'Ideal Cranstonians' honored during graduation ceremonies

By Jen Cowart
Posted 6/21/17

By JEN COWART The traditional Ideal Cranstonian Award was given to two students this year, Abigail Shideler and Nicole Sacco. Principal Tom Barbieri recognized them both in his remarks, citing the many reasons why they were chosen. Each year our faculty"

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'Ideal Cranstonians' honored during graduation ceremonies

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The traditional Ideal Cranstonian Award was given to two students this year, Abigail Shideler and Nicole Sacco. Principal Tom Barbieri recognized them both in his remarks, citing the many reasons why they were chosen.

“Each year our faculty selects a student best embodies the characteristics of what we feel is an ideal student. The Ideal Cranstonian Award is considered one of the most prestigious honors a student can receive in recognition of their personal achievements and contributions to Cranston High School West. The individual receiving the award exemplifies Falcon pride, service to the community and serves as a role model to others, supporting the school creed with dedication and integrity. This year, I am proud to announce that we have co-recipients,” Barbieri said. “Our first Ideal Cranstonian recipient is an intelligent, kind and dedicated student who truly defines what it means to be a falcon. This student is notably compassionate and is a true leader, taking on every task with creativity and enthusiasm. She remains a consistent role model for others and completes everything with a gigantic smile on her face. She has impressed our Cranston West faculty with notable determination, and always displays what it means to be part of something outside of herself through countless volunteer hours. This student has shown particular strength and perseverance, overcoming personal tragedies, including the sudden passing of her brother at a young age, and her older sibling being gravely injured serving our country overseas. Even with these momentous family obstacles, this student has consistently chosen to overcome her challenges, pushing herself academically throughout middle and high school. She’s never asked for special treatment and has never allowed room for excuses. She has always chosen the path that would yield success, all while lending a helping hand to help others achieve their own goals. She told me that she learned from her mom to deal with the cards that she is dealt and make the best of the hand. Something she describes her mom has done throughout her life. Following in her mom’s footsteps, She is extremely involved at Cranston West, always exhibiting relentless Falcon pride, especially in her role as Drum Major for our Falcon Band. She is a member of our theatre program, our Unified program, our Varsity Tennis team and for the 2nd year in a row, she is your Class President. She will pursue her undergraduate studies at Providence College in the fall to study education/special education. Congratulations to one of our Class of 2017 Ideal Cranstonians, Abigail Shideler.”

He then announced the second recipient.

“Our second Ideal Cranstonian recipient is a student who was ready to take on the world from the moment she stepped foot into Cranston West. She is part of our Career and Technical Entrepreneurship Program and a member of DECA. As an elected member of DECA’s State Action Team, she was elected to serve as State President for DECA Rhode Island this past year, representing more than 500 high school students from across the state. She is a spokesperson for Rhode Island DECA at the state and national level and helped run a successful DECA Fall Leadership conference attended by almost 300 Rhode Island high school students. At Cranston West she has been a Freshman Mentor, a Career and Technical Center mentor, a School Improvement Team Student Representative, Captain of our Girl’s Hockey Team, manager of our Boys’ Volleyball team, and has proudly marched downfield as a Falconette,” he said. “This student’s honors and recognitions are impressive; she was awarded Outstanding Entrepreneurship Student, Overall Outstanding Career & Technical Student and received the Career and Technical Center’s Director’s Medal. She received the Rhode Island Civic Leadership Award, the Lieutenant Governor McKee Advance Rhode Island Awards and was recognized by both the Rhode Island House and Senate for outstanding school and community involvement. She was a Finalist for the Varsity Spirit Award as the National Student to Celebrate Award. She has volunteered over 363 hours of community service, including her role as a Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Ambassador. She is active member in her church, posing as a Youth Minister, Eucharistic Minister, Gift Bearer, retreat leader, Teen Youth Group Leader and a Teen Missionary. She is the daughter of two Cranston West alumni who have devoted their careers to serving in the Cranston Public Schools. Being a Falcon is in her blood. She was born this way. As the last sibling in her family to walk the halls of Cranston West, we have been honored to watch her grow up into a compassionate and helpful young woman with boundless energy; she has truly made us proud. She will be attending Merrimack College in the fall to pursue a degree in Business Management. Congratulations to one of the Class of 2017’s Ideal Cranstonians, Nicole Sacco.”

As Barbieri wrapped up the graduation proceedings, and prepared for Coach Steven Stoehr to read aloud the Traditional Reading of the Rose, he gave his own remarks the group gathered before him.

“We have gathered here this evening to participate in the 55th Commencement of Cranston High School West. We honor the graduates of the Class of 2017 and their multitude of achievements. First, I wish to congratulate the parents, family and friends of the 307 graduates that have completed their studies and met the ever-increasing requirements to cross this stage and receive a Cranston High School West diploma. Your years of unconditional love, support, guidance and lots of patience, have finally paid off. Congratulations to all of the students’ loved ones in the audience that have participated in our graduate’s success,” he said. “Next, I would like to pay respect to our CHSW teachers and staff. They are the educational thread for academic and social greatness in our educational community. They continue, through their combined efforts, making Cranston High School West a ‘Leading School’in the State of Rhode Island. They have also give back to the community by raising nearly $10,000 for our community families and charities every year.”

He asked for a round of applause for the staff before continuing.

“I would now like to turn my attention to my graduating seniors. At this point I am not going to quote anyone or be redundant on what you may have already heard today but rather I am going to speak from my four years of experience with you. It seems like yesterday that I was speaking to you on a hot day in late August during our first class assembly. That day we spoke of the definition of one word, respect. We pledged that day that we would Respect our school, community and ourselves. Our combined efforts did just that. Over the past four years, we have faced some challenges, especially this year. But despite these challenges, we have not them define us and I have never taken my focus off of you. I had the pleasure greeting you in the morning, Visiting your classes every day, eating with you in the lunch room, attending the plays, productions, special events, award nights, dances, proms, team nights, attending your athletic games, and yes continuing to learn how to tweet (I’m so behind the times!) Your spirit, your pride, and your personality repeatedly demonstrated that you were a special class to me,” he said. “You are a class of athletes, exceptional scholars, and extraordinarily talented individuals. Ladies and gentlemen, the following are amazing statistics set by this class: 92 percent of you will be attending post-secondary institutions or joining the military in the fall. Thirty-two percent of the students attending college are first generation in their family to do so. You have collectively garnered over $13.5 million dollars in college merit and almost $240 thousand dollars in local scholarships. Members of this class have received 768 individual college acceptances and been accepted to over 154 different post-secondary institutions nationwide. Most importantly you have a combined 13, 464 community service hours! Indeed, you have set the benchmark high for others to follow.”

Like many other speakers, he spoke to the age of technology in which the students are living, and cautioned them about letting this technological age be what defines them.

“You accomplished this while being brought up in a society that cell phones are considered another body part, that social media is your main means of communication, and selfies are the way you take pictures. Continue to be cautious in the age you live in and don’t let it define you. I ask each of my graduating classes that when you leave here today that you do the following things, kiss your parents and family members, thank a teacher and when your post-secondary journey is completed, be selfless – come back and give back to your community,” Barbieri said. “You have been a wonderful class; one that I will remember fondly and never forget. Continue to strive for greatness and never, never accept anything less.”

Following the Traditional Reading of the Rose, the students processed forward to receive their diplomas.

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