FROM STAFF REPORTS

The Rhode Island Interscholastic League recently honored a total of 24 individuals, including 17 student-athletes, for their exemplary achievements and contributions over the past year at its 12th annual RIIL Awards Breakfast, held Wednesday, May 8 at the Quonset “O” Club in North Kingstown.
Student-athletes were selected for the RIIL Distinguished Achievement awards for a host of reasons whether it be for their accomplishments in the classroom, on the athletic field or in their communities – and in most cases, a combination of the three.
The RIIL Leadership & Service Awards, which were presented by Bank Rhode Island, were selected because they have demonstrated exceptional leadership on the field, in the classroom and in their communities. They have served as strong role models and have also made a positive difference in their communities.
All of the students who were honored also were their respective schools’ nominees for RIIL Student-Athlete of the Year.
Here is a look at two Johnston residents who were recognized.

Alexia DiLorenzo, Johnston High School
A member of both the girls soccer and softball teams at Johnston, Alexia earned All-State and All-Division honors in soccer, helping to lead the Panthers to the Division IV semifinals in 2022 and the Division IV finals last fall. She is also a four-year starter in the outfield for the softball team, helping Johnston qualify for the playoffs each year.
Alexia has also been extremely active in student government throughout her high school career, serving as Vice President and now President of the Student Council, as well as vice president of the National Honor Society. In these positions, she helped organize multiple successful blood drives, Adopt-A-Family collection drives and Dress Down Days to raise money for such organizations as the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation, Tomorrow Fund and American Heart Association.
Ranked 10th in her class with a 3.93 GPA, Alexia aspires to be a teacher and will attend Rhode Island College in the fall, where she plans to study Elementary Education and Special Education.

Elaine Lyden, Gymnastics Official (resident of Johnston)
Elaine Lyden’s involvement with gymnastics in Rhode Island dates back more than 50 years, beginning when Midge Palmer first persuaded the Providence physical education teacher to begin coaching and officiating.
Elaine accepted the challenge and in the 1970s, she coordinated and directed elementary and junior high gymnastics and in the mid-1980s served as the gymnastics director on the RIIL subcommittee for girls. After passing the judges test and receiving her rating in 1977, Elaine began judging high school gymnastics meets.
In the decades since, she has continued to assist with every aspect from judges training, to assigning, to compiling league statistics. Through it all, she has been content to work in the background without any fanfare. As the late Ann Morris said of Elaine when she was presented with the A. Lenore Cranston Award in 2001, “She is the tireless assistant that never wants to receive credit, but we can’t do without her.”