Ransom Everglades recognizes prominent alumna and dozens of students

Range, a member of the RE Alumni Association and a founding member of the Ransom Everglades Black Alumni (reBa), was summoned to the Lewis Family Auditorium stage to receive the award also presented to co-winner, Roxi Vadia Morgenstern ’75, at the school’s senior awards ceremony in April.

Range reflected on lessons learned from her great-grandmother, Athalie Range, the first Black woman elected to the Miami City Commission, who “didn’t wait for permission to lead; she saw what her community needed; [and] she rose to the occasion with grace and purpose,” Range told the assembled students. Currently the Deputy Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson in the U.S. House of Representatives, Range described RE as “the place that helped shape who I am.”

“This award is not just about achievement, it’s about growth – made possible by a strong foundation,” Range said. “Ransom Everglades gave me the freedom to pursue, to raise my hand, speak up, and try, even when I wasn’t sure I would succeed … Ransom Everglades gave me the courage to pursue life boldly, and to grow.”

Nearly 60 students were rewarded for their growth as scholars, leaders and community servants during the ceremony. Katy Elgarresta ’27 received the first annual Ella Adler ’27 Excellence in Dance Award and Zoe Burris ’26 received the Antonio Tsialas ’19 Leadership Award presented by Antonio’s parents, John Tsialas and Flavia Tomasello. The awards honored both the talented recipients and the legacies of the accomplished and beloved late RE students after whom they are named.

Other major awards went to Christopher Tsialas ’26, who received the College of William and Mary service award, and Lola Pegg ’26, who received the Princeton Service Award. Samuel Bussel-Alonso ’27 and Sloane Mason ’27 each received the Outstanding Scholarship, Character and Leadership Award for the tenth grade, and Aleko Katsoufis ’28 and Noelle Dubose ’28 earned the Damien Kaminski ’89 Award and Ann Goesel Everglades School Award, respectively, for the ninth grade.

Core value awards for Support & Community, Diversity & Inclusion, Honor & Excellence, Joy & Wellbeing and Service & Outreach were awarded to students in each grade, and nearly two dozen juniors received book awards from various colleges and universities. Rodriguez made a point to recognize all of the students in attendance.

I am proud of all of you,” Rodriguez said, “for what you’ve accomplished, how you’ve gotten there, and how we’ve gotten there as a community – with courage, with effort and with heart. That is what excellence looks like.”