Inklings 2020

SHEILA NATASHA FRIEDMAN AWARD WINNER Viviana Freyer Inklings has been underwritten in part by an endowment to Ransom Everglades School in memory of Sheila Natasha Friedman, mother of Natasha ‘92 and Chloe ‘95. Mrs. Friedman died on February 11th, 1993. She was a noted artist, poet, photographer, performance artist, and fashion designer. Because creativity was so much a part of Mrs. Friedman’s life, her friends chose to perpetuate her spirit through an endowment. In this way, we have an ongoing memorial to her imagination, ingenuity, and originality. The recipient is chosen by the Fine Arts and English departments and receives recognition during Upper School Awards day. This year’s recipient is Viviana Freyer. In my time at RE, Viviana has conceptualized and written two full-length plays. Her first earned top honors at the District level (against 41 other schools) for the International Thespian Honor Society. Her second was performed at this year’s Senior Directed Showcase with a full cast, costumes, set, props, and music. Viviana effortlessly fleshes out her characters’ DNA; this, combined with her capacity to welcome critiques and her quick wit, makes her a fantastic budding playwright. Viviana is always hungry to learn, research, and create. She has been a vitally passionate and dedicated student in our program! - Ms. Shapiro Viviana is an old soul with a passion for the written word. She is a fierce defender of the disenfranchised and a strong advocate for women. When it comes to her writing, Viviana’s enthusiasm and work ethic is unmatched. This year, she wrote the first act of a screenplay, wrote and directed an original one-act play, interviewed Stephen Chbosky for The Catalyst , and wrote a short story inspired by Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” all while taking AP English and acting in plays (in addition to her other classes and applying to college). Viviana writes with passion and fearlessness, and she genuinely loves to talk about art and literature. I cannot think of a more deserving recipient of Sheila Natasha Friedman’s award than this remarkable young person. - Dr. Rhyner 57