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Forty-Ninth Annual Commencement Ceremony Celebrates the Class of 2013

Ranney School held its 49th Commencement Ceremony at Monmouth University’s Pollak Theater on Friday, June 14, 2013. Surrounded by family, friends, faculty, administration, Board of Trustees and alumni, Ranney’s 50 graduating seniors celebrated success at a school that has offered fond memories, new friends and a well-rounded education for as many as 15 years.

More than 650 invited guests attended the ceremony to celebrate the academic, athletic and extra-curricular accomplishments of the Class of 2013, who will continue on to some of the nation’s most prestigious colleges and universities this fall. In keeping with a longstanding tradition at Ranney, the event once again featured 26 young women wearing white gowns and carrying long-stemmed red roses, and 24 young men dressed in formal suits and ties.

Senior Erika Serhus (Freehold, Villanova University) started off the commencement ceremony, leading guests in the Pledge of Allegiance. Class of 2013 Advisors and Upper School faculty members Heidi Bonney and Alison DiStefano gave the Invocation, reciting a poem by John McLeod titled “It’s the Journey That’s Important.” Earlier in the week, members of the Class of 2013 attended the annual Senior Farewell Celebration—a Ranney tradition. Joined by their families, teachers and administrators, the seniors came together in RSPA Panther Hall to enjoy a special dinner as faculty advisors provided kind and humorous reflections of each of the seniors and wished them well in their years ahead. The seniors recalled memories as friends and classmates, enjoying a video and slideshow that showed images from their years at Ranney. The students also presented the class gift to the school, a concession stand for the outdoor athletic complex, and the senior shield created by senior Molly O’Neill (Red Bank; Northeastern University).

Following the Invocation, Board of Trustees President James Price welcomed everyone in attendance. He spoke of the ongoing success of Ranney graduates, mentioning that 100 percent of Ranney seniors graduate and go to college and approximately 75 percent earn acceptance into their first or second choice school. The Class of 2013 has earned more than $2.5 million in scholarships over four years. Mr. Price then explained the growth he has witnessed in the students over the years starting in preschool, being that his son Madison (Red Bank; University of Richmond) is a member of the graduating class, and reflected on the many achievements they have earned. “You leave here today with your own unique voice, inspired to reach your full potential and give back to others,” he said. “This is your gift to the world, and embodies the school’s mission statement and mission-promise to you.”

Referring to him as the “51st graduate” of the Class of 2013, Mr. Price then introduced Dr. Lawrence S. Sykoff to give his final graduation address after 20 years as Head of Ranney School. As he expressed his pride in the Class of 2013, Dr. Sykoff offered the graduates a few words of wisdom and encouraged them to imagine. “Imagine what you can do in college with an eye focused on what you will contribute in this life. Imagine the possibilities that come from hard work and contribution. Imagine how much better our lives are when we offer and receive kindness and encouragement. Those qualities are embedded in your diploma today,” he said. “I could not have received any greater honor than to graduate with you today.”

Dr. Sykoff then gave a warm welcome to Dr. John Griffith, the incoming Head of School. The ceremony marked Dr. Griffith’s first formal event with the school. He thanked the community for the warm welcome during his transition, talked about how his family is settling in to New Jersey and is enthusiastic about joining the Ranney community. He also congratulated the Class of 2013, which he has heard so much about, and noted that while he didn’t have a chance to know them as students, he hopes to get to know them as alumni.

Dr. Sykoff then invited Dean of Students Dr. Noel Delgado to introduce the Class of 2013 Salutatorian, Christina Kalinowski (Monmouth Beach, Boston College). “Today is a great day to be a Panther,” said Christina as she addressed her fellow classmates. She described her class as diverse—comprised of athletes, artists, academics and philanthropists—with a strong sense of community and went on to share several fond and humorous memories about her peers. “The bond between us is rooted in the attributes of dedication, compassion, ambition, and willingness to collaborate shared by all members of our class.” To conclude her speech, Christina encouraged her classmates to always remember Ranney’s motto: Knowledge, Vision, Honor.

Patricia Adams, a graduate of the Class of 2002, gave the commencement address. “Patricia is an example of what each of you can aspire to be through hard work and dedication,” said Dr. Sykoff when introducing her. As a lifer at Ranney with three siblings who also attended the school (Dennis ’03, Colleen ’05 and Katherine ’09), Patricia was involved in multiple extracurricular activities, was a class officer and four-year varsity athlete in tennis, softball and cheerleading. She matriculated to University of Notre Dame, where she received her bachelor and master degrees before receiving her J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law.

Today, Patricia is an associate with Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett, a legal firm in New York City. As the Ranney alum offered advice to the Class of 2013 about college and beyond, she also shared experiences from her time at Ranney and described how despite the upgrades in technology and addition of new facilities, many things about Ranney have not changed. “Community service played an integral role in my 13 years at Ranney,” she said. “I continue to be astounded by the generosity of the Ranney community and its students today.” Patricia ended her speech by assuring the Class of 2013 that they are well-prepared for the next chapter of their lives. “At Ranney, you learned to take initiative, you learned to be passionate, and you learned to give back to your community. Remember that as you embark on your next four years.”

After a performance by Ranney seniors Peter Bontempo (Highlands; University of Notre Dame), Matthew Callahan (Rumson; New York University), Calvin Celebuski (Rumson; Sarah Lawrence College), Leah Chaise (Morganville; Muhlenberg College), Arnab Neil Chatterjee (Marlboro; Rutgers University), Luciano Cioffi (West Long Branch; Rutgers University), Alexandra DeMarco (Spring Lake; Tulane University), Conor Keenan (Tinton Falls; Emerson College), Alyssa Mullally (Red Bank; New York University), Molly O’Neill (Red Bank; Northeastern University), Benjamin Puvalowski (Matawan; New York University) and Paul Sondhi (Wall; New York University) of “Beautiful Day” by U2, it was time to recognize those students who have demonstrated leadership, perseverance and Panther Pride throughout their Upper School careers, with 10 graduation awards, including:

The Headmaster’s Cup – James Soldati (Rumson; Washington University in St. Louis)

The Gershom Tomlinson Humanitarian Award – Peter Bontempo (Highlands; University of Notre Dame) & Alexandra Seneca (Colts Neck; New York University)

The Faculty Prize – Kendall Torpey (Colts Neck; Georgetown University) & Roey Hadar (Fair Haven; Georgetown University)

The Ann Kappel Citizenship and Service Award – Molly O’Neill (Red Bank; Northeastern University)

The Robert Paulus Leadership and Perseverance Award – Matthew Callahan (Rumson; New York University)

The Margaret Mahon Award – Veronika Fischer (Rumson; University of Southern California)

The Ranney School Leadership Award – Jordan Hesslein (Red Bank; Emory University)

The Lawrence S. Sykoff Award- Benjamin Puvalowski (Matawan; New York University) & Rachel Burstiner (Holmdel; Babson College)

Before receiving their diplomas, signifying the next stage in their lives, the Class of 2013 also heard from this year’s Valedictorian James Soldati who as a lifer, spoke of growing up at Ranney and the many memories that he and his fellow classmates have formed throughout their journey. “We embody the pillars of Ranney School precisely. We are a representation of the excellence and well-rounded intelligence that this school stands for,” he said. “What we must do is harness the grand opportunity that we’ve been given and all of the great tools we have to attain success in the future.” After expressing the high hopes he has for his classmates, James offered his congratulations to the Class of 2013 and thanked Dr. Sykoff and the Ranney School faculty for their support.

During the conferment of diplomas, those students who have a parent on the Board of Trustees or on the RSPA Board, or a parent who also attended Ranney School, had the unique opportunity to be handed their certificates by their parents, along with Dr. Sykoff and Mr. Price. In an unexpected portion of the ceremony, the Board surprised Dr. Sykoff with his own honorary diploma, confirming him as the Class of 2013’s 51st graduate.

After a formal Benediction from retiring faculty member and Dean of Learning Support Nancy Wade, Ranney’s 50 seniors proudly processed out of Pollak Theater, where they were greeted by family and friends to celebrate this special day.
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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. 

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