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Class of 2015 Promoted to Upper School

Seventy-nine eighth grade students happily shared in a Middle School promotion with friends, family, and members of the Ranney community in RSPA Panther Hall on Tuesday, June 14, 2011.

The ceremony, which not only marked the beginning of a long-awaited summer vacation but also the transition to Ranney’s Upper School, began with a Pledge of Allegiance led by Student Council President Ryan Castello ’15. Following a Native American prayer read by Jr. Tri-M® Honor Society member Michael Kmetz ’15, Head of the Middle School David Fischer offered the audience a warm welcome and Ranney’s Class of 2015 a heartfelt congratulations. In addressing “one of the most capable, talented, enthusiastic, and inspirational groups of students ever to pass through the halls of Ranney’s Middle School,” Mr. Fischer wished each boy and girl the best of luck. He also asked that the audience give a round of applause to those parents and family members who have stood by Ranney’s graduates throughout a challenging Middle School journey.

After an absolutely beautiful rendition of Beethoven’s Romance from eighth grade orchestra member and violinist Sabrina Park — accompanied by Performing Arts Department Chair Tess Nielsen on the piano — Head of School Dr. Lawrence S. Sykoff, then approached the podium to present his congratulations to the Class of 2015. Aside from attributing the class success to those parents and family members of which Mr. Fischer had recognized, Dr. Sykoff also commended Ranney’s teachers, who have become the backbone of such a fine educational institution. “They affect eternity because one never knows where their influence stops,” explained Dr. Sykoff. He closed by offering this piece of advice to the graduating class of eighth graders: “May Knowledge, Vision and Honor always be your guiding principles.”

Dr. Sykoff and Mr. Fischer, along with Dean of Students David Ketcham and Dean of Students and Faculty Development Nancy Wade then led an awards presentation that honored the following recipients for academic and athletic excellence, leadership, citizenship and perseverance throughout their Middle School careers:

The Trustees’ Award for Excellence
Hailey Maher, Rose Maisner
The Tushar Bhatnagar Award
Ian Farber, Kristen Guyler
The Middle School Leadership Award
Jillian Villany, Ryan Eaddy, Rose Maisner, Erik Bovino
The Ann Kappel Citizenship and Service Award
Michael Kmetz, Remi Rohl
The Middle School Panther Perseverance Award
Coleen Ross, Sean Callahan

Next, several students spoke about what Ranney’s motto of Knowledge, Vision, Honor means to them. Rose Maisner ’15, who received “The Trustees’ Award for Excellence” for students who demonstrate commitment to scholarship and high academic achievement, reflected on her own personal definition of the word Knowledge. She explained that knowledge is not just about the information that one acquires. “What one chooses to do with that information,” she said, “is what truly makes a difference in the world.” Female recipient of “The Tushar Bhatnagar Award” for elite scholar-athletes, Kristen Guyler ’15 spoke of the next part of Ranney’s motto — Vision. According to Kristen, vision is the key to success. It allows us to imagine “where we go…and what our contributions to the world will be.” In describing the importance of Honor — the last part of Ranney’s motto — Elizabeth Roberts ’15 explained that honor defines us in life. “Honor is knowing where we come from so we can be proud of who we are,” said Liz.

With profits earned from bake sales and candy sales, Mr. Ketcham, along with eighth grade Class Gift Committee Chairs Ryan Castello, Charlotte DeMarco and Chrissy Michael then presented a check for $2,531 to Ranney’s Student-to-Student Scholarship Fund. Afterward, guests heard a choral selection of Born This Way from the Middle School Chorus. Led by Choral Director Lilly Torrente, and accompanied by Erik Bovino ’15 on piano, the unique acoustic version of Lady Gaga’s newest hit presented an entirely different interpretation of the song. Other musical selections included Mozart’s Concert No. 1 in 6 Major performed by Concert Band member Anna Xia ’15.

Following remarks from Upper School Student Council President Michelle Drappi ’11, who referred to this year’s graduating eighth graders as “the future of the Upper School and the newest leaders in the Upper School community,” the Class of 2015 was officially presented with its promotion certificates. Head of the Upper School Paul Zanowski congratulated the graduates on their transition. In comparing the Upper School to an enormous buffet, Mr. Zanowski described it as complete with “endless helpings of everything you love, lots of new things to try, and lots of fellow connoisseurs of great learning at the table.”

This year’s ceremony concluded with a Benediction from Student Council Representative Hailey Maher ’15, followed by the graduates jubilantly exiting Panther Hall to Beethoven’s Joyful, Joyful as they consummated yet another phase of their academic journey at Ranney.
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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.