24 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2025 The Class of 2025 heard words of encouragement and inspiration from valedictorian Andrew Gedde ’25. The seniors received thoughtful advice – and plenty of laugh-outloud one-liners – from famous filmmaker and commencement speaker Phil Lord ’93. And at the conclusion of the moving graduation ceremony on May 23, each senior walked across the Lewis Family Auditorium stage to collect a hard-earned Ransom Everglades diploma from board chair Miguel Dueñas ’95 and Head of School Rachel Rodriguez. Finally, amid green confetti and a shower of blue and green balloons, the Class of 2025 jubilantly departed campus as RE alumni – a new role that ensures they remain a part of RE forever. “This place is more than a school; it’s a community,” said Dueñas, who attended RE with his twin brother and both met their spouses at RE. “One that spans a lifetime, and across generations. Today, students, as you prepare to leave it behind, you join it in a new way: as alumni. That identity and all the wonderful memories you formed here will stay with you, long after your last class, your last assignment, or your last grade. You will cherish these memories and the friends that you have made here for the rest of your life.” The commencement speaker Lord – who along with professional partner Chris Miller is the creative genius behind Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, The Class of 2025 graduates into a welcoming alumni community On The Lego Movie and the Academy Awardwinning Spider-Man: Into the SpiderVerse – entertained seniors with a speech that veered from hilarious to deeply thoughtful. The end goal: to help seniors believe they could accomplish anything. “Your job now is to go forth and make your way with the same love and care with which you were raised and fed and educated and coached,” he said. “Don’t waste any more energy worrying if you have what it takes. You do. Don’t waste energy looking up to people like me like we have some kind of secret. We don’t.” Annie Lord ’97 received the Founders’ Award for Distinguished Service to the Community, then during brief remarks admonished seniors to consider career paths in public service or, as she described it, as “goodness entrepreneurs.” Lord, executive director at Miami Homes For All, works to ensure that all Miami-Dade residents have safe, affordable places to call home. (Read more on page 38.) Chief Operating Officer David Clark ’86 lauded her work advocating for policies and providing programs that increase the amount of affordable housing and Miami residents’ access to it. “I know from experience, there is no one better equipped to solve our society’s problems than you,” Lord said. “You are the cavalry. And in the future, many of you will likely help run this city. I invite you to come home and lead it. I believe in each of you and your core values, your discernment, your effectiveness and your vision to transform the ugliness in society into beauty. Whatever you choose in your life, I know you will contribute to the greater good.” Campus Phil Lord ’93 Andrew Gedde ’25 and John A. King Jr.
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