Madeline Baxter - Valedictorian

Rank in class: #1

Age: 18

Future plans: To attend Columbia University and study Biomedical Engineering

High school activities: Varsity Cross Country Captain- Varsity Indoor & Outdoor Track- Varsity Swim- National Honors Society- Secretary of NAHS- Co-president of Mu Alpha Theta- Club Gymnastics- First Chair Cello in Honors Orchestra Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Club

Awards/Achievements: All-Division & All - Class Cross Country - All-Division & All - Class Indoor and Outdoor Track - Academic All - State Cross Country - Excellence in Music Award - Art Honorable Mention in Fashion - Harvard Book Award - Brown Book Award

Fondest memories: Friends- staying up late doing homework- and the memories from their cross country- swim- and track teams.

Contributors to success: “My parents, my sister, Timothy Dietrich, Ms. Hitchings, all of my teachers”

Motivation to excel: “A slight unhealthy fear of failure”

Impact of growing up during a pandemic: “Covid made me realize how important it is to spend time with friends and family members and to live in the moment and make the most out of life.”

Anika Poshkus - Salutatorian

Rank in class: # 2

Age: 17

Future plans: to attend Georgetown University where she is currently undeclared but intends to take full advantage of a liberal arts education and focus on studying the humanities, including government and law.

High school activities: Varsity Volleyball Captain - Crochet Club President - Trader Joe’s Crew Member - National Honors Society - Mu Alpha Theta - Drama Club - Boys Volleyball Manager - Peer Tutor - CHSE Partners Program

Awards/Achievements: Pell Medal for Excellence in US History - Math Department Award - Smith Book Award

Fondest memories: Times spent with friends between classes and bonding with their team before games.

Contributors to success: “My teachers, counselors, family, friends, and coaches.”

Motivation to excel: “Education is so important to my family and I’ve always been motivated to make them proud. I feel so supported by them and want to make the most of every opportunity I’m given.”

Impact of growing up during a pandemic: “The pandemic helped me realize how important it is to spend time with my friends and make lasting memories here before we go onto our separate futures.”

Maura Kitterick

Rank in class: # 3

Age: 17

Future plans: To attend Boston University and study Political Science on the Pre-Law Track

Highschool Activities: Varsity Field Hockey Captain - Varsity Lacrosse - Cofounder and Hub Coordinator of Sunrise RI Youth - Yearbook President - Class of 2023 Council Treasurer - Crochet Club Treasurer - Student Leadership Ambassador - Student Council - Library Volunteer - National Honors Society - RI Honors Society

Awards/Achievements: Field Hockey: DII 1st Team All Division (2022), 2nd Team All Division (2021) - Lacrosse: 2nd Team All Division Award (2022) - Highest Honors - Excellence in Italian Honors Award

Fondest memories: The great times spent with friends

Contributors to success: “The people who have contributed most to my success and enjoyment of high school are my friends, family, teachers, and coaches”

Motivation to excel: “Wanting to make my loved ones proud motivated me to excel”

Impact of growing up during a pandemic: “I coped with this by focusing on my academics, rather than my anxieties and fears. It has changed my outlook by making me live in the moment and value my time with loved ones more.”

Timothy Dietrich

Rank in class: # 4

Age: 17

Future plans: To attend NYU for education studies

High school activities: Swim Team Captain - NAHS Historian - NMHS Co-President

Awards/Achievements: Solo and Ensemble; Superior, All-State; 1st Clarinet - Math Department Award - Community Service Award

Fondest memories: The friendships they’ve cultivated

Contributors to success: “My parents, my sister, Lia, and my best friend Madeline Baxter”

Motivation to excel: “Generational trauma”

The impact of growing up during a pandemic: “I got on Lexapro”

Miko Lehnert

Rank in class: # 5

Age: 18

Future plans: To attend Brown University with a tentative concentration in Environmental Studies

High school activities: Varsity Cross Country - Outdoor Track - Marching Band Woodwind Captain and Co-drum Major - Indoor Percussion Co-captain of Drumline - RI All State Band and Jazz Band - CHSE Jazz Band Tenor Sax - Volunteer at Providence Books Through Bars - Political and Environmental Activism - Retail Work at Crate and Barrel

Awards/Achievements: Saint Michael's College Book Award for Academic Achievement and Social Conscience - RITCA Cross Country Academic All-State - AP Scholar Award - Excellence in Music Performance Award

Fondest memories: “How much I loved East, from hard cross country practices in the park to the teachers who I wanted so badly to be more like.”

Contributors to success: “My teachers, my teammates and friends, my music director and my coach! My boyfriend, who I love to the moon and of course my parents.”

Motivation to excel: “The desire to be proud of what I create. To find an endeavor fulfilling, I need to know that I gave it all that I had.”

Impact of growing up during a pandemic: “The pandemic made me realize how lucky I was to have the family and resources that I did and changed my outlook to one more optimistic about humanity.“

Norah Flinn

Rank in class: # 6

Age: 18

Future plans: Attending Vassar College with an undeclared major

High school activities: Girls Soccer Team Captain - Lacrosse Team Captain - Indoor Track Team - National Honor Society - NAHS Vice President, Yearbook, Revolution Lacrosse Club

Awards/Achievements: Bowdin book award - All Academic Award for Soccer - First Team All Division Award for Soccer - First Team All Division Award for Lacrosse - All Class Long Jump Award for Indoor Track - CHSE Art Award - Thunderbolts Sports Media Athlete of the year

Fondest memories: “I am incredibly grateful for the friendships and support throughout the East community.”

Contributors to success: “My family had a huge impact on my success and motivation to be the best version of myself while encouraging me in times of struggle. My teachers at East went above and beyond ensuring that I received a quality education. ”

Motivation to excel: “I had very high goals for myself. I understood how lucky I was to have access to such an amazing education at East and wanted to take advantage of every opportunity presented to me.”

Impact of growing up during a pandemic: “The pandemic forced me to become a flexible student and adapt to the evolving settings. I learned how to embrace uncertainty and deal with changes to my learning environment.”

Theodore Heard

Rank in class: # 7

Age: 18

Future plans: Attending the University of Vermont to study Neuroscience

High school activities:  GSA Treasurer - Student Leadership Advisory - Jazz Band Baritone Saxophone - Marching Band - Pep Band - Rhode Island Youth Philharmonic Jazz Student  - National Honor Society

Awards/Achievements: Bausch and Lomb Science Award - All-State Jazz and Concert Band (Baritone Sax) - Order of the Sons of Italy Award

Fondest memories: “I will remember the warm and diverse environment that molded me and fostered my curiosity for all things.”

Contributors to success: “My Anatomy and Physiology Honors teacher Ms. Conte, my mom Sandi Matoian-Heard, my 11th grade English teacher Mr.Smith -who welcomed me into a senior class with open arms- and my Italian teacher Mrs.DiMaio who gave me a window into learning a new language. I'm thankful for every member of the CHSE staff.”

Motivation to excel: “my family, friends, and above all the unending curiosity I have for all things. From social studies to biology, physics to anatomy, I am truly blessed with the opportunity to learn all I can.”

Impact of growing up during a pandemic: “The pandemic years were certainly rough but I managed to adapt alright. This truly hasn't affected my long term plans in life.”

Eve Grady

Rank in class: # 8

Age: 18

Future plans: Attending Drew University and currently undeclared

High school activities: Providence Singers - All-State Chorus - RICC Honor Choir - CHSE Theater PR Manager

Awards/Achievements: Ranked #1 Alto in the state

Fondest memories: “I will remember the music I made and the time that I spent with my friends."

Contributors to success: “My parents, my sister, and my friends.”

Motivation to excel: “I was motivated by thinking of how my future was affected by all my actions. I wanted to get into a good college and find a fulfilling career.”

Impact of growing up during a pandemic: “I have become closer with my teachers after returning to school because I understand the value of those relationships more deeply now. It has not changed my plans, but it has let me be more appreciative of time with friends and even time with strangers.”

Nadeem Chaudhry

Rank in class: # 9

Age: 17

Future plans: Attending New York University for pre-med

High school activities: Varsity Soccer Captain - National Honor Society

Awards/Achievements: Xerox award in Innovation and Technology

Fondest memories: “I will remember the friends that I made around the way and my amazing teachers. I have had many amazing teachers that have helped me along the way. The staff at Cranston East, especially the teachers of AP and honors classes, are incredible. The students are also friendly and amazing people.”

Contributors to success: “My parents contributed to my success by instilling in me the value of education., my brother motivated me to compete by setting a great example and my friends carried me through by keeping me happy and motivated.”

Motivation to excel: “In my early school years it was my parents but eventually the motivation to excel came from within.”

Impact of growing up during a pandemic: “I coped with by trying to stay involved with my friends and spending a lot more time with my family. It did not change my plans or outlook.”

Ari D'Arconte

Rank in class: # 10

Age: 18

Future plans: Attending the University of Vermont to study zoology

High school activities: Varsity Cross Country - Math Team Captain - Science Team Co-Captain - Chess Club - Thunderbolts Sports Media - Internship at UNCAS International - National Honor Society

Awards/Achievements: National Merit Finalist - Renssalaer Polytechnic Award

Fondest memories: “Playing board games with my friends on the weekends.”

Contributors to success: “My brother Miles, and my parents Adrienne and Casey.”

Motivation to excel: “I am super curious and love to learn, especially about things I am interested in.”

Impact of growing up during a pandemic: “I'm moving past the pandemic while not forgetting how the pandemic highlighted what is most important to me.”