Cum Laude Ceremony Welcomes 13 New Members

Ranney School’s chapter of the prestigious Cum Laude Society welcomed 13 new members during an induction ceremony held on March 16. Eleven Upper School seniors, one faculty member and one distinguished member of Ranney’s Board of Trustees became the tenth “class” to be honored at Ranney School.

Founded in 1906, The Cum Laude Society recognizes student academic achievement and excellence in teaching in secondary schools. Only the top twenty percent of a school’s graduating class is eligible for membership.

This year’s Class of 2010 inductees included: Mary Breton, Rachel Brodsky, Heather Flynn, Peter Giovine, Jeremy Lessing, Jason Lopyan, Benjamin Mooney, George Parlamas, Matthew Simpson, Christopher Tomasetta and Manik Uppal. Also inducted were Ranney history teacher Dr. Noel Delgado and Dr. Brian Torpey, a member of the Ranney Board of Trustees. Each inductee was presented with a gold cord symbolizing membership in Cum Laude. In addition to a membership certificate, plaque and pin, the students each received a Ranney medallion, framed with a letter of congratulations from Ranney Head of School Dr. Lawrence S. Sykoff.

In his welcoming remarks to several hundred students, faculty, family and friends gathered in Panther Hall, Dr. Sykoff reflected on how proud Ranney School founder Russell Ranney would be to see his school, which has always focused on scholarship, thriving in 2010. “Today’s ceremony is about having a passion to learn,” said Dr. Sykoff, adding “all our inductees exemplify inquiry, scholarship and principles at their best.”

In her remarks on “Scholarship as Service,” Ranney history teacher Louise Dewar implored students to use their achievements as scholars to “excel in the world and make it a better place.” Defining excellence and scholarship as ways to be “worthwhile,” she singled out several Ranney students who are already making a difference in the world through their community service. “All around us,” said Dewar, “are the next Gandhis, Lincolns and Kings.” In her concluding remarks, she told students “we expect you go on to the finest colleges and universities and succeed, but we hope you will aspire to achieve something great in the world.”

Several student inductees shared their thoughts on their academic journey at Ranney. Heather Flynn advised students to “always look at your opportunities to learn something new and find your passion.” Benjamin Mooney, a Ranney lifer, acknowledged his recent honor will give him the incentive “to drive myself further in my future.”

Faculty inductee Dr. Noel Delgado and honorary inductee Dr. Brian Torpey were also honored for their longstanding and exemplary service to Ranney School. Dr. Delgado was described by his colleagues as a “model scholar who has contributed as a soldier, teacher, coach, father and husband.”

Dr. Brian Torpey, who was jokingly introduced by Dr. Sykoff as the Surgeon General of Ranney, was praised for “always doing what is right for Ranney School and its students,” and being “an ideal trustee and indisputable role-model, gentleman and scholar.” A prominent orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Torpey cautioned students that “success is not just about studying for the test or getting good grades but finding something you enjoy doing.”

The program also included a special performance of Nella Fantasia by the Upper School Chorus and conducted by Performing Arts Chair Tess Nielsen. The ceremony concluded with a morning tea and refreshments served in Ranney’s Searle Library.

For additional information on all Ranney School news, please contact the Communications Department at communications@ranneyschool.org.