46th Annual Commencement Ceremony Celebrates Student Achievements

As more than 700 family members, friends and teachers gathered to help this year’s graduating class rejoice in yet another academic milestone, members of the Class of 2010 were resplendent as they processed down the halls of the University’s Pollack Hall. In keeping with Ranney’s longstanding tradition of nearly 50 years, 26 girls dazzled in white gowns while carrying long-stemmed red roses, as 30 boys donned dark formal suits for the nearly two and one-half-hour formal ceremony.

In his welcoming remarks, Ranney Head of School Dr. Lawrence S. Sykoff offered his warm congratulations to this year’s graduates. As Ranney celebrates its 50th anniversary, “today’s graduation,” he said, “represents a crowning moment in a golden anniversary year.” As he reflected on Ranney’s humble beginnings when its founder Russell Ranney opened the school 50 years ago with seven students and three teachers, he proudly proclaimed Mr. Ranney’s dream continues to flourish today. “The dream will continue for the Class of 2010 because they are encircled by so many people who are cheering for their continued success, and because they have Ranney’s foundations for learning deeply rooted in their hearts … commitment compassion and contribution.” In his final message to graduates, Dr. Sykoff asked them to “be yourself, be unselfish and be sensible… dream with unbridled passion, and do what you believe to be right … the rest of life will fall into good order.”

Dr. Daniel B. Goldberg, president of Ranney’s Board of Trustees also offered his heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2010 and thanked the entire Ranney community “who keep Ranney School at the forefront of educational excellence.” He praised the ongoing leadership and commitment of Ranney’s faculty, administrators, Board of Trustees, as well as the leadership of Dr. Sykoff and former Head of School Margaret Mahon. “The evolution of our school from its humble beginnings to a nationally-recognized educational institution has been a remarkable journey.”

This year’s Commencement speaker, Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, spoke fondly of his educational journey at Ranney. The 1986 alumni credited much of his success today to the “first-class education – not only in academics, but also in civics” he had at Ranney. In a poignant and riveting address to graduates, he declared “the fullest life is not spent … acquiring material wealth or esoteric knowledge; the fullest life involves a commitment to act also for the benefit of people.” He implored the Class of 2010 to heed the call to service and “to serve your country because your country needs you.” In his final message to graduating seniors, he invoked the words of the late Robert F. Kennedy who said “Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope.”

Following remarks by the class salutatorian, Mary Breton, and valedictorian, Manik Uppal, seven students were presented with graduation awards that also spoke to the themes of leadership and service. They included:

The Headmaster’s Cup – Mary Breton

The Gershom Tomlinson Humanitarian Award – Taylor Rose Swanner

The Faculty Prize – Heather Flynn and Peter Giovine

The Ann Kappel Citizenship and Service Award – Jeremy Lessing

The Robert Paulus Leadership and Perseverance Award - Benjamin Mooney

The Margaret Mahon Award – Christopher Lombardi

The Ranney School Leadership Award – Christopher Tomasetta

Following the awards presentation, Dr. Sykoff and Dr. Goldberg conferred diplomas on this year’s graduates who then proudly and jubilantly processed out of Pollack Hall to a myriad of congratulatory hugs, handshakes, and smiles from their family and friends.

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