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Senior Vaiani to Enter Penn for Fencing & Business

Athlete Nicole Vaiani celebrated her early entrance into the University of Pennsylvania’s varsity fencing program with her parents and Upper School advisors.
Senior Nicole Vaiani of Wall celebrated her early entrance into the University of Pennsylvania’s varsity fencing program with her parents and Upper School advisors this week. The nationally ranked athlete has not only earned admittance to the Ivy League, but also has gained entrance to the prestigious Wharton School of Business.
 
“Penn provides me with a desired balance of advanced academics along with an intense fencing program. I look forward to training for the upcoming NCAA’s and Ivy League Championships with my future teammates at Penn,” said Nicole, who came to Ranney as a freshman. “Although I am excited to begin a new life at Penn, I could not have achieved this goal without the support from my classmates and teachers at Ranney. Throughout my time at Ranney, my friends and teachers have cheered me on as I competed nationally and internationally. With their support, I was able to not only maintain my academic status, but also I excelled in my fencing career, thus earning my recruitment slot for Penn.”
 
Nicole began fencing at the age of 9 and has participated on Ranney’s fencing team through her Upper School career. She helped the 2014-15 team win its way to the 2015 Prep States Championship, with the Girls’ Foil Squad taking first place. She also took first place at the individual championship event for women’s foil. In 2013-14, she won gold at the NJSIAA State Foil Fencing Championship.
 
Outside of Ranney, Nicole trains with personal coaches and has built an impressive list of accomplishments, including a third-place finish at the Cadet World Cup Fencing Competition held in Pisa, Italy (January 2014); an 11th place finish at the Division I Senior North American Cup (November 2013); 23rd at the Cadet World Cup in Tauberbischofsheim, Germany (November 2013); first place at the 2014 Junior Olympic Qualifier for the New Jersey Division; 16th place at the Cadet North American Cup (November 2013); 9th place at the Cadet 2013 Summer Nationals’ and first place at the Y12 2010 Summer Nationals. Most recently, she placed 13th in Division I of the North American Cup!

Said Nicole's dad, Michael Vaiani, "Ranney has given not only Nicole but both JoAnn (Mrs. Vaiani) and myself a nurturing and positive experience.  Nicole's first day at Ranney School was as a freshman. All of her teachers made Nicole feel as if she had been there since kindergarten and part of the Ranney family. From the administration to the faculty, it is obvious that there is a team effort to bring out the best in your child so that they can excel beyond their expectations. In my opinion, past Headmaster, Dr. Lawrence Sykoff, past Upper School Head Paul Zanowski and current Headmaster, Dr. John Griffith are  examples of excellence in education for others to follow. I highly recommend Ranney School for anyone wishing the best education and support for their child."

 
Nicole is a member of Ranney’s National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society and Science National Honor Society. Her older brother, John, is also a fencer and current sophomore at Penn.

See a related collegiate athlete article on senior swimmer Audra Smires and her early signing with Lehigh
 
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Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777

Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society.