As Warwick Vets closes chapter, class of 2016's top 10 celebrated

By Andrew Dooley
Posted 7/28/16

It was a transitional year for students and faculty at Warwick Veterans Memorial High School, which will be converted into a middle school for the coming school year. Students and teachers will move to Pilgrim and Toll Gate high schools.

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As Warwick Vets closes chapter, class of 2016's top 10 celebrated

Posted

It was a transitional year for students and faculty at Warwick Veterans Memorial High School, which will be converted into a middle school for the coming school year. Students and teachers will move to Pilgrim and Toll Gate high schools.

“It was a very emotional year for everyone,” said former principal Gerald Habershaw, who is now the principal of Pilgrim. “We tried to have a great year together as a community.” He said the mission was to “make the future brighter for everyone.”

Habershaw said the transition has been positive thus far. There was a student shadowing program, where Vets students would go to Toll Gate and Pilgrim for a day and shadow the students to get a feel for the different communities. The cooperative effort doesn’t end with the student body and the school’s faculty, either.

“The superintendent is doing a tremendous job of spending money where it needs to be spent,” Habershaw said.

All of this change didn’t stop the student body from performing to the highest standard possible, which can be seen through the top 10 students from the Vets class of 2016.

“There’s a lot of diversity in our top 10,” Habershaw said. “There’s a wide range of talent.”

Although the time for Vets as a high school has ended, its students will take their hard work and dedication to the other Warwick high schools. As for the class of 2016, the last graduating class from Warwick Vets, they will be taking the next steps in their lives.

Kevin Sanita

The class of 2016 valedictorian is Kevin Sanita, and he earned the title with an extreme dedication to his academic studies.

“I thoroughly enjoy doing my best and working hard, even when I do not necessarily have to,” he said. “I also enjoy learning new things, so that helps me stay focused and pay attention to everything so that I learn as much as I can.”

Sanita learned a great deal as the lead programmer for the Robotics Club. Through the club, he was also able to help start the after-school Elementary Robotics Club. “Becoming a part of the robotics club and going to Super Regionals with them” is what he will remember the most about high school.

Sanita was also a member of the Math League and participated in the Science Olympiad, so his dedication to his studies wasn’t only through classes, but also through extracurricular activities.

He’s earned his fair share of accolades for his efforts. He received the Rensselaer Medal for Excellence in Math and Science, the St. Michael’s Book Award, and the Harvard Book Award. He was also the top student in school in the Math League.

These extracurricular activities, awards, and his grades have earned him a spot at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, in the fall, where he’ll be majoring in computer engineering.

“My parents and family in general have been extremely supportive,” he said. “I have great friends who have always been there for me, and Mr. Lawrence West III has been an amazing mentor to me.”

Carolynn Silva

Class of 2016 salutatorian Carolynn Silva’s high school resume is very impressive.

Silva was a member of the Math League and the Robotics Club, as well as a participant in the Science Olympiad. These extracurricular activities kept her constantly working on science and math subjects.

She was a member of the National Honor Society, the Rhode Island Honor Society, and the Spanish Honor Society, so her efforts did not go unrecognized. She was also tied for the title of top scorer of the school’s Math League team in 2016. She received the Picerne Family Scholarship, and as a part of the Robotics Club, she helped the team win the Think Award, which was given to the team with best engineering notebook in the state. She was part of the team, the Canebots, that went to Super Regionals.

Silva had quite a few people to thank for her success and enjoyment of high school. “My wonderful and supportive family, grandparents, and friends,” she said. “Also my invested club coaches, Mrs. [Caroline] Savery and Mr. [Lawrence] West, who introduced me to new interesting applications of sciences and math.”

Silva might have someone else to specifically thank, too. When asked what motivated her to excel, she said: “Academically competing with my older brother.” Also providing motivation was the “desire to be successful for my college endeavors and goals past high school.”

Tram Nguyen

“My hand cramping up trying to write essays,” is what Tram Nguyen, third in her class, will remember the most about her high school years.

Well, her hand didn’t cramp up for no reason, as her hard work and dedication will take her to Boston College in the fall with a major in computer science.

Her college education will be possible because of everything she was able to accomplish in high school. When asked what motivated her to excel, Nguyen said: “To graduate high school and get into a good college with minimal debt.”

The first part of that goal has been accomplished, and with many accolades to go along with it. Nguyen was the team captain of the Academic Decathlon, as well as a member of the Robotics Team, the Science Olympiad, and the Math League. On top of all of these extracurricular activities, she managed to find time to participate on the cross-country and indoor and outdoor track teams.

This effort led to recognition of her success, as she was named a member of the National Honor Society, the Rhode Island Honor Society, and the French Honor Society. She also won four medals during her time in the Academic Decathlon, and she went to states for National History Day her freshman year.

Nguyen had these people to thank for her success: “My family for always supporting me and helping me with other things when I am busy with school. My friends for always making jokes so we can get through our classes when the struggle was real.”

Kyle DiCarlo

Kyle DiCarlo is the fourth-ranking student on Vets’ top 10 list, and for good reason.

He was a member of the Robotics Club and the Math League. He was also given the General Treasurer Seth Magaziner’s Young Leaders Award. On Magaziner’s Facebook page, it says: “Young Leaders from across the state were recognized for their outstanding achievement in math, economics, and business-related courses, as well as their commitment to their communities and established leadership skills.”

DiCarlo’s time with the Robotics Team is what he’ll remember the most, and he said his teachers and his family have contributed to his success the most. And his success was self-motivated. He’ll be joining the Air Force after school, and he wants to do Intelligence.

Robert Pierce

Coming in at number five on the list is Robert Pierce.

Pierce was busy in high school, participating in athletics, focusing on academics, and excelling in music. He was a member of the swim team, and a big participant in the school band. He was also a part of the jazz band and the honors band.

Academically, he performed so well that he was named a member of the Rhode Island Honor Society, the National Honor Society, and the Spanish Honor Society. He was also named a Rhode Island Scholar for his efforts.

All of this hard work has brought him to the University of Rhode Island in the fall, where he will be studying engineering.

“My friends, all aspects of band, and my advisory” are the things he will remember most about his high school years. Band and advisory played a big part in his success and enjoyment of high school, as he had to thank Mrs. Danielle Prior-Watterson, his band teacher, and Mr. William Millette and Mr. Edward Kimmerlein, who were his advisory teachers. He also said that what motivated him to excel was, “My parents, and my desire to be successful.”

Christopher Knight

Who does Christopher Knight, ranked sixth in the class of 2016, say contributed to his high school success? “My parents, siblings, coaches, teachers, and the baristas at Starbucks who made all of the late nights and early mornings bearable,” he said.

If there’s anyone Knight should be thanking, however, it’s himself. He’ll be attending the University of New England to major in athletic training in a seven-year doctorate of physical therapy program, and it’s because of the success he created for himself in high school.

“I wanted to get into a college that could help me reach my full potential as a student, human being, and member of the community,” he said.

Knight ran cross-country for three years, as well as indoor and outdoor track for one year. He also played tennis for a year, so he was very physically active. He participated in governance all four years of high school, and was a member of the executive committee and the blood drive committee all four years, too.

In recognition of his efforts throughout high school, Knight was named a member of the National Honor Society, the Rhode Island Honor Society, and the French Honor Society. He was also named Most Valuable Player for running cross-country in 2016.

“The people I was surrounded by have made my high school experience something I will never forget,” he said.

Stephanie Racca

“I was motivated because I always enjoy learning new things,” said Stephanie Racca, who comes in at number seven on Vets’ list of top 10 students in the class of 2016. She will be learning a lot of new things this fall when she attends the Worcester Polytechnic Institute to study computer science.

Racca was physically active during high school. She was a co-captain of the girl’s varsity tennis team, and a member of the varsity golf team for two years.

Academically, she earned many awards that validate her spot in the top 10. She was named a member of the National Honor Society, the Rhode Island Honor Society, and the National Spanish Honor Society. She was also named a Rhode Island Scholar.

On top of all this, she received the Corrina Cole Scholarship and the Cox Communications Scholarship. For the State National History Day in ninth grade, she got first place in Individual Website. She was also given the Humanities Award. So there’s a very long list of awards Racca has received during her time at Warwick Vets.

“I will remember the interesting and unique people it [high school] allowed me to meet,” she said. “The teachers, staff and family who supported my success and friends who inspired me to be the person I am today,” she said about those that have helped her succeed and enjoy high school.

Samia Pratt

Samia Pratt takes number eight in the top 10 students of Warwick Vets, and for good reason. She was a very busy person during her time at the school.

Playing the position of center for the Warwick Co-op Lady Titans ice hockey team, she was active in the athletic department. She also was a member of the school’s band, and she held the position of co-president in the concert, jazz, marching, and pep bands.

All the hard work she put into being co-president of the band paid off, as she ended up winning the John Philip Souza Band Award, which is a national award. As if that isn’t enough, Pratt also earned herself the Greenwich Bay Women’s Scholarship, the Corrina Cole Scholarship, and the Andrew Gauthier Scholarship. That’s a lot of financial support for a college career, which will begin at the University of New England, where she’ll be going to study marine biology.

If there’s one thing she’ll remember the most about her high school years, it’s the people. “It’s important to remember those who always supported you and your ambitions,” she said. “Definitely my parents, my grandparents especially, my friends, my classmates, our teachers and most importantly my uncle Mikey.”

Pratt then went on to say: “My parents and grandparents definitely pushed me to be my best. My uncle always saw my potential and believed in me as well as my own motivation to push myself.”

Katherine Connors

Another prominent member of the music department at Vets is Katherine Connors, who ranks ninth in her class.

Connors put a ton of time and effort into singing. She was a member of the Vets Jazz Chorus, the Vets Chorale, and the Vets Concert Chorus. Not only that, but she was the soprano section leader, which means she possessed strong talent and leadership qualities.

When asked what she will remember the most about her high school years, Connors said it would be the “long rehearsals with fantastic payoff in concert.”

Recognition for her outstanding achievements with the chorus and chorale groups came in the form of her earning a spot on the National Association for Music Education Honors Choir. She was also a part of the Rhode Island Music Education Association All-State Chorus in 2013, 2015, and 2016. On top of that, Connors participated in National History Day in 2013.

Connors will be attending Fordham University in the fall to pursue a major in English and a minor in Italian.

She thanked her parents and her jazz choir friends and teammates, as well as her choir director Ms. Nancy Kennedy. And what motivated her to excel was “the desire to be able to be proud of who I am and what I’ve done.”

Tyler Nordin

Finishing up the top 10 students in Warwick Vets’ class of 2016 is Tyler Nordin, who’s excellence in the music department has earned him a spot at Berklee College of Music. He’ll be studying music business as well as production and engineering in the fall.

“My endless passion for music motivated me to excel,” he said. “I wanted to do anything that I could to build the foundation for a career in one of the hardest industries to make a living off of.”

Nordin’s passion for music certainly fueled his success in his high school career. He was a member of Warwick Vets Concert Chorus, Chorale, and Jazz Choir. He was also a part of the Rhode Island Music Education Association (RIMEA) All-State Senior Mixed Choir from 2014-16, the National Association for Music Education (NAFME) All-National Honor Mixed Choir from 2015-16, the NAFME All-Eastern Mixed Chorus for 2015, and the A Cappella Academy from 2015-16.

Nordin’s musical dedication shows through his awards, too. He won the National School Choral Award, and was named 3rd Choir Tenor for RIMEA All-State Senior Mixed Choir in 2014 and 1st Choir Tenor for the RIMEA All-State Senior Mixed Choir in 2015-16.

“I will remember the All-State, All-Eastern, and All-National Choirs, including the music and friends that I made,” he said.

And to add to his high school resume, Nordin found time to run cross-country, indoor track, and outdoor track in 2014.

“My family and their endless support helped to keep me motivated to pursue my goals,” he said. “My friends always kept my spirits up and made my day better.”

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  • richardcorrente

    Congratulations Kevin, Carolynn, Tram, Kyle, Robert, Christopher,Stephanie, Samia, Katherine, and Tyler. You made it! Not only did you get to the finish line but you got there in "The Top Ten!" Again, congratulations.

    How did you do it? Certainly, there was a lot of hard work on your part, but what about the contributions of your teachers who had the added burden of working for an insanely long time without a contract. The WTU (Warwick Teachers Union), is ready, willing and able to negotiate with the School Committee but the School Committee refuses. The lives and income of all of our teachers are in the hands of 5 individuals. $160,000,000 of taxpayers money (over a BILLION DOLLARS SINCE 2009) is controlled by these 5 people and THEY WON'T SIT DOWN WITH THE TEACHERS AND EVEN TALK ABOUT A CONTRACT!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? The teachers are 100% right and the School Committee is, in the court of public opinion, 100% DEAD WRONG!!!!!!!!

    Please join me in telling them so. When you see any of the members TELL THEM IN NO UNCERTAIN WORDS, "This is wrong!" "This HAS to be corrected!" "You took our taxpayers money!!" Tell them LOUDLY!!! And the next time you see one of your childrens' teachers say "Thank you!" "I'm with you!" "I appreciate ALL that you have done without a contract, and I support your need to have one!"

    My name is Richard Corrente. I am the endorsed Democrat for Mayor and my first priority will be to fix this mess. Mayor Avedisian hasn't and won't. He doesn't even attend the public meetings! I know the Mayor can't take part in the actual negotiations but this Mayor will encourage, urge, recommend and even pressure the stubborn members of the School Committee to "sit with the Teachers Union and TALK!" I will care enough to spend as much time and effort as the law and The Warwick Teachers Union will allow. I WILL get our deserving teachers a new contract. I won't quit trying until we succeed and those who know me the longest, know how diligent and persistent I am. Count on me! We are having a fundraiser at Lemongrass, 1138 Post Rd. Warwick, on August 8th from 5 to 8 P.M. Everyone, especially our teachers, are invited.

    See you then!

    Richard Corrente

    Endorsed Democrat for Mayor

    Thursday, July 28, 2016 Report this