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Fifth-Graders Cross the Lawn as they Graduate to Middle School

On June 13, 40 fifth-graders Crossed the Lawn to the Middle School academic complex as part of a Ranney tradition marking the transition from Lower to Middle School.

The ceremony, attended by family members and faculty, included farewell speeches from Division Head Dr. Andrea Danial and Head of School Dr. John W. Griffith, as well as introductions and announcements by fifth-graders Crosby Collins, Dakota Vastola, Lindsay Berliner, Salvatore Principato, Alexandra Presutti, Madeleine Carpenter, Gabrielle Morale, and Starlette Dettro.

In his address to the class, Dr. Griffith noted, “Today, you are marking a movement in time.  For some of you, that time began when you were 3-years-old and being dropped off at our Early Childhood Center, and you have been in the Lower School ever since…. Throughout your time here, you have made a mark. You have enjoyed successes and faced challenges, you have impressed your teachers, you have made friends. In short, you have grown.” 

This growth was presented in a video capturing the children at different stages of their Lower School tenure. 

Division Head Dr. Danial thanked those in attendance for supporting the students to this point in their life journey. “It takes a united effort to instill a desire for independence in our children, which is the best gift we can give them,” she said. “These children have studied well and built a base of knowledge, but more importantly, they have learned how to learn, which is critical to their future given the rapidly changing and growing sea of information out there. They care about this world and have learned how to bring attention to necessary improvements. They have learned that they must be creative in planning for change. They have learned the importance of considering the perspective of others. And as they move forward, they have learned to speak up, and speak up tactfully, so that others will hear and listen.”

On behalf of the division, Dr. Danial and the Lower School presented each fifth-grade graduate with a Class of 2024 T-Shirt, and the Parents’ Association gifted each with a laptop case to use in sixth grade.

Incoming Student Council President and rising senior Jacqueline Erler also addressed the young group, noting, “You have built a strong foundation with the lessons you have learned in the Lower School.... In Middle School, you will refine these skills and take on important responsibilities. It is a time of self-discovery, and I encourage you to be curious, ask questions, and seek answers…. You will have the freedom to engage in exciting clubs and activities, and I encourage you to participate eagerly and discover new passions. Most importantly, you will soon realize that your influence on our community is tremendous, and each of you has the ability to create positive change.”

The class was recognized for the many accomplishments achieved as part of their last year in the Lower School, including:

Participating in the French National Contest:
Sean Kennedy: Bronze Medal
Shaya Kazmi:  Honneur
Sophia Lennon:  Honneur
Lindsay Berliner: Honneur
 
Competing on the Math Olympiad team: Crosby Collins and Kevin Mortenson tied for 1st Place, Starlette Dettro came in 2nd Place, and Mason Bindler, Luke Buda, and Balkan Yildrim came in 3rd Place. They, along with Shaya Kazmi, Dylan Oster, Alexandra Presutti, Riya Sikand, and John Welch, placed in the top 50% of the competing students worldwide.
 
Representing Ranney’s Lower School at the 2017 VEX World Robotics Competition in Kentucky: Parson Glover and Lily Aspen
 
Participating in the Central Jersey Music Educators Association’s 2017 Treble Honors Chorus: Starlette Dettro, Araiya Casriel, and Sophie Krakowski, and in the Central Jersey Music Educators Association Elementary Honors Orchestra Festival: Mason Bindler on violin, Jason Woska on bass, and Balkan Yildirim on cello.
 
Drawing in capacity audiences over two evenings of scheduled performances for the Lower School Musical, Willy Wonka, Jr.
 
Completing and presenting before their family members, teachers, and peers a year-long Capstone project: these multimedia and research presentations focused on a topic about which each student felt passionate.
 
In addition, two Lower School faculty members were acknowledged: second-grade teacher Kristen Kapcsos received the Panther Prize Award for demonstrating excellence in the classroom, and Assistant Division Head Allison Reddington received the Head of School Faculty Fellowship Award for demonstrating exemplary leadership of the school's mission. 

In closing, students heard from David Ketcham, who will be their Middle School Division Head in the fall. “No three-year period of your life will include as much growth and discovery as your Middle School years will,” he said, before sharing a list of promises the division makes to each student, including to support and care for them, and to challenge and inspire them.  “I speak for our current Middle School students and every middle school teacher when I say, Welcome to Middle School.  Our time together will be time you will never forget.  We are thrilled for you to join us!”
 
Congratulations to all the members of the Class of 2024:
Lily Aspen           
Lindsay Berliner
Mason Bindler
Luke Buda
Madeleine Carpenter
Araiya Casriel
Curtis Chropuvka
John Cifelli
Crosby Collins
James Crowley
Matthew Delisser
Starlette Dettro
Claire Farren
Nicholas Feng
Parson Glover
Leonardo Hernandez
Carter Holmes
Shaya Kazmi
Sean Kennedy
Camille-Sophie Krakowski
Elijah Landers
Brooke Lembo
Sophia Lennon
Matteo Martino
Logan Mazza
Gabrielle Morale
Kevin Mortenson
Dylan Oster
Alexandra Presutti
Salvatore Principato
Syena Schaad
Riya Sikand
Gabriella Stavola
Maggie Stewart
Seth Tolchin
Dakota Vastola
Noah Weiss
John Welch
Jason Woska
Balkan Yildirim
 
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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.