Eleven seniors share the joy of RE

The virtual version of this annual senior roundtable surely offered encouragement to any anxious middle schoolers who tuned in, and a dose of reassurance to their parents. It also likely brought smiles to the faces of fellow seniors, alumni, faculty and adminstration.

The panel of Preston Edmunds ’20, Asher Lieberman ’20, Diego Duckenfield-Lopez ’20, Becca Fisher ’20, Victoria Mejia ’20, Nicholas Namias ’20, Willa Tom ’20, Diego Virtue ’20, Anthony Goyanes ’20, Sophia Antezana ’20 and Meredith Hutchinson ’20 seemed unable to summon a substantially negative recollection of their time at RE, even when offered the opportunity to share areas for improvement or to vent about this historically challenging spring.

“When we first found out our senior year was cancelled, I saw no silver lining,” said Edmunds, the student-body president. “But now I realize it’s made us all more grateful for the 6-1/2 years we did get… I don’t think there’s anything that makes me happier than how grateful we all are for the time we did have together.”

Said Virtue: “We appreciate everything.”

Said Lieberman: “Now that I have time to reflect, I realize how supported I felt during my entire seven years there … “Everyone is so supportive and caring and just open-minded. I think it’s an amazing community and an amazing place.”

The students described the increasing sense of community they experienced as they advanced through the upper school, diving further into extra-curricular pursuits, spirit-week activities such as lip-synch and dodge ball games, school dances and sporting events. The panelists shared memories of classes and favorite teachers that changed their outlook if not their lives. They recalled those moments they stepped out of their comfort zones – and thrived, whether on their freshman year Outward Bound trips, signing up for rowing in middle school, or softball in high school.

Their message to younger students: Try everything. Get involved. Don’t be afraid to fail. And don’t stress out about grades and test scores – but do use your time (and free periods) wisely.

Said Goyanes: “I was godawful at math in middle school, and I’ve done a full 180 … There’s so much time to improve yourself, to come full circle.”

“You are more than your grades,” Lieberman said. “Don’t let your academic transcript define who you are … I wish I had known that a little bit earlier.”

The students shared their college destinations: Edmunds is heading to Bucknell University; Lieberman, the University of Pennsylvania; Duckenfield-Lopez, Amherst College; Fisher, Florida State University; Mejia, the University of Southern California; Namias, Boston College; Tom, Boston University; Virtue, Cornell University; Goyanes, Virginia Tech; Antezana, Tufts University; and Hutchinson, Duke University.

The conversation that lasted nearly 90 minutes strongly suggested the seniors would be a force as RE alumni. They urged rising seniors concerned about any elements of the college process next year to reach out, and promised immediate responses.

“What’s particularly special about Ransom Everglades is it’s not just you,” Fisher said. “The administration, the faculty, they’re all aware of what you’re going through, so you can literally talk to anyone, and they’ll be there to help you no matter what.”