On May 29, I observed our rising ninth graders as they took their places on stage in the Lewis Family Auditorium for our annual Eighth-Grade Send-Up. “It is so unbelievable to think that three years ago, most of us were strangers,” Class President Natasha Rodriguez ’23 said from behind the podium. Indeed, the Class of 2023 came from more than three dozen elementary schools. Now they are each other’s biggest fans: “The people you see here,” she continued, “provide an escape from cruelty and rejection, and open a window to acceptance and love.”

These adolescents, preparing to move to the Upper School, already understand what a great community looks like. Ian Barnett ’23 helped explain the concept through music, composing a song called “Our Journey” that was a focal point of the send-up. Like the seniors that preceded them several days before, these students are simultaneously unique and united. 

On May 30, I witnessed more community spirit at the last RE board of trustees meeting of the year. Our board has 31 members, a third of whom are alumni and all of whom are incredibly devoted to Ransom Everglades. One, Harry Anderson ’38, has served since just after World War II and turns 98 on June 2. Several trustees, including board chair Andy Ansin ’81, arrived on campus yesterday morning for a committee meeting, then returned later in the afternoon for a tour of the STEM site followed by the full board meeting that ran well into the evening. And this is volunteer work; no remuneration!

The members of the board of trustees devote time to RE because they love their school and believe in the community that makes it special. At their final meeting they heard from the senior leadership team, which shared the progress we have made this year on many fronts, from our diversity, equity inclusion initiative to our climate change symposium to our evolving curriculum. In the words of our capital campaign, we are REinventing Excellence every day – but we are not reinventing the school. We are putting various talents, ideas, perspectives, hopes and dreams together. We are joining forces to make RE an even stronger community.

Which brings me back to our seniors.

The Class of 2019 did its part. Our seniors negotiated a challenging final year at RE with grace, persistence, support for one another, open minds and generous hearts. They weathered a campus under construction and they shared parking spots – a dramatic change to the much-anticipated senior privilege of having one’s own spot. They approached the college process with conviction, seeking schools that will bring out the best in each of them over the next four years. They set a terrific example for the students who will follow them.

As a class, they accomplished much. Individually, their prospects are limitless. Their time as RE students concluded with the May 24 commencement, but their lives are just getting started. We are so proud to send them out in the world. 

And we can’t wait to welcome them back as alumni.

Congratulations, Class of 2019!

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