Cranston High School East celebrated the school’s 129th graduating class on June 8 at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC). The school named the recipient of this year’s CHSE Thunderbolt Award — Tim Yean. Cranston Public Schools Superintendent Jeannine Nota-Masse addressed the students and shared a message inspired by Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski, whose mother reminded him the importance of "getting on the right bus" with the right "riders" and "drivers" as he moved through life after high school. She encouraged the students to choose the right people to accompany them on their life's journey as they drove away on their metaphorical bus ride (at right).

Other speakers included Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins, School Committee Vice Chairperson Domenic Fusco and Principal Tom Barbieri.

Nota-Masse also paid tribute to outgoing School Committee Chairperson Michael “Mayor Traf” Traficante.

“Before I finish, I want to thank someone who helped my bus ride in Cranston go smoothly,” she said. “As an administrator in Cranston for 23 years, 9 of which have been as superintendent, Mr. Michael Traficante has mentored me, guided me, and entertained me with his historical accounts of politics in Cranston. His first graduation was in 1957 from Cranston High School, but this is his last graduation season as a member of the Cranston School Committee, and I would be remiss if I didn’t thank him for his decades of service to our community, his tireless dedication to our students, and his steadfast advocacy for this school (or our schools). If you know Mr. Traficante, you can be certain he will not stop his public service to our community, but he may be sitting in a different seat at graduation next year. Traf, thank you for all you have done for me, for our schools and for our students.”