Ranney Senior Named 2009 Coca Cola Scholars Finalist

Senior Katie Adams is not one to shy away from a challenge. When she and fellow Ranney student Stephanie Thomasetta (’08), now a Freshman at Stanford University, learned about a program that provided new and gently-used prom gowns and other formal wear to high school students in need, the two determined to launch a similar effort in their own community. Armed with a can-do spirit and a solid background in community service, the two co-founded “Cinderella’s Closet of Monmouth County”, a non-profit organization dedicated to making every girl’s prom dream come true, regardless of need. Now in its second year, the charity serves disadvantaged high school students from throughout the Monmouth County region.

Katie’s outstanding community service efforts recently earned her recognition as a finalist in the 2009 Coca-Cola Scholars ® program. Chosen from an initial applicant pool of more than 75,000 students nationwide, the award carries the potential for $20,000 in college scholarships. To be considered, Katie had to submit three essays, including one about her most significant volunteer activity; not an easy task for a student who also works with Habitat for Humanity, volunteers with the Ronald McDonald House and teaches Sunday school at her church.

Katie’s application essay detailed her involvement with Cinderella’s Closet; from the initial planning stages, to meeting with different high school administrators, negotiating with clothing vendors, recruiting volunteers, fundraising, promoting and finally, staging the first Prom Boutique. Initially, she says the project was a “little intimidating”, but as a Ranney school “lifer” (someone who has attended Ranney School for ten years or more) she has had plenty of exposure to volunteer activity. Katie credits the strong-tradition of community service at Ranney for giving her the confidence she needed to take on the task.

John Lewis, Head of Ranney Upper School, says one of the challenges of being a Ranney student is managing a rigorous academic course load with equally rigorous co-curricular commitments. “Katie is a scholar, athlete and humanitarian who balances her priorities very well,” Mr. Lewis said. “Yet she is very modest about her achievements. Her strong set of core-values have earned her the respect of her peers and adults alike.”

This year, Katie recruited dozens of enthusiastic student volunteers from six area high schools for the project, including Ranney School. She was especially thrilled to see so many of her current and former teachers attend Cinderella Closet’s annual Fashion Show at PNC Arts Center on January 30. Well over 300 people bought tickets to the event, which raised money to cover costs associated with the Prom Boutique.

“It is extremely gratifying to see the students who benefit from this worthy charity,” Katie says. “And even more so, to see so many people who now want to get involved.” The program has even caught the attention of a group of high school students from Staten Island, New York, who hope to form their own chapter of Cinderella’s Closet next year.

In April, Katie will join 250 other Coca-Cola Scholars ® finalists in Atlanta to take part in the Coca-Cola Scholars ® weekend, a process that will determine whether she is designated a National Scholar, granting her a scholarship award of $20,000, or a Regional Scholar, which carries a $10,000 scholarship. In the meantime, Katie is busy planning for the second annual “Prom Boutique” which will take place at the Ocean Place Resort and Spa in Long Branch, Saturday, April 18, 2009. To contribute clothing, or to volunteer, you may contact Cinderella’s Closet at 
cinderellaclosetmonmouth@gmail.com.

For additional information on all Ranney School news, please contact the Communications Department at communications@ranneyschool.org.