Archbishop Ryan has been the only high school to continue the tradition of a shore reunion that originated in June 1996 in Sea Isle City.
The Rev. Rene Barczak, who worked at Ryan for more than 50 years and organized the first 22 Ryan Makes Waves events, opened the July 25 virtual reunion from Florida with greetings.
Bobby Sacco, Class of 2002, served as DJ, playing music from North Wildwood.
According to Ryan Simmons (’04), social media director and teacher at Ryan, more than 20,000 people from all over the world joined in virtually. There were alums from states along the east coast, along with Texas, California, Oregon, Hawaii, Louisiana, North Dakota, Florida and even Melinda Janiszewski (’98), in Sydney, Australia.
Michael Barnett (’90), president at Ryan, said, “It was important to keep this crucial event in place and help keep our alumni community together, albeit remote, to bring music, joy and laughter into our homes, hotel rooms or anywhere our alums are participating.”
Joseph McFadden (’97), principal at Ryan, was on vacation at the Panoramic Motel in North Wildwood with his family, who are Ryan alum, and they made a short video appearance.
Eight bands with alums performed. They were Gary Yost (’75), Bobby Roche (’77), Tyler Kinsley (’13), Mark Wojtko (’84), Alan Rhodes (’76), John Gallager (’77), Frank Gallagher (’84), Eddie Gallagher (’95), Franco Sicilia (’89) and Christina Perri (’04). Perri performed an acoustic version of Jar of Hearts for its 10th anniversary.
The committee requested donations of $30, with donors receiving a “Ryan Makes Waves Virtually 2020” shirt. The shirts are available at https://arhs.me/store.
The reunion committee was chaired by Peg Hasher Cascerceri (’77). Other members were Phil Consalvo (’79), Cheryl Kontogeorgos (’86), Keri Nuesslein (’09), Sam Kiger O’Driscoll (’10), Matt Creedon (’11), Michael Costanzo (’87, teacher), Linda Rehfuss (’90), Bob Sacco (’02), Sean Killion (’94) and Donna Staskel (’77).
Almost $5,000 was collected in donations that night.
Next year’s reunion will be on July 31, in person. Call Mary Anne T. Benner (’74) at 215-637-1800, Ext. 7038. ••
