RE Log - Fall 2021

24 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2021 Ransom Everglades’ 2021 Commencement took place in the vast Watsco Center at the University of Miami with masks and social distancing, but it was held in person, and for that the school’s 163 graduating seniors were grateful. A year after RE held a virtual graduation because of the pandemic, the 118th commencement exercises went on with plenty of pomp and circumstance, and even traditional RE touches. Head of School Penny Townsend summed up the atmosphere when she stood behind the Ransom Everglades lecturn – which had been bubble-wrapped and carted from the Lewis Family Auditorium – to welcome the graduates, seated six feet apart in folding chairs on the arena floor. Student ews Class of 2021 appreciates in-person celebration A Commencement Like No Other She declared: “Today we celebrate an extraordinary class during extraordinary times.” Extraordinary times, indeed: Faculty sat spaced out in spectator seating, across from families, who gathered in socially distanced pods. Still, family members cheered and hooted, as always, as each graduate crossed the stage to receive a diploma from the head of school and board chair Jeffrey Hicks ’84 – who handed three to his triplets, Axel Hicks ’21, Hanna Hicks ’21 and Sebastian Hicks ’21 . Jeff Miller ’79 received the Founders’ Alumni Award and gave the commencement address, and he intercepted his son Lenny Miller ’21 and niece Kelli Miller ’21 after they accepted their diplomas, posing for the event photographer and snagging a selfie. During his remarks, he reminisced about learning from legendary English teacher Dan Leslie Bowden, and urged graduates to take the time to remember those that touched their lives and helped them grow. “My wish for each of you is to stay connected and feed off the tremendous energy and shared values that Ransom Everglades has both taught and reinforced over the years,” he said. “I Photos by Jenny Abreu and Suzanne Kores