Lead / Create / Contribute
235 Hope Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724  /  732.542.4777

More Stories

List of 10 news stories.

Class of 2018 Celebrates Success - "Crossing the Lawn" Ceremony

This year’s “Crossing the Lawn” celebrated the hard work and achievements of 48 Lower School students from the Class of 2018.

The graduates first celebrated their transition to the Middle School with an annual Hawaiian Luau hosted by fifth grade teachers and Lower School administrators on the eve of their “Crossing the Lawn” ceremony. This year’s Luau included food, fun, dancing and games in an almost unrecognizable Commons adorned with palm trees, bright colored flowers and grass overhangs. A true display of the camaraderie found amongst the entire fifth grade class, not one seat was occupied as all 48 comfortably danced the night away with friends who have become like family.

On what Head of School Dr. Lawrence S. Sykoff referred to as “a great day to be a Panther,” the fifth grade class reconvened — this time accompanied by parents, siblings and grandparents — for an informal breakfast in the Commons on Friday morning. The “Crossing the Lawn” program that followed paid special attention to the voices and thoughts of fifth grade students as they expressed, through poetry, video and song, their take on the adventures that lie before them in Middle School. Through poems entitled “I am,” which were presented by various graduates during the program, and through an opening video that included class photos and interviews from Lower School faculty members including Laura Gillroy, Nancy Rosenthal, Jeannette Cordero and Dorothy Sobieski D.M.A., the audience was able to develop a deep understanding of the uniqueness that is this 21st Century class.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance led by Jackie Geller ’18 and Ryan Lubin ’18, Dr. Sykoff congratulated this year’s graduating class of scholars, musicians, athletes and artists, whose successes would have been few if not for the love, kindness and encouragement received from parents and family members day after day. A heartfelt “thank you” also went out to Ranney’s teaching team and administrators, for their unyielding commitment to the school’s mission-promise…that every child will be known and valued. After saying farewell to one of his long-time friends, Director of Early Childhood Laura Gillroy, and presenting her with a Ranney pin to be worn close to her heart, Dr. Sykoff then gave the Class of 2018 a small piece of advice on friendship. “The friendships you’ve made so far — friendships I hope you sustain — need to be nurtured,” said Dr. Sykoff. With that, he read aloud an African tale entitled, The Red and Blue Coat, which contained the moral that a good friend must always be open-minded. “Open-mindedness leads to a life-long discovery of new relationships,” added Dr. Sykoff.

In honor of her friendship not only to faculty, but also to students, the graduating class dedicated a song called “Home Again” from the musical Captain Louie, Jr. to Mrs. Gillroy. There was not a dry eye in RSPA Panther Hall as the 12 student-performers also shared the many things that they will miss most about the Lower School. While Head of the Lower School Patricia Marshall said good-bye to students from the Class of 2018 and proudly declared them ready to express their voices in a school where “Millennials are encouraged to exchange thought, work collaboratively and find purpose in what they do,” Head of the Middle School David Fischer welcomed the fine group of scholars-athletes, community service advocates and life-long friends. He promised them that the transition to the Middle School would be a pleasant one that provides the opportunity to make new friends, meet new teachers, go on new class trips, obtain new athletic victories and take part in new performances. Middle School Student Council President Yasmin Meleis ’12 and Vice President Jordan Hesslein ’13 reassured each fifth grader that what Mr. Fischer said was true as they shared with all in attendance the nervousness and excitement that they too felt right before “Crossing the Lawn.”

This year’s ceremony also included an ever-popular fifth grade video. A time-honored Ranney tradition, the video is a poignant compilation of family and school photos capturing each fifth grader’s journey from infancy to the present. Following the video, which was given as a gift from the Lower School to each member of the Class of 2018, the graduates then performed a moving rendition of Phil Collins’ “On My Way” for family and friends. Another parting gift from the Lower School included a class t-shirt. Meanwhile, the students also received a backpack and water bottle from the Ranney School Parents’ Association.

The Class of 2018 officially completed its journey through the Lower School as it “Crossed the Lawn” lined with family, friends and faculty who beamed with pride and excitement. A great way to begin the next chapter of their academic journeys here at Ranney, the procession ended with photos, iced tea and cookies at the Crescent.
 

Congratulations to this year’s graduates!
Back

Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society. 

We envision Ranney School as a nurturing learning community, in which families, faculty, alumni, and all of Ranney’s constituents collaborate to know and value every child, foster individual talents, sustain powerful connections between children and adults, and graduate resilient, globally-minded citizens.