Class of 2017 graduates will 'stand for something'
Celebrated filmmaker and photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders ’70 urged the Ransom Everglades Class of 2017 to “stand for something” before the 150-plus graduates walked across the Lewis Family Auditorium stage to collect their diplomas at the school’s 113th commencement, which ended in a sea of blue and green balloons, confetti and silly string. Photo Galleries
Head of School Penny Townsend distributed the school's highest awards at the May 19 event, presenting the Faculty Cup to valedictorian John Mistele '17; the Paul C. Ransom Founder's Cup to Benjamin Freeman '17; the Marie B. Swenson Founder's Cup to Debbie Ajagbe '17; and the Head of School Cup to Michael Colonna '17.
She also presented the Founders' Alumni Award to Greenfield-Sanders, who enthralled the audience by sharing his journey from his days at Ransom Everglades – where he was profoundly influenced by former faculty members Dan Bowden, Mike Stokes and Geoff Pietsch – to Columbia University, the American Film Institute and finally into the captivating worlds of film and photography.
There, he benefited from a mix of unexpected encounters and powerful connections with the likes of Bette Davis, Andy Warhol, Lou Reed and Toni Morrison to develop his two passions, eventually earning a Grammy Award as a filmmaker and acclaim as a photographer.
He noted that Morrison, the Nobel Prize-winning author, stands for something "at a time most people don't dare stand for something."
"Seniors, I hope you will make Ransom Everglades proud," Greenfield-Sanders said, "and I expect you to stand for something."
Greenfield-Sanders learned to stand for something from his mother Ruth Greenfield, the civil rights pioneer who founded the Fine Arts Conservatory in Miami and sat in the audience. Read his full remarks here.
Head of the Upper School Ken Mills introduced salutatorian Ryan Guillen '17, who had addressed his peers and their parents during the May 13 Senior Send-Off, and Mistele, the valedictorian. Mistele left the audience in stitches with his recollections of the Class of 2017's bumpy ride through Ransom Everglades, but by the end of his remarks he turned serious, thoughtful and inspiring. Borrowing from the late Steve Jobs, he urged his classmates to "stay hungry and foolish" while adding his own touch to the admonishment: Stay grateful.
The ceremony featured music by the Ransom Everglades Commencement Band directed by Jon Hamm, and the vocal efforts of Carson Hoffer-Hawlik '19, Andrea Pearl '19, Danielle Pena '18, Isa Pena '19, Sammy Schechter '18, Rachel Seipp '19 and Rudy Prio Touzet '18.
Photo Galleries
Senior Send-Off Video
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She also presented the Founders' Alumni Award to Greenfield-Sanders, who enthralled the audience by sharing his journey from his days at Ransom Everglades – where he was profoundly influenced by former faculty members Dan Bowden, Mike Stokes and Geoff Pietsch – to Columbia University, the American Film Institute and finally into the captivating worlds of film and photography.
There, he benefited from a mix of unexpected encounters and powerful connections with the likes of Bette Davis, Andy Warhol, Lou Reed and Toni Morrison to develop his two passions, eventually earning a Grammy Award as a filmmaker and acclaim as a photographer.
He noted that Morrison, the Nobel Prize-winning author, stands for something "at a time most people don't dare stand for something."
"Seniors, I hope you will make Ransom Everglades proud," Greenfield-Sanders said, "and I expect you to stand for something."
Greenfield-Sanders learned to stand for something from his mother Ruth Greenfield, the civil rights pioneer who founded the Fine Arts Conservatory in Miami and sat in the audience. Read his full remarks here.
Head of the Upper School Ken Mills introduced salutatorian Ryan Guillen '17, who had addressed his peers and their parents during the May 13 Senior Send-Off, and Mistele, the valedictorian. Mistele left the audience in stitches with his recollections of the Class of 2017's bumpy ride through Ransom Everglades, but by the end of his remarks he turned serious, thoughtful and inspiring. Borrowing from the late Steve Jobs, he urged his classmates to "stay hungry and foolish" while adding his own touch to the admonishment: Stay grateful.
"And so we step, hungry, foolish, and grateful, from the halls of Ransom Everglades into the world, and nothing is going to stop this class," Mistele said. Find his complete address here.
The class was welcomed by Rudy Prio Touzet '76, the chair of the school's board of trustees who reflected on his RE commencement "just a few decades ago." Seniors also received a resounding congratulations from Townsend, who urged the graduating seniors, as they headed off to 64 different colleges and universities, to "carry the RE ethos with you and ... make the world a better place. We're counting on you ... We believe in you."
Michael Sanchez '17, who is headed to the U.S. Naval Academy in the fall, was welcomed by a U.S. Navy captain, and the legendary Mr. Bowden offered the benediction.
The class was welcomed by Rudy Prio Touzet '76, the chair of the school's board of trustees who reflected on his RE commencement "just a few decades ago." Seniors also received a resounding congratulations from Townsend, who urged the graduating seniors, as they headed off to 64 different colleges and universities, to "carry the RE ethos with you and ... make the world a better place. We're counting on you ... We believe in you."
Michael Sanchez '17, who is headed to the U.S. Naval Academy in the fall, was welcomed by a U.S. Navy captain, and the legendary Mr. Bowden offered the benediction.
The ceremony featured music by the Ransom Everglades Commencement Band directed by Jon Hamm, and the vocal efforts of Carson Hoffer-Hawlik '19, Andrea Pearl '19, Danielle Pena '18, Isa Pena '19, Sammy Schechter '18, Rachel Seipp '19 and Rudy Prio Touzet '18.
Photo Galleries
Senior Send-Off Video
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.