Future Plans (education) : I will be attending Brown University in the fall, where I plan on majoring in physics and political science.
Future Plans (career) : While my future career plans are …
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Name: Mia Santomassimo
High School: Cranston High School West
Rank in Class: 1st (Valedictorian)
Future Plans (education): I will be attending Brown University in the fall, where I plan on majoring in physics and political science.
Future Plans (career): While my future career plans are not definite, I hope to help others someday through scientific research and by influencing public policy.
High school activities and any position held: Softball - Captain, Field Hockey - Captain, Yearbook - Co-Editor for 4 years, Falcon Student Ambassador (tour guide), Class Council, Student Council, SkillsUSA Health Knowledge Bowl Team Member, National Honor Society, Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society, Rhode Island Honor Society, Math Team - Social Media Manager, Cross Country
Special awards/scholarships received: Harvard Book award (2024), Jae S. Lim award in Science (2024), Junior Heart of a Mathematician award (2024), Field Hockey 2nd Team All Division (2024), Field Hockey All-Academic Team (2023, 2024), Softball All-Academic Team (2024), Excellence in, English award (2025), Excellence in Science award (2025), Picerne Family Scholarship (2025), Alexa St. Angelo Memorial Scholarship (2025), Ronald A. Gill Memorial Scholarship (2025)
Best high school memory: I have loved meeting and becoming friends with the people in my classes. From group projects in physics to class discussions in economics, growing closer with my classmates over the past four years has been one of my favorite parts of high school. I have also greatly enjoyed connecting with my teachers and administrators.
Who helped you succeed in high school: My family's ever-present support has truly helped me succeed in high school. My mom, dad and brother are persistently optimistic, bringing much needed humor and levity when I'm stressed or overwhelmed.
Advice for next year’s class: You don't need to have everything figured out right now. Explore different interests and activities, discover what you are passionate about and pursue the things that truly interest you.
Name: Amy Zhang
High School: Cranston High School West
Rank in Class: 2nd (Salutatorian)
Future Plans (education): I will attend UNC - Chapel Hill next year and major in chemistry.
Future Plans (career): I plan on going into the medical field.
High school activities and any position held: Science Olympiad President and Varsity Captain, SkillsUSA CACTC Chapter President, SkillsUSA, Tri-M Music Honor Society Vice President, Red Cross Club Treasurer, National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Women-in-Technology Internship, Math Team, Concert Band, Marching Band, Mock Trial, Archery and Outdoor Adventures Club, Jazz Band, Model UN, Cross-country, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field.
Special awards/scholarships received: United States Presidential Scholars Program Candidate; PS3 Ronald A. Gill, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Awardee; Cranston Veteran's Memorial Fund Outright Grant Awardee; American Mathematical Society Award - Outstanding Achievement in Mathematics; URI Book Award; Bausch + Lomb Honorary Science Award; co-author of a Research Abstract; Science Olympiad Medalist in Forensics, Geological Mapping, Chemistry Lab, Forestry, Write It, Do It, Rocks and Minerals, and Ornithology; RIMEA Junior and Senior All-State Clarinetist; SkillsUSA Gold Medalist in Health Knowledge Bowl and Job Demonstration Open; Mock Trial Semifinalist and Quarterfinalist; AP Scholar with Honor; National Spanish Exam Medalist; Academic Archer 2023-2024.
Best high school memory: It’s hard to choose the “best” high school memory. I was able to go to Disney World with the marching band in sophomore year, compete at Brown University and RIC for Science Olympiad, and even made a Pokémon Center with NAHS for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. However, I’d say going to Atlanta in my junior year was my favorite high school memory. I was able to compete at the national level in a team of some of my best friends in Health Knowledge Bowl and explore the city with them, from going on the Ferris Wheel to visiting the Georgia Aquarium to meeting and trading state pins with competitors across the country!
Who helped you succeed in high school: I first and foremost would have to thank my family for always supporting me and giving me the courage to challenge myself and continue forward. I’d also have to credit my teachers and friends, who are an integral part of my support system.
Advice for next year’s class: Take a deep breath and enjoy senior year. While it may seem hectic with college, due dates galore, and so much more, make sure to take some time off for yourself and handle everything one step at a time. You got this!
Name: Hayden Karas
High School: Cranston High School West
Rank in Class: 3rd
Future Plans (education): Carnegie Mellon University
Future Plans (career): Software Engineer
High school activities and any position held: Math Team (captain), SkillsUSA Cranston Chapter (treasurer), SkillsUSA Game Development (competitor), Marching Band, Science Olympiad, Math Tutor, National Honor Society, Rhode Island Honor Society, Student Council
Special awards/scholarships received: Jae S. Lim Award for Mathematics, CHSW Math Excellence Award, RIML Top School Scorer (x2), RIML Top Cumulative Senior Scorer, RIML Second Top Cumulative Scorer, SkillsUSA Game Development State Winner (x2), SkillsUSA Game Development Nationals Top 10 (x2), CTE IDM Outstanding Student Award, AP Scholar with Distinction, National Merit Finalist, National Spanish Exam Silver (x2), SkillsUSA State Programming Competition Silver, Cranston Mayor Scholar
Best high school memory: Marching down Main Street at Disney World with the CHSW Marching Band!
Who helped you succeed in high school: All the amazing teachers at CHSW.
Advice for next year’s class: Don’t procrastinate, or at least work on procrastinating as little as possible. It makes every aspect of life worse; I promise.
Name: Alexis Zhang
High School: Cranston High School West
Rank in Class: 4th
Future Plans (education): Smith College ~ free ride via QuestBridge scholarship
Future Plans (career): Electrical Engineering
High school activities and any position held: Trek Ensemble 2021-2022, PBIS Student Action Committee 2021-2022 and 2024-2025, CACTC Summer Robotics Program August 2022, SkillsUSA 2023 and 2025, Women in Technology (WIT) Internship October 2023 - March 2024, Science Olympiad 2023-2024, National Honor Society (NHS) 2023-2025, National Spanish Honor Society (NSHS) 2023-2025, Chamber Orchestra 2024-2025, Yearbook Staff Graphics Team 2024-2025
Special awards/scholarships received: SkillsUSA Robotics and Automation Technology (RAT) Competition - Bronze March 2023, Rensselaer Medal Award May 2024, National First-Generation, Recognition Program August 2024, QuestBridge Finalist & Matchee December 2024, SkillsUSA Related Technical Math State Competition - Silver March 2025, Rhode Island Honor Society 2025, Chamber Orchestra Award 2025, Commissioner’s Seal Council Designation 2025
Best high school memory: I can't choose; there were many good memories. I think the best one was the SkillsUSA competition senior year. We were so misinformed about everything and didn't really have time to prepare. (It also didn't help that I learned that it was a state's competition the day of said competition.) But despite all that, we took the top 3!
Who helped you succeed in high school: I would like to attribute my success to my teachers, friends, family and all those who supported me throughout these four years. Also, a special thank-you to Mrs. Spirito, my wonderful guidance counselor, my twin, and that one shared brain cell that has somehow survived high school.
Advice for next year’s class: Good luck!
Name: Emily Vang
High School: Cranston High School West
Rank in Class: 5th
Future Plans (education): I will be attending Brown University in the fall.
Future Plans (career): I intend to pursue a career in Economics or Political Science.
High school activities and any position held: RI Civic Leadership Program Student Liaison, Cranston West Theater Head of Lighting, Cranston West Theater Board Webmaster.
Special awards/scholarships received: SkillsUSA Gold Medal in Web Development, National Honors Society, Spanish Honors Society, Rhode Island Drama Fest Lighting Design Award.
Best high school memory: Being a part of the Cranston West theater program as a member of the lighting crew. After working so hard with the tech crews and the cast that all make up the theater community, I have learned that there is nothing like getting to see every show in its final and complete form. I definitely could not forget our post-show dinners, or all the candy eaten during shows. Thank you, Mr. Scapp!
Who helped you succeed in high school: My mom and dad, whose guidance I will always depend on and who have always had my back, but never hovered. My grandparents, who planted and grew my curiosity. My teachers, who I can depend on to answer all my questions (Mr. Buonfiglio and Mr. Manning) and talk to after a particular trying day (Mrs. Duarte). And of course, my bus drivers (Ms. Lisa, Roger, Domenic, and Jaime), who I would not have gotten to this point without, literally!
Advice for next year’s class: Be open-minded and make new connections!
Name: Zachary Leone
High School: Cranston High School West
Rank in Class: 6th
Future Plans (education): I will be attending Syracuse University to study Architecture (5 year B.Arch program)
Future Plans (career): I plan to pursue a career in the field of Architecture, eventually working towards a Ph.D in Architecture and becoming a professor.
High school activities and any position held: Class President, National Honor Society President, National Art Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Rhode Island Honor Society, Rhode Island Department of Education Student Advisory Council, Yearbook Co-Editor, Theater Board, Technical Liaison, Theater Set Designer & Scenic Art Director, Student Leadership Committee, Student Council, SkillsUSA Rhode Island State Officer, Academic Decathlon Co-Captain
Special awards/scholarships received: Syracuse University Leadership Scholar, CHSW Art & Design Award, Cranston Association of School Administrators Scholarship, Academic Decathlon Gold Medal in Music, SkillsUSA Silver(2025) & Bronze (2024) Medals in Architectural Drafting, AP Scholar with Honors Award, Scholastics Art Awards Gold Key in Portfolio, Ocean State Star Award Nomination in Set Design, First Place in the Senator Jack Reed Art Competition in partnership with the Rhode Island Art Education Association, First Place in the Congressional Art Competition, “Artistic Discovery” awards.
Best high school memory: It's hard to pick just one high school memory, however I will forever treasure the time spent with friends, whether at football games, during tech rehearsal, organizing school events or avoiding class to talk to our favorite teachers.
Who helped you succeed in high school: My success would not have been possible if it wasn't for the support of my friends and family. Especially my mom and my best friend Isabella. Additionally, I relied on my advisors, administrators and teachers, who were always supportive of my ideas, ready to offer guidance or just be there to chat.
Advice for next year’s class: My advice for next year's class is to live in the moment. Assignments and responsibilities will come and go, but when things get stressful, all you can do is focus on the present. Don't let the fear of failure stop you from having fun and enjoying high school while it lasts.
Name: Jonathan Antin
High School: Cranston High School West
Rank in Class: 7th
Future Plans (education): Brandeis University
Future Plans (career): Pre-Med – MD / Oncology
High school activities and any position held: CW freshman Basketball, CW Varsity Baseball, Math Team, Student Ambassadors, Class Council.
Special awards/scholarships received: Presidential Scholarship at Brandeis University.
Best high school memory: My best high school memory was a having a specific guest speaker in my Spanish for Healthcare class. This guest speaker is a cardiologist who works for Brown Health. As someone who volunteers for Brown Health (Miriam Hospital), I am always looking to network, and this was a perfect chance. I was able to set up a shadow opportunity and went into the operating room to watch three surgeries that day. I am very grateful and appreciative of this doctor for giving me her time.
Who helped you succeed in high school: The amazing staff at Cranston High School West is a direct reason for my success at the school. I cannot limit my success to solely one person. This was a collective effort from all departments, administrators and everyone else who works at the school.
Advice for next year’s class: My advice for next year’s class is to prioritize time management skills. There will be a lot of tasks, assignments, activities and events that will be taking place all at once. Having the skills to be organized and manage your work is going to be very important.
Name: Evan Lei
High School: Cranston High School West
Rank in Class: 8th
Future Plans (education): To attend Columbia University and major in Computer Science.
Future Plans (career): To pursue a career as a Software Engineer.
High school activities and any position held: Principal Chair Clarinet of the All-Eastern Orchestra (4), Quantum Physics Research Intern at URI (4), Mechanical Engineering Internship at Electric Boat (3), Biomedical Engineering Internship at URI Wearable Biosensing Lab (3,4), Academic Decathlon Co-Captain (4), National Honor Society (3,4), Principal Chair Clarinet of the All-State Band (1,2,3), Principal Chair Clarinet of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (3,4), Second Chair Clarinet of the All-State Orchestra (4), First Clarinet in the Southern New England Honor Band (2,4) Science Olympiad (1,2,3,4), Math Team (1,2,3,4), Academic Decathlon (3,4), Math Peer Tutor (2,3,4), Varsity Track & Field (1,2,3), Varsity Cross Country (1,2), Marching Band (1,2,3,4).
Special awards/scholarships received: First Chair Clarinet in All-Eastern Orchestra (4), First Chair Clarinet in All-State Band (1,2,3), AP Scholar with Distinction (3), Perfect Score in Rhode Island Music Education Association Solo & Ensemble Festival (4), Rhode Island Honors Recital Finalist and Soloist (3,4), Second Chair Clarinet in All-State Orchestra (4), Superior Rating in Rhode Island Music Education Association Solo & Ensemble Festival (1,2,3,4), All-Academic Award for Track and Field (3), All-Divisional for Track and Field (3), First Chair Clarinet in Southern New England Honor Band (10), Silver Key from Scholastic Art and Writing Awards (1), First Place in Geological Mapping at the Science Olympiad RI State Tournament (4), Third Place in Fossils at the Science Olympiad RI State Tournament (4).
Best high school memory: I don’t have a single “best” high school memory, but I feel really lucky to have had a few teachers who made my experience genuinely positive. They made learning fun and engaging, and their passion for teaching inspired me to stay curious and motivated. I especially enjoyed classes like Trigonometry, AP Calculus, and AP U.S. History, not just because of the subjects themselves, but because the teachers made those classes feel meaningful and exciting.
Who helped you succeed in high school: My parents have been one of the biggest reasons I’ve succeeded in high school. They were always there driving me to early morning practices, late-night rehearsals, and even last-minute runs to the store the night before a project was due. Whether it was for school, music or sports, they constantly put my goals ahead of their own. What meant even more was that they never pressured me with unrealistic expectations. I held myself to high standards because I cared, and they always supported that. Their sacrifices and encouragement kept me motivated, and I owe so much of who I am to them.
Advice for next year’s class: Try to stay focused, but also make time to enjoy senior year. It really does go by fast. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that opportunities don’t just fall into your lap, you have to go out and find them. Whether it’s applying for an internship, or trying something new, take initiative. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or take a risk. And surround yourself with people who are like you, people who are motivated and have that same hunger to grow and succeed. That kind of energy makes the biggest difference.
Name: Ethan Antin
High School: Cranston High School West
Rank in Class: 9th
Future Plans (education): The George Washington University (honors program)
Future Plans (career): Medical Doctor and PhD
High school activities and any position held: Class Council (2,3,4), Class Council President (2), Falcon Student Ambassador (2,3,4), Student Leadership (2,3,4), National Honor Society (3,4), National Spanish Honors Society (3,4), Skills USA (3,4), Red Cross (4), Math Team (4), volunteered at The Miriam Hospital in Food Pantry, worked at The Miriam Hospital in Transport Department, coached 3 years of CLCF Middle School-age basketball.
Special awards/scholarships received: Outstanding Medical Pathways award, Heart of a Scientist award and Presidential Scholarship from GWU.
Best high school memory: Some of my favorite memories from West came from my Anatomy and Physiology class during senior year. Getting the opportunity to visit URI's Cadaver Lab and dissect cats and sheep brain was such an unforgettable experience. This heightened my interest in medicine and was tremendous exposure for a high school student. I am incredibly grateful to have been a part of this fantastic class.
Who helped you succeed in high school: I first want to thank my parents for all their love and support. They helped push me to be the best that I can be, and I wouldn't be where I am today without them. Secondly, I want to thank all the fantastic teachers at West for always believing in me, challenging me and encouraging me. Special shoutout to my Medical Pathway teachers Mrs. Fontaine and Mrs. Leveillee for acting as mentors and going above and beyond putting me in positions to succeed. Lastly, I want to thank all my friends for always being there for me when I needed it.
Advice for next year’s class: My advice for next year's class would be to stay busy by continuing your extracurriculars in sports, different clubs and volunteering. Before you blink, your high school journey will be nearing the finish line, so enjoy every last moment with all your friends. You should take Mr. Fontaine's advice when he says, "Have no regrets." It is perfectly OK to go outside your comfort zone to try new things. Don't let the fear of being judged or made fun of hold you back from anything!
Name: Matthew Petit
High School: Cranston High School West
Rank in Class: 10th
Future Plans (education): University of Rhode Island to pursue Pharmacy or Law
Future Plans (career): Be a successful Pharmacist or Lawyer
High school activities and any position held: Cross Country captain, Indoor Track captain, Outdoor Track captain, Math Team, Science Olympiad, Falcon Ambassador, National Honor Society, Rhode Island Honor Society.
Special awards/scholarships received: AP Scholar with distinction award, Cranston West Varsity, Letter for Cross Country indoor and outdoor track, all class outdoor track 4X800m relay 2024, All division 4x800m relay indoor track 2025, All division cross country 2024, Cranston Herald - All city team cross country 2024, National Honor Society, Rhode Island Honor Society.
Best high school memory: Going on a road trip between my sophomore and junior year of high school. My family went to Niagara Falls, Cleveland, Cedar Point Park, my cousins’ house in Ohio, Philadelphia, and the American Dream Mall.
Who helped you succeed in high school: My family helped me to succeed. My mother was always there to support me and made sure I had everything I needed, and my father helped by keeping me motivated to do well in school. My sister supported me by always believing in me and cheering me on in my activities.
Advice for next year’s class: Enjoy your last year of high school. Work hard but don't forget to leave time for having fun and spending time with friends. Try to be resilient and keep moving forward even when you are faced with disappointments or setbacks (and trust me there will be a lot).
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