Archbishop Ryan High School for Boys - Arrow Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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Mr. Jacovini once owned a suit. Mr. Jim Galbally—a fondly remembered teacher. ★★★★★★★★ The Archdiocese of Philadelphia, following its tradition of naming secondary schools in the system after former bishops of the archdiocese, named our High School after the sixth Bishop and second Archbishop of Philadelphia, Patrick J. Ryan. (Feb. 20, 1831-Feb. 11, 1911) The naming of the High School after this pioneer builder was as traditional as it was timely. His concern for the underprivileged, his aide and guidance to Mother Catherine Drexel in the founding of her order with their special apostolate among the Indians and Negroes, and his early ecumenical concerns further qualify him to be immortalized by a Christian school. Given their historic and contemporary concerns, it is another fortunate alignment to have an institution so named to be founded and initially staffed by the followers of Francis of Assisi. Our Friars, who are continuing a movement begun in the 13th century to bring the world closer to Christ, are members of the Assumption B.V.M. Province whose center is at Pulaski, Wisconsin. Five members of this province first came to Philadelphia in 1958 at the invitation of Cardinal John F. O’Hara. They took up residence at St. Pius X Friary, Carpenter Lane in Mt. Airy. Sept. 3, 1958 they began teaching at Bishop Neumann High School. In 1964 the Province formally accepted Cardinal Krol’s offer to administer and staff the boy’s school to be named in honor of Archbishop Ryan. At the end of 1965 the Friars began working on the plans for the school and faculty house. That same year four priests were transferred to Cardinal Dougherty High School to gain experience in different methods of administration and teaching. The school opened its doors for the first time on Sept. 7, 1966 with a freshman and sophmore class of 650 and Rev. Xavier Wilk, O.F.M. as principal. In 1968, another veteran founder, Fr. Noel Wall, O.F.M. took over as principal. Under his direction the school has expanded facilities, services and faculty to meet the considerable needs of a student population of 2300. Under his leadership, the work begun in 1958 has born fruit and justified the efforts of the early builders. The trust and faith of the diocese in the Franciscan Order and lay faculty has proved itself well placed, especially in light of the accomplishment of Middle States Association accreditation when the school was only in its sixth year of existence. It was largely Fr. Noel’s faith in this venture which gave our school the confidence to undergo the arduous task of self-evaluation. ★★★★★★★★ I 10

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 The first student council (except for the tall guy) Remember the days when white sox were IN ? 9

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Remember when Joe Hayes Wowed Ryan? The staff of the First Arrow including two present Ryan teachers. I didn't know that Indians played banjos in the old days.