RE Log - Fall 2022

32 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2022 On Campus In an annual celebration of reading, OBODOS (One Book, One Day, One School) returned to the middle school on March 9 with New York Times best-selling author James Ponti and a full day of activities related to the first book in his Framed! mystery series. The entire middle school read the book in preparation for the fourth annual event, which included question-and-answer sessions with the author, small-group writing workshops, escape rooms, puzzles, FBI training and more. Ponti, who received an Edgar Award for juvenile mystery fiction for the Framed! series, is also as an Emmy- nominated television writer and producer who lives in Orlando. During a series of assemblies in Swenson Hall, Ponti shared his journey from Pisa, Italy, where he was born, to Atlantic Beach, Fla., where he went to elementary and high school, and then the University of Southern California. After years in television, he started writing books, and – unlike most authors – has never had a manuscript rejected. Middle school librarian Meghan Kramer led the 16-member OBODOS committee that put together this year’s event. Florida Senator Shevrin D. Jones visited Ransom Everglades as part of the school’s celebration of Black History Month, participating in a lively question-and- answer session with members of the school’s Black Student Association on February 14. While seated amid students on the Lewis Family Auditorium stage, Jones touched on his personal journey, experience in state politics and deeply rooted interest in education. Reflecting on Author enthralls during OBODOS State senator visits during Black History Month celebration his path from AP Chemistry teacher to the Florida state legislature, he explained how his belief in young people has driven him. “I don’t have faith in politicians, and that includes me,” he said from the auditorium stage. “I have faith in y’all. The next 10 years are going to be a turning point for this country. I can’t wait until that happens.” Wendell Graham ’74 , RE’s Director of Inclusion and Community Engagement, introduced Jones and the panel of interviewers: Chrissy Francis ’22, Leah Croom ’24 , Tyira Jackson ’24 , Jamora Arroyo-Jefferson ’24 and Lauren Howard ’23 , and humanities faculty member Dr. Brandon King. Jones, the son of a pastor father and teacher mother, shared his winding journey to Florida’s house in 2002, then state senate in 2020. After graduating from Florida A&M, he deferred his acceptance to medical school for a year and began to teach at a public school. When assigned a low-level chemistry class, he began to understand the challenges and obstacles facing students reading below their grade level. That experience inspired him to run for office and put his med school plans on permanent hold. Jones, a Democrat from Florida’s district 35, described himself as a consensus builder and advocate. “I feel obligated to be an advocate,” he said, “but not just for one community. I am a firm believer if you’re going to fight for people, there’s no boundaries on who that includes ... If you’re being treated wrong, or marginalized, you deserve somebody to stand up for you.” Florida Senator Shevrin D. Jones