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Ranney School Celebrates Graduation of the Class of 2025

Ranney School’s 101-member Class of 2025 celebrated its commencement on the campus of Monmouth University on Friday, May 23. Twenty-five of the seniors, known as “Ranney Lifers,” attended the school for 10 or more years. Twelve seniors committed to play a sport at the next level, including men’s and women’s basketball, swimming, baseball, golf, track and field, fencing and rowing. Next fall, the group will head off to attend some of the most prestigious colleges and universities across the country. For a complete list of colleges, visit ranneyschool.org. 

In his salutatorian address, Lucas Yanney, who will be heading to Yale University in the fall, said, “Even though we have been seniors over this past year, in just a few short months, the cycle will repeat again. Seniors become freshmen, and another round of revisions on our personal rough drafts begins. What I know is that we are all properly equipped to make those revisions because of our time here at Ranney. The next four years cannot and should not be a repeat of the last four years. We can take the best of our high school memories, expand on them, learn from the mistakes, and grow from them. Yes, this time in our lives is now over. But rather than submit to the melancholy feelings that we can all feel about closing this particular chapter, we should embrace our memories and appreciate our time together at Ranney and all that we have learned from our experiences here as a class.”

Head of School Dr. John Griffith shared an occasional poem for the graduates, which included the following two excerpts:

There is a poem in what you've endured.
But also in what is still to be conquered.
What has seemed cursed, can cure. 
What seems plagued you can make pure.
Where you’ve argued, you can agree,
Don’t avoid debate, but do so with civility.
Not the gap that stands between you
But the road that lies before you. 
Not what diminishes you, but what makes you more you…

To be human is to be a work in progress,
A vessel unfinished, not product but process.
To be the wheel poised for the turning.
As Ranney graduates you are learning: 
To be ready for it.
Steadied by it; a vow that no matter
How you've been weighed down,
You find a way forward, a way around.
You’re ready not only to cross this stage, 
But to greet your future with courage.

Lewis Forrest, who will attend Rice University in the fall, said in his valedictorian speech, “I stand before you today as the product of all of these great experiences. Experiences that I would not have had if I were still afraid to stand out. Engaging in my passions has made my life exciting, and it has left me with memories I will hold for the rest of my life.”

“Looking back to freshman year now, I wish I hadn’t been so scared. Throughout the past four years I have learned the importance of pursuing my passions proudly. That is the lesson I want to share with the graduating class, as we escape the confines of high school and venture into the wider world.”

In conclusion, Lewis said, “As I look around, I see too many people trying to live without emotion, hailing being ‘stoic’ or ‘nonchalant’. They reject showing passion, just like my freshman year self. And, in turn, they are starved of the rich experiences that passion can give them. It all connects back to the meaning of the word. If you refuse to care about anything, you will never feel sorrow. However, you will also never feel happiness. A well-lived life requires both, and thus a well-lived life can’t be found without passion.”
The Class of 2025 leaves a legacy at Ranney School and has made an indelible mark on all those who had the opportunity to be a part of their educational journey.

At the graduation ceremony, nine students were awarded with honors:

Headmaster's Cup – Connoly Chavez (University of Michigan)
Faculty Prize – Claire O’Leary (Emory University)
Faculty Prize – William Vibert (Macalester College)
Ann Kappel Citizenship and Service Award – Zach Messina (Dartmouth College)
Gershom Tomlinson Humanitarian Award – Cole Serrapica (University of Georgia)
Ranney School Leadership Award – Anthony Abboud (Lehigh University)
Robert Paulus Leadership and Perseverance Award – Uliyana Boyko (New York University)
Margaret M. Mahon Award – J.D. Leidersdorff (Columbia University)
Lawrence S. Sykoff Award- Chelsea Taylor (Northeastern University)
 
Please view additional honors that were awarded at the Senior Celebration and Convocation:      
     
L.C. Lane English Award - J.D. Leidersdorff (Columbia University)
History – Uliyana Boyko (New York University)
Mathematics – Lucas Yanney (Yale University)
Instrumental/Orchestra - Serena Schwadron (University of Miami)
Instrumental/Jazz - Kieran Collins (Middlebury College)
Vocal - Elle Brandt (Clemson University)
Theater - Isabella Chagares (University of California, Los Angeles)
Matt Callahan ’13 Memorial Award for Tech Theater - Anthony Abboud (Lehigh University)
Science – Krishna Khetani (Emory University)
Visual Arts 3D Design – Peyton Klein (Fashion Institute of Technology)
Visual Arts Painting – Alivia Pisane (Ringling College of Art and Design)
Visual Arts Photography – Daren Chen (Georgetown University)
Kate Greenberg Art Purchase Prize – Ethan Goodman (Rochester Institute of Technology)
Spanish – Juliana Ran (Wellesley College)
Mandarin –Marcella Lin (University of Texas)
French – Chelsea Taylor (Northeastern University)
Computer Science, Engineering, & Technology – Ethan Bodner (University of Pennsylvania)
Robotics – Jason Hong (Boston University)
Ram Sheila Bharara Award – Michael Uzzi (University of Montana)
Scholar Athletes of the Year - Zach Messina (Dartmouth College) and Claire Doherty (Boston University)
Athletes of the Year - Daren Chen (Georgetown University), Saeed Torres (Wentworth Institute of Technology),  Haley Poser (Lafayette College)
Edwards Spirit of Tennis Scholarship Awards - Connoly Chavez (University of Michigan) and Isabella Chagares (University of California, Los Angeles)
Three-Sport Varsity Athlete Award - Zoe Keefe (Loyola University Maryland) and Katie Renaud (Syracuse University)
NJSIAA Scholar Athlete Award - Zach Messina (Dartmouth College)
Shore Conference Sportsmanship Award - Lola MacRae (Ursinus College) and Justin Buck (Muhlenberg College)
STEAM Certificate - Marcella Lin (University of Texas)
Global Citizenship Certificate - Uliyana Boyko (New York University), Rianna Khan (Lehigh University), Chelsea Taylor (Northeastern University)
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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.