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Alumni gather for a fun-filled Alumni Weekend 2024
Alumni came back home for Alumni Weekend 2024, traveling from as far afield as London and as far back as the Class of 1962. Sharing countless hugs and handshakes, exploring old haunts, and reminiscing over meals, more than 325 alumni across six decades enjoyed a series of special events and activities on both campuses from April 19-21.
Watch this REcap Video and enjoy our Photo Galleries.The Friday evening Alumni Spring Reception at La Brisa’s Touzet Patio attracted alumni from all classes, and many returned to the Ransom Campus Saturday for a day of fun. Alumni sailed, played soccer and jumped in the pool for a water polo game. Many attended classes focused on artificial intelligence led by faculty members Luis Felipe and Adam Schachner.
“We are delighted to see alumni from so many classes enjoying so many activities,” Head of School Rachel Rodriguez said. “We are thrilled to welcome back former faculty and faculty emeriti. It has been a pleasure and thrill to meet and reconnect with amazing members of the RE community.”
Head of the Middle School Pete Di Pace and Associate Head of School John A. King Jr. joined the head of school for an engaging panel discussion at the Pagoda where they offered an update on admissions, college counseling and many other topics of interest. They were introduced by alumni board co-president Rachel Greer Narvaez ’99, and the event was followed by a casual lunch on the Miller Quad.
The happy REconnections officially began at Friday's kickoff 50 Year Club Luncheon at Joe’s Stone Crab, which drew members of the Ransom and Everglades Classes of 1974 – and earlier – and was graciously hosted by the fourth-generation owner Steve Sawitz ’75. Everglades alumnae also gathered for a Saturday morning breakfast in the Dell and a tour of the Everglades Campus led by current members of the student group Women’s Empowerment.
A Service of Remembrance in the Pagoda honored the 17 members of the RE community who had passed in the previous year, and science teacher Don Kappelman read each name aloud. Current faculty member Karen Thompson offered a remembrance of former Head of School John Cotton, faculty emeritus Doc Crabtree talked about faculty emerita Barbara Lester, John Stieglitz ’98 spoke about his father, Blackie Stieglitz ’54, current faculty member Joe Mauro reflected on former faculty member Steve Walach, and Louis Dessaint ’76 spoke about former trustee Hal Kendall ’54.
Kendall’s daughter Grace Kendall ’03 accepted a proclamation from the office of Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava – a former RE parent – declaring that Saturday, April 20, 2024, would be a “Day in Remembrance” in honor of her father.
Black alumni came out to the second annual Black Alumni Reception at La Brisa, an event that offered a chance for fellowship and delicious food prepared by Ashley Mincey ’07. Trustee James Weaver ’90 and Ransom Everglades Black Alumni (reBa) co-founder Jamila Stephens ’12 spoke at that event along with Director of Inclusion and Community Engagement Wendell Graham ’74 and Rodriguez. Saturday night featured a host of special reunions for the Classes of Everglades 1969 and 1974; Ransom 1974; and Ransom Everglades 1978, 1979 and 1980 (joint reunion), 1984, 1994, 1999 and 2004.
Faculty emeriti Bobbie Bassuk, Doc Crabtree, Jane Dolkart, Kenia Mestre, Ginny Onorati, Owen Paris and Guillermo Urbina attended.
The weekend officially concluded with a Major Works Concert Sunday afternoon in the Lewis Family Auditorium. Photo Gallery
Watch this REcap Video and enjoy our Photo Galleries.
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.