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Class of 2018 celebrates at RE's 114th Commencement
Ransom Everglades seniors crossed the Lewis Family Auditorium stage, collected their diplomas, celebrated amid a flurry of green and blue balloons ... and then went out into the world, in the tradition of founder Paul Ransom, to make it a better place. One-hundred-forty-eight seniors were sent off by commencement speaker Rudy Prio Touzet '76, who urged them to overcome their fears and apprehensions as they walked through the gates of Ransom Everglades School as graduates.
"As you leave this sanctuary that is Ransom Everglades, I want you to go ahead and take chances," Prio Touzet said. "You have to take chances to grow ... Everything worth doing comes with some risk and an element of concern or trepidation ... As the days before you may bring anxiety, may you remember that you will prevail and succeed." (Read Prio Touzet's entire address here.)
Prio Touzet, the chair of RE's board of trustees, received the school's prestigious Founders' Alumni Award, and had the honor of handing a diploma to his eldest son Rudy Prio Touzet '18. The school's 114th commencement also featured a valedictory address by Jorge Zreik '18, who took seniors on a trip down memory lane before reminding them of the traits that made the Class of 2018 special – and sure to find success. "If there’s one group of people that gives me hope and confidence in our future, it’s this class," Zreik said. "Sure, we have plenty of talent and skill, but what gives me faith is our ability to cooperate in creating a kind and inclusive community. The memories that I’ve shared are just the beginning of what we will accomplish." (Find his speech here.)
Zreik and salutatorian Daniel Freedline '18 received silver cups from Head of the Upper School Kenneth S. Mills for their achievements. Freedline addressed seniors and their families during the May 20 Senior Send-off.
Head of School Penny Townsend presented the other commencement awards: the Faculty Cup to Felipe Urrutia '18; the Head of School Cup to Ryan Sears '18; the Marie B. Swenson Cup to Catherine Kolski '18; and the Paul C. Ransom Cup to Ben Rosenthal '18. She also offered a nostalgic welcome to the entire Class of 2018, which arrived to the Upper School the same year she came to Ransom Everglades from the Pennington School in Pennington, N.J.
"You will always be a special class to me," she said. "It would be impossible to list all that you did during your time at Ransom Everglades. We are grateful for how you have enriched our lives and enriched our school." (Her full remarks can be found here.)
Sammy Schechter '18 opened the event by singing the National Anthem. Rabbi Judith L. Siegal of Temple Judea offered the invocation. RE singers led the assembled crowd in a singing of RE's new alma mater, written by Alex Hamm '09. Families and students offered an especially heartfelt ovation for Shovan Bhatia '18, who attended the event surrounded by family a day after the tragic passing of his father, Dr. Sanjiv Bhatia, a highly regarded Miami neurosurgeon.
The 2018 commencement concluded with short remarks and the benediction from Dan Leslie Bowden, the beloved former English teacher and current advisor to the head of school who is in his 63rd year at Ransom Everglades.
"Let this day commence a new chapter of your life where you continue to take action and steps that propel you to reach your own dreams, aspirations," Prio Touzet said. "Work hard to make a difference in the world. You get one life; choose how you want to live it. Don't let fear of failure keep you from achieving your life's mission."
Commencement Photo Galleries
Commencement Live Stream Recording (download available)
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Prio Touzet, the chair of RE's board of trustees, received the school's prestigious Founders' Alumni Award, and had the honor of handing a diploma to his eldest son Rudy Prio Touzet '18. The school's 114th commencement also featured a valedictory address by Jorge Zreik '18, who took seniors on a trip down memory lane before reminding them of the traits that made the Class of 2018 special – and sure to find success. "If there’s one group of people that gives me hope and confidence in our future, it’s this class," Zreik said. "Sure, we have plenty of talent and skill, but what gives me faith is our ability to cooperate in creating a kind and inclusive community. The memories that I’ve shared are just the beginning of what we will accomplish." (Find his speech here.)
Zreik and salutatorian Daniel Freedline '18 received silver cups from Head of the Upper School Kenneth S. Mills for their achievements. Freedline addressed seniors and their families during the May 20 Senior Send-off.
Head of School Penny Townsend presented the other commencement awards: the Faculty Cup to Felipe Urrutia '18; the Head of School Cup to Ryan Sears '18; the Marie B. Swenson Cup to Catherine Kolski '18; and the Paul C. Ransom Cup to Ben Rosenthal '18. She also offered a nostalgic welcome to the entire Class of 2018, which arrived to the Upper School the same year she came to Ransom Everglades from the Pennington School in Pennington, N.J.
"You will always be a special class to me," she said. "It would be impossible to list all that you did during your time at Ransom Everglades. We are grateful for how you have enriched our lives and enriched our school." (Her full remarks can be found here.)
Sammy Schechter '18 opened the event by singing the National Anthem. Rabbi Judith L. Siegal of Temple Judea offered the invocation. RE singers led the assembled crowd in a singing of RE's new alma mater, written by Alex Hamm '09. Families and students offered an especially heartfelt ovation for Shovan Bhatia '18, who attended the event surrounded by family a day after the tragic passing of his father, Dr. Sanjiv Bhatia, a highly regarded Miami neurosurgeon.
The 2018 commencement concluded with short remarks and the benediction from Dan Leslie Bowden, the beloved former English teacher and current advisor to the head of school who is in his 63rd year at Ransom Everglades.
"Let this day commence a new chapter of your life where you continue to take action and steps that propel you to reach your own dreams, aspirations," Prio Touzet said. "Work hard to make a difference in the world. You get one life; choose how you want to live it. Don't let fear of failure keep you from achieving your life's mission."
Commencement Photo Galleries
Commencement Live Stream Recording (download available)
Middle School
2045 South Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133Phone: 305 250 6850
Upper School
3575 Main Highway, Coconut Grove, FL 33133Phone: 305 460 8800
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.