Honor Societies Welcome New Members

Beaming family, friends and teachers were on hand to congratulate close to 100 Ranney students who were honored for their exceptional academic scholarship, leadership, and character at this year’s Honor Societies Induction Ceremony.

The formal ceremony, which was held on Wednesday evening, April 28 in Panther Hall, welcomed members into eight nationally recognized honor societies that included: Tri-M Music Honor Society (10 inductees); International Thespian Society (9 inductees); National Art Honor Society (15 inductees); Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society (6 inductees); Science National Honor Society (14 inductees); La Societe Honoraire de Francais (11 inductees); La Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica (10 inductees); and the National Honor Society (23 inductees). In a separate ceremony held at Ranney in March, 13 new members were also inducted in the Cum Laude Society.

In his welcoming remarks, Ranney Head of School Dr. Lawrence S. Sykoff declared this year induction represents the “perfect union of scholarship plus character,” and also illuminates the value of the unique student and teacher partnership at Ranney. Adding that student achievement is the result of strong relationships between student and teacher, he told invited guests that this partnership is “a cherished hallmark and tradition in the Ranney experience.” He commended faculty for their hard work, commitment and dedication and maintained the educational journey at Ranney is a “shared endeavor” that is built upon strong relationships and community. It is the quality of these relationships, said Dr. Sykoff, that not only nurtures student success but can also “transform a school.”

This year’s ceremony, continued Dr. Sykoff, is the culmination of many years of hard work and perseverance by Ranney students. He maintained that fostering student success extends far beyond the classroom as evidenced by Ranney’s newest inductees whose participation in numerous extracurricular activities, such as Honor Societies, have cultivated and bolstered their unique talents and skills. “The young people you see before you today represent the emergence of leaders, inventors, theorists, teachers, scientists, designers, and composers … people who may someday enrich all of our lives.”

In the ceremony’s closing remarks, Joseph Tweed, Assistant Head of Upper School and Dean of College Guidance, acknowledged the collaborative efforts of Ranney faculty and staff that were instrumental in the evening’s success. This year’s outstanding young inductees, he said, proudly reflect the pillars of a Ranney education- knowledge, vision, and honor. He implored each of them to “give of their various talents not only in their own pursuit of academic excellence, but in service to others.” He urged graduating students to be the “bearers of the Ranney torch” and reminded them that although they have been given much, “much will be expected.” To those returning to Ranney, Tweed challenged them to “lead your peers and your school,” as well as “share and give back.” He concluded his address by cautioning inductees that “going forward more will be asked” and assured them that they will “surely rise to that occasion, as well.”

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