RE Log Spring 2023

SPRING 2023 Ransom Everglades LOG 39 College Commitments Nine Raiders will continue their sports in college A Golden Night Three enter the RE Athletic Hall of Fame Ransom Everglades held a signing ceremony Feb. 2 at the Anderson gymnasium to recognize the nine senior student-athletes who committed to continue their athletic careers in college: Sophia Adams ’23 (sailing, Tulane), Olivia Drulard ’23 (sailing, Dartmouth), Alexa Geller ’23 (crew, University of Miami), Florine Lijesen ’23 (crew, Duke), Jackson McAliley ’23 (sailing, Penn), Thomas Segrera ’23 (crew, Georgetown), Kathryn Serra ’23 (crew, Harvard), Karyna Steele ’23 (soccer, Macalester) and Sarah Velazco ’23 (water polo, McKendree). “Days like these are always special with the journey of our young athletes,” Director of Upper School Athletics Scott Berman said. “Their commitment to their craft, their dedica- tion to being great students and great athletes is obviously what we strive for at RE.” Ransom Everglades inducted two- time Olympic gold medalist Ashleigh Johnson ’12 into the RE Athletic Hall of Fame along with tennis player John P. Geraghty ’73 and three-sport athlete Lola Arellano Pegg ’93 during a recognition dinner at the Pagoda on Oct. 6. Johnson, who will try for a third gold medal in Paris in 2024, won five state championships (four in water polo, one in swimming) at RE. She played on three world championship teams and has competed professionally overseas. Still considered the best water polo goalie in the world, she shared memories and gratitude from her years at RE, noting that she didn’t realize how lucky she was until she departed. “This is unbelievable – such a cool class to be inducted with,” Johnson said. “I’m so honored and so proud ... There have been so many people that had such a great impact on my life ... I would never be here today without all of those people. Thank you to Ransom Everglades for being one of the greatest ‘teams’ of my life.” RE math and computer science teacher and water polo coach Eric Lefebvre introduced Johnson; Bothwell Gonas ’89 introduced Geraghty; and Konky Arellano ’90 introduced Pegg, his sister. Geraghty won a state title at RE in 1972, then went on to captain the University of Miami team, achieve All- America recognition, and reach the top 300 in singles on the ATP men’s tennis tour. He played in the U.S. Open and at Wimbledon. He reflected on the people who influenced him in life and at RE, namely teaching legends Dan Bowden, Mike Stokes, Jim Beverley ’62 and Barbara Lester. “Ransom Everglades provided me with everything,” he said. Pegg achieved four varsity letters by the time she was in eighth grade, excelling as a swimmer and water polo player. When she decided to play basketball in her junior year, she also starred, winning all-county recognition. She received all-county honors five times, and participated in six water polo state championships before heading to Davidson College. She and Allen Pegg have four children at RE: Jackson ’23, Quinn ’26, Nate ’26 and Lola ’26. “Ransom Everglades is the greatest thing ever to happen to me in my life,” she said. “It’s the greatest decision my parents made … I’ve always been proud to be a Raider, and I learned so much about life and commitment through my high school career.” Lola Arellano Pegg ’93, Ashleigh Johnson ’12, John P. Geraghty ’73