RE LOG Fall 2024

26 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2024 On Campus Off to Change the World The Class of 2024 graduates with wit, wisdom and a challenge Dave Barry P’99 R ansom Everglades sent off the Class of 2024 with wit, wisdom and a challenge. Noted Miami author and humorist Dave Barry P’99 provided a mix of hilarious anecdotes and practical advice during his commencement address, and Joshua Williams ’18 offered a challenge to the Class of 2024 after receiving the 2024 Founders’ Alumni Award for Distinguished Service to the Community. The namesake of the Joshua’s Heart Foundation and recipient of countless humanitarian awards, Williams called on the graduating seniors to do nothing less than change the world. “We have been given such an amazing gift, an opportunity … that comes with a burden of responsibility and duty to each other, to yourself and to your nation,” said Williams, who in 2012 became the youngest recipient of the White House Champions of Change Award and in 2017 was awarded the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award (see story on page 6). “It’s really important to band together, to think and to challenge each other to solve the most complicated, intellectually stimulating and challenging questions and problems that humanity has ever faced.” A spray of confetti and blue-and-green balloon drop concluded the May 24 ceremony on the Lewis Family Auditorium stage as RE’s Class of 2024 became the school’s newest alumni, ready to head off to 73 colleges and universities in 21 states and five countries. Prior to Williams’ remarks, Barry entertained the graduates and their families with various stories, including of driving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile to the middle school campus to pick up his mortified son, Rob Barry ’99 , from seventh grade. The elder Barry also turned thoughtful, sharing his journey from small-town newspaper reporter to successful author, syndicated columnist and Pulitzer Prize winner. His message to students: Work for – rather than wait on – success. “That’s my message for you, the members of the Class of 2024,” Barry said. “It’s fine to have a dream, but you also need a job …. Get out there in the world and get started. The sooner you start, the sooner you will get there, wherever ‘there’ turns out to be. I hope it’s some place great. I wish you all the best.” Chloe Alfonso ’24 gave the valedictory address, imparting her own wisdom: “I know this stage is filled with people who are going to make their mark on the world,” she said. “And I know none of you need it, but good luck. As my other favorite philosopher, Winnie the Pooh, once said, ‘You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.’ I can’t wait to see what you do.” Associate Head of School John A. King Jr. presented Alfonso with the Valedictory Cup and salutatorian Elliot Gross ’24 with the Salutatory Cup. Head of School Rachel Rodriguez and COO and then-Interim Head of the Upper School David Clark ’86 presented various commencement awards: Jake Perdigon ’24 received the Paul C. Ransom Founder’s Cup; Stephanie Wallen ’24 received the Marie B. Swenson Founder’s Cup; and James Brown Urmeneta ’24 received the Head of School’s Cup. Francisco Joshua Williams ’18