30 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2026 Before the confetti cannons fired and blue and green balloons descended from the rafters at Ransom Everglades’ 123rd Commencement, the Class of 2026 sat together on the Lewis Family Auditorium stage, taking in one final, critical lesson from an array of impressive speakers. Valedictorian Charlotte Gould ’26, Founders’ Alumni Award winner Matthew Beatty ’01 and commencement speaker Ron Magill shared advice, reflections and inspiration in their addresses. Each came back to a common theme: encouraging the graduating seniors to go out into the world and leave it better than they find it. “True accomplishment goes beyond graduating,” said Magill, Zoo Miami’s Goodwill Ambassador and recently retired Zoo Miami communications director after 46 years. “It is reflected in the choices you make when no one is watching. It is defined by how you treat others, how you respond to adversity, and how you use your abilities to make a difference in the world around you.” Gould’s remarks included reminiscences about impactful experiences and gratitude to teachers, administrators, family and classmates. “As Ransom Everglades students,” Gould said, On Amid balloons and confetti, the Class of 2026 headed out into the world Campus “we know that it is not the diploma we are about to receive that matters. It is what we do with everything we have been given.” Beatty encouraged the seniors on stage to remain true to the values instilled in them at Ransom Everglades and “carry that torch so that this entire world can see the light that burns right here at Ransom.” “You have got what it takes,” he said. “You have the empathy, you have the intellect, and you’ve got the passion for hard work that it’s going to take to change the world.” RE’s Chief Operating Officer David Clark ’86 presented the Founders’ Alumni Award for Distinguished Service to the Community to Beatty 25 years after his graduation from Ransom Everglades. Now the Market Director - Miami for the MiamiDade Innovation Authority, Beatty helped turn Give Miami Day into one of the city’s most important fundraising instruments, and he also helped launch the State of Black Philanthropy during his tenure with The Miami Foundation. Read more about him and his efforts to elevate Miami in the story on page 6. “Matthew reminds us that true success is measured not only by achievement, but by service and the positive impact we have on others,” Clark said. “His leadership and commitment to the community make all of us at Ransom Everglades incredibly proud.” Charlotte Gould ’26 and Donald Cramp
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTY4MTI=