Friends of Ryan Donates $80,000 to Archbishop Ryan for Tuition Assistance

This past month during the Winter Social, the Friends of Ryan presented a check to Archbishop Ryan High School specifically for Tuition Assistance. The donation was a direct result of the funds raised from last year’s Summer Social and the Annual Golf Outing. Working in close coordination with the Archbishop Ryan Administrative Staff, the school prioritized tuition assistance as the primary need to help support current and incoming students with financial aid to offset tuition expenses. The Friends of Ryan would like to send out a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended, sponsored, donated and volunteered to make these events so successful. Your generosity and support are the driving forces that make an impact to the students of Archbishop Ryan.

Friends of Ryan Hosts the Winter Social

On Saturday March 5, the Friends of Ryan hosted this year’s Winter Social which was a huge success! Over 700 fellow Alumni and friends joined us in dancing the night away to the sounds of the Juliano Brothers and DJ Bobby Sacco. It was a refreshing feeling to host this event again at the tail end of the pandemic after the restrictions were lifted. The event raised over $42,000 which will be used to support tuition assistance, programs and capital improvements. We would like to thank everyone who attended the event, it is an amazing feeling to see so many Alumni stay connected to the school through all these years and continue to solidify our bonds as members of the Archbishop Ryan community. Thank you to all our sponsors, donors and volunteers who allow us to run the events and make such an impact to the students of Archbishop Ryan. The Friends of Ryan website has been updated to include the photo gallery of the event and also all past events on our event page at Events — Friends of Ryan (friendsofryanalumni.org). We invite you to visit the site and remember the evening, see some examples below.

The Friends of Ryan Business Network

A strong business backed community is a critical piece to the health and stability of Archbishop Ryan and its students. As fellow Alumni we have all moved into careers that span across multiple industries and fields of expertise. The education we received at Archbishop Ryan was a catalyst to that success and we look to partner with each and every one of you to support future generations of the Archbishop Ryan students. The Friends of Ryan Business Network was implemented to build out a centralized location to highlight the businesses that directly support Archbishop Ryan and its students through fund-raising or EITC. We ask all our Alumni to review the Friends of Ryan Business Network and support the businesses that give back to our community at Business Network — Friends of Ryan (friendsofryanalumni.org)

For any businesses looking to join the Friends of Ryan Business Network please select the “Join Now” button on the link above. We would also encourage you to consider the EITC program. This is a program that offers tax credits to your business that would directly support the students of Archbishop Ryan through tuition assistance. Is your business paying $5000 or more per year in Pennsylvania State Taxes? We have a program where the state taxes could be disbursed to Archbishop Ryan students for tuition assistances directly through tax credits. Our team is ready to discuss the details with you and / or your accountant directly. If you are interested, please visit our EITC program at EITC & OSTC — Friends of Ryan (friendsofryanalumni.org) by selecting the “Interested” button. Below is a sample calculation on how the EITC program is utilized.

The George Karusky IV Memorial Foundation 2nd Annual 5K Run / 2K Walk

The George Karusky IV Memorial Foundation is hosting their 2nd Annual 5K Run / 2K Walk in April. The 5K Run is a virtual event taking place April 17 through April 23 and the foundation ask that participants post their experience to the foundations Facebook and Instagram pages. The 2K Walk is scheduled for Saturday April 23 at Archbishop Ryan High School starting at 1PM EST. The event details and registration can be found at Run The Day.

George Paul Karusky IV, as we all knew him as “Georgie”, passed away surprisingly on April 23, 2020. During the horror of the covid pandemic, Georgie passed away with a sudden battle of meningitis. At the young age of 18, his death devastated his father and their close family along with the entire community of family and friends. The devastation really hit home with his high school, Archbishop Ryan. The whole school, with tear-filled eyes and broken hearts, rallied together in support of Georgie and his family during one of the worst years in history. “AR” will forever be connected with Georgie and his memory. The overwhelming support received by everyone in Georgie’s life was a true testament to how much he was loved and truly will be missed.

Georgie grew up as the only child of George Karusky III and Lori-Ann Karusky (Knecht) in the far northeast of Philadelphia. As a child, he spent a lot of time with his small family; the family was everything, especially his mom. Once he was able to attend pre-school, he began developing outstanding bonds with the kids and their families. He started being involved in youth sports and programs, which became his social life, like all the kids his age ….but the one unfortunate secret was his mom started to become very ill. As Georgie grew older, his mother weakened, and she passed away when he was ten years old. The devastating news destroyed him, his father, and his close family. The loss brought him even closer together with his dad, but they were both in search of something to help with their grief and to fill the void of losing the one person they loved. The path led to sports and traveling, which led to meeting so many people along the way. He developed so many friendships because he was involved in so many sports and played on different teams all over the tri-state area. This was his new family now, his friends, teammates, and their families. They became his passion and priority in life, and he loved it all, and he was always welcomed everywhere he went with open arms.

All the relationships he gained over his years really helped when he started high school because that’s where they all came together. He seemed loved by everyone or someone who knew him from sports, and he gained another friend. His big heart, smile, and humor kept everyone he was with laughing and happy. Georgie wasn’t the best player or athlete, but he was a respected one, who really cared about his teammates, and they loved him for that. The team was his family, and they came first. Georgie’s played three varsity sports in high school, and his senior year started out great. The soccer team made it to the semis, and he stepped up to play goalie when the team’s all-star goalie was injured, then scored a goal in the game. He was named an all-star kick/punter for the football team and won the top league’s “Sportsmanship Award.” He would have been one of the top players for the baseball team but covid canceled the season, and a month later, he sadly passed away. Georgie’s sudden passing took such a major toll on everyone. Still, everyone came together to support him, and they showed him all the love in the world, which he would have been so proud of ….. to know his family and friends were there for him. Georgie’s family, friends, teammates, coaches, etc., will never forget him as that loyal, loving, caring, genuine person with a huge heart. Everyone was his family because his friendships meant the world to him, and that’s what he loved the most in his short life. With his passing, all of the people he touched…. know in their hearts, and he’s always with them and will never leave them because he truly loved them all.

The Ryan Football Alumni Association Host TEKE ‘22

The Ryan Football Alumni Association is hosting their 2nd Annual TEKE event on Saturday May 14 from 3 to 7 PM at Archbishop Ryan High School. Tickets can be purchased at https://givebox.com/522382, $30 online and $40 at the door. Admission includes beer, food truck will be onsite for purchases. Must be 21 to enter.

The Ryan Football Alumni Association undertook the effort to professionally clear out the area, which some would consider sacred ground, to bring what is fondly known as “The TEKE” back to its glory. For many of the Alumni, the TEKE was the place to meet and bond before events and thanks to the Ryan Football Alumni Association the TEKE lives on. Along with the improvements to the TEKE some other amazing projects undertaken by the Ryan Football Alumni Association include the construction of the new trophy cases and upgrades to the boy’s area lockers. A new project they are ramping up is upgrades to the girl’s area lockers, details will be published soon.

Last year’s event was such a great time reuniting with fellow Alumni and friends so come out and join everyone with entertainment provided by the MOJO Channel and Just Call Dawn DJ.

Upcoming Events

Visit Friends of Ryan Events page www.friendsofryanalumni.org/events for the latest information on events.

The George Karusky IV Memorial Foundation is hosting a 5K Run / 2K Walk on Saturday April 23 at 1PM EST at Archbishop Ryan High School to celebrate the memory of George Karusky IV. The Virtual Event will start on April 17 through April 23, the in-person event will be held on April 23 starting at 1PM at Archbishop Ryan High School. Event details can be found at Run The Day

The Ryan Football Alumni Association is hosting TEKE ‘22 on Saturday May 14 from 3 to 7 PM at Archbishop Ryan High School. Admission which includes beer is $30 online and $40 at the door. Entertainment provided by MOJO Channel and Just Call Dawn DJ. Food Truck will be onsite for purchases. Tickets can be purchased at https://givebox.com/522382.

The Class of ‘72 celebrates their 50th reunion scheduled for Friday June 10, 2022, at the Philadelphia Ballroom from 7PM to 11PM. Tickets can be purchased at www.arhs.me/72. Please visit the information al page www.arclassof72.com to RSPV to the event and for details surrounding hotel accommodations.

Save the date!! The first Annual Archbishop Ryan Car Show is scheduled for Saturday June 25, 2022, from noon to 5PM EST. A great event for the entire family. Further details will follow.

Friends of Ryan Summer Social scheduled for Saturday July 30, 2022, at the Seaport Pier, Wildwood New Jersey, details provided soon.

Friends of Ryan Alumni

Interested in joining the Friends of Ryan Alumni and mailing list for further updates, visit the Alumni section of www.friendsofryanalumni.org/alumni and Join Now.

Interested in giving back and becoming an Archbishop Ryan Ambassador, visit www.friendsofryanalumni.org/ambassadors to Join Now.

Thank You from the Friends of Ryan Team

Board President Tim Lederer ‘90 and Board Vice President Ed Hughes ‘79

Making an Impact