Lead / Create / Contribute
235 Hope Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724 / 732.542.4777
More Stories
List of 10 news stories.
-
Ranney School Celebrates Graduation of the Class of 2025
-
Ranney Wins Three Basie Awards
-
Keira Mooar '27 Named a Finalist for the Monmouth County Playwriting Festival
-
Track and Field Posts Impressive Performance at Pre B Championship
-
Visual Arts and Library Collaborate to Create and Donate Bookmarks
-
2025-26 Tri-M Executive Board Announced
-
Ranney Wins Tri-M State Chapter of the Year
-
Ranney Lower School Chorus Participates in CJMEA Honors Chorus Festival
-
Ranney Lower School Library & Media Studies Teacher Mike Steele Pens Middle-Grade Novel
-
The Kiely Family Commits $1 Million to Name Ranney School’s New Welcome Center
Ranney Celebrates Class of 2014 at 50th Annual Commencement Ceremony
Ranney School held its 50th Commencement Ceremony at Monmouth University’s Pollak Theater on Friday, May 30, 2014. Surrounded by family, friends, faculty, administration, Board of Trustees and alumni, Ranney’s 59 graduating seniors, representing multiple towns throughout the state of NJ, celebrated success at a school that has offered fond memories, friendships and a well-rounded education for as many as 15 years.
More than 700 invited guests attended the ceremony to celebrate the academic, athletic and extracurricular accomplishments of the Class of 2014, who will continue on to some of the nation’s most prestigious colleges and universities this fall. In keeping with a longstanding tradition at Ranney, the event once again featured 29 young women wearing white gowns and carrying long-stemmed red roses, and 30 young men dressed in formal suits and ties.
Senior Steven Jacobson (Colts Neck; University of Pennsylvania) started off the commencement ceremony, leading guests in the Pledge of Allegiance. Class of 2014 Advisor and Upper School faculty member Brian Daly then gave the Invocation and invited senior Student Council President Steven Parlamas (Colts Neck; New York University) to welcome everyone in attendance. “As a class we have achieved all that we have, by working with those around us, both new students and lifers alike, to translate our visions into reality,” he said. “This work ethic and commitment has been at the heart of our collective success. We are not just visionaries; we are visionaries with a plan!”
Upper School Dean of Students Dr. Noel Delgado then introduced the Class of 2014 Salutatorian, Matthew Elkwood (Morganville; University of Pennsylvania). He reflected on memories he has shared with his fellow classmates and teachers and described graduation as a new beginning with endless possibilities. “As we leave for college and beyond, we must consciously choose how we will use our newly found independence to change ourselves and the world,” he said. “Whether we want to be better educated or get a good job, there is a single purpose: to improve ourselves. Our most basic goal should be to become the best version of ourselves possible.”
Matthew was then joined by fellow class officers Elise Birde (Rumson; Villanova University), Madison Boyan (Spring Lake; Duke University) and Marc Owitz (Morganville; Harvard College) to present the Class of 2014 Gift: a glass kiln for the art department, which will have a significant impact on the sculpture program. In addition, the Class will be donating funds to the new Panther concession stand in the Gerhard Pavilion for Athletics (GPA). Senior National Art Honor Society member and AP Studio Art student Caroline Korey (Locust; Emory University) then presented the senior class shield she created to represent the Class of 2014. “This year’s shield represents how unique our class is,” she explained. “Students are involved in many areas, including athletics, theater, music, community service, and academic honor societies. Being so involved in the different aspects of Ranney, we each take a different path. Diversity leads each one of us into different directions, and this year’s senior shield reflects our future paths formed by our experiences at Ranney.”
Following the presentations, Board of Trustees President James Price addressed the Class of 2014 and congratulated them on their many years of hard work. “Your accomplishments are outstanding and we all take such great pride in you,” he said. He spoke of the ongoing success of Ranney graduates, mentioning that 100 percent of Ranney seniors graduate and go to college, and 83% of the graduating class were accepted into institutions rated “Most Competitive” or “Highly Competitive” by Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges. The Class of 2014 has earned more than $3.2 million in scholarships, scored nearly 400 points higher than the national average on their SAT scores and have been accepted into seven Ivy League Schools. There are also four National Merit Scholarship finalists, one semi-finalist and three commended scholars in the Class of 2014.
Mr. Price then introduced Head of School Dr. John W. Griffith to give his first official graduation address. “It is hard to believe that a year has gone by since I witnessed my first Ranney commencement, and we are now full circle at the end of this year,” said Dr. Griffith. “I could not think of a better class to start this journey with, and I appreciate the honor to lead and build on the foundation and the successes of a great school.” Dr. Griffith then read an occasional poem that he wrote, inspired by Dr. Seuss, especially for the Class or 2014. Read the poem here.
After Dr. Griffith’s remarks, students who have demonstrated leadership, perseverance and Panther Pride throughout their Upper School careers were honored with nine graduation awards, including:
The Headmaster’s Cup – Steven Parlamas (Colts Neck; New York University)
The Gershom Tomlinson Humanitarian Award – Caroline Korey (Locust; Emory University)
The Faculty Prize – Madison Boyan (Spring Lake; Duke University) & Steven Jacobson (Colts Neck; University of Pennsylvania)
The Ann Kappel Citizenship and Service Award – Madelaine Young (Middletown; Colorado College)
The Robert Paulus Leadership and Perseverance Award – Anthony Dennis (Brick; Oberlin College)
The Margaret Mahon Award – Mostafa Meleis (Holmdel; University of Pennsylvania)
The Ranney School Leadership Award – Elise Birde (Rumson; Villanova University) & Matthew Elkwood (Morganville; University of Pennsylvania)
The Lawrence S. Sykoff Award- Noah Goldstein (Spring Lake Heights; Northwestern University)
Valedictorian Marc Owitz then addressed the audience. He spoke about the difference between dreams and goals and about the educational journey of his fellow graduates, questioning, “Why do we want to move on?” and providing the answer, “Because our goals require us to keep on learning in a perpetual process. Learning is the vehicle powered by hard work that allows us to reach our goals…. Turning a dream into a goal and achieving that goal requires us to be lifelong learners…. Learning goes beyond just the material we cover in school, as every experience you have, you can learn something from it.”
Before the students received their diplomas, Ranney seniors Anthony Dennis , Madeline Fabricant (West Allenhurst; Emerson College), Christopher Farkouh (Rumson; Washington University in St. Louis), Brandon Flynn (Sea Girt; Belmont University), Kaitlyn Gill (Red Bank; AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts), Noah Goldstein, Elinor Haney (Holmdel; Bryn Mawr College), Whitney Kelly (Tinton Falls; Marist College), Sabrina Palazzolo (Colts Neck; Johns Hopkins University), Hunter Pearl (Holmdel; University of Pennsylvania) and Joshua Weakley (Shrewsbury; Belmont University) performed “You’ll Be In My Heart” by Phil Collins. The entire class also took time during the musical performance to give a white rose to their family members—part of a new Ranney commencement tradition.
During the conferment of diplomas, those students who have a parent on the Board of Trustees or on the RSPA Board, or a parent who also attended Ranney School, had the unique opportunity to be handed their certificates by their parents, along with Dr. Griffith and Mr. Price.
After a speech from Upper School Student Council President-Elect Elizabeth Roberts ’15 (Ocean), and a formal Benediction from Associate Head for Academic Administration and Head of Lower School Patricia Marshall, Ranney’s 59 seniors proudly processed out of Pollak Theater, where they were greeted by family and friends to celebrate this special day.
Back
More than 700 invited guests attended the ceremony to celebrate the academic, athletic and extracurricular accomplishments of the Class of 2014, who will continue on to some of the nation’s most prestigious colleges and universities this fall. In keeping with a longstanding tradition at Ranney, the event once again featured 29 young women wearing white gowns and carrying long-stemmed red roses, and 30 young men dressed in formal suits and ties.
Senior Steven Jacobson (Colts Neck; University of Pennsylvania) started off the commencement ceremony, leading guests in the Pledge of Allegiance. Class of 2014 Advisor and Upper School faculty member Brian Daly then gave the Invocation and invited senior Student Council President Steven Parlamas (Colts Neck; New York University) to welcome everyone in attendance. “As a class we have achieved all that we have, by working with those around us, both new students and lifers alike, to translate our visions into reality,” he said. “This work ethic and commitment has been at the heart of our collective success. We are not just visionaries; we are visionaries with a plan!”
Upper School Dean of Students Dr. Noel Delgado then introduced the Class of 2014 Salutatorian, Matthew Elkwood (Morganville; University of Pennsylvania). He reflected on memories he has shared with his fellow classmates and teachers and described graduation as a new beginning with endless possibilities. “As we leave for college and beyond, we must consciously choose how we will use our newly found independence to change ourselves and the world,” he said. “Whether we want to be better educated or get a good job, there is a single purpose: to improve ourselves. Our most basic goal should be to become the best version of ourselves possible.”
Matthew was then joined by fellow class officers Elise Birde (Rumson; Villanova University), Madison Boyan (Spring Lake; Duke University) and Marc Owitz (Morganville; Harvard College) to present the Class of 2014 Gift: a glass kiln for the art department, which will have a significant impact on the sculpture program. In addition, the Class will be donating funds to the new Panther concession stand in the Gerhard Pavilion for Athletics (GPA). Senior National Art Honor Society member and AP Studio Art student Caroline Korey (Locust; Emory University) then presented the senior class shield she created to represent the Class of 2014. “This year’s shield represents how unique our class is,” she explained. “Students are involved in many areas, including athletics, theater, music, community service, and academic honor societies. Being so involved in the different aspects of Ranney, we each take a different path. Diversity leads each one of us into different directions, and this year’s senior shield reflects our future paths formed by our experiences at Ranney.”
Following the presentations, Board of Trustees President James Price addressed the Class of 2014 and congratulated them on their many years of hard work. “Your accomplishments are outstanding and we all take such great pride in you,” he said. He spoke of the ongoing success of Ranney graduates, mentioning that 100 percent of Ranney seniors graduate and go to college, and 83% of the graduating class were accepted into institutions rated “Most Competitive” or “Highly Competitive” by Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges. The Class of 2014 has earned more than $3.2 million in scholarships, scored nearly 400 points higher than the national average on their SAT scores and have been accepted into seven Ivy League Schools. There are also four National Merit Scholarship finalists, one semi-finalist and three commended scholars in the Class of 2014.
Mr. Price then introduced Head of School Dr. John W. Griffith to give his first official graduation address. “It is hard to believe that a year has gone by since I witnessed my first Ranney commencement, and we are now full circle at the end of this year,” said Dr. Griffith. “I could not think of a better class to start this journey with, and I appreciate the honor to lead and build on the foundation and the successes of a great school.” Dr. Griffith then read an occasional poem that he wrote, inspired by Dr. Seuss, especially for the Class or 2014. Read the poem here.
After Dr. Griffith’s remarks, students who have demonstrated leadership, perseverance and Panther Pride throughout their Upper School careers were honored with nine graduation awards, including:
The Headmaster’s Cup – Steven Parlamas (Colts Neck; New York University)
The Gershom Tomlinson Humanitarian Award – Caroline Korey (Locust; Emory University)
The Faculty Prize – Madison Boyan (Spring Lake; Duke University) & Steven Jacobson (Colts Neck; University of Pennsylvania)
The Ann Kappel Citizenship and Service Award – Madelaine Young (Middletown; Colorado College)
The Robert Paulus Leadership and Perseverance Award – Anthony Dennis (Brick; Oberlin College)
The Margaret Mahon Award – Mostafa Meleis (Holmdel; University of Pennsylvania)
The Ranney School Leadership Award – Elise Birde (Rumson; Villanova University) & Matthew Elkwood (Morganville; University of Pennsylvania)
The Lawrence S. Sykoff Award- Noah Goldstein (Spring Lake Heights; Northwestern University)
Valedictorian Marc Owitz then addressed the audience. He spoke about the difference between dreams and goals and about the educational journey of his fellow graduates, questioning, “Why do we want to move on?” and providing the answer, “Because our goals require us to keep on learning in a perpetual process. Learning is the vehicle powered by hard work that allows us to reach our goals…. Turning a dream into a goal and achieving that goal requires us to be lifelong learners…. Learning goes beyond just the material we cover in school, as every experience you have, you can learn something from it.”
Before the students received their diplomas, Ranney seniors Anthony Dennis , Madeline Fabricant (West Allenhurst; Emerson College), Christopher Farkouh (Rumson; Washington University in St. Louis), Brandon Flynn (Sea Girt; Belmont University), Kaitlyn Gill (Red Bank; AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts), Noah Goldstein, Elinor Haney (Holmdel; Bryn Mawr College), Whitney Kelly (Tinton Falls; Marist College), Sabrina Palazzolo (Colts Neck; Johns Hopkins University), Hunter Pearl (Holmdel; University of Pennsylvania) and Joshua Weakley (Shrewsbury; Belmont University) performed “You’ll Be In My Heart” by Phil Collins. The entire class also took time during the musical performance to give a white rose to their family members—part of a new Ranney commencement tradition.
During the conferment of diplomas, those students who have a parent on the Board of Trustees or on the RSPA Board, or a parent who also attended Ranney School, had the unique opportunity to be handed their certificates by their parents, along with Dr. Griffith and Mr. Price.
After a speech from Upper School Student Council President-Elect Elizabeth Roberts ’15 (Ocean), and a formal Benediction from Associate Head for Academic Administration and Head of Lower School Patricia Marshall, Ranney’s 59 seniors proudly processed out of Pollak Theater, where they were greeted by family and friends to celebrate this special day.
Ranney School
235 Hope RoadTinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
