Alumni
Alumni Awards
2024 Head of School’s Award for Distinguished Service to the School
Rudy Prio Touzet ’76 enjoys poking fun at himself, noting that his student achievements at Ransom Everglades never merited the top academic awards or superlatives. In his service and devotion to his school, that has not been the case. Prio Touzet’s efforts have been virtually unparalleled; he has made a significant impact on Ransom Everglades School for decades as an alumnus, parent, trustee, chair of the board, community advocate and philanthropist. Shortly before departing the board of trustees after 15 years on July 1, 2024, Prio Touzet received the Head of School’s Award for Distinguished Service to the School from Head of School Rachel Rodriguez at RE’s upper school awards ceremony.
"Through his various roles, Rudy has taken RE into the future while helping to preserve our rich history," Rodriguez said. "With a generous spirit and a true devotion to Ransom Everglades, Rudy has joyfully given his time, treasure, and talent to our school."
The founder and chief executive officer of Banyan Street Capital, Prio Touzet has continually invested in Ransom Everglades, whether by helping with the acquisition of the La Brisa property in 2016; ensuring progress on the Fernandez STEM Center that opened in 2020; supporting his wife, Lydia Prio Touzet, in her efforts as an active volunteer with the Ransom Everglades Parents’ Association; sharing expertise with younger alumni via RE’s vibrant real estate network; or through many other efforts and enterprises.
At RE, the Touzet Patio at La Brisa and the Touzet Quad outside the STEM center are named in honor of the Prio Touzet family: Rudy and Lydia and children Rudy Jr. '18 and Jack '20.
Rudy Prio Touzet took a moment to address upper school students after receiving the award at the Lewis Family Auditorium on April 30, 2024.
“The friendships and relationships and knowledge that you gain from each other – it’s probably what I take away the most,” he told students. “It’s been an honor to be here, it’s been an honor to serve. I recognize all of you and ask all of you to give back to the community and the school. It’s really made a difference in my life and I’m sure it will in yours.”
Jonathan Fitzpatrick, who served as board chair from 2022-24, shared his admiration for Prio Touzet after the final board meeting of the 2023-24 school year: “Rudy is the full package,” Fitzpatrick said. “He truly bleeds blue and green. Rudy and Lydia have given back to Ransom Everglades in so many ways: their time, their passion, their dollars and their love of the school.”
Middle School
2045 South Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133Phone: 305 250 6850
Upper School
3575 Main Highway, Coconut Grove, FL 33133Phone: 305 460 8800
Founded in 1903, Ransom Everglades School is a coeducational, college preparatory day school for grades 6 - 12 located on two campuses in Coconut Grove, Florida. Ransom Everglades School produces graduates who "believe that they are in the world not so much for what they can get out of it as for what they can put into it." The school provides rigorous college preparation that promotes the student's sense of identity, community, personal integrity and values for a productive and satisfying life, and prepares the student to lead and to contribute to society.