Blue & White Dinner a Special Prelude to Middle School Graduation

The special program provided an opportunity for eighth grade students to share their achievements over the past three years with both their teachers and parents who turned out to help them celebrate on Thursday evening.

Student Council President Giulia DiGuglielmo began the program and led invited guests in the Pledge of Allegiance.

In his welcome to this year’s graduates, Head of School Dr. Lawrence S. Sykoff offered his warm congratulations to students, faculty and parents as he officially kicked off 24 hours of celebration for Ranney eighth graders. Because of Ranney’s exceptional teachers, he said, students have amassed considerable achievements both in and outside of the classroom. He also praised parents for their “ongoing support and encouragement” without whom “we could never sustain this kind of educational experience.” Finally, he commended this year’s graduates who “are the real heroes tonight,” telling them that their experiences in Middle School will help them develop real and focused areas of interest as they begin Upper School. He spoke of the more than 20 recent Senior Capstone presentations that spanned a wide variety of research topics – many of which will be the basis of many seniors’ college majors. “What you learn today,” he told the Class of 2014, “creates a foundation upon which the next four years of your life will be shaped.”

Dr. Sykoff also commended the Middle School administration comprised of David Fischer, Head of Middle School, Nancy Wade, Assistant Head of Middle School, and David Ketcham, 8th Grade Dean, for their continued guidance, support and dedication.

In his opening remarks, David Fischer recalled his own days as a Middle School student. Although specific memories have long faded, “there are certain constants that remain with me to this day,” he said. Friendships, the kind many of you enjoy with classmates, as well as the lessons and opportunities that will help you to identify the subjects and activities you are truly interested in, are the constants Fischer hopes this year’s graduates will continue to have in their future. He also thanked the Class of 2014 for the opportunity to “play a role in your current and future development.” He then led the presentation of this year’s awards.

Among the many awards presented that evening were six Citizenship Awards, four Community Service Awards, three National French Awards, 16 National Spanish Awards, and 40 President’s Academic Excellence Awards.

Assistant Head of School Nancy Wade introduced this year’s eighth grade advisors, Lorrie Benditt, Justin Campbell, Marcia Hernandez, Cathy Piccirillo and Betty Williams, who offered their perspectives on the notable accomplishments of their students.

A highlight of this year’s program was the annual 8th grade retrospective video presentation that was coordinated by Middle School technology teacher Stacy Goto and Upper School history teacher Dr. Noel Delgado.

During the ceremony, each member of the Class of 2014 was also presented with a special gift bag from the RSPA.

The dinner concluded with closing comments by David Fischer who reminded this year’s graduates to remember those who helped them reach this milestone – their teachers and parents. He also thanked graduates for their “sincerity, dedication to each other and the learning process, and your endless energy and enthusiasm … that has made my first year as Middle School principal a daily joy.”

Following his remarks, graduates were ready to put on their dancing shoes and dance the night away before they returned to RSPA Panther Hall the following morning for their official 8th Grade Rising Ceremony where they would officially become the newest members of the Upper School.

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