Ranney Recognizes 100 Honor Society Inductees

On Thursday evening, April 30, Ranney School recognized more than 100 Upper School students for their commitment to the ideals of scholarship and character during the annual Honor Societies Induction Ceremony in RSPA Panther Hall.

This year, in addition to induction into six nationally recognized honor societies, including: Russell G. Ranney Chapter of the National Honor Society (26 inductees); International Thespian Society (9 inductees); Spanish National Honor Society (22 inductees); French National Honor Society (8 inductees); Tri-M Music Honor Society
(15 inductees) and Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society (20 inductees), students were inducted into two new Honor Societies: National Art Honor Society (12 inductees) and Science National Honor Society (15 inductees).

Head of School Dr. Lawrence Sykoff began the evening by congratulating the student inductees, parents and faculty for their hard work and dedication. “The Class of 2009 has carried the Ranney torch with enormous success,” remarked Dr. Sykoff. “They are headed to some of the finest institutions in the world.” He also put the evening in broad perspective, pointing out that association with others who have related skills and interests tends to support a lifetime of professional achievement, especially when such opportunities bring people together who share similar ideas and passions. “Membership in an honor society does not guarantee future success, but affiliations with such organizations can open doors to enormous opportunity. It is up to you to walk through. Tonight, the door has been opened for each of you.”

Continuing a tradition introduced two years ago, inductees of National Honor Society (NHS) were pinned by members of the faculty who they selected as having a special influence on them in helping them achieve this goal. While the students were being pinned, NHS officers read aloud many of the student testimonials. One student said of her teacher, “You changed my life forever.”

Head of Upper School Mr. John Lewis concluded the evening with a reference to Charles Darwin and his groundbreaking work with academic societies. “These societies only mean something if you become active members of them, as you foster the conversation about the academic discipline within the school, and as you continue to enrich the culture of that subject through your meaningful participation in that subject. I hope you see being an active member of these societies as one of the contributions you will make to the continuing evolution of human knowledge.”

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