About
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Both campuses celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Ransom Everglades recognized Hispanic Heritage Month with lively celebrations on both campuses. Middle schoolers sang, danced and enjoyed Latin American crafts, sports, performances and food at a festival that stretched – and resounded – across the Everglades Campus on Oct. 14. At the upper school on Oct. 11, the Latin American Student Association (LASA) led fellow students on a journey through Hispanic art during an assembly that included live music by Ecuadorian guitarist Homero Gallardo.
At the middle school festival, students sampled Hispanic street food: empanadas, tostones, elotes, choripan, paletas and even pinchos de pollo, which were served by Head of the Middle School Eric Boberg. They made paper flowers for their hair, collaborated on an art mural inspired by Mexican artist Diego Rivera, and played dominoes and perused books by Latin American authors in the library.
They also gathered to enjoy a flamenco performance and Latin American music played by the middle school vocal ensemble, strings ensemble and band. Students and faculty also tested their dance skills with salsa lessons from faculty member J.P. Arrastia. The event was organized by faculty members Vanessa Lopez and Karina Buhler.
Hispanic Heritage Month at the upper school culminated in an assembly at Lewis Family Auditorium. LASA President Barbie Hyland '23 led off the Oct. 11 event, whose goal was to shine a light on Latin American art and some of its most accomplished practitioners in fields including architecture, literature, filmmaking, painting, dancing and sculpting. "The best thing about this month," she said, "is it celebrates all Hispanic countries together."
The guitarist Gallardo spoke briefly to the students before performing for them. RE's vocal ensemble under the direction of Laura Montes performed "A La Nanita Nana" and "Catalina La O." The Rock 4 RElief band played "A Dios Le Pido" by Juanes; the student service group is directed by president Max Bast '23, vice president Santi Sauceda '24, secretary Trent Mopsick '23 and treasurer Erika Siblesz '23.
Tati Botero '23, the granddaughter of legendary Colombian painter Fernando Botero, shared reflections on her grandfather's life and legacy as an artist. She described her grandfather's rise from poverty in his hometown of Medellín, Colombia, to becoming an innovative, renowned – and controversial – artist known for his voluminous style of portraying people, and politically charged paintings and sculptures. She explained that her grandfather considered his works a "declaration of my principles."
"My grandfather's work is not only a celebration of Latin American art and history," she said, "but also a reflection of the very principles that have led to the success of his career and the admiration so many have – including myself – for his art and the person that he is."
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.