RE Log Fall 2016

FALL 2016 Ransom Everglades LOG 35 Holocaust survivor thanks RE class 2017 National Merit Semifinalists Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate who died in July at the age of 87, sent a thank-you note to students in Ransom Everglades’ ninth grade just days before his death, expressing his appreciation for the collection of tributes they had sent at the end of the last school year after reading his book, Night. More than 60 ninth graders contributed poems, drawings and letters. Jenny Carson ‘03 , the World Civilizations teacher who compiled and sent off the 67- page book of tributes, couldn’t believe her eyes when she picked up the letter in her school mail box upon returning from a summer vacation. She had heard of Wiesel’s death during her trip – and wondered whether he had ever received the mailing. “I looked in my mail box, and there happened to be a letter from him,” she recalled. “It gave me chills.” In the letter to Carson’s and Jeremiah Rosenfels’ classes, Wiesel wrote, “I am moved to learn of the effect that my memoir, Night, had on you. As a writer, nothing is more impor- tant. From your words, it’s obvious that you are very sensitive to the darkness of which I wrote.” Wiesel, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986, wrote nearly five dozen books and helped found the National Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and New York Human Rights Foundation. He personally signed the note. Twenty-two seniors were named 2017 National Merit Semifinalists in September, rep- resenting the highest number ever at Ransom Everglades in the 60-year history of the prestigious competition. The students will continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth about $33 million that will be awarded next spring. Only one percent of students who take the Preliminary SAT during their junior year are recognized as National Merit Semifinalists. “We are extremely proud of all of our National Merit Semifinalists,” Head of School Penny Townsend said. “Each has worked hard to achieve this honor and truly deserves it. We applaud each one, and also recognize the incredible teachers and challenging cur- riculum that together allow our students to achieve and excel.” Ransom Everglades’ 2017 National Merit Semifinalists: Thorstein R. Andreassen, Lea Broudo, Eric Y. Cai, Kavya Chaturvedi, Owen S. Dyke, Sylvia Ebenbach, Benjamin A. Freeman, Ryan M. Guillen, Anne E. Gutierrez, Matias Junghahn, Paul T. Kalandiak, Joon Young Kim, Adina E. Kruijssen, Delilah M. Lubarsky, John H. Mistele, Chloe A. Namias, Timothy O’Brien, Cristina B. Otero, Juliana L. Ramirez, Alejandro F. Sannia, Lauren S. Simkovic, Clara C. Simmons.