Alumni
Alumni Awards
2026 Head of School’s Award for Distinguished Service to the School
Approaching the end of his term as chair of the board of trustees, Miguel Dueñas ’95 received the Head of School’s Award for Distinguished Service to the School during the upper school awards ceremony on April 28. Head of School Rachel Rodriguez presented the annual award, which recognizes exceptional leadership, honor, attitude and dedication.
Rodriguez credited Dueñas with living out the values of school founder Paul Ransom during his transformative two-year term as board chair and decade of service on the board. During his tenure as treasurer, finance chair, vice chair and eventually chair (through July 1, 2026), Dueñas oversaw major institutional initiatives. Those included the reimagination of the college counseling office, the creation of a faculty cost-of-living (COLA) endowment and planning for the upcoming Sundheim Humanities Center.
“He has a strategic mindset and has been the driver for both student initiatives and faculty support,” Rodriguez said. “As a person, Mr. Miguel Dueñas … is thoughtful and giving, and understands that preparing a school for the future takes commitment, time and talent. We are incredibly grateful for your talent and your time.”
Said Dueñas: “Serving Ransom Everglades has been an honor of a lifetime.”
Dueñas, who serves as the chief executive officer of a Miami-based investment firm, has deep roots at RE. He met his wife, Vivi (Mora) Dueñas ’95, in the eighth-grade science class of faculty member Don Kappelman, who this year celebrated his 40th anniversary at RE. Dueñas’ twin brother, Alex Dueñas ’95, and sister, Silvia Luna ’92, are also alumni.
During the awards ceremony, Dueñas’ eldest daughter, Alexa Dueñas ’26, sat among the seniors in the Lewis Family Auditorium. In his remarks, Dueñas how he had enjoyed watching the Class of 2026 make its way to graduation, cherishing every achievement and milestone moment.
“Watching all of your accomplishments, seeing your successes, watching you guys get into the incredible schools that you've gotten into this year has made absolutely everything worthwhile,” Dueñas said. “We celebrate each one. I'm proud of all of you, and I can tell you that we're really proud of Ransom Everglades, and everything they're doing to support all of you and make you shine.”
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
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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. It is rated the top private school in Miami and among the 10 private schools in North America. 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.
Ransom Everglades School®, The RE Way®, RE Pathways® and Bowden Fellowships in the Humanities™ are trademarks of Ransom Everglades School.
Ransom Everglades School®, The RE Way®, RE Pathways® and Bowden Fellowships in the Humanities™ are trademarks of Ransom Everglades School.