A welcome, and welcome back
In the span of less than a week, we welcomed more than 160 newly enrolled students to our campuses to initiate what we expect will be a long and deep connection to Ransom Everglades, and we welcomed back some 300 alumni for our annual Alumni Weekend. I loved every minute of these delightfully disparate gatherings, whether greeting our young, eager newcomers or listening in on the happy reminiscences of those who have loved their school for years – or even decades.
There is no better sight than seeing our incoming sixth graders proudly tugging on their new, too-large T-shirts that proclaim their graduation year “Class of 2026” after they arrive to our campus for orientation. Unless it’s seeing members of our Everglades Class of 1969, gathering for their 50th reunion, almost spontaneously breaking into song, singing joyfully – youthfully! – about how to recognize an “Everglades girl.” The years melted away in that moment.
Alumni Weekend Photo Galleries
Alumni Weekend Photo Galleries
On April 6, we held new student orientation on the Everglades Campus for our incoming middle schoolers, including 163 sixth graders from 36 different elementary schools – 40 of whom are children of alumni. That statistic tells you everything you need to know about the power of our community, the value of the education provided here, and the love our graduates have for their alma mater.
The following Thursday, April 11, we kicked off the annual Alumni Weekend with the Athletic Hall of Fame dinner in the Pagoda followed by a wide range of events April 12 and 13 designed to bring our alums together to enjoy each other’s company. For many, it was the first time they had been back to campus since graduation. Others have been on campus countless times. In every case, we witnessed a contagious spirit of fellowship, camaraderie, reminiscing.
Jenny Stadler Krueger ’93 summed up the feeling on the night of her induction into our hall of fame, “I love being on campus,” she said. This is the part that got me: “I feel like I’m home when I’m here.”
Heads of schools swell with pride when alums use such language to describe their schools, illustrating the pull of a well-rounded, thoughtful education rooted in tradition, mission and relationships. Our alumni can see that we have preserved the core and stimulated progress. They know their history and experiences at RE are appreciated. For me, Alumni Weekend is a huge learning opportunity. It offers immensely rewarding stories that inspire me; friendships that truly touch my heart.
Just one example: Our Class of 1967 girls, which included the 2019 Head of School’s Award recipient Lili Krech Neale ’69 (see story here), gathered around to sign a birthday card for a former teacher, Eleanor Eckel Bachman.
She was celebrating her 100th birthday.
At the new student orientation, I thanked our incoming sixth graders for the many notes I had received. In the tradition of Paul Ransom, I had asked them to write to me about joining the RE community. The common theme, without exception, was gratitude. I have treasured every one of those notes.
Not surprisingly, I’ve also received a number of notes since the conclusion of Alumni Weekend. I’ll bet you can guess the theme of those letters.
“Thank You Dear Friends,” wrote Kai Jelstrom ’69. “I am proud of what Ransom-Everglades has become and especially of the wonderful people running it!”
“Many thanks again to all of you for making this past weekend a very special gathering of dear friends. With Much Love & Gratitude, Lili (Krech Neale).”
“Truly a great success (the weekend) due to the synergy and special connections with all my great peers – This is RE’s special sauce. RE builds bonds that will last a lifetime….” Jeffrey Miller ’79
Said Eric Buermann ’69, life trustee: “All agreed it was an absolutely wonderful time.”
The more I think about it, there’s not that much difference between our new student orientation, and Alumni Weekend. On both occasions, we invite a happy bunch of kids to our campuses, and then they all – as my friend Eric said so well – have an absolutely wonderful time.
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.