved, even though I was only an eighth grader. I am involved with the Purple Masque Players and am doing Creative Writing. My experience in academics had shaped me to be a better person. My favorite course has been AP African American Studies; it shows Father Ryan’s commitment to diversity.”
Father Ryan opened its doors in September 1925 and is celebrating its 100 Years of Father Ryan this year – its 100th school year – and next year, when it graduates its 100th class, the Class of 2026. More information about the school and its 100-year celebration is available at fatherryan.org.
