On Wednesday, May 23, 144 senior students were honored at the Cranston High School West annual Honors Night, the first of several upcoming graduation events. The purpose of the evening was to honor the 118 students being inducted into the Rhode Island Honor Society, and to announce the recipients of 65 college scholarships being given out by local organizations, business, community partners, alumni and families of alumni which will help the students afford the rising costs of college tuition and expenses. Additionally, senior awards for excellence by department were given out by the department chairpersons or designees in 12 academic areas, and the class Salutatorian and Valedictorian were honored as well.

Scholarships were also given out by many community partners in the names of local businesses, the alumni association, the administrators, teachers, athletic associations, the mayor’s office, and more.

Several students received scholarships totaling $10,000 or more, including Kyle Dacey, Jenna Briggs, Samantha Evans, Savannah Martinez, Marc Mansolillo, Madison DeMelo, and Alexis Florio, who all received $10,000 Picerne Family Scholarships.

Honored guests included members of the Cranston West school administration, Cranston Public Schools’ central administration, representatives from the school committee, the Cranston City Council and a representative from Mayor Allan Fung’s office, as well as several CHSW alumni representatives.

The students processed in, filling nearly the entire center section of the auditorium and the chamber orchestra and choral ensemble led the audience in the National Anthem.

Principal Tom Barbieri spoke to the group, congratulating the students on their accomplishments and achievements. He acknowledged the parents, families and friends of the students in the audience, noting that it was their support and unconditional love for the students that made their successes possible. He also acknowledged the faculty, staff and department chairs, as well as the students’ teachers from kindergarten on forward for their unconditional dedication to the students and their ability to challenge the students to not just be good, but to be great.

“You will often hear me speaking about our West educational community comprised of family and friends, educators, administration, city official and even businesses. Because of our combined efforts tonight, 144 students are being honored, which 118 Cranston High School West seniors are being inducted into the Rhode Island Honor Society,” Barbieri said.

“Ladies and gentlemen that is really something else. There are a little over 300 students here, one in every three students are sitting right here in this audience. That is a testament to our senior class. Tonight, these students are going to be receiving close to $123,000 in local scholarships and monies. That is over three times the amount it was when I came here six years ago. Great testament to this class and what an achievement.”

He recognized the hard work of Assistant Principal David Schiappa and faculty member Allison Picozzi for their organization of the Honors Night event.

He then addressed the seniors specifically.

“Seniors, I have asked you to take advantage of every moment of your senior year, and that you did, through your academics, your participation in athletics, events, activities, and your dedication and leadership to our school community, and we thank you for that. The Rhode Island Honor Society motto points to demonstrating outstanding character and scholarship. You have demonstrated a way of life. Continue to follow this, and you will be guaranteed more successes, however big, however small. Tonight you will earn scholarships and awards. Believe me, this is only the beginning of your successful life’s journey. Just remember tonight, you’re going to hear many speeches from members of our community. I want you to listen, I want you to take everything in because this is a life moment. Thank you seniors, for making me a proud principal.”

The seniors received greetings from Assistant Superintendent Norma Cole on behalf of the school department, from Carlos Lopez, on behalf of the mayor’s office, and from Michael Traficante, on behalf of the school committee before the scholarships and academic awards were presented.

For at least an hour, families of those being honored with scholarships in their name presented the students with scholarships, evoking many emotions as their stories were told, their qualities heralded and their memories ever-present in the auditorium. There were more than a few tears shed by those giving out the scholarships in the name of a loved one, and those receiving them, as well as from guests in the audience. It was a celebratory event, tinged with many emotions. One particularly poignant moment took place as a member of the senior class, Mackenzie Blake, spoke to the audience about the loss of her father which occurred when she was very young, and how it has affected her life throughout her elementary and high school years, and as she looks forward to her life beyond graduation. She and her family, (mother Kristin and brother Ryan) presented the Robert F. Blake Scholarship to two of her peers pursuing artistic careers after high school, Samantha Mastrati and Caroline Cowart.

During the second portion of the evening, the students were honored for excellence in individual academic areas and were inducted into the Rhode Island Honor Society. Both the Valedictorian, Scott Angilly, and the Salutatorian, Madison Shapiro, were honored as well.  

Following the event, the students and their guests were treated to light refreshments courtesy of the Cranston Area Career and Technical Center’s Culinary Arts program, to a musical accompaniment from the CHSW chamber orchestra and were surrounded by the artistic talents of the senior art students whose artwork from the Senior Studio Art Show opening graced the walls of the foyer.

Graduation events for the seniors at Cranston High School West will continue to take place next week, and will include the senior Graduation Walks on June 5, the Cranston Area Career and Technical Center’s Certificate Night on June 6, senior prom on June 7 and graduation on June 9 at the Providence Performing Arts Center.