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2011 Cum Laude Society Induction Ceremony

Thirteen New Members Inducted into Cum Laude Honor Society
 
The Ranney School Cum Laude Society inducted 13 new members into its chapter in RSPA Panther Hall on the morning of March 1. Eleven Upper School seniors, one faculty member, and one distinguished community member became the eleventh “class” honored at Ranney School’s prestigious Cum Laude ceremony.
 
Founded in 1906, Cum Laude Society recognizes the scholastic achievements of students in academically superior secondary schools. Only the top 20 percent of a school’s graduating class is eligible for membership. This year’s Class of 2011 inductees included: Julia Bontempo, Charlotte Fleming, Christopher Johnson, Sara Kleinman, Alexander Marchak, Krishna Patel, Hannah Skolnik, Alyssa Staats, Anton Yevelev, and Ranney “Lifers” Stephen Triano and McCall Torpey.
 
Also inducted were Ranney School art teacher Ave Maria Walwark and Timothy Hogan, President of Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank. Each inductee was presented a gold cord, symbolizing honor and membership in Cum Laude. In addition to a membership certificate, plaque and pin, the students each also received a Ranney medallion, framed with a letter of congratulations from Head of School Dr. Lawrence S. Sykoff.
 
In his welcoming remarks to several hundred students, faculty, family and friends gathered in Panther Hall to celebrate the accomplishments of students who, by virtue of their outstanding record of scholarship, have earned a place in Cum Laude, Dr. Sykoff explained the unique characteristics that make up a true scholar. “To earn the title of ‘scholar,’ one must be confident, inspired, resourceful … and possess a reliable source of good,” said Sykoff.
 
During her speech on “Ethics in Scholarship,” Lower Head of School Patricia Marshall noted the important role that questioning authority plays in acting scholarly. She recognized President Thomas Jefferson by stating, “A scholar, he believed it was not only his right to question and the right of all, but his duty to do so and the duty of all.” With that, Mrs. Marshall urged all students to “take risk and understand that the questioning of thoughts, belief systems and philosophies is essential and necessary as long as reason to do so contributes to a greater good.”
 
Several student-inductees also shared their thoughts on scholarship. While according to Alex Marchak, “a scholar is about being a critical thinker — about asking questions as much as answering them,” McCall Torpey, a Ranney “Lifer,” believes that “scholarship presents an opportunity to take advantage of all the knowledge teachers have to offer.”
 
Faculty inductee Ave Maria Walwark and honorary inductee Timothy Hogan were also recognized for their longstanding exemplary service both to Ranney School and to the community. Ms. Walwark was described by her colleagues as a “dedicated teacher always looking to improve by regularly attending lectures at the Metropolitan Museum, traveling extensively each summer to see works of art and architecture in the flesh, and graciously sharing insight with students and faculty.”
 
Meanwhile, the morning’s honorary inductee, Timothy Hogan — a six-time recipient of the J.D. Power and Associates Award for Service Excellence — was described by Dr. Sykoff, as a “highly regarded visionary” within the community. Under his supervision, the Riverview Medical Center has become one of the premier community hospitals in New Jersey. Aside from his demonstrating scholarship since becoming president of Riverview in 2001, Mr. Hogan has continued to involve himself in numerous community activities and organizations, emphasizing his personal and professional mission to "be a good neighbor."
 
The program also included a special performance of Flight by the Upper School Chorus and String Ensemble, accompanied by Tor Miller on piano. The ceremony concluded with morning tea and refreshments served in Ranney’s Searle Library.
 
 
 
Ave Maria Walwark
Upper School Art Teacher Inducted into Cum Laude Society


Since joining Ranney School in 2001, Ave Maria Walwark has distinguished herself as a dedicated and talented educator with the heart of an artist and the mind of a highly skilled professional.
 
Ave Maria Walwark is a successful artist who earned her undergraduate degree in printmaking from Daemen College and a master of arts degree in studio art education from Kean University, where she was also a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. A professor at Brookdale Community College, Monmouth University and Ocean County College, Ms. Walwark also teaches Upper School art at Ranney School.
 
Her talents do not go unnoticed, as her art has been exhibited throughout the country, in galleries ranging New York, California and Wyoming, to name a few. Ms. Walwark’s work can also be found in the permanent collections of Ayerst Laboratories, Bell Labs, the Monmouth County Park System and more.
 
A valued member of the Ranney art community, Ms. Walwark has helped in shaping the successful growth and development of Ranney’s Fine Arts Department and Yearbook. In recognition of her contributions to Ranney and its students over the years, Ms. Walwark earned the Panther Pride award in 2009. This award is given annually to faculty members who, through sustained commitment to Ranney students and extracurricular activities, have had a meaningful impact on the personal development of pupils.
 
Truly deserving of the Panther Pride Award and induction into Cum Laude, Ranney School commends Ava Maria Walwark for her demonstration of scholarship and contagious charisma, and her ability to meet every challenge with energy and enthusiasm.
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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.