RE LOG Fall 2024

2 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2024 From The Pagoda The healthiest, most robust communities are those that challenge us and help us grow. A few weeks ago, RE welcomed 16 seniors into the Cum Laude Society, which recognizes the top 10 percent of the graduating class. The inductees joined me and other school leaders for a special dinner at the Pagoda. This is always a night of warmth, reminiscences and, of course, a feeling of accomplishment. One by one, the seniors shared pivotal lessons they learned at RE. Not one student talked about a particular class or discipline. Some described moments with particular teachers, and others shared stories of personal growth. “Each time I encounter something that’s difficult,” one said, “I have learned to ask myself: How can I learn to love this?” Another said: “Small classes taught me that I had to learn to be vulnerable in an academic space without feeling overwhelmed.” Another: “I learned that my learning is not programmatic or transactional. My learning is not linear, and it can happen in and out of the classroom.” This magazine provides a particular insight into the RE community and the growth mindset that has evolved and strengthened our school across decades. Our teachers understand this mindset better than anyone. The art of teaching requires creativity and a deep emotional connection to students. Our faculty know when to challenge our students and when to nurture them, and they are able to transform a simple lesson into a moment of magical inspiration. They turn every classroom into a community, where students feel safe to express themselves, take risks and – most importantly – grow. You will read about 2024 Founders’ Award winner Joshua Williams ’18 , who has been at work reimagining the very organization, the Joshua’s Heart Foundation, that has brought him extraordinary recognition and accolades from South Florida to the White House (see page 6). In his years working to end global hunger, Joshua has learned. Even as he has acquired myriad awards, he remains engaged by the search for solutions. That’s a mindset he acquired at RE and carried with him. One of the best parts of this story: It was written by fellow young alum, Sofia Andrade ’19 , a recent Harvard graduate and one of our earliest Dan Leslie Bowden Fellows in the Humanities. You will also learn about the return of Dr. Donald Cramp to Ransom Everglades as Head of the Upper School in a piece (page 20) written by English Department faculty member Dr. Matt Margini. Don was so fascinated by the history of our school that he studied it for his dissertation. During his educational journey, he became passionate A Community that Grows Together, Stays Together Our faculty ... turn every classroom into a community, where students feel safe to express themselves, take risks and – most importantly – grow.” “