38 Ransom Everglades LOG SPRING 2026 By Luz Stella Perez de Corcho ’11 Marissa Schwartz Gimelstein ’06, Nicole Roederer ’16 and Sophia Reyes ’16 are passionate volunteers for the Young Benefactor Circle (YBC). They represent different class years but share a common goal: supporting financial aid at Ransom Everglades. What does it mean to you to collaborate with alumni from different graduating classes? Marissa Schwartz Gimelstein ’06: Even after graduating from RE, my connection to the school has only grown through my work on the alumni board, where I collaborate with alumni from other graduating classes. Working together across class years strengthens our ability to boost alumni engagement and expand our volunteer efforts. These cross-class relationships keep the RE community alive and continually evolving. Nicole Roederer ’16: Collaborating with alumni from different graduating classes shows how our shared experience transcends age and time. Even if we graduated years apart, we can still identify with one another because we all lived The RE Way. That common foundation creates a unique bond and gives us similar perspectives on school, life and our values, making collaboration feel natural and meaningful. Sophia Reyes ’16: Regardless of graduating class, our fellow RE alumni are incredible collaborators. Each person brings unique perspectives and experiences – some that only time can shape. It’s truly a privilege to work with and learn from such an inspiring group. I’ve genuinely enjoyed getting to know each one of them better. Spotlight on the Young Benefactor Circle and Financial Aid Have you discovered any shared values or experiences that unite alumni? MG: No matter when an alum graduated, RE students are taught to espouse the ideals of Paul Ransom: that we are in the world not for what we can take from it, but for what we can contribute to it. This shared mindset – grounded in service, purpose and giving back – creates a deep sense of unity among RE alumni, regardless of age or graduating year. NR: The student experience at Ransom Everglades is something I’ve been able to connect with alumni across different decades. Some parts feel instantly familiar, while others, rooted in a similar beginning, have naturally evolved to suit the current student body. It’s always amazing hearing what’s different and what has stayed the same. Each student and class leave their mark on the school, and, of course, we all share those classic RE traditions – like Outward Bound – that always bring back stories and laughs. SR: Absolutely. One thing that stands out to me is how deeply shared the RE experience feels, no matter the graduation year. Ransom Everglades has always been a place where being smart was genuinely admired, where academic curiosity wasn’t just accepted but celebrated. There’s a connection, almost like a shorthand understanding of what it was like to grow up in an environment where students supported one another, pushed each other and genuinely enjoyed being part of something bigger than themselves. That shared foundation of community and mutual respect is what continues to unite graduates across generations. Why is financial aid such an important priority for you personally? How do you explain the impact of financial aid to fellow alumni who may not be familiar with its significance? MG: Contributing to financial aid is important to me because it ensures that RE’s current students are obtaining the support to keep our school’s community thriving. NR: Financial aid is personally important to me because it made attending RE more accessible for both my sister, Jackie Roederer ’17, and me. When speaking with alumni, I try to express the tangible impact The Fund for RE makes on the student body and school. It allows for a diverse community of thought and experiences, which is central to Ransom Everglades’ guiding principles. SR: Financial aid matters to me because it ensures that the Ransom Everglades experience isn’t limited to just one type of student – it opens the door for a community that’s genuinely diverse, Marissa Schwartz Gimelstein ’06
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