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Brianna & Giavanna Marchese Become Headmistresses for a Day- May 11

Together, sisters Brianna ’16 and Giavanna Marchese ’15 assumed the very important role of Headmistress for a Day on Friday, May 11, 2012. As students at Ranney since 2001, being Headmistress for a Day provided the girls with a special opportunity to revisit their roots and show current Headmaster, Lawrence S. Sykoff, Ed.D., where their journey as Panthers began 11 short years ago.

Not only did the day’s agenda include VIP seating at a “Parents’ Day Performance” in RSPA Panther Hall, but the schedule also consisted of a tour of the Lower School Academic Complex. After watching their younger sister, Serena Marchese ’26, perform such songs as Skidamarink during a Beginners through Kindergarten concert, Brianna and Giavanna then paid a visit to Miss Grippo’s Beginners classroom, where they played blocks with Serena, who was Ranney’s Junior-Headmistress for a Day, and indulged in cupcakes — a special treat from Dr. Sykoff.

Following several family pictures in Panther Hall Gallery and on the Great Lawn, Brianna and Giavanna then took a stroll through the hallways of the Lower School with Dr. Sykoff, where they stopped to see former teachers Mary Puorro, Meg Moruzzi, Kerry Donovan and Kristen Kapcsos, and school principal Patricia Marshall. For Brianna, reliving memories with her old teachers was by far the best part of her experience as Headmistress for a Day. According to Mrs. Puorro, Brianna, who now participates in equestrian, drew nothing but horses when she was four-years-old. Other hobbies currently enjoyed by Brianna include digital photography, field hockey and track. Meanwhile, Giavanna is also active in field hockey and equestrian, as well as varsity softball and the Upper School Science Research Club.

In what will surely come in handy out on the softball field and Guidone Track, Brianna and Giavanna also received personalized Ranney jackets as a gift from Dr. Sykoff. Additionally, the girls were given their own Ranney blazers, stationary, business cards, plaques, picture frames and more. Before finishing out their day, Ranney’s Headmistresses were also asked to make several big decisions. These included declaring a dress-down day for their corresponding divisions and creating a special lunch menu to be had on Friday, May 18. While the Middle School will partake in chicken fingers and cupcakes as preferred by Brianna, the Upper School will be granted pizza and an ice cream sundae bar as selected by Giavanna. If Headmistress every day, Brianna claims she would also instill a rule making each Friday a half-day school day. Meanwhile, Giavanna would decree a revised dress code to complement warmer weather.

As one last perk given to Ranney’s Headmaster(s) for a Day, the girls will also host a pizza and movie party in the DLC following the spring sports season. Both Brianna and Giavanna will indulge in pizza, pretzels and cookies while watching the movie “Soul Surfer” alongside classmates within their advisee groups. Although being Headmistress for a Day proved a wonderful experience, one that both girls hope their sister Serena will also get to witness when she is older, Brianna says she still has hopes of eventually pursuing a career with horses. In addition, Giavanna wishes to become a veterinarian, or maybe even a lawyer.

If you are interested in a chance for your children to experience what its like being Headmaster for a Day, there's still time to purchase your tickets for Ranney's annual “Headmaster for a Day” raffle, which will be held at the 25th Anniversary Panther Ball on Saturday, May 19th. To purchase tickets today, please click here.
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Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society.