RE Log Spring 2021

64 Ransom Everglades LOG SPRING 2021 Class Notes Heather “Heidi” Mason , see Erik Bernstein ’97 Sergio Andrés Mendoza writes, “In what would normally be our 25th reunion year, my friend Claudia Miyar Angles and I envisioned an RE ring as a way of engaging classmates during a virtual Zoom ‘party.’ How do we as members of Ransom Everglades connect when community events are often virtual? Whether joining a call from home in Miami or out of town, participants could celebrate wearing a ring that makes everyone feel more unified. As a result, the RE Shield Ring was created (www. pharaoun.com/REShield ) . The ring’s design symbolizes the strengths of the RE community, the enduring values of striving not just for oneself but for the greater good. The school colors adorn the Raider’s shield, an emblem of protection, honor and allegiance. The RE Shield ring is unique in that it is specifically designed for the RE community. The ring serves a dual purpose of engaging participation and also as a way to honor the community with a gift. One-hundred percent of the net proceeds from the ring will go to supporting the fine arts through The Bjørn Jensen, Chief Executive Officer of WhyReboot, writes, “I’m proud to mention that our company won three major awards in 2020 for two of our products and for being recognized as the growth partner of the year for the Home Technology Specialists of America (HTSA). The product awards were for our new Cloud management system Cumulus6, and one for my own invention, the Paramount. We launched [these products] because they can potentially help integrators to service, upgrade, and give homeowners more reliable ways to connect while they are safe at home — without their techs needing to go onsite. The Paramount is a universal in-ceiling access point mount that allows for faster connectivity and better performance, while blending into a home’s decor.” Fund for RE in memory of my sister, Beatriz Mendoza ’98 . Beatriz was an accomplished artist whose love of painting and drawing flourished as a student at Ransom Everglades. We were both taught by Astrid Dalins, who is still inspiring RE students to create beauty in this world. Even though Bea died in 2018, my hope is that by donating 100 percent of the net proceeds of this ring to the fine arts at Ransom Everglades, others will find the opportunity to see the world as she did. This ring would not have been possible without my RE friendships, and I want to thank Claudia Miyar Angles and Vicki Carbonell Williamson ’88 for making this ring a reality.” 1997 Class Agents: Enrique Conde (enrique.a.conde@gmail.com ), Daniel Echavarria (daniel.echavarria@gmail. com), Kanchan Sakhrani Lalwani (kanchani@aol.com) , Roy Meyeringh (roy.meyeringh@gmail.com ), Javier Millares (jmillares@millares.net ), Jessi Tamayo (jessitamayo@gmail.com ) Erik Bernstein writes, “My children do not remember anything about our trip to Spain. This has become a running joke in our household, with them ultimately reminding me, ‘That’s because we never went.’ Unfortunately, they are correct, as March 2020 unfolded very differently from what we, and most of the world, had planned. As internal medicine physicians, my wife ( Heather “Heidi” Mason ’96 ) and I saw our profession reinvented overnight. Having worked for 11 years as a hospitalist at South Miami Hospital, I watched as hospitals around the world were overrun with COVID-19 patients and braced for the waves of patients soon to come. Lessons learned in Europe and New York helped us to prepare, but did little to alleviate the fatigue driven by the sheer number of cases, the frustration of having so little to offer the sickest patients or the constant concern of becoming infected at work. As parents, we saw our children’s lives reinvented overnight. Our nine-year-old daughter completed third grade and started fourth grade via Zoom. She bravely returned to a classroom with social distancing and masks, devoid of many of the familiar interactions which are a part of elementary school. She emerged as our household Zoom expert, enthusiastically providing lessons to her hapless parents on virtual backgrounds and the infamous ‘mute’ button. Our five-year-old son, just a few weeks before starting pre-K, changed course and en- rolled in “Daddy School” instead, where in addition to reading and math, we have shared lessons learned while playing in the backyard, tending to our garden and repairing a variety of broken toys and ap- pliances. Fortunately, our COVID-19 sto- ry has not included any personal tragedy among immediate family or close friends. I fear that some of you have not been as lucky, and I extend my condolences and wish you better times ahead. We look forward to someday taking that trip to Nelly Farra is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Perchance, the app that introduces you to singles in your area and actually helps you meet them! Important Alumni Links Visit them for updated information REconnect: www.realumniconnect.org RE Alumni Webpage: www.ransomeverglades.org/alumni Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/ ransomevergladesalumni Instagram: www.instagram.com/ ransomevergladesalumni LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/groups/59316 Submit Class Notes for Fall 2021 at: bit.ly/2KX4qX6