RE Log Spring 2023

SPRING 2023 Ransom Everglades LOG 73 Kerry Corlett ’88, age 52, of Fort Collins, Colo., passed away on Thursday, December 8, 2022. David Egozi ’10, age 30, of Bay Harbor Islands, Fla., passed away on Wednesday, December 14, 2022. William Shandor ’80 , beloved former student, teacher and coach at Ransom Everglades for more than 20 years, passed away on September 26, 2022. As a student-athlete, Bill helped lead the RE boys’ water polo team to the school’s first state water polo title in its history in 1979. Bill went on to play Division 1 college water polo at Pepperdine University, where he had an outstanding four-year career playing at the highest levels of the sport. Bill returned to Ransom Everglades in 1985, where he began his long career as a teacher and coach on both campuses. Bill coached the girls’ water polo team to consecutive state titles in 1990 and 1991 as part of that team’s incredible four titles from 1988 through 1991. He coached the boys’ water polo teams to several state finals appearances and in-season tournament wins. He also coached on the staff of the 1990 girls’ state championship volleyball team. He and former faculty member Mike Stokes also coached the girls’ varsity basketball team. His middle school basketball teams were also consistently excellent. As a social studies teacher, Bill encouraged his students to be themselves and chase their dreams. His lectures were poignant, interesting, funny and inspiring; he brought out the best in his students. Bill was not just a teacher, he was a mentor, and remained in touch and close friends with many of his former students long after they graduated. It is impossible to overstate the impact Bill Shandor had on Ransom Everglades, and the thousands of students whose lives he touched and influenced in the most positive of ways. There was nothing better than hearing Bill laugh, encouraging a student in the pool after scoring a goal or attending one of his lectures. Bill is survived by his wife, Imane; three beautiful children, Maryam, Yusef and Dija; mother, JoAnn; and sisters, Lori Morrison and Monica Shandor Guza ’82 . Elizabeth “Liz” (Petersen) Moya ’99 passed away Feb. 21, 2023, after courageously battling multiple sclerosis, breast cancer and pulmonary fibrosis. She was 42. A testament to this woman’s strength and fortitude, it took not one, but three different diseases acting in concert, to steal her from her family and our community. Born February 20, 1981, in Miami to Byron and Barbara Petersen, Liz was a graduate of Ransom Everglades School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in social science and master’s in public administration, both from Florida State University. After meeting Chris in Tallahassee, they married in 2006 and she simultaneously became Aidyn’s stepmother. Their family grew with the birth of twins – Samantha and Jake – in 2011. From walking on her eight-foot-tall stilts or riding on a unicycle as a kid in circus camp, paddling the Everglades for seven days without seeing land, rock climbing in North Carolina and Georgia, to her elk hunting honeymoon, her sense of adventure and fearlessness were hallmarks of her vibrant personality. Graced with an incredible smile, framed with picturesque dimples, Liz was – in the words of her husband, Chris – “Audrey Hepburn, but better looking.” Her elegance was always accentuated by her “popped-collar” and monogrammed appearance. Liz was a loving daughter, devoted wife and a phenomenal mother whose professional career was focused on public service for more than 20 years. After graduating from Florida State University in just two years, she served in the House Rules Committee, Senate Majority Office and Senate President’s Office. She later served as Director of Legislative Affairs for the Florida Office of Early Learning and in the Florida Department of Education. Liz went on to serve as Assistant Vice Chancellor of Articulation and Career Education Policy and Director of Legislative Affairs and Social Projects at the Florida Department of Education. Known for her signature greeting to anyone with whom she interacted, her use of the phrase “Hi friend!” typically was followed with a quick offer of colorful candy. Liz is truly loved and will be deeply missed by her husband (Chris), children (Samantha, Jake and Aidyn) and mother (Barbara). A scholarship is being set up in Liz’s name at Florida State University. For those interested in contributing, please email lizmoyamemory@gmail.com . Our world is a much dimmer place, as one of our brightest and most beautiful stars has fallen from the sky.