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Eighth-Graders Move Up to Upper School

On June 13, 66 eighth-graders celebrated their promotion to the Upper School as part of a Ranney tradition. The ceremony, attended by family members and faculty, included farewell speeches from Division Head Matthew Hall and incoming Division Head David Ketcham, as well as musical selections by the eighth-grade band, chorus, and strings ensembles.

Mr. Hall thanked the graduates for a wonderful year and encouraged them to "continue being the authentic you, and to carry your successes and failures with you to learn how to make each today count." 

Eighth-graders Annabella Andiorio, Sophia Yanney, Jillian Chandler, Ava Floyd, Olivia Batista, and Jaren Nawy all had turns introducing portions of the ceremony and addressing the audience. In addition, Gabrielle Goldwert, Jessica Hamelsky, Anna Chalnick, Isabella Andiorio, Maria Ryan, and Emerson Glazer presented the class gift, a donation to the school’s student-to-student scholarship fund, while Brooke Schmelz and Fatima Ahmad shared the Class of 2021’s Middle School memories video.

Incoming Student Council President and senior Jacqueline Erler also addressed the young group, advising, “Over the next four years, you will experiment with challenging academic classes, new clubs and activities, and unfamiliar social situations. The way in which you choose to manage these tasks will distinguish your high school career…. You will encounter growth and change as you are entrusted with more responsibility and independence. Use this to your advantage to explore new passions and challenge yourself. Upper School is a time of self-discovery, and I encourage you to use your new environment as an opportunity to display curiosity, seek creative solutions, and find your purpose.”

The Class of 2021 was honored last week for their eighth-grade accomplishments (see back story and award list). Two additional awards were given at the promotion ceremony: the Trustees’ Award for Excellence. Given to Samantha Jackman and Evan Woska, the award honors eighth-grade students whose academic excellence has distinguished them as Ranney scholars of the highest order. “These students have consistently demonstrated their commitment to scholarship and high academic achievement.  Their effort to master the skills and content of their courses is, indeed, remarkable,” noted Mr. Hall in announcing the recipients.

Mr. Adam Materasso, Associate Head of the Upper School, closed the ceremony with a warm welcome to the division. He shared with the students a few pieces of advice to help navigate their next educational adventure:
  1. Focus on the journey through Upper School not the destination (college).
  2. Start fresh and keep an open mind. Upper School will be a brand new start for everyone.
  3. Forge new relationships while maintaining the old.
  4. Build your dream team of adults who will serve as your mentors.
  5. Get involved and try new things.
  6. Give back and be kind.
  7. Take initiative and work toward becoming your own self-advocate.
  8. Embrace failure and learn from your mistakes.
  9. Ask for help. There are so many people here who are eager to help you.
  10. Challenge yourself and take risks
Best of luck and congratulations to all the members of the Class of 2021:

Jordan Abraham
Fatima Ahmad
Bhavana Akula
Annabella Andiorio
Isabella Andiorio
Olivia Batista
Tatiana Batson
Deven Bhatnagar
Cassimer Boynton
Anabelle Brodsky
Julian Buchman
Jake Buckelew
Anna Chalnick
Jillian Chandler
Charles Chropuvka
Lara Chu
Maximillian Croke
Saxon Dinowitz
Josephine Elwell
Priscilla Emma
Gianni Feng
Ava Floyd
Osiris Gillespie
Emerson Glazer
James Glover
Gabrielle Goldwert
Emily Goodman
Jessica Hamelsky
Gina Hanna
Paris Hovnanian
Samantha Jackman
Siobhan Jones
Kekuakapuokane Katz
Myron Kharkover
Haeun Kim
John Kirmani
Ryan Kraushaar
Tatiana Lanfranchi
Alexis Lauricella
John Leventhal
Tongmiao Lian
Ari Malek
Jaren Nawy
Aidan Oster
Ava Poupard
William Presutti
Elena Raccuia
Adam Rada
Trent Redman
Morgan Rice
Gordon Rose
Reese Rotblat
Noelle Rustico
Maria Ryan
Abigail Schaaff
Brooke Schmelz
Taylor Schoenhut
Isabel Sternbach
Zachary Stott
Benjamin Sullens
Ethan Tansey
Hubert Wang
Dylan Warren
Evan Woska
Sophia Yanney
Megan Yerrabelli

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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.