More than 200 seniors gathered with their families and Falcon community to celebrate their many accomplishments and achievements on May 17. Joining them were representatives from the Cranston Public Schools central administration including Superintendent Jeannine Nota-Masse and Assistant Superintendent Norma Cole, Mayor Ken Hopkins and School Committee vice chairperson Michael Traficante. Michelle Lee, Izabela Gjegji, Isabel Mignano, Lia Scorpio and Lauren Scavitto sang the National Anthem and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Principal Thomas Barbieri welcomed guests to the annual event and commended students for their unprecedented ability to have weathered the trying times of the past two years.

“You make me proud to be your principal,” said Barbieri.

He reminded them of his advice as incoming freshmen, as he encouraged them to try new things and make new friends over their four high school years. He now encouraged them to let go of any regrets from the past four years as they move forward in their next phase of their lives. Barbieri also gave special recognition during the event to senior class president John Soscia, who was recently named a U.S. Presidential Scholar, and hence received the U.S. Presidential Scholarship, along with having received several other prestigious national scholarships and contests including the Columbus Citizens foundation $20,000 scholarship, the Sons of Italy’s Boncore Family Scholarship of $5,000 and the JCI Senate Foundation Scholarship.

Hopkins brought greetings on behalf of the City of Cranston and awarded senior Juliana Bucci with the Mayor’s Scholarship. He expressed his pride in the students and their accomplishments.

Nota-Masse greeted students and shared that the event was an emotional one for her as she’s known many of the students throughout their years from elementary school to the present day. She acknowledged the hardships of the past two school years, and told them that their hard work and dedication to academics, extra curricular activities, jobs, faith and families had surpassed all expectations.

“Your energy and your youth inspire me to work hard every day,” said Nota-Masse.

Nota-Masse presented Gabriella Cunha with her Superintendent of the Year Scholarship.

Traficante reminded students of the importance of good character and told them that it is doing what’s right not just some of the time, but all of the time, that’s important in life.

In total, 203 students were inducted into the Rhode Island Honor Society that evening, more than half the graduating class, and 26 scholarships totaling more than $130,000 were given out as well as departmental awards.

At the close of the ceremony, Angela Marsis was announced as the Class of 2022 Salutatorian and Mikaya Parente was announced as the Class of 2022 Valedictorian.

The following scholarship awardees were announced:

Equitable Excellence $5,000 Scholarship: Nicholas Perrotta.

Picerne Family $10,000 Scholarship: Rachel Paulhus, Sophia Crudale, Madeline Barbieri, Matthew

Santomassimo, Sofia Riccio, Rachel Hobin, Lindsey Hobin and Edison Wu.

Cranston High School West Alumni Association Scholarship: Madison Alves and Madeline Barbieri

Brian Moretti Memorial Scholarship: Madison Alves.

Henry and Veronica Orabone Scholarship: Ani Ayanyan

Michael J. Palmer Memorial Scholarship: Nicholas Perrotta and Madison Alves.

Mark Marella Scholarship: Dea Xhupi

Melissa M. Saccoccio Memorial Scholarship: Alexis Ratcliffe and Sophia Crudale.

Pat Castelli Memorial Scholarship: Alexandra Coia and Avery Ream.

Ronald Gill Memorial Scholarship: Emily Lopez, Jared Gilmore, Lily Maguire and John Soscia.

Kristen Coutu Memorial Scholarship: Alexandra Coia.

Rhode Island College Book award: Sophia Crudale, Gabriella Cunha and Isabel Blanco

Cranston Teachers Alliance Scholarship: Madeline Barbieri and Grace Venagro.

Aramark Scholarship: Benjamin Silva.

CASA Scholarship: Alexis Wright and Angela Marses.

Cranston High School Athletics Scholarships: Sophia Crudale and Lily Maguire.

Ralph and Joyce Vossler Fund Scholarship: Grace Venagro.

GFWC Cranston Community Women’s Scholarship: Alexandra Coia.

Mary Elizabeth Kelly Scholarship: Sophia Crudale.

Honey Dew Donuts Scholarship: Emma Coulter.

Cranston Veterans Memorial Scholarship: Sofia Riccio, John Soscia and Mikaya Parente.

Herbert S. Galkin Scholarship: Stefano Durastanti.

Manuel E. Martins Scholarship: Mia Buco.

Gordon D. Noonan Memorial Scholarship: Dillon Bombardier.

Greater Providence Retired Teachers’ Association Barbara DelSanto Memorial Scholarship: Ariarna Brennan.

Christy Family Scholarship: Christopher Trek.

Anthony “Tony the Barber” Manzi Scholarship: Kaleigh Hall

Outstanding Business Student: Brooklyn Kyriakakis