News and Events
'Festival of Lights' brightens RE campuses
Ransom Everglades celebrated Diwali with colorful celebrations on both campuses that explored the history and cultural traditions of the five-day "Festival of Lights." Middle school students performed Indian dance, participated in a fashion show, lit candles and created rangolis to mark the holiday on October 24. A day earlier, upper school students joined a professional Indian dancer on stage for impromptu dance lessons.
“India, my friends, is not just a country. It’s an experience – a beautiful mix of culture, history and spirit,” Gwyn Rothfield '30 told her middle school peers during a special assembly. “So next time you think of India, remember, it’s not just far away on the map – it’s all around us and it’s here today at Ransom Everglades."
Rothfield and fellow emcees Vinay Rajadhyaksha '30, Daven Mantri '30 and Ria Pabby '30 shared information about Diwali and introduced the morning's performances: Middle school students performed a Dandiya Raas dance choreographed by Saya Rajadhyaksha ‘32 and performed by Belén Gonzalez '32, Paulina Gleiberman '32, Rheina Sebastian '32 and Eliana Lutfi '32. And sixth-grade dance classes contributed a rhythmic dance style called a Garba to the song “Kesariyo Rang.”
Rothfield and fellow emcees Vinay Rajadhyaksha '30, Daven Mantri '30 and Ria Pabby '30 shared information about Diwali and introduced the morning's performances: Middle school students performed a Dandiya Raas dance choreographed by Saya Rajadhyaksha ‘32 and performed by Belén Gonzalez '32, Paulina Gleiberman '32, Rheina Sebastian '32 and Eliana Lutfi '32. And sixth-grade dance classes contributed a rhythmic dance style called a Garba to the song “Kesariyo Rang.”
At the upper school, members of the Asian Students Association – Ayaan Hassan '27 (president), Dhilan Tak '27, Maya Bhandari '28, Misha Gowda '28 and Felix Kulkarni '27 (Diwali coordinator) – shared an informative presentation during a special assembly. They also invited a professional dancer from a Miami-based Indian dance company to the Lewis Family Auditorium; students joined her on stage after watching her introduce several forms of dance.
Students on both campuses sampled traditional treats including samosas and gulab jamun, and many took advantage of the services of henna artists. Middle schoolers made masala chai, painted diyas and played chess.
Students in middle school robotics classes created light-up Diwali cards using conductive tape and LEDs, and the jewelry design class created a rangoli using colorful rice.
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
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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.
Ransom Everglades School®, The RE Way™, RE Pathways™ and Bowden Fellowships in the Humanities™ are trademarks of Ransom Everglades School.
Ransom Everglades School®, The RE Way™, RE Pathways™ and Bowden Fellowships in the Humanities™ are trademarks of Ransom Everglades School.