Marissa Schwartz Gimelstein ’06: Even after graduating from RE, my connection to the school has only grown through my work on the alumni board, where I collaborate with alumni from other graduating classes. Working together across class years strengthens our ability to boost alumni engagement and expand our volunteer efforts. These cross-class relationships keep the RE community alive and continually evolving.

 

Nicole Roederer ’16: Collaborating with alumni from different graduating classes shows how our shared experience transcends age and time. Even if we graduated years apart, we can still identify with one another because we all lived The RE Way. That common foundation creates a unique bond and gives us similar perspectives on school, life and our values, making collaboration feel natural and meaningful.

 

Sophia Reyes ’16: Regardless of graduating class, our fellow RE alumni are incredible collaborators. Each person brings unique perspectives and experiences – some that only time can shape. It’s truly a privilege to work with and learn from such an inspiring group. I’ve genuinely enjoyed getting to know each one of them better.

 

MG: No matter when an alum graduated, RE students are taught to espouse the ideals of Paul Ransom: that we are in the world not for what we can take from it, but for what we can contribute to it. This shared mindset – grounded in service, purpose and giving back – creates a deep sense of unity among RE alumni, regardless of age or graduating year.

 

NR: The student experience at Ransom Everglades is something I’ve been able to connect with alumni across different decades. Some parts feel instantly familiar, while others, rooted in a similar beginning, have naturally evolved to suit the current student body. It’s always amazing hearing what’s different and what has stayed the same. Each student and class leave their mark on the school, and, of course, we all share those classic RE traditions – like Outward Bound – that always bring back stories and laughs.

 

SR: Absolutely. One thing that stands out to me is how deeply shared the RE experience feels, no matter the graduation year. Ransom Everglades has always been a place where being smart was genuinely admired, where academic curiosity wasn’t just accepted but celebrated. There’s a connection, almost like a shorthand understanding of what it was like to grow up in an environment where students supported one another, pushed each other and genuinely enjoyed being part of something bigger than themselves. That shared foundation of community and mutual respect is what continues to unite graduates across generations.

 

MG: Contributing to financial aid is important to me because it ensures that RE’s current students are obtaining the support to keep our school’s community thriving.

 

NR: Financial aid is personally important to me because it made attending RE more accessible for both my sister, Jackie Roederer ’17, and me. When speaking with alumni, I try to express the tangible impact The Fund for RE makes on the student body and school. It allows for a diverse community of thought and experiences, which is central to Ransom Everglades’ guiding principles.

 

SR: Financial aid matters to me because it ensures that the Ransom Everglades experience isn’t limited to just one type of student – it opens the door for a community that’s genuinely diverse, dynamic and reflective of the real world. I think RE is at its best when students from different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences learn alongside one another. That mix is a huge part of what shaped me and is something I want future students to have as well. When I talk to alumni who may not fully realize the impact, I explain that financial aid doesn’t just change one student’s life – it strengthens the entire school. It enriches classrooms, expands conversations and creates a community where everyone benefits from learning with people who aren’t exactly like them. It’s about making sure the opportunities we had remain accessible and that Ransom Everglades continues to grow in a way that reflects its values.

 

MG: Explaining the Young Benefactor Scholars program to those who are not familiar with it, and being able to share updates on our scholar recipient and the progress we’ve made together each year.

 

NR: Driving home that our donation is going to support a student on campus today – and that each year, our collective effort makes it possible to welcome a new Young Benefactor Scholar.

 

SR: Explaining that we are giving the gift of RE to a deserving student! Everyone is excited to give back once they hear where their money is going. 

 

MG: The Pathways Scholars program is such a unique program that I wish were in place when I was at RE. This program guides students to invest in areas of study they are passionate about and explore such topics through more focused coursework and hands-on experiences. 

 

NR: The Explorer Externship Program. I think it’s a wonderful way for students to explore their interests, [learn] what excites them and potentially what doesn’t. 

 

SR: I’m really excited about the new humanities building (scheduled to begin construction in late 2026) and the way the entire campus is evolving. It’s amazing to see Ransom Everglades continue to grow in such intentional, forward-thinking ways while keeping the same spirit we remember.