Parents and Friends Come Together for 26th Annual Panther Ball

On Saturday, April 6, the galleries and interior of RSPA Panther Hall were transformed to host the 26th Annual RSPA Panther Ball.  A different atmosphere than Panther Balls of the past, the evening was relaxed and collegial, allowing parents, faculty and friends to enjoy the evening of community and Panther Pride with dinner, dancing and auctions.

“Tonight is truly about coming together – celebrating one another – and to do so here inside these walls of RSPA Panther Hall makes it even more special – as we all have so much to be grateful for,” said RSPA President Mimi Keenan.  Following her welcoming comments, Mrs. Keenan was joined at the podium by Board of Trustees President Jamie Price, as the two led a toast in honor of Head of School Dr. Lawrence S. Sykoff.  The RSPA presented Dr. Sykoff with a large Ranney teddy bear, in commemoration of the bears he has presented each year to the Beginner classes that have visited his office in the opening weeks of school.

 The live auction was led by John Doyle of the Performing Arts Department.  This year’s live auction featured nine exciting experiences for families including the chance to lead the annual Halloween Parade; VIP experience at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade; a golfing trip at Wade Hampton in North Carolina; a baseball-focused package, including the opportunity for a student to serve as a Ranney “Coach for a Day;” a family gourmet package with cooking lessons, catered dinner and a student’s opportunity to be “Chef for a Day;” Coaches Club tickets for the New York Giants; a Fine Arts package featuring department chair Kate Greenberg as the docent for museum tours; a Performing Arts package with piano lessons from department chair Tess Nielsen; and a very special dinner for 12 with Dr. Sykoff, incoming Head of School Dr. John Griffiths, and the Ranney Board of Trustees.  

The silent auction highlighted our Fine and Performing Arts departments with works created by our students, including the “remaking” of used string instruments into works of art. The silent auction also included very special experiences with some of our faculty members, including: Paintball with Mr. Lippiello; a Bowling and Pizza Party with Ms. Hunt, Ms. Petrantis and Ms. Atwood; Crepe Party with Madame Rosenthal; Rumba-Flamenco Lessons with Senora Cordero; A Day at the Boardwalk with Coach Dolan; A Picnic at Allaire State Park with Ms. McCarthy; a Pool Party with Mr. Walling; A Day at the Beach with Mrs. Guadagno; and Golfing with Coach McNamara.

This year also featured the Fund-a-Scholar, offering guests the opportunities to make a direct financial gift to the Athletic, Technology or Financial Aid programs.  Those interested in supporting these initiatives or in purchasing auction items that have not been sold may do so through the auction website until Monday, April 15, or by contacting the Special Events Office at 732-542-4777 ext. 1181.