A Profile in Townie Pride

On many days Manny and Stephanie Vinhateiro can be seen at community events throughout East Providence. This includes cultural and athletic contests, mostly relating to East Providence High School. They are in attendance cheering on student-athletes of all sports and many times are seen volunteering to help raise funds to support these students. Currently, they are seen at every Townie football game working the new concession stand at the brand new EPHS campus. Not some games – but every game. They coordinate everything needed to operate a successful concession. They order food, they cook and wait on hundreds of fans hungry for a hot dog or pizza or drink. Then long after all the fans have left, they and a handful of other volunteers clean the place and finally head home. “We don’t do this alone, we have others helping,” points out Manny Vinhateiro.

So just who are the Vinhateiros and why do they volunteer so much? Manny and Stephanie Vinhateiro are both products of the East Providence School System. They both attended East Providence Public Schools for the entirety of their K-12 education. Manny graduating in 1965, Stephanie in 1966. “Sometimes I feel like we’ve never left EP High,” Manny jokes in an interview for this story. After high school, both attended Rhode Island College to become teachers. Both spent their entire teaching careers with East Providence schools. “I guess if you combine our total involvement with the East Providence School department, the total number of years equates to over a century of service,” Stephanie says with a smile. “Yes, but we feel young,” laughs Manny in reply. That sense of “feeling young” may just be a benefit of all the time they spend around the young people and families in their lifelong hometown.

Stephanie became an elementary teacher and had a long career in the classroom. She passed up many opportunities to go into full time administration, opting to stay “in the classroom” as she became one of East Providence’s best loved teachers. Her career was mainly at the Myron J. Francis school where she also served as a “head teacher” for years. In addition to teaching young children, Vinhateiro would volunteer to direct school plays and other extra-curricular activities. After retirement, Stephanie was supervisor of Providence College student teachers.

Upon Manny’s college graduation, he began teaching at the former Central Junior and then Martin Junior High school. He, too, became an effective teacher and began a long career in teaching, coaching and administration. A student-athlete himself at EPHS, Manny later coached wrestling at East Providence high and mentored countless students who continue to reach out to him to this day. “Mr. V. (as he is referred to by many) instilled a strong work ethic and sense of pride in many of us,” said a former student and now current EPHS veteran wrestling coach Tom Galligan. Galligan was recently inducted into the R.I. Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Manual Vinhateiro was promoted to Assistant Principal at EPHS and became Principal of his alma mater upon the retirement of Arthur Elmasian. Manny continued in that role until he was asked to become Deputy Superintendent of Schools. A history major and affable educator, he was eventually hired as Superintendent of Schools. As Superintendent he guided the school system with smooth effectiveness and professionalism. “Manny was a stickler for high academic standards and consistency in how students and teachers were treated,” said a long-time teacher now retired.

Upon retiring as Superintendent of Schools, Manny became the President of the East Providence Education Foundation, a 501c-3 that raised funds for Academic programs within the School District. He was and is presently a member of the building committee that proposed and guided the construction of the new E.P High. He is also a member of the building Committee for the renovation and reconstruction of the Martin Middle School and the Waddington Elementary School. In addition to these time-consuming tasks, Vinhateiro either attends or volunteers to assist in most Townie events and athletic contests.

Similarly, Stephanie has given much back to her alma mater and community in her retirement. She is the Secretary of the Friends of Townie Athletics, another 501c-3 that raises funds for Townie Athletics. This organization has raised and distributed more than $250,000 dollars to support Townie Athletes. She is also the Secretary for the “Townie Pride Hall of Fame Committee” an organization that recognizes individual Townie Graduates who have brought honor and distinction to their community (both Vinhateiros are Townie Hall of Fame inductees). Vinhateiro was also very active in groups such as the Rumford Junior Women’s Club, the Wampanoag Women's Club, helped to raise funds for American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), was a key volunteer for the Scout Lyons benefit and was active with the "Have a Heart-Line a Cupboard" food charity at St. Brendan’s Church, among other volunteer efforts.

Someone who is very familiar with the Vinhateiros is former State Representative and current Rhode Island Secretary of State, Gregg Amore. Amore is a former student, athlete, teacher, coach and Athletic Director for EPHS and the district. “No two people personify Townie Pride more than Stephanie and Manny Vinhateiro. Their selfless and unending commitment to our city's public school students and families is a remarkable testament to a couple who were both universally respected and beloved educators and have, in so called retirement, become the model of selfless service to our community,” said Amore.

Indeed, both Vinhateiros, now in their seventies, could be sitting at home or travelling a lot and enjoying a leisure retirement. However, they have become shining examples of “Townie Pride” and their love of commitment to a city and school system they are part of. “We both feel strongly that our community is a very special and unique place. We believe that the idea of Townie Pride is a concept that has always resided within our community but was truly advanced and conceptualized by the late Myron J. Francis, Superintendent. of Schools during the 1980’s,” said Manny Vinhateiro.

“In my capacity as Secretary of State I travel the state preaching the importance of civic engagement and I cannot think of a better example of what it means to be civically engaged than what the Vinhateiros do every day. Simply put, they are difference makers in the very best sense of the term,” added Amore.

The Vinhateiros have two grown children, both graduates of EPHS. They enjoy spending time with their two grandchildren. “We still haven't figured out how they do it all. We’re so proud of our amazing parents,” writes daughter Heather and son Adam.

As teachers, administrators, coaches, head teachers and advisors, Manny and Stephanie Vinhateiro have been involved in every aspect of Townie Pride, from their days as student athletes to their present involvement in a multitude of community activities that enhance the concept of “Townie Pride.” By giving back to new generations of Townies, the Vinhateiros hope to “perpetuate the tradition of Townie Pride in our schools and our community.” Many in EP think they have been highly successful in that goal. “Townie Pride never sleeps,” adds Gregg Amore.