Ranney Celebrates Its Own at Faculty and Staff Honors Dinner

The Annual Faculty and Staff Honors Dinner and Celebration is the one special moment each year when staff and faculty take time to recognize the teaching profession as well as those members of the Ranney faculty who embody excellence in teaching practice and dedication to Ranney School and its mission. It is also an evening that celebrates faculty and staff years of service, and last night, 13 new members were added to the ranks of long standing Ranney employees.

The evening began with a warm welcome from Head of Lower School, Patricia Marshall, followed by performances from members of the Lower School cast of Willy Wonka, Junior, under the direction of music teacher Lillianne Torrente, and the 5th grade Strings Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Dorothy Sobiesky. Board Member and Chair of the Education Committee Carol Martin offered words of thanks and appreciation to the faculty, noting how much it has meant to her and her family to be part of the Ranney community and to be able to contribute to the growth of the school’s academic and faculty development.

Dr. Lawrence Sykoff, Head of School, presented excerpts from his essay The Teaching Life: An Honorable Profession, and reminisced about teachers that influenced him as student. He praised the Ranney faculty by saying, “Each of you is called to teaching because of your belief in the potential of children. Your faith and enduring commitment have prepared our students well to move ahead, to seek new opportunities and apply their learning experiences as budding leaders. It is my pleasure and privilege to be part of a teaching community that embraces its work with such dedication and commitment.” Dr. Sykoff then recognized the faculty and staff for their continuing hard work and support and asked those who are celebrating 10, 15 and 20 year plus milestones this year to step forward and be acknowledged, resulting in an enthusiastic round of applause from the entire audience. 

Former award recipients took the podium to explain what receiving their awards meant to them and to present this year’s winners. Then it was onto the highlight of the evening – the awards presentation: the Carol Ann Presley Memorial Award was presented to Lower School teacher Connie Congemi and Upper School Math teacher Rich Piccirillo; the Faculty Panther Prize was presented to Lower School Art teacher Barbara Levine, Lower and Middle School Performing Arts teacher Lillianne Torrente and Upper School Fine Arts teacher Ave Maria Walwark; the Dr. Lawrence S. Sykoff Faculty Fellowship Award was presented to John Doyle, Lower and Middle School Performing Arts teacher; and the final recognition of the evening, the Head of School Award for Outstanding Leadership was presented to the Ranney School Board of Trustees, with Daniel Goldberg, M.D. accepting the award on behalf of Board members. To view a full list of 2009 Faculty and Staff awards and recognitions click here.

With the 2009 Faculty and Staff Honors celebration coming to a close, and Lower, Middle and Upper School promotion and graduation ceremonies beginning this week, the audience was reminded of Dr. Sykoff’s earlier quote from Dr. Seuss, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

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