“Leadership and Ethics” – Fall Convocation Challenges Students to Do the Right Thing

Ethics is a subject that is creating much conversation and debate in schools, politics and businesses across the nation. It was, therefore, a highly relevant topic for this year’s Fall Convocation “Leadership and Ethics”, which took place on Thursday, October 14, as part of one of Ranney’s most treasured and time-honored traditions. This year, Convocation was also viewed by 8th graders in simulcast from the DLC.

Fall Convocation opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Student Council President Michelle Drappi, and opening reflections by McCall Torpey, a member of the Judicial review Board. Dr. Lawrence Sykoff then took the podium to welcome guests. In his remarks, Dr. Sykoff explained the importance of Convocation saying, “Not only is this tradition an opportunity to discuss leadership and ethics, it is an opportunity to inaugurate our new school leadership by giving our senior class their personalized vests, symbolizing their role as leaders and exemplars of the schools values. It is also an opportunity to welcome our youngest students into the world of Ranney, supporting and encouraging them with a symbolic medal of courage as they begin their educational journey. In this ceremony, we pass along the traditions and values from one generation to the next.”

Following Dr. Sykoff’s remarks, Paul Zanowski, Head of Upper School, and Patti Marshall, Head of the Lower School, each took the podium, offering their own heartfelt welcome to parents, students, faculty and friends and sharing their thoughts about the call to leadership.

The Class of 2011 then stood at the front of Roberts Stage as parents proudly led this year’s class of Beginners into RSPA Panther Hall. Seniors first received their official Ranney vests, during the traditional “vesting” ceremony, marking their official ascension to the mantle of leadership. They then, in turn, presented each Beginner with a medallion bearing the official Ranney crest, symbolizing the “passing of the torch” from seniors to Beginners. The senior class also bestowed on math teacher and class advisor Dan Lippiello his own official Ranney vest.

This year’s guest speaker, Dr. Bruce Weinstein, was introduced by Myronee Simpson, director of College Guidance and Ethics Program coordinator for the new Junior Ethics program. Also known as the “EthicsGuy®, Dr. Weinstein is a noted expert on ethics and has a simple purpose in life: “…to enrich your appreciation of ethics in everyday life and to help you make the best decisions possible.” Dr. Weinstein writes the column “Ask the Ethic Guy” for Business Week.com and appears as an ethics analyst on CNN as well as on several other news programs. He is the author of five books on ethics and his writings and quotes have appeared in a variety of well-known publications. In an interactive presentation in Panther Hall, he led students in a lively ethics discussion, posing a variety of challenging ethical scenarios and asking students how they would react in each situation.

Jonathan Rosenthal ’12 rounded out the ceremony his own presentation calling seniors to leadership.

Following Dr. Weinstein’s presentation, the Upper School Chorus and Band, under the direction of Tess Nielson, and the Conservatory String Quartet, performed two Irish compositions, “The Voice” and “An Old Irish Blessing”. The performance was in recognition of Band teacher Kevin Cotter’s recent professional development trip to Ireland to study Irish music and dance.

The 2010 Fall Convocation concluded with a closing reflection by Judicial Review Board member Yousef Hozayen.

Dr. Weinstein and seniors then continued their ethical discussion in the Searle Library over an intimate and informal lunch.

The tradition of Fall Convocation is one that is valued by the entire Ranney community as it is an opportunity for students to embrace Ranney’s mission and shared commitment to Knowledge, Vision and Honor, take on the mantle of respectful, ethical leadership.

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