Convocation Champions Themes Of Leadership And Literature

This year’s Fall Convocation continued a half-century of honor and tradition as members of the senior class graciously “passed the torch” to their younger counterparts in a poignant and moving ceremony that reflected the Convocation’s theme of leadership.

The Class of 2010 proudly led almost 30 Beginners into Panther Hall and presented each child with a blue sash bearing the official Ranney Torch pin to the delight of hundreds of beaming parents, teachers, family and friends. Prior to the “passing of the torch” ceremony, seniors participated in a Ranney tradition of their own - the vesting of the senior class, marking their official ascension to the mantle of leadership. Each senior was presented with a personalized Ranney vest bearing the school seal.

Said Ms. Patricia Marshall, Head of Middle School,” Today, we are witnessing the fragility of humanity, young children watching young adults.” She implored seniors “for the light of their torch to lead the way.”

Both ceremonies, said Mr. John Lewis, Head of Upper School “ask us to look forward and backward,” as we celebrate the symbolic 15 year journey of a Ranney education. “The traditions we see here today are very important because they help us to celebrate our shared values and humanity,” he added.

Dr. Lawrence S. Sykoff, Head of School, noted the Fall Convocation is symbolic of many beginnings. “It is a celebration of not only our 50th Anniversary, but it is also a celebration of what our next 50 years will be.”

Keynote speaker, Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky, addressed this year’s topic, “Leadership and Literature.” The award-winning poet, essayist, literary critic and translator, mesmerized the audience with his charm, grace and verse. Pinsky, who admitted he was moved and inspired by the “passing of the torch”, spoke on the origins of leadership and its dramatic root. The word “education”, he cited, comes from the Latin word “educe,” which means to lead or draw out. “The leadership that I like has to do with the honorship of the generations,” he said.

During his remarks, Mr. Pinsky recalled how he learned the art of poetry from those before him. “Poetry comes from the old ones … this is the basis of who we are.” The past, he emphasized, is sacred and “we need to know the history of our ancestors to lead our young ones.” He then launched into a stirring reading of his poem, Samurai Song and William Carlos Williams’ Dedication for a Plot of Ground, explaining “the past is not necessarily orderly but it is precious.”

Highlighting this year’s convocation was the debut of Mr. Pinsky’s poem Jersey Rain set to music and sung by the Ranney Upper School Chorus, accompanied by the Conservatory String Quartet and Ranney strings teacher Dorothy Sobieski. The choral arrangement was a collaboration between Mr. Pinsky and internationally renowned composer Ezra Laderman.

At the conclusion of Mr. Pinsky’s address, students from the Upper School, presented him with a check for $1,000 to his favorite charity, the Boston Arts Academy, an inner city public school in Boston, MA.

Mr. Pinsky spent the remainder of the day graciously answering a flurry of questions from students eagerly awaiting his remarks on the writing process during an informal luncheon in the Searle Library. He urged aspiring young poets to “play with your words and find out their etymology.”

By mid-afternoon, Lower and Middle School students were similarly enraptured with the New Jersey native as they watched videos from Mr. Pinsky’s Favorite Poem Project, a program he founded that celebrates and documents thousands of Americans from varying backgrounds sharing their favorite poems. The day concluded with a book signing in the Paulus Library.

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