The podium from the Lewis Family Auditorium sat in the middle of a flower-covered stage, and the 163 members of the senior class sat in folding chairs spaced six feet apart on the arena floor. The RE faculty climbed to spectator seating, taking assigned seats spaced four apart. Graduates’ families clustered in socially distanced pods. Everyone wore masks.

Head of School Penny Townsend summed up the atmosphere when she stood at center stage shortly after 10 a.m., looked out over the graduates and declared, “today we celebrate an extraordinary class during extraordinary times.”

Watch the commencement livestream video here.Despite the pandemic precautions, the Class of 2021 relished the time together, ignoring instructions to follow the procession of faculty out of the center at the event's conclusion. Instead, they remained behind, gathering on the confetti-filled arena floor, sharing hugs, handshakes and final goodbyes.

The graduates were clearly delighted to be in person a year after RE had held a virtual commencement. The Class of 2021 dressed in traditional RE graduation garb (white dresses or dark suits), and sat for the traditional pre-ceremony photo – albeit in socially distant seating. Family members cheered and hooted, as always, as each graduate crossed the stage to receive a diploma from Townsend and Board Chair Jeffrey Hicks ’84 – who handed three to his triplets, Axel Hicks ’21, Hanna Hicks ’21 and Sebastian Hicks ’21.

Jeff Miller ’79 received the Founders’ Alumni Award and gave the commencement address, and he intercepted his son Lenny Miller ’21 and niece Kelli Miller ’21 after they accepted their diplomas, posing for the event photographer and snagging his own selfie. During his remarks, he reminisced about learning from legendary English teacher Dan Leslie Bowden, and urged graduates to take the time to remember those that touched their lives and helped them grow.

“My wish for each of you is to stay connected and feed off the tremendous energy and shared values that Ransom Everglades has both taught and reinforced over the years,” he said. “I challenge you to identify your own Mr. Bowden … Take the time to say thank you, give a socially distanced hug (unless you’ve both been vaccinated), and remember that the humanities – heart, gusto, grit and compassion – is the cornerstone of your alma mater.”

Erik Medina ’21 gave the valedictory address, encouraging his classmates to use the power they gain in the future for good – in big ways and small. Maya Rosen ’21 offered the salutatory address, reminding her classmates to hold on to their special “only at RE moments.” Both concluded by telling their peers: “I love you all.”

Penny Townsend presented the commencement awards: Liza Dill ’21 received the Faculty Cup; Georgia Crosby ’21, the Head of School’s Cup; Medina, the Ransom Cup; and Yuhan Liu ’21, the Swenson Cup. She also presented the Arthur Moses Faculty Award to Head of the Upper School Rachel Rodriguez, who is departing Ransom Everglades after 16 years.

Associate Head of School John King recognized the Class of 2021 Cum Laude Society members (top 20 percent of the class; see below). He also congratulated Sebastian Mateu ’21 for receiving a Morehead-Cain scholarship from the University of North Carolina; Mateo Jolivert ’21, a Danforth Scholarship from Washington University at St. Louis; and Connor Munroe ’21, a scholarship to the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California.

Jamie Lockhart ’21 sang the National Anthem, the RE alma mater and benediction, and the RE Advanced Chamber Ensemble performed under the direction of faculty member Scott O’Donnell.

At the end of the ceremony, RE’s legacy graduates gathered with their alumni parents to receive plaques and take photos.

Class of 2021 – Cum Laude Society
Elanah Beth Arnold

Madeleine Maria Bagnall

Jonah Benjamin Bennett

Victoria Caroline Davis

Margaret Elizabeth Dill

Alexandre Joshua Dray

Maxwell Benjamin Feinberg

Javier Garcon

Lindsay Alison Gould

Peri Madison Gould

Jordan Jay Duy Linh Hoffman

Samuel Joseph Lindemann

Yuhan Liu

Jacob Ethan Martin

Nina Mazariegos

Frank Leatherbury McPhillips III

Erik Alexander Medina

Daniel Mendoza

Samantha Reese Miller

Aidan Patrick Murphy

Gabriel Felipe Pulido

Maya Simona Rosen

Shuli Elena Rosenfeld

Emma Zane Rosenthal

Ella Julia Rubell

Daniella Marie Sanchez

Zara Rose Shapiro

Nicolas Andres Stone Perez

Nicole Tacher Lois

Viviana Vela

Zining Wang

Hilary Sage Weisburd

Justin Stephen Wong