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Class of 2016 Carries the Torch of Knowledge, Vision, Honor to Upper School

The past two months proved quite busy for those eighth grade students at Ranney, as the Middle School division hosted several events including a “Blue and White Dinner” and “Eighth Grade Rising Ceremony,” both of which paid tribute to the Class of 2016.

Before making its official transition to the halls of the Upper School by receiving diplomas, Ranney’s eighth grade class of 69 scholars first attended a “Blue and White Dinner” and dance on May 24, 2012. Not only did this event serve to congratulate the Class of 2016 for its hard work throughout all three years of Middle School, but it also celebrated individual success with the presentation of various awards recognizing excellence in both community service and citizenship. Recipients of such awards included eighth graders Nelson Chan, Brandon Gioggia, Carla Papetti, Dean Parker, Peri Rohl, Rachel Staats, Karl Brand, Kyra Citron, Tessa Payer and Jacob Wahba.

After several weeks of cramming and completing their exams, Ranney’s eighth grade students finally reached their “Rising Ceremony,” which was hosted in RSPA Panther Hall on Tuesday, June 12. Like Ranney’s “Blue and White Dinner,” this special event also served to honor the success of this year’s graduating class. In addition, from the perspective of students such as Honor Code member Kyra Citron ’16, it also presented the opportunity to celebrate those individuals — whether parents, siblings, friends or teachers — who have shaped each graduate into who he or she is today. “Without them, we would not be here,” said Kyra during her invocation to the Class of 2016.

Head of the Middle School David Fischer assured every student that although their environmental surroundings are sure to change, the relationships they have made with teachers will endure, the great and lasting friendships they have forged will remain and the support they receive from their excellent parents and families will continue to flourish in Upper School. With this being his first-ever sixth grade class since assuming the role of Middle School Head, Mr. Fischer noted, “Over the years, you have grown, physically and mentally, into one of the most talented and memorable classes this Middle School has ever seen. You have overcome every challenge…and are ready to move on to the Upper School.”

Following the presentation of five Eighth Grade Promotion Awards to 14 recipients (see below), as well as a solo performance from Tessa Payer ’16 who sang “For Just a Little While” — accompanied by the Middle School Chamber Music Ensemble — three students then shared their thoughts on those qualities that make up Ranney’s motto Knowledge, Vision, Honor.

During his reflection on Knowledge, Junior Tri-M® Music Honor Society member Nikhil Lakhani ’16 asked the audience, “Where would we be without Knowledge? Who would we be without Knowledge?” According to Nikhil, possessing Knowledge does not necessarily make one smart. “It is how we use it that leads us to be intelligent and wise,” he said.

Likewise, to Forensics team captain Rachel Staats ’16, Vision is not something one can literally see with his or her own eyes. Rather, Vision lies inside one’s self, ready to be put to use at any given moment. After providing the names of great leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr. to exemplify a Vision brought to life, Rachel concluded in saying, “It takes a perfect combination of action and Vision to make a difference in the world.”

Finally, after reading aloud the definition of Honor, Student Council member Ruchi Raval ’16 also said, “True Honor is not defined by words, but by the actions we take. Although the Ranney Honor Code provides a foundation, it is what we choose to do with it that makes us who we are today.”

In the end, each arrived at the same conclusion: that achieving these three characteristics requires a drive to succeed, which every member of this year's graduating class surely possesses. “You are congratulated today for having acquired a vast amount of Knowledge, for having the Vision to see the benefits of such involvement in learning, and for having done it with extraordinary conviction and Honor,” said Head of School Lawrence S. Sykoff, Ed.D.

A true testament to the Knowledge, Vision and Honor within this year’s graduating class, Eighth Grade Class Gift Fundraising Chair Michelle Krameisen ’16 then presented Dr. Sykoff, Dean of Middle School Students David Ketcham, and Fundraising Committee Advisor Marcia Hernandez with a check for $2,500 in support of the student-to-student scholarship fund; a gift from the Class of 2016. “Completing eighth grade is one of those significant milestones you will always remember. Along with your teachers and parents, we could not be more proud of what you have accomplished both personally and intellectually, and at such a young age,” said Dr. Sykoff who distributed diplomas alongside Mr. Fischer.

While Upper School Student Council president Yasmin Meleis ’12 admitted that entering the ninth grade can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, she encouraged Ranney’s incoming freshmen to make the most of their new environment, advising them to take advantage of each opportunity to create fond memories and meet new friends or mentors. “High School is an amazing time of growth, change and exploration…a time for you to become the person you have always dreamt of becoming,” agreed Head of the Upper School Paul Zanowski. “Surround yourself with people who believe in you, people who see value in you that you may not yet see, people who know all the good things you can become,” he suggested.

Before completing their recessional from Panther Hall — officially beginning a new chapter in their academic lives — Student Council member Sallie Haas ’16 sent well wishes to each and every one of her fellow classmates, asking that they always remember the love and times shared in Middle School.

Congratulations to the Class of 2016 and to the following Eighth Grade Promotion Award recipients:

Trustees’ Award for Excellence
Nikhil Lakhani
Elizabeth Paasche

Tushar Bhatnagar Award
James Geraghty
Michelle Krameisen

Middle School Panther Perserverance Award            
Jordan Goldestein
Hannah Stamer
Middle School Leadership Award
Karl Brand
Ruchi Raval
Rachel Staats
Zachary Sullens

Ann Kappel Citizenship and Service Award
Sallie Haas
Dean Parker
Tessa Payer
Jacob Wahba
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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.