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Athletic Program on Path to Success

Athletic Department Unveils Preview of New Vision
Ranney parents, athletes, coaches, alumni and friends gathered in RSPA Panther Hall to celebrate the launch of a new vision within the school’s Athletic Department on Tuesday, November 15, 2011.

An integral part of the school’s Strategic Plan, which was developed to redefine excellence at Ranney School beginning in the winter of 2011, the Athletic Department’s 21st Century Vision for the Ranney Scholar-Athlete stresses the equal importance of balancing school and sport to create a well-rounded scholar-athlete who succeeds in the classroom as well as on the playing field.

Following a powerful video that portrayed Ranney’s “Scholar-Athlete through the Years,” the audience then recited the Pledge of Allegiance led by Maura Guyler ’12 and listened to The Star-Spangled Banner performed by Sarah Bartosh ’12. Before sharing his thoughts on the school’s vision for athletics, Head of School Lawrence S. Sykoff, Ed.D. thanked all in attendance for supporting the school as it launches a new program that will forever change the lives of emerging athletes across each division. This vision will unite “our emerging athletic mission with the hallmark of excellence that has defined our academic programs for more than 50 years,” said Dr. Sykoff.

Since 1960, Ranney has focused on successfully developing an environment where every student is known and valued in mind, body and spirit. Aside from expanding Ranney’s Academic Complexes to accommodate a growing student body and achieve excellence, the school’s athletic facilities have also undergone improvements aimed at accommodating a growing number of participants hoping to find success. Beginning with eight interscholastic teams, the school’s Gerhard Pavilion for Athletics, Kelly Tennis Center, Tushar Bhatnagar Training Center, Aquatics Center, Guidone Track and Karagianakis Field now offer athletes on 38 interscholastic teams in 15 sports, along with two club sports, the best experience possible. “The Athletic Department has helped Ranney to become not only one of the state’s finest, but also one of the nation’s premier independent schools,” said Director of Aquatics Emmett Walling who spoke of the Ranney athletic program.

There to offer suggestions on how Ranney might further extend its tradition of excellence beyond the classroom and into athletics was Columbia University Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education M. Dianne Murphy, Ph.D. who commended the school on planning a program that will combine both scholarship and athletics. “It is a mistaken idea that academics and athletics are mutually exclusive,” said Dr. Murphy, who noted that just as it is no longer good enough to be only an athlete, it is also no longer good enough to be merely a student. In closing, she proposed that athletics be co-curricular, not extra-curricular. “Only then can we value athletics in a different way,” said Dr. Murphy.

As one of few Panthers to have already discovered a balance between scholarship and athletics, Yasmin Meleis ’12 shared the benefits of being a scholar-athlete. “A combination of strong academic and athletic programs has prepared me for success,” said Yasmin, whose activities span from Student Council President to co-captain of the 2011 varsity crew team. “Both have trained me to manage my time and have developed within me a confidence in achievement.”

As Ranney makes its transition to the Shore Conference in the fall of 2012, the Athletic Department hopes that its vision of transforming scholars and athletes into scholar-athletes like Yasmin will soon become a reality. “Vision without action is a dream, but vision with action is achievement,” said Director of Athletics Thomas Moriau, who spoke of what each Panther can do to reach the height of a Ranney scholar-athlete. According to Mr. Moriau, steps towards gaining full sight of the school’s new athletic vision include but are not limited to: developing an intensified Lower School athletic program, promoting a specific set of standards for athletes to abide by, implementing a year-round training and athletic performance program, offering the highest level of coaching excellence, increasing medical care, and enhancing school spirit. “Through growth and commitment, the school can rise to new excellence and success,” said Mr. Moriau.

With help and support from dedicated parents and A-PTAC members, the greatest coaching staff and faculty the Jersey shore has to offer, members from the school’s Board of Trustees and other leaders, the school and its scholar-athletes are well on their way to achieving success. “Ranney has truly gone above and beyond to give its students an advantage,” said Panther Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee Irene Bolante Paulus ’96.


Ranney School Celebrates State Winner Recognized by the 2011 Wendy's High School Heisman Program
Ranney School is extending special congratulations to Natalie Cantave ’12, who was recently named one of two state winners to receive the prestigious Wendy’s High School Heisman Award. Natalie was chosen for her outstanding excellence in academics, athletics, and community/school leadership - she recently won the New Jersey Independent School State Tennis Championship at 2nd Singles, as well as helped the girls’ tennis team claim its fourth straight NJSIAA Non-Public B South State Sectional Championship.

A varsity member on the girls’ track and field team, she also helped the Panthers earn a spot at the NJSIAA Group Championships last spring. She is also a member of the varsity swim team and holds school records in three events: the 200 Medley Relay, 200 Freestyle Relay and 400 Freestyle Relay.
Natalie is among a selected pool of 102 state Heisman Award winners nationwide. One male and one female from each high school were selected as school winners from the nearly 48,000 applicants nationwide. From there, state finalists are selected, then two state winners from each state; it then is narrowed down to 12 national finalists before two national winners are selected in December.
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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. 

We envision Ranney School as a nurturing learning community, in which families, faculty, alumni, and all of Ranney’s constituents collaborate to know and value every child, foster individual talents, sustain powerful connections between children and adults, and graduate resilient, globally-minded citizens.