Middle Schoolers Ready For Challenges Of Upper School

Sixty-seven eighth grade students eagerly processed into RSPA Panther Hall on Friday, June 4 as part of the Middle School Rising Ceremony, a traditional rite of passage for Middle School students transitioning to the Upper School.

Awaiting them were hundreds of proud family members, friends and teachers who greeted them as they made their way to yet another phase in their academic career at Ranney.

Giulia DiGuglielmo, Student Council President, led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Vincent Morano, Honor Code Representative, who gave this year’s Invocation.

David Fischer, Head of Middle School, congratulated this year’s graduates for their hard work and determination, noting “these past three years have been nothing short of inspirational.” He added that in addition to the many accomplishments, challenges, successes and joys they have experienced, “today is not about what you have achieved, but what you are about to achieve.”

Head of School Dr. Lawrence S. Sykoff also offered his congratulations and continued success to the Class of 2014. He shared his reflections on several recent news stories that were ‘teachable moments’ for this year’s graduates. The first story was that of a perfectly pitched baseball game that wasn’t - due to an erroneous call by an umpire. “Both pitcher and umpire turned what wasn’t a perfect game into a perfect experience,” said Dr. Sykoff. By embodying humility and modesty, they also taught us responsibility and accountability, adding this experience is a perfect example of what the honor part of the Ranney code of “Knowledge, Vision, Honor” represents.

He also spoke of the 13-year-old boy who just climbed Mt. Everest and is now setting his sights on new heights, specifically Antarctica. With only four years of climbing experience under his belt, he is also a gifted student and musician, not unlike, suggested Dr. Sykoff, many of Ranney’s own diversified and talented students.

In his closing remarks, he offered a gift to the Class of 2014 in the form of a book by David Shenk entitled The Genius in All of Us. He urged students to send him an email this summer telling him how they are working hard to become great. In return, he will send them this book as a gift.

Dr. Sykoff then led the awards presentation.

The Trustees’ Award for Excellence

Mark Owitz, Madison Boyan

The Tushar Bhatnagar Award

Andrew Grover, Alessandra Johnson, Joseph Esquivel-Murphy, Alexandra Esquivel-Murphy

The Middle School Leadership Award

Matt Elwood, Billie Haas, Soraya Dookie, Steven Parlamas

The Ann Kappel Citizenship and Service Award

Ronald Geraghty, Noah Goldstein

The Middle School Panther Perseverance Award

Christina Stewart, Madelaine Young

John Avendano, Student Council Representative, Steven Parlamas, MAG Co-Editor-in Chief, and Andrew Aboujaoude, Honor Code Committee Representative, each spoke about what Ranney’s motto “Knowledge, Vision, Honor”, means to them.

Said John, "This is what Ranney has taught me about knowledge - it’s putting together all the pieces of information we learned all these years and putting it to use... It’s recognizing those who struggled to give us a wonderful life. It’s learning how to be a good sport in the face of defeat. It’s learning how to apologize when we have hurt a friend, it’s learning how to cherish friendships. It’s being grateful and learning how to say “Thank You.”

"As 8th grade graduates," added Steve, "we have set our goals high and made the vision we have of ourselves in the future clear. A Ranney student who aspires to work, teach, research or practice in any field has already begun to achieve this goal."

"Honor is more than doing what is right," explained Andrew. "Honor is a habit that my teachers and my parents have instilled in me. It is a desire to do the right thing because not doing the right thing would leave the residues of guilt behind. Honor is learned, and learned, and learned again until it is glued to the core of one’s spirit."

David Ketcham, Dean of Students, and Giulia DiGuglielmo, Student Council President, then presented both Dr. Sykoff and Heather Rudisi, Associate Head for Admissions and Marketing, with the Eighth Grade Class Gift – a check for $2,587 for the Student-to-Student Scholarship Fund.

Throughout the ceremony, guests were entertained by choral selections from the Middle School Chorus, led by Choral Director Lilly Torrente, and accompanied by Erik Bovino ’15, as well as a stirring violin solo by 8th grade orchestra member Anthony Dennis.

Following remarks by Taylor Swanner ‘10 who encouraged graduates to “do something new and challenge yourself,” the Class of 2014 was officially presented with their promotion certificates by Head of Middle School David Fischer and Dr. Sykoff. Joseph Tweed, Assistant Head of Upper School, welcomed and congratulated graduates on what he termed their “stepping-up ceremony”.

This year’s ceremony concluded with a Benediction by Noah Goldstein, Tri-M Music Honor Society Member, followed by graduates jubilantly making their way through Panther Hall to Beethoven’s Joyful, Joyful and the cheers of family and friends as they rejoiced in their new roles as Upper Schoolers.

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