Alumni from the graduating classes of 2012 and 2013 returned to campus to visit their alma mater for Ranney’s 11th Annual College Alumni Panel and Luncheon on December 19. Upper School students asked questions about college life, while Middle School students received insight about the challenges of high school and took in words of wisdom. Lower School fifth-graders were also excited to speak with the former Panthers about their Ranney School memories.
In the Upper School session, Co-Director of College Guidance Adam Materasso led the panel of nine alumni: Yahia Awad ’13 (Lehigh University), Alana Grieco ’13 (Union College), Jordan Hesslein ’13 (Emory University), Christina Kalinowski ’13 (Boston College), *Madison Price ’13 (University of Richmond), *Ashleigh Shay ’13 (University of Georgia), *James Soldati ’13 (Washington University in St. Louis), Sam Tkach ’12 (Columbia University) and Taylor Veralli ’13 (Johns Hopkins University). After answering questions from Mr. Materasso, which ranged from coursework load and extracurricular activities to organization and time management, the panel answered questions from juniors and seniors about life after Ranney.
Class of 2013 Valedictorian James Soldati spoke about how Ranney prepared him for college and the value of his lifer experience. “Coming from such a close-knit community here at Ranney and moving onto a much larger school was a transition,” he said. “I feel that Ranney has given me the tools to build relationships. I can form these relationships with advisors or even administrators and I have the passion to do so because I know what those relationships yield.” The Salutatorian from the Class of 2013, Christina Kalinowski, touched on the small class sizes and close teacher-student relationships at Ranney saying, “I was so used to going to my teachers for extra help at Ranney, so at Boston College with much larger class sizes, I had the initiative to go and speak to my professors in their office hours.” Watch a video interview with
Soldati and Kalinowski.
Other members of the panel discussed the strong writing abilities Ranney students possess along with the benefits of the Capstone Project, an integral component of the comprehensive education at Ranney School that requires students to experience self-motivation and independent research. The alumni advised students to remember the study skills they learn and to bring their notes from their current classes (especially Calculus) to college for an extra reference.
"I look forward to welcoming our alumni back to campus each year so that they may share their college experiences with current Ranney School students,” said Mr. Adam Materasso. “I believe that the wisdom shared by our alumni is extremely direct and helpful to our students as they embark on their own college journeys. Ranney alumni succeed in all different college environments ranging from small liberal arts colleges to large research universities. Above all, they continue to make me proud having served as their college guidance counselor.”
Across campus in the Distance Learning Center (DLC), 8th graders attended another alumni Q&A session moderated by Middle School Dean of Students David Ketcham. The panel, featuring *Mamoun Chater ’13 (Bucknell University), *Veronika Fischer ’13 (University of Southern California), *Dana Rizzo ’13 (George Washington University) and *Kendall Torpey ’13 (Georgetown University) discussed a variety of topics ranging from workload in high school, extracurricular activities and pursuing academic interests to the college selection process.
Following the panel discussions, the alumni joined their fellow graduates from the classes of 2010-2013 for lunch and conversation in the Paulus Library. Alumni were able to reunite with their former teachers and school leaders to speak about their college experiences in further detail and catch up on life after graduation.
The day concluded with a final panel consisting of James Soldati, Kendall Torpey and Veronika Fischer who discussed their lifer experiences with students in the fifth grade. Students asked questions about college—such as living situations, cafeteria food and activities on campus—and inquired about what the next few years at Ranney will be like for them. All three alumni agreed that their many years at Ranney were very special and they attributed much of their success to dedicated and encouraging teachers and endless opportunities. Watch a video clip of
fifth-graders and their take on college after hearing the panel.
As in the past, this year’s College Alumni Panel and Luncheon proved to be a special day. The ongoing tradition is not only an information session, but a way for alumni to stay connected with Ranney—something that the school values and hopes to continue with future graduates.
* Indicates Ranney “Lifer” (a “Lifer” student started their education in the Lower School and has been part of the Ranney School community for 10 or more years.)