March 29, 2024

Renovated EPHS Gym Named for Ramos/Carvalho

Dr. Isadore S. Ramos & Luis Carvalho Honored

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The East Providence School Committee continued a tradition of naming sections of school buildings on behalf of people who have been instrumental in those corresponding areas. In July, the School Committee accepted a proposal to dedicate the newly refurbished EP High School gymnasium after two former physical education teachers from the high school. The proposal given to the school committee said in part:

In keeping with the tradition of naming certain school areas after persons of prominence, it is proposed that the newly refurbished East Providence High School gymnasium be re-dedicated as the “Dr. Isadore S. Ramos Gymnasium”. It is further suggested that the court within the gym be called the “Luis Carvalho Court”. Dr. Ramos and Mr. Carvalho have been closely associated with the high school gymnasium through the years.

Dr. Isadore S. Ramos

Dr. Isadore S. Ramos was a three sport outstanding athlete while at EPHS, graduating in 1956. He was an All-American wrestler, undefeated in high school. He went on to All-American status at Southern Illinois University. Dr. Ramos was the first minority teacher hired at EPHS. He was a popular gym teacher for years before being named as a Dean of Students. He was next promoted to Assistant Principal and also served as acting principal before being named an Assistant Superintendent of Schools for East Providence. He is a member of the Rhode Island Wrestling Hall of Fame and the EPHS Hall of Fame. He has received numerous other awards and proclamations as a leading citizen of East Providence. After retirement, Dr. Ramos was elected to the East Providence School Committee. He was next elected to the East Providence City Council and became the first person of Cape Verdean ethnicity in the nation to hold the title of Mayor.

Luis Carvalho

Luis Carvalho is considered one of the most successful coaches in the RI Interscholastic league. A graduate of EPHS he is also a member of the EPHS Hall of Fame and the University of Rhode Island Athletic Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the RI Interscholastic League Hall of Fame. He was the EPHS girls’ volleyball head coach for 25 years and the boys’ volleyball head coach for 13 years, winning 9 state championships. He was named a RI Coach of the Year 11 times. He also won 2 state championships for coaching girls’ soccer at Barrington High School. He was a gym teacher at EPHS for 34 years. Mr. Carvalho took the initial lead in starting the high school gym rehab by organizing a small group of volunteers who removed the gym’s bleacher seats and refinished many of them. He has volunteered countless hours of time in the high school gymnasium.

The high school gymnasium was given its' first ever major renovation, mainly by the volunteer effort of EPHS graduate, John Carnevale, Class of 2000. The official dedication will take place when school resumes in September. Carnevale is currently leading an effort to refurbish gyms at Martin and Riverside Middle Schools.

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