Alumni Highlight: Marissa Schwartz Gimelstein '06. Nicole Roederer '16 and Sophia Reyes '16

What year did you graduate from Ransom Everglades?
Marissa Gimelstein: 2006
Nicole Roederer: 2016
Sophia Reyes: 2016

What were your favorite extracurricular activities when you were a student?
MG: Golf and sailing.
NR: Cross country and the Black Student Association (BSA).
SR: Cross country, although I was much slower than Nicole. I was also involved with Drama.

Where did you attend college, and what were your majors?
MG: University of Florida, Warrington College of Business - Finance; New York University School of Law - Juris Doctorate
NR: Florida State University, College of Business - Finance & Real Estate (double major)
SR: Tulane University, Freeman School of Business - Marketing & Management (double major)

Who was your favorite teacher at Ransom Everglades?
MG: Dr. King (Philosophy) - Dr. John King was my favorite teacher because his Philosophy class was the most thought-provoking course I’ve taken. He guided us through major philosophical ideas — ethics, existentialism, free will and the nature of knowledge — using engaging texts and modern perspectives, from Sophie’s World to episodes of The Simpsons. His ability to connect complex concepts to everyday life made every discussion meaningful and memorable. This spring, I am looking forward to Dr. King leading the inaugural Alumni Book Club’s discussion of Genesis: Artificial Intelligence, Hope, and the Human Spirit.
NR: Mr. Groeninger (English) - Mr. Groeninger was one of my favorite teachers, whose class I was in for 3 years!  He made English both engaging and fun. Through the years, our Harkness discussions about different ways to interpret the books we read were always interesting, and his sense of humor made the classroom a place we all enjoyed.
SR: Ms. Bloomfield (History) - Ms. Bloomfield was one of my favorite teachers because she brought the perfect mix of humor, ease and real passion for history. She made even the most random topics memorable. She had this “meme-worthy” sense of humor that kept the whole class engaged, and she created an environment that felt comfortable and welcoming.

What does it mean to you to collaborate with alumni from different graduating classes?
MG: Even after graduating from RE, my connection to the school has only grown through my work on the alumni board, where I collaborate with alumni from other graduating classes. Working together across class years strengthens our ability to boost alumni engagement and expand our volunteer efforts. These cross-class relationships keep the RE community alive and continually evolving.
SR: To me, collaborating with alumni from different graduating classes shows how our shared experience transcends age and time. Even if we graduated years apart, we can still identify with one another because we all lived “The RE Way.” That common foundation creates a unique bond and gives us similar perspectives on school, life and our values, making collaboration feel natural and meaningful.
NR: Regardless of graduating class, our fellow RE alums are incredible collaborators. Each person brings unique perspectives and experiences — some that only time can shape. It’s truly a privilege to work with and learn from such an inspiring group. I’ve genuinely enjoyed getting to know each one of them better.

Have you discovered any shared values or experiences that unite alumni across decades?
MG: No matter when an alum graduated, RE students are taught to espouse the ideals of Paul Ransom: that we are in the world not for what we can take from it, but for what we can contribute to it. This shared mindset —  grounded in service, purpose and giving back — creates a deep sense of unity among RE alumni, regardless of age or graduating year.
NR: The student experience at Ransom Everglades is something I’ve been able to connect with alumni across different decades. Some parts feel instantly familiar, while others, rooted in a similar beginning, have naturally evolved to suit the current student body. It’s always amazing hearing what’s different and what’s stayed the same. Each student and class leave their mark on the school, and, of course, we all share those classic RE traditions — like Outward Bound—that always bring back stories and laughs.
SR: Absolutely. One thing that stands out to me is how deeply shared the RE experience feels, no matter the graduating year. Ransom Everglades has always been a place where being smart was genuinely admired, where academic curiosity wasn’t just accepted but celebrated. And what’s unique is that this culture blended seamlessly with the rest of campus life. Athletes, artists, debate kids, student leaders — everyone moved between groups, and friendships crossed every boundary. There’s this sense that the community wasn’t just something you were part of during school; it stays with you. I see it in the alumni I know. There’s a connection, almost like a shorthand understanding of what it was like to grow up in an environment where students supported one another, pushed each other and genuinely enjoyed being part of something bigger than themselves. That shared foundation of community and mutual respect is what continues to unite graduates across generations.

Can you share a memorable moment working together as a multi-decade team?
MG: Raider Day of Giving - March 5, 2024 - when Sophia and Nicole joined members of the alumni board volunteers in the Stokes Boardroom. We were aligned in outreach efforts and were encouraging each other to keep the momentum going! It was fun to see which of our classes had the highest participation.
NR: Meeting and working with Marissa has been memorable from the very start — we have become fast friends. One of the highlights was our first Raider Day of Giving that Sophia and I attended together last year. We watched Marissa in her element! It was incredibly inspiring to see her in action and really cemented why I’m so excited about the YBC fundraising work we do.

Sophia and I met on our very first day of 6th grade (shout-out to Ms. Miller’s homeroom), and we’ve worked together in almost every capacity imaginable for over a decade – the three of us together just feels effortless!
SR: Honestly, every moment has been memorable. From the beginning, it felt effortless – we all clicked so naturally with Marissa. She’s like an older sister to us and such a genuine role model. She’s taught us everything we know about fundraising, and she leads with so much grace and confidence that just being around her makes you better. Beyond the work itself, I’ve loved the social side of it too. As Marissa mentioned, the best part is getting to spend time together, learning about each other and building real relationships across generations. It’s those little moments – laughing in between planning, swapping stories or just hanging out after meetings – that make the experience so special. It feels like a team, but also like a family.

 

What made you want to become a member of the Young Benefactor Circle and support a Young Benefactor Scholar?
MG: I was driven to be part of this incredible group of alumni who show up for our school by giving back to its current students. As a longtime co-chair, I was motivated to recruit Nicole and Sophia because their enthusiasm was electric!
NR: I joined YBC when Sophia told me about the program. I had recently moved back to Miami from LA and was looking for ways to get involved at RE and root myself again in the Miami community. I thought it was, and still is, a great opportunity to pay it forward for future students. Marissa made it so easy to say yes!
SR: When Marissa explained the mission behind YBC, it immediately felt like a no-brainer. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have had opportunities and support throughout my upbringing, and the idea of helping provide that same access for someone else resonated with me right away.

Becoming a member felt genuinely meaningful — like a chance to pay forward the experience I was so freely given. It just felt right, and I knew I wanted to be part of something that could make that kind of difference for another student.

Why is financial aid such an important priority for you personally? How do you explain the impact of financial aid to fellow alumni who may not be familiar with its significance?
MG: Contributing to financial aid is important to me because it ensures that RE’s current students are obtaining the support to keep our school’s community thriving.

NR: Financial Aid is personally important to me because it made attending RE more accessible for both my sister, Jackie Roederer ’17, and me. When speaking with alumni, I try to express the tangible impact the fund makes on the student body and school. It allows for a diverse community of thought and experiences, which is central to Ransom Everglades' guiding principles.
SR: Financial aid matters to me because it ensures that the Ransom Everglades experience isn’t limited to just one type of student –  it opens the door for a community that’s genuinely diverse, dynamic and reflective of the real world. I think RE is at its best when students from different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences learn alongside one another. That mix is a huge part of what shaped me and is something I want future students to have as well.

When I talk to alumni who may not fully realize the impact, I explain that financial aid doesn’t just change one student’s life – it strengthens the entire school. It enriches classrooms, expands conversations and creates a community where everyone benefits from learning with people who aren’t exactly like them. It’s about making sure the opportunities we had remain accessible and that Ransom Everglades continues to grow in a way that reflects its values.

What success stories or examples have inspired you to keep fundraising for financial aid?
MG: Our financial aid efforts have already shown how powerful our community can be. After awarding our first scholarship in 2024, we worried we might not reach our goal for a second award in 2025. Through consistent outreach and genuine belief in the mission, we received overwhelming support from both current members and new prospects. Their generosity allowed us to fund our second scholarship. Each year, we essentially start from square one, and it’s incredibly humbling — and inspiring — to see more alumni step forward to get involved. It proves that our commitment to keeping RE accessible continues to grow stronger.

NR: The real success has been cultivating a group of alumni who are passionate about what we’re doing, and I look forward to stewarding that into the future. It has been wonderful to watch as the number of YBC members and YBC Scholars grows. It is an incredibly active group, and everyone is always eager to get together. It’s exciting knowing that each year a new student will be selected as the recipient of the YBC Scholarship, beginning their own journey at RE. Each year, we start fresh with fundraising for the next year’s scholarship. I think any alum would agree that we’re a competitive and driven bunch — we always have a clear goal in mind!
SR: Honestly, what inspires me most are the personal stories. I’ve had close friends who were supported by financial aid, and seeing how much it opened doors for them has always stuck with me.

Through YBC, hearing about the success of the student we’ve been able to support makes it even more powerful. Knowing our efforts directly change a young person’s path keeps me motivated to continue fundraising. It’s a reminder that every bit of support really does make a difference.

 

How do you keep the energy and enthusiasm high among your peers for this cause?
MG: Explaining the Young Benefactor Scholar program to those who are not familiar with it, and then being able to provide updates on our Scholar recipient.
NR: Driving home that our donation is going to support a student on campus today.
SR: Explaining that we are giving the gift of RE to a deserving student! Everyone is excited to give back once they hear where their money is going.

As YBC members, what are your goals for the next two years?
MG: To see the next generation of young alumni lead YBC into its next chapter.
NR: Engaging more young alumni, whether through YBC or inspiring them to get involved in other ways with RE.
SR: My biggest goal is to raise awareness about YBC. Even if people don’t join right away, simply getting the word out builds interest and engagement. The more alumni who know what YBC is doing and understand the impact, the more momentum we create — and that ultimately helps us support more students in the long run.

What is happening at Ransom Everglades today that excites you?
MG: The Pathways Scholars Program is such a unique program that I wish were in place when I was at RE. This program guides students to invest in areas of study they are passionate about and explore such topics through more focused coursework and hands-on experiences.
NR: The Pathways Externship program. I think it’s a wonderful way for students to explore their interests, what excites them and potentially what doesn’t.
SR: I’m really excited about the new Sundheim Humanities Center and the way the entire campus is evolving. It’s amazing to see Ransom Everglades continue to grow in such intentional, forward-thinking ways while still keeping the same spirit we remember.

If you could share one message with the alumni community about YBC, what would it be?
MG: YBC is the best way to give back and have fun!
NR: As the Co-Chair, along with Max Weiss ’12, I have to say: Just do it!
SR: It’s not just a donation. It’s a community where you will build relationships and get to participate in engaging events. 

 

Thank you to Marissa, Nicole and Sophia for sharing their experiences and passion for financial aid. Their work through YBC is helping ensure that future generations of students can access the transformative education that shaped their lives. To learn more about the Young Benefactor Circle program, please contact Erika Valdes, Associate Director of Annual Giving and Volunteer Management.