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Cum Laude Society Inducts 14 New Members

The Ranney School Cum Laude Society inducted 12 new students, one faculty member, Mrs. Veronica Warren, and honorary inductee, Mrs. Warren’s daughter, Mary-Jane Rubenstein, Ph.D., into its chapter during a ceremony held in RSPA Panther Hall on March 13, 2014.

Founded in 1906, the national society known as Cum Laude recognizes the scholastic achievements of students in academically superior secondary schools. Since Ranney’s introduction to Cum Laude in 2001, the school has inducted approximately 129 seniors and 18 faculty members into its chapter. According to Chapter President and Head of the Middle School David Fischer, this induction represents the highest academic honor Ranney School can bestow upon its students.

Following a family breakfast, the proud inductees proceeded into the hall to the sounds of “Prelude to Te Deum,” played by the Upper School Orchestra, led by Dr. Dorothy Sobieski.

Student Council President and inductee Steven Parlamas ’14 began the ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by an opening reflection on scholarship from Judicial Review Board member Joyce Dayan ’14. Dayan congratulated her fellow classmates and members of the Cum Laude Society, saying, “These twelve students have not given up and still strive to become the ideal members of the Ranney School community, and provide us with wonderful examples of what it means to be a Ranney student.”

Head of School Dr. John W. Griffith welcomed the audience and expressed his excitement for the new Cum Laude inductees. “As a group, this class has done a wonderful job in leading Ranney School this year, and we look forward to celebrating the entire class of 2014 in many ways this spring. This ceremony is a recognition of one facet of those achievements—academics—for a group of seniors.”

“The motto of the Cum Laude Society concisely illustrates the goals of the organization: Areté, Diké, Timé, or Excellence, Justice and Honor,” explained Dr. Griffith. “The motto specifies qualities which, ideally, each member of the society should have as personal goals and should endeavor to encourage in an academic community like Ranney School and in the larger society as well.”

After learning about the Cum Laude tradition from Mr. Fischer, Visual Arts Chair Ms. Kate Greenberg, who serves as Chapter Secretary, addressed the new inductees and the audience. She told the story of a supernova in space that lasted for 23 days. “Imagine for a moment what people 1,000 years in the future will look back at us and say about what is right in front of us that we just don’t see,” she said. “I tell this story as a call to artists to see the world as it is. To see that not all apples are red, and that the color of the light falling on an object changes the color perceived. But this is also a call for students to give an honest report of what they see in the world around them.“

Ms. Greenberg was then joined by Dr. Griffith and Mr. Fischer to present Madison Boyan, Anthony Dennis*, Matthew Elkwood, --*, Noah Goldstein*, Steven Jacobson, Vincent Morano, Alexandra Esquivel-Murphy*, Marc Owitz*, Grant Parker*, Steven Parlamas and Hunter Pearl with pins, plaques and certificates signifying their induction into the Cum Laude Society.

Lifer students Anthony Dennis and Noah Goldstein were invited to share their reflections on education and the value of learning. “Scholarship, to me, is the most important step one must take in order to reach their destiny,” said Anthony. “That does not necessarily mean that we all know what cards are in each other’s hands, and that nothing can change what we have been dealt … I am talking about the destiny that you create for yourself.”

Following the inductees’ remarks, Mrs. Greenberg introduced the 2014 faculty inductee, English Department Chair Mrs. Veronica (“Ronnie”) Warren to the audience. “During her tenure at Ranney School, Mrs. Warren has played a key role in the development of the English program and has modeled the professionalism and collaborative spirit we value so highly,” said Mrs. Greenberg. “And personally, I consider myself uniquely lucky to work with her every day.”

Following a few words from Mrs. Warren, Dr. Griffith introduced Dr. Mary-Jane Rubenstein as the 2014 Cum Laude honorary inductee. Dr. Rubenstein is an Associate Professor of Religion at Wesleyan University—where she has entertained several Ranney students interested in attending the school—and a core faculty member in the university’s Feminist, Gender and Sexual Studies Program. She is also an accomplished author and has served as a guest lecturer at colleges and universities around the world.

In closing, senior lifer Mostafa Meleis reflected on the success of his classmates, recognizing them as scholars in academics, music, art, drama, athletics and service. “To be a scholar, one must dedicate time and effort to attain the highest level of learning,” he said. “The students we are celebrating here today have shown dedication to achieving excellence in academics. A combination of time management and hard work put these students in the seats they are in today.”

View speeches and photos from the Cum Laude Induction above.

* designates a Ranney lifer
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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.