Just days before Cranston residents went to the polls on Election Day, the voters at Hugh B. Bain Middle School had cast their own ballots to select those who would be taking on a leadership role over the next year.

On Oct. 30, the traditional Student Council installation ceremony took place in front of the Bain community of families, faculty, staff and the student body. During the events of the ceremony, the executive board officers were installed, and team representatives were introduced. All would be presented with their Student Council pins during the ceremony as well.

A sense of honor and respect filled the room as the processional into the auditorium began. There was a salute to the flag, followed by the singing of the national anthem and Bain school song. Honored guests and dignitaries took their seats on stage, along with the soon-to-be inducted student council officers.

Student Resource Officer Kevin Denneny was the installing officer for 2014 and an honored guest. Also present were Bain Principal Dr. Jenny Chan-Remka, Mayor Allan Fung’s Director of Constituent Affairs Jeffrey Barone, Assistant Superintendent Jeannine Nota-Masse, district COO Ray Votto, ELL Program Administrator Kristin Ward, Cranston Teachers’ Alliance President Liz Larkin, Grace Swinski of the Family Center and Police Chief Col. Michael J. Winquist.

“I am happy to welcome you to the 2014 student council installation, a longstanding tradition at Bain,” said student Carlos Lourenco during his opening thoughts. “Congratulations to all of the student council members for taking an active leadership role at the school.”

Chan-Remka spoke of the importance of the tradition of the installation ceremony.

“This is a very formal, very important tradition at Bain. It’s a special way of recognizing the student leaders as they are sworn into their positions,” she said. “It’s especially relevant during this election year. Many of our community leaders have taken the time to be here today. This is my third year as principal of this wonderful place and I’ve watched each year as the students prepare their campaigns. They prepare speeches, posters and go through the interview process. They show lots of courage, and lots of perseverance.”

On behalf of the mayor’s office, Barone addressed the students, congratulating the newly elected officers.

“This shows how important it is for students and teachers to communicate, for people to listen to the needs of the students,” he said. “It’s important for leadership and students to work together.”

Barone told the officers that the experience they will have in student government will stay with them forever.

“Hold on to it and cherish it,” he said.

Angelica Moschetti introduced Denneny as the day’s installing officer. Denneny, in full dress uniform, is the SRO at all three middle schools, but as Moschetti said in her speech, he has made an impact on the Bain community in many ways.

“Officer Denneny grew up in Cranston, attending Park View Middle School, LaSalle Academy and Salve Regina. He has been with the Cranston Police Department since 2002 and an SRO since 2005. Throughout his tenure as an SRO, he has gone beyond his daily responsibilities of keeping the staff and students safe here every day and has taken on leadership roles to enhance the safety of the school and community,” she said. “He has been part of our Rachel’s Challenge chain reaction program, he is on the Cranston Substance Abuse Task Force, he’s an ALICE training instructor and an instructor for the impaired driving training.”

Moschetti announced that the book “Locked Up” would be dedicated to Denneny and placed in the school library in his honor from that day forward.

Denneny spoke of his love for the Bain community and its traditions.

“I am extremely proud of the longstanding traditions here at Bain and I feel that I am truly a part of the Bain family,” he said. “Congratulations to the student council officers for taking on the responsibilities of living the ‘Bain Way’ and giving other students a role model to follow. These officers represent integrity and strong moral principles.”

Denneny defined integrity as “doing the right thing and making the right choices, even when no one is looking,” which he said is not an easy thing to do but is one of the most important qualities a person can have, especially when in a leadership role steeped in responsibility.

Each student council officer had the opportunity to address the audience, thanking them for their votes and summarizing for them the platforms on which they ran their campaigns. Each officer encouraged whole-school participation in helping to make Bain an even better place.

“I am responsible, respectful, honest and a good leader,” said president-elect Maggie Pena. “We all have important roles, and by communicating and taking ideas from all the students, we can be a team. Just because I am the president doesn’t mean I do all the work myself. Two heads are better than one, and we are all responsible for making the school a better place.”

Nota-Masse reminded the new officers that being leaders in a building is a serious responsibility.

“Sitting among you are several leaders in your community. They take their job very seriously as you must take your job very seriously. People will rely on you to do the right thing and you will be called on to make some very hard decisions,” she said. “Those decisions may make some people unhappy, but that is part of leadership. You have very good examples of leadership in your building and you will have strong leaders to guide you.”

Renedia Louis announced the traditional book dedication in honor of the late Superintendent Catherine Ciarlo, “Flora and Ulysses,” by Kate DiCamillo.

As CJ McCreavy closed the event with his closing remarks, he thanked the guests for coming, and congratulated all of the executive board members and student council representatives. He reminded all students of the importance of passing along their ideas and making their voices heard.