Lead / Create / Contribute
235 Hope Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724  /  732.542.4777

More Stories

List of 10 news stories.

Seven Seniors Inducted into Ranney NHS

Ranney’s Upper School hosted a senior National Honor Society (NHS) Induction Ceremony in RSPA Panther Hall on the morning of October 20, 2011. Students and teachers grades nine through 12 — along with parents and other honored guests — were there to lend support as the ceremony rewarded seven members from the Class of 2012 for completing the requirements needed to become a part of the Russell G. Ranney chapter of the NHS.

As described by Ranney’s NHS Treasurer Christopher Schwake ’12, eligibility within the society stems from demonstrated leadership and commitment to community service, as well as a 90 or above Grade Point Average. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Student Council President Yasmin Meleis ’12, Head of School Lawrence S. Sykoff, Ed.D. addressed the well-rounded nature of each inductee. This is an induction for those who possess “a commitment to perseverance and passion for high achievement,” said Dr. Sykoff.

In noting those individuals with a passion for high achievement, Dr. Sykoff shared a piece of advice given by Apple Computers’ very successful and late co-founder Steve Jobs. “Don’t hold back. Anything is possible through hard work, determination and sense of vision,” said Mr. Jobs during a commencement address at Stanford University. Dr. Sykoff closed with some advice of his own — that the students before him “remain humble, open, forever curious and unsure when it comes to learning.”

After congratulating the inductees, NHS Advisor Kate Greenberg discussed her take on what it really means to live life by the society’s four pillars of scholarship, leadership, honor and service. According to Ms. Greenberg, “leading” a “scholarly” and “honorable” life — one of “service” — means examining the world critically, calling attention to mistakes, and repairing those mistakes. “This is not an easy road,” said Ms. Greenberg. “It requires discipline, an open mind, the ability to see things for what they really are and the courage to act on what one knows to be right and just.”

She then invited Ranney’s NHS President Walter Cuje ’12 and Secretary Simrit Sandhu ’12 to the podium to share more on the organization and its history. Aside from hosting senior-senior proms at various local assisted living homes, preparing meals at nearby shelters, and bringing therapy dogs to senior centers, Simrit announced that this year’s NHS will also hold a peer-tutoring program entitled “the Genius Bar” during the school’s open periods. This drop-in program will be available to any student needing help in a wide variety of subject areas. “To be in the NHS isn’t just a membership,” said Vice President Jaya Sondhi ’12 in a testament on the importance of being a NHS member. “It’s a quality I hold very dear to me.”

One by one, Jaya called inductees Raagasri Agraharam ’12, Philip Allen ’12, Keith Chiarello ’12, Christopher Grosso ’12, Thomas Hearne ’12, Patrika Mikkilineni ’12 and Sanjit Shashi ’12 up to receive a royal blue and gold honor cord, certificate and pin from respective faculty-mentors including Senora Gurman, Mr. Materasso, Mrs. Warren, Ms. Greenberg and Mr. Piccirillo.

Following a recitation of the NHS Pledge led by Walter Cuje, Head of the Upper School Paul Zanowski encouraged current freshmen and sophomores to look toward Ranney’s now 30 NHS members when striving to achieve excellence in scholarship, leadership, honor and service. “These stars will not only light the way, but also give you something to shoot for,” said Mr. Zanowski.

To read more on Dr. Sykoff's thoughts on leadership and membership within the NHS, please click here.
Back

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.