Yet those of us who teach and coach know there is so much more to college life than what happens in the classroom. Universities have made headlines in recent years as they grapple with issues related to free vs. hate speech, sexual assault, campus violence and hazing, mental health struggles and more. Preparing students for life after RE means going beyond making sure they score well on their AP exams. 

For the past few years, RE has provided our older students with programming on substance abuse prevention, hazing and consent and healthy relationships. Earlier in this school year, Head of School Rachel Rodriguez challenged upper school academic leaders to elevate and expand that programming. She reminded us that our students’ health and wellness – one of our core values – is no less important than the core value of honor and excellence. Out of that conversation came a more comprehensive slate of non-academic seminars. The goal is to give our seniors the knowledge and tools to manage the vast array of challenges they will face when they venture to colleges around the globe. 

Faculty, academic leaders and I worked this winter to create the Life After RE Seminar Series for our seniors that built upon the substance abuse and sexual consent seminars they participated in with all upper school students last fall. The new programming takes place during the advisory period and attendance is mandatory for all seniors. As the Dean of the 12th Grade, I can personally attest to the value of these seminars.  

In late January, students heard from Dr. Matt Margini, an English teacher at RE, on “Fact or Fake News? Guidelines for Media Literacy.” In February, RE’s Assistant Director of Security Desiree De Armas talked about “Safety and Self-Awareness in Your New Environment,” offering practical advice for staying safe on college campuses. Later that month, Dr. Brandon King, a Faculty College Counselor who teaches in the Humanities Department, spoke to seniors about “How to Engage in Civil Discourse,” explaining how to contribute positively to important discussions on college campuses.  

As this issue went to press in March, Dr. Joanna Bedell ’05 from New Age Women’s Health was preparing to discuss “How to Take Control of Your Personal Health and Self-Care”; and Mandira Bose-Nyberg, a math teacher in the STEM Department, planned to talk about “Financial Literacy for Students.” We will also offer a “College Waitlist Information Session” in April to help seniors understand how college waitlists work led by Executive Director of College Counseling Jason Locke and Director of College Counseling Patrick Tassoni. 

The senior programming will conclude in April with “REal Talk: Recognize and Prevent Hazing,” a program led by Flavia Tomasello of The Antonio Tsialas Leadership Foundation. Our commitment to teaching our seniors life skills began, in many ways, with Ms. Tomasello and her husband, John Tsialas. The unimaginable grief they experienced when their son Antonio Tsialas ’19 died after a college hazing incident fueled their desire to create and participate in this programming, beginning in spring 2020, through the Antonio Tsialas ’19 Leadership Endowment Fund. We remain grateful to them as they honor their late son with this vital work. 

Ransom Everglades is an incredibly special place. Visitors to RE often marvel at the backpacks strewn all over campus – and what that says about the trust, integrity and closeness found in our school community.  The world outside our gates can be different. We want our students to be ready for it.