Students Excel Even Off-Campus

Jeremy Kyle Lessing ‘10

Recent Ranney graduate Jeremy Lessing has been awarded the Ted Engberg Conservation Scholarship by the Monmouth County Audubon Society (MCAS). The scholarship is offered to high school graduates who plan to pursue a college education in the conservation field. Given in the memory of a past executive committee member, allows the MCAS to carry out its mission “to promote the awareness, appreciation and conservation of natural resources through activism and educational outreach.” Jeremy will be majoring in environmental studies this fall at Middlebury College. According to his scholarship essay he developed an early appreciation for the environment as a Boy Scout and continued his interest as a participant at New Jersey Governor’s School on the Environment.

Jeremy received a certificate and a $1,500 check from the MCAS to be used toward his education in conservation.

Colleen Ross ‘15

Sailing her boat Opti, rigged with new sails she purchased with money she earned working, Middle School student Colleen Ross successfully sailed her way to four Regatta wins this summer; three first place and one second place. Colleen was also awarded the Joseph W. Neiner trophy by the Raritan Yacht Club for outstanding performance one design. The award was present by PC Vicky Neiner and Commodore Ann Meyer during a special ceremony following Colleen’s first place win at the Red Grant Jr. Red Optimist Fleet Regatta. Colleen’s mom says that Colleen really “studied” the sport and now realizes that studying does pay off!

Sophia Jackman ‘16

Sophia Jackman performed this past summer at sold out performances of Life in the Middle at the Two River Theatre in Red Bank. Sophia was invited to audition by the casting director who was a judge at Ranney’s forensics festival this past April. According to the Two River Theater web site, Life in the Middle is a rock musical that uses dialogue taken directly from Middle Schoolers. It is funny and profound and tells what it is like to be in the middle. Brava Sophia!

Tessa Payer ‘16

This summer Tessa participated in a theater workshop with iTheatrics in NYC. iTheatrics is the group that creates the Broadway Junior programs – well-known musicals that are specially formatted for use by students of elementary school age. Ranney School, under the direction of Lower School music teacher Lillianne Torrente gives a performance of a Broadway Junior production each year.

As a result of the iTheatrics workshop, Tessa was picked as an All Star, giving her the opportunity to participate in a production of Emmett Otter Jr., work on her skill building with master classes, and audition for a New York casting director. Do we have another fine actress in the making?

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