EPHS Awards 358 Diplomas at Pierce Stadium

By Bob Rodericks

(All Graduates listed at bottom)

The prayers and hopes of many in East Providence were answered Friday night, June 3rd, as the rain moved away in time for the EPHS 2016 graduation ceremony held at Pierce Memorial Stadium. Graduating Townies have received their diploma for decades on the field were many memorable athletic contests have been held. Instead of crowding into a stuffy gymnasium, graduates, parents, relatives and friends enjoyed a breezy but dry commencement outdoors.

Class Valedictorian Matthew D’Amico was the first student speaker to address his fellow classmates. “Thirty years ago, when the space shuttle Challenger exploded in January of 1986, America was left in shock and awe. Seven brave men and women perished in their dedication to their hopes and dreams and in their pursuit of the future. Amongst the grieving and the doubt, President Ronald Reagan spoke words that I feel are important for us, the Class of 2016, to hold on to as we move forward in this day and age: “The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave.”

D’Amico continued the student speakers theme of character and determination. He referred to a school football team, who many thought wouldn’t do well, to a team one win away from a superbowl appearance. “We did a tremendous lot in the name of character. The truth is, we didn’t just ‘survive’ high school, we took it into our own hands and really used it to refine ourselves and determine just what it means to be. Our band traveled to beautiful Los Angeles, our chorus serenaded abroad in Italy, we traveled to historic Fenway Park to see the Red Sox stomp the Blue Jays as a few memorable examples,” said D’Amico.

“Author Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God describes self-discovery such that ‘There are years that ask questions and years that answer’. These four years, this one especially, has given us plenty of answers to those big daunting questions of life. High School puts us into the working man’s mindset, where we learn our mathematics, our science, our social studies, and our language arts every day to prepare us for the expanding world ahead. But our years here have also given us answers that are so much more valuable. This year has been a spectacular year for Townie Pride,” continued D’Amico.

“The future belongs to us, and to take it into our own hands we need to be brave. The future will never be yours if you grow faint-hearted in the face of desire. Seniors, I leave you with this: Don’t be afraid to dream, the future is yours.” As D’Amico referenced the teachers and family members helping the class get through high school, the rest of his classmates smiled and applauded in approval.

"I wasn't sure how I felt about Townie Pride when I got to the high school," said Christina D'Amico, third in the class. "I had known about pride in elementary and middle school but was a little skeptical when entering grade 9. While I didn't at first, I now embrace Townie Pride fully, I feel it," she previously told The Reporter.

All three students marveled at the family support they have known since elementary days. Class Salutatorian Nicholas Guarino recalled how he has heard generational stories about family members being so active at EPHS. "Since forever, it seems that the Guarino family has been very involved here. Hearing those old stories, I used to think that those were the glory days of EP. But now I feel it is still here. That pride and character may have been hidden for a while, but it exists now for me," Guarino said with a smile.

"A number one priority for me has been to see respect in our student body. This class in general wants to succeed. As a whole, this class has brought back lots of pride to our school and community," beamed a proud school Principal, Shani Wallace. Wallace, a veteran East Providence School teacher and administrator, is completing her first full year as EPHS Principal. "I've graduated, too," she chuckled.

Matthew D'Amico will attend Plymouth State University and concentrate on meteorology. Nicholas Guarino will attend Brown University majoring in Political Science and history and Christina D'Amico will attend Stonehill College and plans on a career teaching elementary school.

EPHS 2016 Graduates:

Christopher Jeremiah Abatecola

Elizabeth Nadia Abrahamson* †

Adriana Loudiviana Aguiar

Mark Jason Jovellanos Alcordo*

Mohamad Rayed-Jamal Aldine* †

Lauren Elizabeth Allan

Amber Destiny Allen*

Ashley Sophie Allen*

Omar Almaarrawi*

Cameron Michael Almeida

Jacob Antonio Almeida

Jordan Charles Amado* • †

Aaron Joseph Amaral* •

Joseph Weber Stephonso Amaral

Katelyn Elizabeth Amaral*

Brian Phillips Amesbury

Emma Frances Anderson*

Andreia Silva Andrade

Jake Paul Andrade

Hunter Graham Aparicio

Ray Anthony Aponte

Anora Paramy Aragon*

Matthew Passos Azevedo

DaQuan Carlos Baptista

Quentin Cordeiro Barbosa

Brandon Warren Barnowski* •

Tyler Anthony Benedetti

Ryan Raheem Benito

Marc Paul Bergin, Jr.

Danielle Juliette Bevilacqua

Imani Maria Bland

Madison Ashley Blinn

Dylan Joseph Bochichio

Brian Armenio Bolarinho*

Kenneth Edward Bond*

Matthew Borges*

Sarah Michelle Botelho*

Seth Charles Botelho* †

Kori Jayde Boucher* †

Benjamin Michael Bradley

Jonathan Michael Braga

Cynthia Cybel Braz*

Joshua Brennan-Audino

Alexis Ann Brown

Chelsea Victoria Brown

Isaiah Michael Brown

Marissa Joan Browning*

Alexander Roland Buteau

Matthew Albert Buteau* †

Stephaney Elizabeth Buteau

Jillian Marie Cabral*

Justin Carlos Cabral

Nicholas Roger Cadoret

Jacob William Cady

Emily Lee Caetano*

Tiffany Mary Caetano

Brianna Marie Caldeira*

Eugene Francis Campbell IV

Ricardo Gabriel Cardoso

Jared Nathan Cardoza

Tiana Marie Carroll

Hayden Quinn Case

Nathan Joseph Catelli

Janice Maria Cesar

Cameron Arthur Chabot

Reyna Salwa Chamoun

Jayden Michael Chase

Alexander Akira Chu •†

Adam Benjamin Cloutier* †

Felicia Raquel Sousa Coelho

Tevin Jay Coelho

Victoria Maria Coelho

Matthew Robert Conrad

Edward Joseph Cordeiro

Jeremy Ryan Cordeiro

Miguel Artur Correia

Nathan Louis Correia

Samuel James Corrente

Brandon Anthony Costa

Brynne Kathleen Costa* †

Jacqueline Nicole Costa

John Dimas Costa* • †

Nathaniel William Costa*

Dylan Thomas Costello

Jacob Thomas Crombie

Zachary Robert Crombie

Rachael Katharine Crowley* †

Matthew Adrian Da Silva

Tharsys M. A. P. Da Silva*

Brett Ashton Dailey

Emily Susan D'Ambra

Christina Rose D'Amico* †

Matthew Robert D'Amico* †

Mariah Ashley Daponte-Vieira*

Emilee Brooke DeBonis

Alexander Robert DeCastro

Cody Anthony DeCastro

Sarah Ann DeCastro

Jessica Marie DeCiantis

Ismael Wright DeJesus

Kristy Rosemarie DeMello

Devin Jose DeOliveira

Patience Amber Desmarais

Adam Christian Dias* †

Jamilette Marie Diaz*

Rachel Sylvia Diggins

Brianna Lee DiGiovangiacomo

Rachel Morgan Doucette* †

Gabrielle Margarita DoVale* •

Zoë Veronica Dowgiala*

Adam Eugene Duarte

Alejandro Almada Duarte

Haylee MacKenzie Duarte

Monica Marie Dubois

Casey Cecilia Duckworth* †

Grant Treyvon-Joseph Durant

Stephanie Noel Esteves

Nicholas Joseph Faella* •

Kelvin Pinto Faial

Zachary C. C. Fancher

Mackenzie Michael Farnsworth

Sydney Lee Farrea*

Dakotah Ann Federowicz* †

Devon Michelle Federowicz

Carina Botelho Ferreira*

Kelsey Ann Ferreira*

Lindsey Faith Ferreira

Zoë Knight Ferreira

Savannah Brum Figueiredo*

Andrew Joseph Robert Flanagan*

Brianna Lynn Flodin

Jamielin Nicole Forsythe* †

Jonathan Richard Frazier

James Elijah Freeman

Kayla Pimentel Gagne*

Caitlin Rose Gagnon*

Melissa Marie Garcia

Michelle Elizabeth Gaudreau

Derek Justin Geiger

Britney Evora Gibau

Jordan Connor Gibson

Brianna Belmira Gomes

Tayla Rae Gonsalves* •

Dylan Joseph Goodinson

Alexander David Gorman

Katrina Marie Kaliff Grace

Nicholas Robert Guarino* •†

Dante A. E. Guglielmotti* †

William Guo* •†

Michael Lee Hall

Brooklynne Rose Harriger

Austin Steele Hartley

Nicole Elizabeth Hawley

Charles Lewis Hazzard

Anthony Scott Heady

Kierstin Elizabeth Heck*

Dean Luis Hernandez* •

Kyra Lyn Heron*

Michelle Sheere Andrea Hodge

Nicholas Aaron Holden*

Adina Nevada Horne

Skylar Frances Hughes

Emma Rose Iacovino

Daija Domanque Jackson*

Justin Michael Johnson

Trinity Autumn Johnson

Tyler James Johnson

Ethan Manuel Jones* •

Ashley Christine Justa*

Astha KC

Dachel Monique Kilgore

Alexis Rae King

Kristen Gail Kinsley

Jason Michael Lachance

Angel Benet LaFrance

Victoria Lynn Lamarre*

Cheyenne Elizabeth Lambert

Lauren Elizabeth Landry

Sarah Elizabeth Laurianno*

Kevin Leal* • †

Patrick Daniel Leite

Peter Michael Leite, Jr.

Angela Marie Leonardo* †

Kevin James Lethbridge, Jr.* †

D'Morea Orlando Lincoln

Alexis Star Liolios*

Kyle Elden Little

Jonathan Rocha Lopes

Nicholas Andrew Lopes

Diogo Lourenco

Cheyenne Angel Machado*

Linda Lee Machado

Marcelo Moniz Machado

Dylan Ronald Macko

VyVy Mai*

Makaila Marie Marshall*

Jacob Essex Martin

Raquel Victoria Martins

Sabrina Kelly Martins* •†

Tyler Cabral Martins

Emely Del Carmen Mateo*

Hanna Elizabeth Maynard* †

Marcus Angelo McCarthy

Brianna Marie Braga Medeiros

Cynthia Rose Medeiros

Iyona Lee Medeiros

Johnathan Brian Medeiros

Marco-José Paulo Medeiros* †

Arianna Jordan Mello-Emond

Debbie Christine Melo*

Jacob Andrade Melo* •

Tatiana Rose Melo

Tyler Thomas Midelfort

Stacy Marie Miguel*

Jessica Viola Miller

Kayla Rae Miller

Evan James Milne

Mackenzie Lynne Mingo

Brandon Phillip Miranda

Kyra Namorita Mitchell

Alexis Lima Rendall Monteiro

Marissa Alexandra Montgomery

Taylor Jean Moran

Alexandra Nicole Morris* †

Corey Michael Motta, Jr.* •

Kaitlyn Abigail Muhl

Kristen Nicole Murray

Noah William Lewis Nahas

James Robert Nicoll

Deja Renee-Jeanette Oakes*

Kasey Marie Oliveira

Stephanie Maria Faial Oliveira

Frank James Oliver

Stacia Ann O'Loughlin

Timothy David Pacheco

Christian Anthony Pari

Nathan Andrew Parker

Dante Joseph Parrilla

Joshua Charles Parsons

Parth Patel*

Shahil P Patel

Andrew Steven Peckham

Mario Andrew Peoples

Jefferson Pereira* •

Lauren Marie Pereira

Marcelena Rose Pereira*

Nathan Joseph Pereira

Paulo Jorge Pereira, Jr.

Sara Marie Perry* †

Nataya La’SHEA Peterson

Kaylee Elizabeth Phillips

Dominique Jameela Pickering

Matthew Austin Piedoux

Victoria Lee Pilon

Rachel Pimentel

Andrew James Pinson

Cassandra Dias Pires* •

Gabrielle Fortes Pires

Orienne Marie Pires

Ethan Cole Plouffe*

Kelsey Lynn Poissant*

James Richard Polana

Evan Charles Poland* •†

Kelcie Irene Popolillo*

Madison Eliana Powers

Kira Joyce Pratt*

Gabrielle Rosalie Quattrucci*

Amanda Vieira Rates

Brandon Anthony Rebelo

Dylan Matthew Rebelo* •

Breana Cidalia Rego

João Dionisio Rego

Marlene Tavares Rego

Mason Reis

Steven Michael Reis

Victor Manuel Reis

Kyara Jade Ribeiro

Shyanne Marie Robberson

Katie Elizabeth Robinson

Quintin Michael Rocha* †

Andrea Taylor Rodenbaugh

Kyle Steven Roderick

Tatyana Marie Rodrigues

Jeremiah Rodriguez

Yalitsa Marie Rodriguez

Haley Lynn Rodriques

Theodore Joseph Rogers, Jr.

Francisco Antonio Rolon

DeVante Rafael Rose

SháQuandra Ruffin

Dunia Teresa d'Jesus Samayoa

Kaleb Dylan Santiago

Cassandra Elizabeth Santos

Christopher Andrew Santos

Crystal Marie Santos

Jarron Christopher Santos

Annie Olivia Sears

Jayla Alicé Semedo

Giselle Marie Shaffer

Justin Thomas Shaffer

Slade Shiv Sharma

Daryl Joseph-Malik Shepard

Cecelia Marie Silva

Derek Louis Silva* •

Taylor Ann Silva* †

Thomas Silva, Jr.

Thor Derek Silva*

Jared Delio Simao

Darian Larkin Simas

Shannon Marie Simmons* †

Christopher Michael Sisto

Abigail Rose Skeffington* †

Samuel Alan Slusarski

Jenna Nicole Smith

Jemarí Cherell Soares

Olivia Marie Soares* †

Niki Gramma Sofikitis

Keilin Dannesy Solis

Gavin Michael Souza

Megan Lee St. Hilaire* •†

Madison Lynn St. Onge

Alex Gregory St. Vincent

Andrew Paul St. Vincent

John Paul Suliveras II

Meghan Eve Tarvis* †

Dylan Victoria Tavares •

Jessica Rae Tavares*

Kalyn Victoria Tavares*

Victoria Lynn Tavares

Arayona Marie Taylor

Robbin Marie Teixeira

Geana Rosario Teodoro

Katelynn Elizabeth Tewksbury

Brandon Anthony Thomas

Jason David Thompson

Brett James Tierney* •†

Isabel Breanna Tillet*

Corrie Kay Traverse* •†

Adam James Turner*

Thomas Daniel Usenia

William Manuel Vanner †

Sigrid Yocelin Vazquez

Zecaree Emanuel Veiga

Mercedes Dallas Viau

Christina Da Graca Vidinha

Eveline Karine Vieira*

Kyle John Vieira

Antonio Francisco Vieira, Jr.

Joshua Jonnathen Viveiros

Shanea Isabella Volino

Grace Amore Voll*

William Wesley Wagoner, Jr.

Kyle Raymond Walsh

Hope Anne Welshman

Rachel Louise Yerid

*Denotes Rhode Island Honor Society

•Denotes National Technical Honor Society

†Denotes National Honor Society