Feature Story: It Was An Amazing Race For Ranney School Delegation

Twenty-nine students, three teachers and one headmaster comprised the Ranney delegation that visited Paris from April 5-12 in cooperation with Casterbridge Tours, an educational and cultural travel group. Led by history teacher Dr. Noel Delgado, the overseas trip was “a unique educational opportunity to combine an athletically challenging event such as the Paris Marathon and also bring European and Medieval history alive.”

Delgado, who has taught at Ranney for the past eight years, can best be described as a modern-day renaissance man who thrives on wearing multiple hats at this independent college preparatory school. An educator who teaches everything from World History and Medieval History to Latin American History and Digital Media, he is also the faculty advisor to Ranney’s Running Club, which he founded in 2003. He also serves as coach to the Ranney Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity Cross Country, Winter Track and Spring Track and Field Teams.

But it is Delgado’s love of running, along with his impassioned enthusiasm for teaching, which prompted the veteran educator to take advantage of Ranney’s spring hiatus. Although Delgado and members of the Running Club have participated in countless marathons (five Disney Marathons, six New Jersey Marathons and two Philadelphia Marathons, to be exact), this year the Hudson County native was seeking out new challenges. “I wanted to explore something unique and more global,” he explained. “The Paris Marathon worked out extremely well not just because it was being held during Ranney’s spring break, but also because it is a very challenging course.” Billed as the world’s fifth largest marathon, the 26.2K course also wrapped around many of the city’s most historical and architectural sights – “almost all of which I incorporate in my history classes” he added.

A former Marine who first began running at the age of 18, Delgado has continued to make strides in the sport as a distance runner with five marathons and seven half marathons under his belt.

What began as primarily a running trip to Paris, said Delgado, became a unique opportunity to enhance Ranney students’ classroom experiences by enriching their global perspective.

For many students, it was their first trip to Paris. For Delgado, it was a nostalgic return to the City of Light and his days studying at the Sorbonne as a graduate student.

“It was wonderful to bring classroom material to life, particularly for our students taking classes in medieval, Western European and art history,” remarked Delgado.

Veronica Warren, chair of Ranney’s English Department, couldn’t agree more. As one of four Ranney educators and chaperones, she believes “travel can fill in gaps in education and enhance what you already know.” In addition to experiencing a culture entirely different than their own, “our students gained invaluable lessons that will last a lifetime.” “Travel, she argues,” has the ability teach on its own.”

Throughout their stay, students and teachers witnessed firsthand sites that were significant in France’s history during the Middle Ages, French Revolution, and the Age of Reason and also saw breathtaking architectural examples of the Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque. They also drank in the compelling sights and sounds of the City of Light, visiting familiar locales such as the Louvre, Eiffel Tower and, of course, the infamous street cafes where they sampled crepes and other Parisian delicacies.

Nancy King, who provides academic support in Ranney’s Lower School and also serves as a Varsity Track Team Coach, maintains international excursions can provide an “in-depth education” not easily found in the classroom. “We were steeped in history and the arts at every turn as we ran the streets of Paris each morning,” she said. “I don’t know of any schools other than Ranney that offer such an interactive and unique academic and athletic experience.”

Head of School Dr. Lawrence S. Sykoff, who also made up the Ranney delegation with his wife, Joyce, witnessed firsthand the powerful impact of international travel on the learning process. “It was a privilege to share in our students’ joy and excitement as they immersed themselves in the historical and cultural components of another country.”

Such was the case for Ranney freshman Matt Callahan whose first time in Paris still conjures up exhilarating memories. “It was such a great experience and opportunity. I learned so much every day about French history, government, culture and how other people live.” Sophomore Donald Toresco, who has studied French since the fifth grade, enjoyed putting his many years of studying to good use. “I really enjoyed speaking French every day, and learned a lot about European culture.”

As a medieval historian, Delgado was delighted to help his students view history in a wholly different light. “Educational trips like these really do bring history alive, because they allow students to see and experience firsthand the wealth of history before their very eyes.” The Paris trip also provided Delgado the chance to “build a closer bond with my students in a more relaxed and informal setting. It gave us a great opportunity to experience each other on a different level.”

Rachel Brodsky, a Ranney senior headed to Barnard College in the fall, experienced Paris as both a student and a marathoner. A member of Ranney’s Running Club for the past two years, she was brimming with excitement in anticipation of her first full marathon. “I had only done half-marathons up until this trip, but we trained a lot before we went. I was pretty eager to test myself and finish a full marathon.” Competitive by nature, Brodsky delighted in being one of close to 40,000 runners in Paris. “I really enjoy running marathons. You don’t just compete against others – you really compete against yourself.”

With only a few weeks since their return home, the Ranney delegation is already preparing for yet another overseas adventure. On tap in August – the 25th Annual Reykjavik Marathon in Iceland.

According to Dr. Sykoff, Ranney is already considering educational tours to Rome, London and, even Sydney, Australia in the next several years as part of the school’s 21st century education planning. “The Ranney program has an abundance of teachers, many of whom are experts in their field, who can lead these expeditions and provide our students with greater opportunities to increase their understanding of the arts, history, and economics.

“To learn beyond the boundaries of the classroom or the SMART Board®,” adds Dr. Sykoff, “can increase our understanding of world events and enlarge our appreciation for other cultures.” As educators, we must continue to invest in new and exciting learning opportunities for our students and for their future.”

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