On June 4, over 160 eighth grade students were recognized at Western Hills Middle School for their academic achievements over the past two years at the school.

Those students will be moving on to high school in the fall. Individual academic achievement awards were also issued to students on each team, in addition to the awards for high honors and honors.

In addition to both Principal Anthony Corrente and Assistant Principal Tim Vesey, additional distinguished guests included Cranston Superintendent Dr. Judith Lundsten, Assistant Superintendent Jeannine Nota-Masse, Jeffrey Barone from Mayor Allan Fung’s office and School Committee member Janice Ruggieri.

Eighth-grader Mackenzie Blake sang the national anthem for her fellow classmates and their guests.

Principal Anthony Corrente addressed the class of 2018, congratulating them on their accomplishments at Western Hills.

“It is my privilege this evening to recognize you this evening. It is my hope and expectation that this is just one of many recognition nights as you move along your educational path,” Corrente said. “As I look at you, our honored guests, I think of what each of you must have been like when you were younger. If the past two years are any indication, then the word that comes to mind is ‘why.’ Most assuredly, you have asked your parents and teachers ‘why’ countless times since you learned to speak. You have now not only asked that question, but you have begun to answer it and will continue to answer it for many years ahead.”

Corrente offered his students a challenge as they move on in their educational careers.

“I challenge you, whether it is in the classroom, on the stage, on the field, or in your job, not only to ask why but to answer it as well,” he said.

Student Council president Chae McConaghy addressed the audience, reminding her classmates about the first day of school fears they all shared as they began their years at Western Hills and thanked the faculty and staff for their passion, effort and motivation over the years.

“They gave us a reason to want to get up every day and go to school,” she said.

High Honors

Sofie Andrews, Scott Angilly, Matthew Baker, Ryan Bayne, Jenna Briggs, Jason Cambra, Danielle Carmody, Maria Cherry, Zoe Cute, Kailyn D’Elena, Aris Degaitas, Elizabeth DelVecchio, Madison DeMelo, Heather DiFazio, Erin Dillon, Nicholas Dionizio, Sarah Ebirim, Alexis Florio, Dean Grupposo, Aislinn Hanley, Luca Ialongo, Sai Kamsani, Aditya Kini, Sara Lancellotta, Alec Lazieh, Ryan Medeiros, Christopher Men, Benjamin Meunier, Carrie Minassian, Marina Moceri, Reston Noscal, Caitlin O’Brien, Melina Palmieri, Gabrielle Patnode, Stephanie Phillips, Charles Pisaturo, William Provost, Connor Rogan, Jared Santerre, Madison Shapiro, Brett Traficante, Abby Turchetta, Jillian Zayat, Talia Zuena

Honors

Adriana Aceto, Joseph Addessi, Jenna Andrade, Bianca Arlia, Gianna Assalone, Saif Aziz, Matthew Battista, Nicholas Berling, Angelo Bianco, Victoria Leyden, Emily Bolton, Mariela Calabro, Kaylee Camilloni, Eunice Chung, Maguire Collins, Madison Corey, Caroline Cowart, Nicholas Crudale, Stephanie Cuervo, Marissa Cushman, Kyle Dacey, Katherina Daiaa, Darren DeAngelis, Dante DelBonis, John DeRouin, Nicholas DeStefano, Anthony DiBiasio, Gemma Downing, Jake Drohen, Cassidy Dubeau, Andrew Dumas, Samantha Evans, Kristina Faiola, Adiani Fernandez, Elizabeth Ferrara, Anthony Fioravanti, Jack Gabrilowitz, Gabrielle Gasbarro, Benjamin Grant, Steven Grenier, Ghassan Habchi, Sophia Hanley, Cameron Harris, Alayna Harvie, Alice Izyumoff, Steven Jacques, Kaitlyn Kasper, Lauren Kates, Megan Kenneally, Zachary Knight, Glenn Kornasky, Kelly Lambrese, Stephanie Lamond, Cosette Lee, Jacob Lepre, Rocco Lombardi, Julia Lotti, Zoe Mahoney, Kendall Majcher, Mia Marcello, Thomas Marcello, Samantha Mastrati, Chae McConaghy, Connor McMahon, Antonio Melillo, Kanika Men, Nicsaii Men, Taylor Moore, William Motta, Brendan Notarianni, Elliott Palumbo, Tyler Palumbo, Siena Parente, Jamie Parillo, Aria Pegg, Nicholas Peralta, Victoria Picano, Bethany Poland, Jacob Polion, Lincoln Pollock, Nicholas Poulos, Elizabeth Priestley, Matthew Ragosta, Michael Ragosta, Joseph Ricci, Paige Ring, Sebastian Robichaud, Anthony Rossi, Jolie Rouleau, Caroline Russell, Jordan Scarduzio, Alec Schlink, Matthew Siravo, Andrew Spirito, William Such, Matthew Tocco, Ryan Vallier, Connor Venagro, Bailey Whittaker, Keevan Winters