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Senior Class Scholars and Faculty Member Inducted into Cum Laude Society

Sixteen seniors and Dr. Nicole Martone are the newest members of the Ranney Cum Laude Chapter - view key speeches and photos.
On Friday, March 13, 2015, 16 seniors and one faculty member, English Teacher Dr. Nicole Martone, were inducted into the Ranney School Chapter of the Cum Laude Society. The society, which represents excellence, justice and honor, is a nationally recognized scholastic honor society that serves to recognize outstanding academic achievement in high school juniors and seniors. Cum Laude chapters exist only among a small percentage of secondary schools, primarily independent schools, and induct only the top 20% of these schools’ graduating senior class each year, thereby representing one of the highest academic honors bestowed on students nationwide.

The students inducted include: Avani Bhatnagar* (Holmdel), Erik Bovino* (Brielle), Samantha Chiarello (Holmdel), Cassandra Kalinowski (Monmouth Beach), Rachel Lasko (Morganville)s, Hailey Maher (Colts Neck), Rose Maisner (Bay Head), Raymond Moser (Shrewsbury), Caitlin Mullally (Red Bank), Alexandra Natsis* (Fair Haven), Elizabeth Roberts* (Ocean), Remi Rohl (Freehold), Elisa Stavola* (Holmdel), Ilayda Takil (Holmdel), George Timmins (Old Bridge) and Amy Winkler (Manasquan) (*designates Ranney Lifer students who have attended the school for 10 or more years). Not only do these students represent the top 20% of Ranney School’s Class of 2015 based on cumulative GPA, but they also represent the school’s artists, athletes, musicians, actors, club leaders, honor society leaders, student publication editors, community service advocates, AP scholars and more.

Performing Arts Department Chair Mr. John Doyle addressed the student inductees, and the parents, Upper Class students and faculty in the audience, saying, “Many of you have discovered that you have a talent, and that is a wonderful discovery because it becomes your compass for life, your road map, your passion.. Yet still, some of you are still exploring what you want to do. You still can’t answer the question posed to you since you were able to answer, ‘What are you going to be when you grow up?’ There is nothing wrong with that. You have time because even if you aren’t sure of your talent, your quest will lead you to knowledge.”

Ranney’s 2015 Cum Laude Faculty Inductee, Dr. Martone, has taught Upper School English since 2006 and also serves as the school’s Co-Chair of the Health and Wellness Student Performance Objective Committee, Co-Advisor of Upper School Diversity Club, Coordinator of Project Think (a drunk-driving awareness program for juniors) and as a former/alternate member of the Upper School Judicial Review Board. In her nearly 10 years at Ranney School, she has pursued multiple Professional Development opportunities to strengthen her teaching expertise in English, Diversity and Gender Studies. Dr. Martone holds a B.A. from The College of New Jersey in English Liberal Arts, an M.A. from Drew University in American Literature and a Doctor of Letters with distinction from Drew University.

“Dr. Martone is a sensitive scholar who loves the literature she teaches and who models intellectual curiosity for her students. She is very deserving of induction into the Cum Laude Society,” said Head of School Dr. John W. Griffith. “In addition to her exemplary teaching, she demonstrates deep care for her students and advisees and has worked to advance the efforts of the Diversity Club and other student organizations.”

In reflecting on her induction into the Cum Laude Society, Dr. Martone quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson, saying: “´Speak what you think now in hard words and tomorrow speak what tomorrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict everything you said today.’ And this is the key to all of it—to knowledge, scholarship, wisdom, and everything else–don’t be afraid of believing in what you say and be smart enough to change what you believe in after learning more.” Read Dr. Martone’s full speech here. Watch a video of her address in the gallery on this page.

As part of the ceremony, the Upper School Orchestra, directed by Dr. Dorothy Sobieski, performed several musical selections. Student Council President and Inductee Elizabeth Roberts led the ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance, and Judicial Review Board Member and Inductee Rachel Lasko provided an opening reflection, saying: “Each of my fellow inductees has attained this academic honor through hard work, perseverance and dedication. Their academic integrity and desire to strive for excellence does not go unseen.”

Inductees Hailey Maher and Rose Maisner provided student reflections. Said Rose Maisner in her address to the audience: “My favorite part of each induction has been hearing my peers and teachers deliver their speeches. Their eloquent anecdotes and reflections have taught me that scholarship is not a goal, but a continual path towards reaching future ones. From the moment we are born, we are on a journey of constant learning from the first word we speak to current challenging chemistry problems. Our goals may be universal, such as learning to communicate better, or individual, such as training to become a physician. Either way, knowledge is required. But, knowledge is not the only ingredient in creating a successful scholar. Curiosity drives a scholar’s insatiable thirst for new discoveries, which makes the process of learning as rewarding and exciting as the finds themselves.” Read Rose’s full speech here. Watch a video of her address in the gallery on this page.

Said Hailey Maher in her reflection: “There are innumerable ways to define what scholarship is and is not, but one thing remains certain: lifelong scholarship is more important today than ever before. We live in an age of increasing cultural conflicts, including debates over same-sex marriage, gender equality, and race relations. We all have a responsibility to educate ourselves not only about derivatives or verb conjugations but also about the world and society around us.” Read Hailey’s full speech here. Watch a video of her address in the gallery on this page.

Kristen Guyler, senior class president and Judicial Review Board member, closed the ceremony with these words: “Today, we celebrate those who have obtained a distinct level of knowledge, information and education. Throughout their four years of high school, they have worked diligently to understand material provided in the classroom by continually seeking further explanations and answers… For underclassmen, I hope you look to these students as role models. You should all strive to achieve the same level of knowledge, information and education because, with these tools, you will be a source of power to make change and progress throughout society.”

Ranney’s Cum Laude Society Chapter was established in 2001. Middle School Head Mr. David Fischer serves as the Chapter President and Visual Arts Department Chair Ms. Kate Greenberg serves as the Chapter Secretary.
 
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Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
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