SPRING 2026 Ransom Everglades LOG 57 Faculty Notes Daisy Armas, see CJ Joseph ’15, Michael Toccin ’03 Donald Cramp Jr., see Jacques Holzmann ’07 Cecilia Gonzalez, see Matthew Zide ’22 John A. King Jr., see Jeffrey Miller ’79 Laura Miller, see Michael Toccin ’03 Katrina Patchett, see Michael Toccin ’03 Rachel Rodriguez, see Jeffrey Miller ’79 and Matthew Beatty ’01 Smita Sen, digital arts teacher in the RE Arts Department, was featured in Columbia University’s undergraduate alumni magazine for her unique translation of dance and movement into visual art. Inspired by her time as a caregiver to her father and fueled by her love of art, Smita started a non-profit, Manipura Care Network, which provides a variety of free art-focused programming for young caregivers in South Florida, with transportation, meals and art supplies included. In Loving Memory Former RE world languages teacher Maria del Carmen Naranjo passed away in late November 2025 after a battle with cancer. Dr. Naranjo taught upper school Spanish for 18 years, retiring in June 2020. An expert in literature, she served as an AP Spanish Language and Literature teacher, offering kind guidance and insights to RE’s top language students. She also brought style and spirit to the RE community; many will remember her extravagant Halloween costumes and the fun she had wearing them. Nancy Peet Denaro ’74, beloved mother, sister and friend to many, departed this world on January 8, 2026. Born in Elizabeth, N.J., on August 22, 1956, Nancy was the first child of Mary Sheila Walsh Peet and John Randolph Peet. From an early age, she showed a love of acting and art while excelling in academics. She was a graduate of Ransom Everglades School and continued her education at Rollins College, George Washington University and the University of Miami, where she earned her law degree. When Dr. Naranjo retired at the height of the Covid pandemic, RE could not celebrate her in person as the school was operating virtually. However, in partnership with the Ransom Everglades Parents’ Association, Danny Mendoza ’21 hand-delivered a bag of goodies and a sign that said it all: “A truly great teacher is hard to find and impossible to forget.” Indeed, Dr. Naranjo was beloved by students and respected by her peers. She spent most of her life in her beloved Miami. After retiring from criminal law, she worked with the Florida Guardian ad Litem Program, advocating for children in family court. She will be remembered for her knowledge of history, patriotism and quirky sense of humor. She is survived by her daughters, Adrienne Denaro (Nasri Mukhar) and Madeline Denaro; her son, Gregory Denaro; her sister, Donna Peet Potolsky ’77; and her nephews, Nicholas Potolsky (Jacky Potolsky) and Maxwell Potolsky. She lives in our hearts and memories forever.
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