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RE honors more than two dozen current students and founding alumna

Ransom Everglades bestowed special academic awards on more than two dozen 9-11th graders and recognized the second recipient of the 2023 Head of School's Award, Jourdan Moore Houston '62, at the second Upper School Awards Ceremony May 23 in the Lewis Family Auditorium. Then-Interim Head of School Rachel Rodriguez opened the event by welcoming students, and also lauded Moore Houston for her commitment to RE since her days as a founding member of the Everglades School for Girls.
Moore Houston, who lives in New Hampshire could not attend the event in person, joined David Arnold '86 as a co-winner of this year's award, which annually recognizes alumni whose commitment and service to the school serve as an inspiration. Rodriguez noted that Moore Houston has been a class agent for more than 60 years, and co-chaired a founding-class reunion last fall in Asheville, North Carolina. "Even as an adult she never lost sight of her connection to Ransom Everglades," Rodriguez said. 

Moore Houston shared her gratitude for the honor in written remarks. She noted that the Everglades Creed, which remains visible on the middle school campus, offers a lasting legacy of "the little school on Tigertail" – signifying respect, integrity and empathy. Director of Alumni Engagement Vicki Carbonell Williamson '88 accepted the award on Moore Houston's behalf.

"Everglades school in those pioneering days was a family," Moore Houston wrote in remarks read by Rodriguez. "Everyone had a seat at the table then, and in the years since many of us, not just I, have wanted to be sure that everyone is still invited." 

Students awards were presented by Director of Arts Shawn Costantino, Humanities Department Chair Jen Nero, World Languages Department Chair James Monk, Upper School Mathematics and Computer Science Coordinator Mandira Bose-Nyberg, Upper School Science Department Coordinator Jay Salon, Dean of the Junior Class Brandon King, Dean of the Tenth Grade Alberto Adatto, Dean of the Ninth Grade Karen Thompson, and COO and Interim Head of the Upper School David Clark '86

"You have worked incredibly hard, you are incredibly diligent, and most importantly, you live and work toward the mission of the school," Rodriguez said. "I want you to know how proud we are of you ... We know that your effort is incredible."

Upper School Award Winners on May 23 - Students

Performing Arts

National School Orchestra: Evelyn Yu ’24
Jane Kleinman Technical Theater: Trinity Haisch ’24
Lewis Family Award: Diana Gonzalez ’24
 
English
Dan Leslie Bowden Award: Jack He ’25
Excellence In English Research Award: Derrick Ma ’24
 
History and Social Sciences
Craighill Burks Prize for American History: Max Salomon ’25
Excellence in Spanish Literature: Ella Lombardo ’24
Excellence in Spanish Language: Chloe Alfonso ’24

Math and Computer Science

Lois B. Styles Math Award: Chloe Alfonso ’24 and Victoria Paraoulaki de Miranda ’24
Computer Science: Elliot Gross ’24
 
Science
Barbara Lester Environmental Science: William Charouhis ’24
Excellence in Chemistry: Ethan Sullivan ’25
Excellence In Engineering/Technology: Trinity Haisch  ’24          
                                                       
Junior Book Awards
Brandeis University: William Charouhis ’24
Brown University: Chloe Alfonso ’24
Columbia University: Elliot Gross ’24
Dartmouth College: Stephanie Wallen ’24
Harvard University: Francisco Gomez Rivas-Vazquez ’24
Johns Hopkins University: Esmeralda Swietelsky ’24
University of Pennsylvania: Jake Perdigon ’24
University of Virginia: Victoria Paraoulaki de Miranda ’24
Williams College: Lauren Scott ’24

Sophomore Award
Honor and Excellence Award: Henry Berler ’25 and Mia Bouyoucef  ’25

Ninth-Grade Awards
Damien Kaminski Award: Luke Jaffee ’26
Ann Goesel Everglades School Award: Ella Crowley ’26
Special Recognition Award: Jamora Arroyo-Jefferson ’24
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Founded in 1903, Ransom Everglades School is a coeducational, college preparatory day school for grades 6 - 12 located on two campuses in Coconut Grove, Florida. Ransom Everglades School produces graduates who "believe that they are in the world not so much for what they can get out of it as for what they can put into it." The school provides rigorous college preparation that promotes the student's sense of identity, community, personal integrity and values for a productive and satisfying life, and prepares the student to lead and to contribute to society.