Pilgrim High School 2020

PILGRIM HIGH SCHOOL PATRIOTS P

ntin g e the Cla s e r

ss o f

A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT FROM THE

WARWICK BEACON June 2020

Proudly Sponsored by:

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

pAgE 2

Mayor’s Remarks WARWICK MAYOR

Joseph J. Solomon

GRADUATION 2020 As Mayor of the City of Warwick, it is my distinct honor to be here addressing the graduating class of 2020.

This is certainly not what any of us envisioned when we thought about your graduation. It’s not what your parents have dreamed about and planned for, probably since the day you were born. It’s not what you expected for graduation or for all of the experiences you had hoped to have had this past year. Instead, we are all practicing social distancing. And for your teachers, principals, Superintendent, School Committee and all of our school staff – distance learning is no longer just a concept that anyone was considering, but a reality.

None of this current reality is what any of us had hoped for. When I became Mayor just over 24 months ago, I certainly did not imagine I would be guiding our city through an unprecedented catastrophe.

But here we are.

And from this experience, I hope you have learned how resilient and determined you are – those are qualities that will come to serve you well no matter what path you pursue in the future. You persevered despite all of the disappointments and challenges that came before you, and now you have earned your diploma. No one can ever take that away from you, and it’s a big step in building a better future for yourself.

In fact, this class will go down in history. You have lived through challenges that no previous graduating class has ever experienced.

I hope these challenges have made you stronger. I hope from this you have seen our community come together to make sure you all would have the opportunity to graduate. Your teachers have spent countless hours reconfiguring their lesson plans and other activities so that you could continue learning online, and so that you could graduate on time. This was a tremendous undertaking, and all of your teachers deserve a huge thank you.

I hope you have seen how, even during tough times like this, there are opportunities for us to all come together, and as a community, we are stronger together than we are apart. While this pandemic has been devastating for so many people, it has also showed us some of the best in humanity: restaurants, themselves struggling with drastically reduced revenue, bringing meals to first responders and hospital workers. Local businesses changing how they operate so they could instead make masks or sanitizing solution to help keep people safe. People volunteering to pick up groceries for a neighbor unable to leave the house.

I don’t know if any of you watched Mr. Rogers. That may have been before your time, but it was part of my time. Mr. Rogers had a saying: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”

That is so very true. We have seen so many helpers during this crisis.

But today, I want to also ask you to BE the helpers of today and the future. Help make our community a better place. Help make our world a better place. We need people like you – young leaders, graduates of today – who care about our community. If you see an issue that needs to be fixed, don’t just wait for someone else to fix it. Help find a solution.

If we were all at the graduation ceremony we had originally envisioned, I would ask you to look around the room. Instead, I ask you to take a moment and think of your classmates. Think about your own goals and aspirations. Some of you will go on to shape our community or maybe even the world. Some of you will make an impact that may not be as obvious, but is equally important.

In previous years, I have told graduating seniors that the path to success, when faced with the unexpected, will be using your ability to adapt, embrace new challenges, and have confidence in your abilities, experience, and intellect. No class has learned that more than you, the class of 2020.

Thank you, good luck in your future endeavors, and thank you for being a part of this great city.

pAgE 3

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

Mayor and Mrs. Joseph J. Solomon

class 2020

pAgE 4

WARWICK BEACON - gRADUATION 2020

A Message From Warwick Superintendent of Schools Philip Thornton

To the class of 2020.

We are here today celebrating your achievements. We celebrate you virtually as we continue to navigate our current efforts to keep all safe amidst this very sobering point in our history. History is punctuated at certain points in time with defining moments important unforgettable indelible moments in time.

You the class of 2020 have been bookended by a defining moment...9/11 at the start of your lives and now you are living through this current point in history, Covid 19, that will forever be a part of all of us.

It is in these times that our actions,how we deal with these difficult times, and how we treat others, define us now and for the rest of our lives.

It has been my experience, that as difficult as these times are, people are at their best with the expression of their humanity.

Having a virtual graduation is certainly something no one could have foreseen last September when your senior year began, still it’s our current reality in the midst of this global pandemic event.

I want you all to know that the relationships you have forged and the memories you have built are what will endure the test of time years after you have graduated from high school. Speaking on what matters most in life, I am often reminded of Robert Fulghum’s words, author of “All I really need to know I learned in Kindergarten”. Fulghum said “Every person passing through this life will unknowingly leave something and take something away.” Most of this “something” cannot be seen or heard or numbered or scientifically detected or counted. It’s what we leave in the minds of other people and what they leave in ours. Memory. The census doesn’t count it. Nothing counts without it.

Graduates, I offer you my congratulations on your graduation day. I wish you the very best as you move forward with your lives and encourage you to live full lives and make memories.

pAgE 5

WARWICK BEACON - gRADUATION 2020

pAgE 6

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

A letter from

Principal Gerald J. Habershaw M. Ed

Hello Everyone, As Principal of Pilgrim High School, I would like to welcome you to the Pilgrim High School commencement ceremony celebrating the Class of 2020. I would like to welcome Superintendent Dr. Phil Thornton, Mayor Joseph Soloman, School Committee Chairwoman Karen Bachus and all the school committee members. I would also like to welcome all family and friends of our graduating class of 2020.

I want to congratulate the class of 2020 for this tremendous accomplishment. You have experienced something that no one else has ever experienced. A worldwide pandemic took away a quarter and half of your senior year. I feel for you. This should not happen to anyone.

To the class of 2020, I ask that you do not allow this experience to ruin your future hopes and dreams. I ask that you continue to persevere and attain your goals. Life will never be the same, but we must adapt in a positive manner.

I wish the class of 2020 the best of luck in the future. For me personally, this is a very special class. This is my first four year class at Pilgrim High School. This is not the way we expected this year to end, but I want the class of 2020 to know that you were a great class of students here at Pilgrim High School. This class will never be forgotten in the history of our school.

Good luck to all of you and thank you.

Gerald J. Habershaw M. Ed Principal Pilgrim High School

pAgE 7

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

Celebrating your hard work and achievement, so give yourself a pat on the back.

Best wishes and may all your hopes and dreams come true.

ED LADOUCEUR Councilman Ward 5 401-447-7181

pAgE 8

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

Valedictorian Jamee Salisbury

Welcome, Class of 2020, family, and friends. For those of you who may not know me, I am Jamee Salisbury. Over the last four years, we have made so many memories together and have learned so much. Mr. Millete taught us that we are not allowed to date until we are thirty or until we have a degree, and PK taught us that coffee milk is superior to any other drink. From throwing eggo waffles into the crowd at the homecoming game to the rendition of “This Grill is Not a Home!” from Spongebob performed by a couple of our class clowns at Pilgrim Idol, we have made so many memories at Pilgrim together.

Sadly, it seems like the rest of our senior year has been taken from us. Prom, spring sports, the spring play, yearbook signing, a real graduation, the final goodbye...all gone. And now, we are all doing something we did not think we would: wishing we were back in school, celebrating our last moments as a Pilgrim Patriot together, and listening to Habershaw sing “nacho, nacho day”.

Especially in these hard times, I think many of us have realized life is short; we never knew that our senior year would end like this, which is why we should be grateful for the past years we have had together: all the championship games, and epic hoccer games in gym class, the school dances, the plays…

We have made it, Class of 2020, which is why, now, I’d like to take a moment on behalf of myself and my fellow graduates to thank all the people who have been there for us and have pushed us along the way. I want to thank my family and my parents for always being there for me and for encouraging me to be the best I can be; I love you. I would also like to thank my coaches and teammates for always being there and teaching me to believe in myself and work hard. Lastly, I would like to thank all my amazing teachers who have taught me so much and have made me love to learn.

Now, Class of 2020, we are high school graduates, all parting our own ways and following our own dreams. We all have the potential to do great things, and I hope you all find what you love to do and pursue it. We don’t have forever, so I hope you put your all into everything you do, and I would like to leave you all with a quote from Mahatma Gandhi. He once said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

Thank you.

HIGH SCHO M I R G O L L I CLASS OF P

2020

pAgE 9

PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT

PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT

PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT

PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT

PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT

Representative Joseph J. Solomon Jr.

Congratulates the On Their Graduation

Joseph Solomon Jr. STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 22 Paid for by Joseph Solomon Jr.

pAgE 10

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

Salutatorian Sophia Piperata

I like to picture myself a person of candor, so I will be perfectly honest in saying that I did not want to write this speech. I seriously delayed writing it because I dreaded the thought of addressing a class that is painfully unlike any other, knowing that any words would come short of the immense task of consolation and inspiration.

I am confident that I am not unique in the fact that I do not feel inspired right now. So I procrastinated, something that many people most likely assume I am incapable of doing. While I was doing anything and everything else in avoidance of the growing problem of an increasingly difficult task, I read.

Among my reads was Alexandre Dumas’s The Count of Monte Cristo, which coincidentally is the story of a man of around our age who is unjustly locked away in prison, leaving him blindsided, confused, and cheated out of life achievements that had been almost within reach. His once promising dreams are shattered, and he is robbed of a life that was just about to begin. The recognition of some similarities in the themes of this novel in the light of current events was something in the realm of catharsis, which could have also had to do with the elaborate revenge scheme that followed, but so it goes. Towards the end of the novel, when he is much older and has since had his Phoenix Rising from the Ashes moment, he writes in a letter to another young sufferer, “There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state with another, nothing more. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness.” These words reminded me of a common debate that would often arise in my Philosophy class as to whether or not one is required to have known pain in order to experience joy.

Although many an argument has been made against this under the reasoning that you shouldn’t have to be punched in the face to know that chocolate tastes good, I believe that there is still validity in this theory. I think that an average apple could taste divine to one who has only tasted rotten fruit for a week, or that laying on even the most mid-rate mattress after days of sleeping on the floor would feel euphoric.

Reading this passage now, I see it as a tiny sliver of light in the midst of an uncertain and unanticipated shadow of darkness. This disruption that we are experiencing is not our misery, it is only our opportunity for comparison.

It allows for every future celebration to be that much more joyful. As the letter continues, he goes on to say "Live, then, and be happy, beloved children of my heart, and never forget... all human wisdom is contained in these two words, 'Wait and Hope.”

HIGH SCHO M I R G OL L I CLASS OF P

2020

0

pAgE 11

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

Congratulations Class of 2020!

While we know this isn’t the graduation you imagined, the current situation in no way diminishes the hard work and dedication it took for you to reach this milestone.

Your graduation is cause for celebration - for all you’ve achieved and for everything that’s to come. Best wishes to the Class of 2020 from your friends at Washington Trust!

A skWas h Tr u st . c o m ~ 8 0 0 -4 7 5 -2 2 6 5

PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT

PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT

Member FDIC

PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT

Congratulations & Best of Luck!

Steve Merolla Council President

Paid for by the Friends of Steve Merolla - Sandra Smith, Chairperson

pAgE 12

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

Class Essayist

Marissa Birmingham

Good afternoon, class of 2020. My name is Marissa Birmingham, and I am honored to be speaking to you today. As a class, the last few months we have been surrounded by talk of “unforeseen circumstances” and “unprecedented times.” We have watched all of our sports, clubs, and activities become postponed indefinitely, as the end of our high school careers faded away with the ongoing coronavirus crisis. People have told us we will make history. But we are not simply the graduating class that got the short end of the stick, the ones whose only legacy is rooted in a global pandemic. We must not forget the years leading up to this day, where we achieved so much and developed into the young adults we are today. We are going to make history as artists, mechanics, engineers, doctors, entrepreneurs and more. We are going to take the circumstances we have been given and turn them into lifelong passions. We are so much more than the Class of 2020, the ones who finished their senior year online. We are the wave of the future, and we will not allow the past two months to be our legacy for the past four years. What we leave behind is an inspiring example of fortitude, tenacity, and determination. As we enter the next chapter of our lives and discover some new concept of normalcy, let us always remember the knowledge we have gained, the relationships we have built, and the strong yet compassionate people we have become. I would like to leave you with a quote from author C.S. Lewis, author of Chronicles of Narnia. He said, “We are what we believe we are.” I believe that we are some of the most dedicated, passionate, and kind people in the world, whose future is brighter than the dark circumstances the world has been plunged into. I am proud to be a member of the Class of 2020, and I wish you all the best of luck in your future endeavors. Thank you.

G H I H SCHO M I R G O L L I CLASS OF P

2020

2

pAgE 13

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

Congratulations Class of 2020 and best wishes for your next adventure!

From Councilman Steve McAllister

Sam’s New York System est. 1968

Sandy Lane Across From Thayer Arena 742-2105 • samsnys.com

Customer Satisfaction Is Our Number One Goal • State-of-the-Art Equipment • Certified Technicians • Eco-Friendly Car Paints

Where Quality is Our Heritage

The

WARWICK BEACON would like to

62 Post Road, Warwick, Rhode Island 02888 T. 401-781-8722 F. 401-781-7760 www.ricksautobodyri.com

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulate the Pilgrim High School & Toll Gate High School

Class of 2020 We wish you much success!

Don’t follow where the path may lead.

Go instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.

732-3234

www.FriendlySeptic.com

pAgE 14

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

THE BEST OF THE BEST HIGH SCHO M I R G OL L I CLASS OF P

2020

TOP TEN

JAMEE SALISBURY Pilgrim High School’s Valedictorian for the Class of 2020 is Jamee Salisbury, a dedicated athlete and member of her school community who rose to attain dazzling academic achievement during her four years at Pilgrim.

Crediting her family and teachers with supporting her high school journey, Salisbury set out not to excel, but to learn new things and to “make [herself ] better. She plans to attend Temple University this fall, where she will major in finance.

Salisbury competed in Indoor and Outdoor Track at the Varsity level for all of her four years at Pilgrim, serving as captain for both teams; she also participated in JV and Varsity Volleyball. In addition to athletics, she participated in the Yearbook Club, the Executive Committee, and the Math Club; she also served as a tutor. For her outstanding presence in the classroom, Salisbury was inducted into the National Honor Society, as well as the National Foreign Language Honor Society for studying Spanish. She earned the Brown University Book Award, the Claiborne Pell Award (with medal), and a Bronze Award for her success on the 2017 National Spanish Exam (Level Two). She was also named an AP Scholar with Honor.

“All the friends and great memories that I made in school and while playing sports at Pilgrim will be very memorable to me. I had amazing teachers throughout high school as well, and I will always remember them and be grateful for them despite being unable to have a last goodbye,” she wrote. “COVID-19 has not impacted my career plans yet, but I might have to start college online in the fall, which just is not the same. However, the pandemic has just challenged our class to seek out creative, new ways to celebrate our accomplishments together.”

4

pAgE 15

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

HIGH SCHO M I R G OL L I CLASS OF P

2020

TOP TEN

SOPHIA PIPERATA

Graduating second in the Class of 2020, Sophia Piperata earned the title of Salutatorian. She will be attending Columbia College in the fall, where her major is currently undecided.

Piperata served as an apprentice with Providence Ballet Theaters, worked as a Research Fellow at Bryant University through the ACS Seed Program, and was a supervisor at the polls during the 2018 Midterm Election. She was also awarded the Scholastic Art and Writing Honorable Mention, the Society of Women Engineers Certificate of Achievement Award, the Rhode Island Civic Leadership Award, the National Spanish Exam Silver Medal, and the Rensselaer Medal.

While honest about her desire to leave high school as soon as she started, Piperata spoke of her mother’s positive influence on her journey as a student and a human being.

“She is the owner of Seasons of New England, a local garden center, and through her example I learned the importance of hard work and endurance,” she wrote

MARISSA BIRMINGHAM Marissa Birmingham was ranked third in Pilgrim’s graduating class, par-

ticipating in many academic and artistic extracurricular activities with the help of a “tremendous support system” both inside and outside of her school from friends, family members, and teachers. She will be attending the University of Connecticut, where she will major in Biological Sciences on a pre-med track.

During her time at Pilgrim, Birmingham held many leadership positions.

She served as Treasurer of the Executive Committee, Editor of the Pilgrim Patriot school newspaper, President of the Random Acts of Kindness Club, and Secretary of the National Honor Society. Birmingham also served as Dance Captain in several arts programs at Bishop Hendricken High School, in addition to being a member of Dungeons and Dragons Club at Pilgrim.

She received the Silver Key award in the Scholastic Writing Competition, and the Middlebury College Book Award.

She was also an AP Scholar with Honor, and was a member of the Spanish Honor Society.

“Nobody could have anticipated the drastic way in which this virus put a halt to the many end-of-year memories our class was eager to make. However, the selfless sacrifices made daily by countless medical professionals worldwide absolutely inspired me,” she wrote. “I am so excited to become a physician in the future to provide the care and rehabilitation that today’s doctors and nurses demonstrate daily.”

pAgE 16

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

G H I H SCHO M I R G O L L I CLASS OF P

2020

TOP TEN

SARA LANGEVIN

Ranking fourth in her class, Sara Langevin contributed to Pilgrim as a devoted athlete and student, challenged by the mentors in her life to become a better person. She will be attending Quinnipiac University in the fall, where she will major in physical therapy.

Participating in field hockey and basketball for all four years of high school, Langevin served as captain for both teams her senior year. She received many awards for her athletic achievement, including the 2019 Division III MVP Tournament Award and the 2019 Division III Player of the Year Award, both for field hockey. She also received All-City awards for both basketball and field hockey, as well as the All-Academic Award for field hockey. Langevin was also a member of the Executive Committee, and was inducted into both the National Honor Society and the National Foreign Language Honor Society. She received the Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Book Award.

“I will mostly remember all the relationships I have made with my friends, teachers, coaches, and teammates,” Langevin wrote. “I will especially remember when the field hockey team won the Division III championship this past season. It was one of my best high school memories.” “[COVID-19] has not changed my goals for the future or my career plans; if anything it made me want to work in healthcare even more to impact the lives, health, and well-being of other people.

TARA O’CONNOR Tara O’Connor ranked fifth in Pilgrim’s graduating class, motivated to excel in order to prepare for college; she cites support from both immediate and extended family as the core factors that made her success possible. She will be majoring in public health at the University of Tampa this coming fall.

A dedicated athlete, O’Connor served as captain of the Varsity Basketball Team her senior year, in addition to participating on the Softball and Soccer teams as an underclassman. She was also induced into the National and Spanish honor societies, and was a member of the Executive Committee. She received an AP Scholar Award, as well as the Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award.

When asked about favorite memories of high school, O’Connor wrote that sports defined her experience at Pilgrim; specifically, making it to the basketball championships her junior year. She also spoke of how she loved being a part of the fan section present at so many Pilgrim sporting events.

“Although my career plans have not changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I have realized the importance of my field of study as well as the importance of all other essential jobs/workers during this time. I plan on going into the field of Public Health, and to know that I will be able to help others in the future during times of crisis such as the pandemic happening right now is what I am looking forward to the most,” O’Connor wrote.

6

pAgE 17

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

G H I H SCHO M I R G O L L I CLASS OF P

2020

TOP TEN

MADISON DIFFLEY Madison Diffley graduated sixth in her class, citing her friends and teachers as the people who showed her how to succeed and how to enjoy her four years at Pilgrim. While she has no definite plans for college just yet, she certainly plans to pursue music in the near future.

Diffley was a member of the Pilgrim High School Orchestra for all four years, and also participated in TEAM, Pilgrim’s AV career tech program. She cites her experiences in her senior year career tech classes as the strongest memories she will hold closest after high school.

“I’ve always been very self-motivated,” she wrote. “I want to excel because it makes me feel accomplished.”

When asked about the impacts of COVID-19 on her future, Diffley chose an optimistic reading.

“I don’t think it’s affected my career plans much, but I think we could get some good out of it. I think it’ll make people more appreciative of the little things in life.”

VY HOANG Vy Hoang ranked seventh in Pilgrim’s Class of 2020, writing of the “abundance of love and support” from many people in her life that made her success possible. She will attend the Community College of Rhode Island this fall, after which she will transfer her credits and major in dental hygiene.

Hoang was involved in the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) program, as well as the Executive Committee and the Photography Club. In addition to being inducted into the French Honor Society, she also received the Middlebury College Book Award. During her time at Pilgrim, she experienced massive personal growth through her own efforts.

“Growing up in a family where both your parents struggle to speak English makes you grow up fast,” Hoang wrote. “Learning how to be independent in school at a young age was not easy, but it helped me become strong and self motivated. When I was in kindergarten, I could barely understand what my teachers were saying. Twelve years later and I’m Top 10 at Pilgrim. I have come a long way through a lot of hard work and dedication.”

“It’s hard knowing that I had to spend the rest of my senior year at home on a Chromebook instead of in class with my friends and teachers. Even though this has been a really hard experience, I know that it will eventually be over. It may not be today or tomorrow, but someday everything will be okay. This whole situation has taught me a lot about strength and perseverance.”

pAgE 18

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

HIGH SCHO M I R G O L L I CLASS OF P

2020

TOP TEN MADISON ENOS

As the eighth ranked student and a prominent leader in her community, Madison Enos considers herself lucky to have had the opportunity to grow and develop within all of the programs offered at Pilgrim. She will attend Quinnipiac University next year, where she will major in biomedical sciences on a pre-med track.

Enos served as President of her class for two years, and as Treasurer for one; she was also a member of the Executive Committee, and served as President of the National Honor Society. She was an involved athlete, serving as Captain of the Girls Track and Field Varsity team and receiving the RITCA’s Coach Award. She received the AP Scholar Award, as well as the RI Civic Leadership Award and the Women in Engineering Award.

“The people who have contributed most to my success and enjoyment of high school have been my friends and peers,” she wrote. “I was motivated to excel by the goals that I have for myself in the future. I really hope to be a doctor one day and possibly study neurology. I know this will be a lot of hard work, though, and I wanted to prepare myself for what my future will be like.”

“The pandemic has not impacted my career plans at all; I still plan on being a doctor and attending the same university. At this point and time, I find it hard to see much good coming out of this situation. I do hope that in the future I can look back at this time and can learn a valuable lesson from it.”

CAMERON WOODBURY Cameron Woodbury, ranking ninth, cites his teachers and family members as primary figures of support; alongside, of course, the friends and classmates he worked with to triumph over difficult assignments as one unit. He will be attending Syracuse University this coming autumn, where he plans to major in aerospace engineering.

In addition to being a student athlete for three years, Woodbury additionally earned a spot on the High Honor Roll and was inducted into the National Honor Society. He also served as a member of the Executive Committee, and was a Bryant Book Award Recipient.

He cited his teachers as “major factors in my success and my enjoyment of school,” noting especially the contributions of physics teacher Mr. Marerese, English teacher Ms. Pouliot, and calculus teacher Mr. Fisher.

“It’s true that this pandemic has affected us like no other class before, but it has also given us some hardship to persevere through. It has made us all adapt to it, and, for better or worse, we have. We will all still come out of this, hopefully, with a new sense of pride in what we accomplish because it has been harder for us.”

8

pAgE 19

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

HIGH SCHO M I R G O L L I CLASS OF P

2020

TOP TEN

CONNOR FALLON Connor Fallon graduated tenth in the Pilgrim Class of 2020, finding motivation and support from many figures in his life, from parents to administrators to coaches. He will go on to attend Western New England University, where he will major in biomedical engineering and play for the Golden Bears Football program.

During his time at Pilgrim, Fallon received the Frank Marcone Scholar Athlete Award, as well as the Golden Dozen Member Award for the Class of 2020. In addition to being a two-sport athlete and Captain of a championship-winning football team, Fallon was also a member of the National Honor Society and participated in community service.

“My football team and coaches made me stronger mentally and physically, gave me school help, and provided a second family for me,” wrote Fallon. “When I have my own family and my team of brothers pushing me to succeed, it’s impossible to think about anything but success.”

“Not being able to walk to stage with the people I have spent four years with is definitely not how I envisioned my senior year ending, but I know it is for the safety of others and that makes it better. I think that waiting months for normalcy is much better than losing thousands. Life is more important than experiences and normalities.”

reflections

By TARA MONASTESSE

Reading through the reflections offered by Pilgrim High School’s Top Ten graduates of 2020, a special insight can be taken into the hopes and struggles shared by high school seniors nationwide in the wake of school closures due to the coronavirus and its resulting prevention measures. With several of the students on this year’s list hoping to pursue careers in the medical field, the current circumstances are more relevant than ever to their futures.

“This is a special class; this is the first class I’ve been with for four years,” said Principal Gerald Habershaw, who became principal of Pilgrim in the wake of the consolidation of Warwick Veterans from a high school into a middle school.

“It’s unfortunate that they ended the way they did,” Habershaw said, noting how the loss of milestones such as prom, sports, and the spring drama club production have been difficult to deal with from a “social standpoint.” As the Pilgrim graduates enter a world permanently changed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Habershaw said he hoped they will “move forward and still attain what they want to do in life, because life is going to continue after this.”

pAgE 20

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

PILGRIM HIGH SCHOOL

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

AWARDS

members of the 2019 – 2020

NATIONAl hONOR sOCIETY To qualify for the National Honor Society (NHS) students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.70 throughout high school.

Alves, Hayley M.

Dello Iacono, Alec A.

Mangold, Lars

Ring, Ashley N.

Antelo, Michelle

Doyle, Olivia G.

Manning, Makenzie R.

Ritchie Shelby L.

Arounderangsy, Phakeo

Eddy, Jordan A.

Maroni, Emma G.

Rix, Kenneth P.

Beaune, Cassandra

Frost, Charlotte R.

Marsh, Abbigail

Rodrigues, Allison M.

Bechtel, Jocelynn

Gibeau, Matthew D.

Martins, Eric

Sherman, Mia R.

Bergeron, Daniel

Gonnella, Haley C.

McCann, Ava J.

Silva, Mekenze

Boiano, Tatyana M.

Greco, Julia A.

McCann, Sofia

Sisson, Annabelle J.

Botelho, Haelly M.

Gustafson, Jenna C.

McCormick, Ivy L.

St. Germain, Grace M.

Brown, Christian M.

Hang, Abigail G.

McLaughlin, Alexis L.

Swicki, William M.

Burr, Kelsey L.

He, Daniel

McNamara, Teagan M.

Talbot, Joshua P.

Caruso, Aiden P.

Hemond, Madison M.

Mulhall, Ayden M.

Talbot, Justin M.

Centracchio, Ella M.

Hogan, Ashley N.

Neves, Mark J.

Tarasenko, Bethany A.

Cicerone, Bethany R.

Hopkins, Madeline G.

Nunez, Sarah R.

VanHeyningen, Chantel

Contarino, Skyla M.

Izzo, Christopher

Quell, Benjamin J.

Volpe, Trinity

Cook, James W.

Jencks, Micheal W.

Rainey, Nathan T.

Wajda, Mary E.

Corcoran, Emma

Kirby, Kendra N.

Ramsden, Lydia E.

Waring, Kaitlyn E.

D’Amato, Madison N.

Lopes, Amber F.

Reminder, Jared J.

Weichtmann, Jayden

Degos, Emmanuelle K.

Lynch, Matthew Scott

Resendes, Alana M.

Wellington, Jalyn S.

G H I H SCHO M I R G O L L I CLASS OF P

2020

0

pAgE 21

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

PILGRIM HIGH SCHOOL

RHODE ISLAND HONOR SOCIETY

AWARDS

members of the 2019 - 2020

RhODE IslAND hONOR sOCIETY These students have earned and maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.30 throughout their High School education.

Giana D. Alviti Isabella D. Alviti Giana Amaral Isabella Arnone Ethan J. Asadorian Troy C. Ashe Precious N. Atilano Demitri Ayres Sydni R. Bigelli Hannah L. Birch Marissa R. Birmingham Isabelle V. Boullier Cecilia G. Cano-Daly Sarah S. Carter Gwendolyn R. Casey Diana A. Cepeda Casey Chamberlin Leah Connolly Mollee Daniels Andreas de Bont Haeleigh R. DeFeo Robert V. DiBenedetto Madison Diffley Emily Diggle Alliana K. DiRocco Cassandra M. Dooner Connor Ellinwood Madison E. Enos Connor Fallon Madison Falvey Hailey R. Fera

Adam J. Ferrara Nicholas M. Follett Lillian J. Fucile Julian Gama Megan E. Garvey Brooke O. Giglietti Alyssa Giguere Oriana Gonzales More Ashley E. Gouveia Jude D. Grace Alexandra Higgins Vy Ngoc Hoang Samantha D. Hoitt Kayley Hollingshead Kylee Howard Mariah J. Hunt Zulay Izazaga Kaitlin R. Jaggi Fernando S. Jeronimo Megan L. Johnson Olivia R. Kiernan Derek A. Konicki Sara A. Langevin

Abigail H. Larson Henry M. Leclaire Andrew W. LeFrancois Cameron Levine Autumn A. Lincoln Grace A. Maguire Maeve M. Malloy Ava G. Malmberg Jane Malyuta Julia Malyuta Kiara L. Matarese Alyssa M. Matos Danielle McKerracher Aliyah N. Medeiros Kess Meinel Brycen A. Miller Tara E. O’Connor Owen O’Sullivan Alisa Pedchenko Eleanor A. Perry Gianna M. Petrella Madelyn Pike Sophia G. Piperata

G H I H SCHO M I R G O L L I CLASS OF P

2020

Aaron R. Rastella Mikaila E. Rastella Trinity Reilly Alexia L. Ritchie Nathan Robideau Dyonna A. Rodas Chase Rogers Victoria L. Rowley Jolena M. Russo Destiny J. Sage Jamee L. Salisbury Evan K. Schad Casey Shaw Eric Shaw Bianca N. Smith Royal John Southammavong Abbey R. Spolidoro Eric A. Stevens Taylor Suffoletto Jameson P. Tanguay Abigail O. A. Testa Melissa L. Tibbitts Samuel R. Toth Adrian Valdez Caitlin E. Valkoun Courtney Vest Joshua L. Walker Alexander S. White Cameron Woodbury Jillian Woods

pAgE 22

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

PRESENTING THE PILGRIM HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS OF Victor Jordan Abad Giana DeSantis Alviti Isabella DeSantis Alviti Giana Marie Amaral Jesse Joseph Amaral Alexander João Amedeo Jovanhi Ricardo Andrade Angelina Nunzi Antonizio Cameron James Armenti Isabella Marie Arnone Ethan James Asadorian Troy Contius Ashe Precious Nicole Sena Atilano Demitri Justin Ayres Brett Michael Babcock Sofia Marie Baez Moesis Joel Baez Dana Kevin Baptiste Jose Julian Barrera-Mattzer Greidyne Batres Jackson Thomas Bazarnick Samantha Elizabeth Befumo Kaylee Anne Bell Julianne Elizabeth Bergeron Anthony Stephan Berry Gabrielle Avery Bessette Austin Scott Bianchi Sydni Rose Bigelli Hannah Lynn Birch Marissa Rose Birmingham Aidan Quinn Boisse Michael Ryan Borges Isabelle Virginia Boullier Jayce Thomas Boyd Shaelyn Grace Bradshaw Kyle Benjamin Brown Maxwell Stephen Meshach Brown Jamey Ruthanne Elizabeth Buckley Brandon Joseph Burch Mark Thomas Cabral Kaitlyn Ivette Cabrera Logan Glenn Cain Jonathan Dylan Callahan

Cecilia Gayle Cano-Daly Sydney Marie Caprara Tori Amber Carr Emily Frances Carter Maxwell Timothy Carter Sarah Sydney Carter Skylar Michael Carter Gwendolyn Rose Casey Christopher Michael Castello Diana Angelica Cepeda Casey Lynn Chamberlin Deidra Jennifer Clements Janessa Gillian Clements Aaron James Cole Leah Nicole Connolly Sarah Margaret Corbin Nicholas Michael Cote Cameron Joseph Court Nicholas Anthony Cunningham Annamarie D’Angelo Mollee Janet Daniels Casey Lee Davenport Andreas Lima de Bont Haeleigh Rose DeFeo Joshua Leonardo DelaRoca Jadyn Isabella Dorothy DeLayo Christopher Matthew John DelSesto Anna Danielle DeMenezes Giavanna Marie Derby Ronald Thomas DeSantis Robert Vincent DiBenedetto Jr. Kaia Dickeson Taylor Anne Diefenbach Madison Diffley Zachary Daniel Diffley Emily Elizabeth Diggle Alliana Kristine DiRocco Cassandra Magnolia Dooner Collin Patrick Driscoll Payton Elizabeth Dufresne Justin Tyler Dunning Alexandra Jade Egan Connor Steven Ellinwood

Kyle Dennis Emilio Madison Elizabeth Enos Connor Michael Fallon Hailey Rae Fera Logan Alexander Ferguson Adam John Ferrara Kashton Jesse Fielding Connor Johnston Fisette Haley Lynn Fitzpatrick Nicholas Martin Follett Callaway Michael Ford Sadie Elizabeth Fox Hannah Marie French Lillian Jeanette Fucile Ikee Gildo Galdo Dylan Patrick Gallagher Julian Alonso Gama Kaitlyn Elizabeth Garceau Christina Marie Gardner Brandon William Garvey Megan Elizabeth Garvey Madison Kayla Gates Joseph Michael Gesualdi Alyssa Rose Giarrusso Jade Lee Giarrusso Luke Michael Gibeau Brooke Olivia Giglietti Alyssa Marie Giguere Justin Skylar Gillis Donavan Michael Gomes Oriana Elizabeth Gonzales More Ashley Elizabeth Gouveia Jude Donovan Grace Kiley Marie Gray Kaitlyn Rose Greco Olivia Patricia Hauke Janelcy Mariel Hidalgo Alexandra Margaret Higgins Vy Ngoc Hoang Robert Louis Hoerter III Samantha Dawn Hoitt Shawn Robert Hoitt Kayley Kathryn Hollingshead

Priya Bethany Holske Sarah June Houle Kylee Faith Howard Johnathan James Hunt Mariah Jane Hunt Zulay Izazaga Noah David Jackl Kaitlin Rene Jaggi Ryan David Jaggi Fernando Soares Jeronimo Jr. Armani Xavier Jimenez Megan Lynn Johnson Dennis Richard Johnston Jr. Isabella Rose Kaczmarzyk Olivia Rose Kiernan Luke O’Brien King Nicholas John Kirejczyk William Gordan Kneebone Derek Adam Konicki Dikran Higuise Krikorian Sara Anne Langevin Jennifer Lee LaPlume Ethan Robert Laramee Victoria Rose Laramee Abigail Helena Larson Stephen James Laurent Dana Joseph Lawson Henry Michael Leclaire Rudy Antonio Ledesma Jr. Matthew Lawrence Ledoux Andrew Walter LeFrancois III Kiley Marie Lemieux Kyle Joseph Lepore Cameron Max Levine Madison Grace Lewis Autumn Amber Lincoln Matthew Scott Linkous Hailey Marie Lisi Jacob Paul Longtin Shahid Hussein Lynch-Smith Hailey Faith MacKinnon Grace Anne Maguire Maeve Margret Malloy

2

pAgE 23

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

PRESENTING THE PILGRIM HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS OF Ava Gray Malmberg Jane Anna Malyuta Julia Yulia Malyuta Kendra Lynn Manchester Olivia Jade Martinelli Ethan Elijah Mary Kiara Lynn Matarese Alyssa Marie Matos James Wilson McCaffrey Joseph Anthony McClafferty Samantha Jean McConnell Danielle Ruth McKerracher Aliyah Nicole Medeiros Kess Alisabeth Meinel Corey Jake Menard Megan Lynn Menard Noel Martin Mercado Danielle Nicole Meyers Brycen Armani Miller Samuel Joseph Miller Gabriel Dee Minor Jaron Patrick Mitchell Benjamin Christopher Moorby Joseph Frederick Moulton Thomas Michael Mullane Collin Robert Murphy Lexcia Faith Murray Alyssa Musitano Michael Robert Nadeau,Jr. Brandon Kha Nguyen Michael Anthony Nichols Mya Jolie Nystrom Devin Michael O’Brien Tara Elizabeth O’Connor Owen Michael O’Sullivan Nadine Taylor Ogni Tyler Ann Olivelli Sarah Mae Olson Oluremi Michael Oni Marc Anthony Orduna Wyatt Micheal Pappas Shelten Anthony Paquette Ryan James Pascone

Cesar Julio Pascual Alisa Leigh Pedchenko Danny Felicio Peixinho Daniel Joseph Pereira Eleanor Anne Perry Gianna McKenzie Petrella Emma Catherine Pettinicchio Tyler Joseph Picozzi-Yates Neil Philippe Pierre Madelyn Belle Pike Sophia Grace Piperata Jahirylee Polanco Brian Francisco Portillo Christopher Patrick Quirk Aaron Nathaniel Ramos-Ceron Quincy Alexander Randall Joseph Daniel Rapa Aaron Richard Rastella Mikaila Elizabeth Rastella Hunter Stephan Rawson Emily Rose Ray Adam Michael Rega Trinity Brenna Reilly Jillian Marie Ricci Antonio Columbo Riccio Scott David Rice Jr. Hunter James Rickett Jacob Michael Riess Alexia Lee Ritchie Nathan Robert Robideau Connor Jeremy Robinson Dyonna-Alinzia Marie Rodas Joel Rodrigues Naleah Kayla Rodrigues Amethyst Lain Rogers Chase Cullen Rogers Jonathan Rafael Romero Brendan James Rooney Yehowshua Jacob Rosario Brian Xavier Rose Arthur James Rotondo Victoria Lynn Rowley Alessondra Marie Russo

Jolena Madeline Russo Rachael Marie Russo Kevin Thomas Ryan Destiny Joy Sage Jacob Thomas Salema Jamee Lynn Salisbury Chankrasna Sam Edilia Dianeidi Sanchez Garcia Rebecca Naomi Santa Cruz Tyler Elio Santana Solomon Joseph Sarr Evan Kristopher Schad Anthony Vincent Scungio III Ashlyn Rose Serena Casey Ann Shaw Eric Michael Shaw Aaron James Sherlock Alexa Rose Sickinger Jaylynn Eve Slack Bianca Nicole Smith Brandon James Smith David Alcide Smith Kiera Renee Smith Camron Michael Snead Taige Adam Socha Royal John Southammavong Abbey Rose Spolidoro Kendall May Steinle Ariana Lynn Stephenson Eric Anthony Stevens Deven Ricky Storti John Manuel Suero Lugo Taylor Marie Suffoletto Lauren Catherine Sullivan Hunter Michael Sutcliffe Christian William Tanguay Daniel Norman Tanguay Jameson Phillip Tanguay Andrew Joseph Terceira Abigail Olivia Anne Testa Ethan Derek Thayer Jaron Walter Thomas Murphy MacAliff Thompson

Melissa Lee Tibbitts Jaden Taylor Tillou Samuel Richard Toth Alexander Chase Trainor Daniel Joseph Tuirok Isabella Marie Tuirok Adrian Francisco Valdez Caitlin Elizabeth Valkoun Dylan U.Vano Alexa Rae Vazquez Cameron Xavier Vest Courtney Leann Vest Jackson Thomas Vicino Christopher John Vieira Hailey Mai Wagner Benjamin David Walker Joshua Latham Walker Jamal Walton Maleigha Jessica Warren Alexander Savage White Brian Corey Whitman Jr. Zoe Elizabeth Whitman Cameron Matthew Woodbury Jillian Kathleen Woods Souksakhone TJ Xayapanya Angelic Xiong Austin Wilson Yarlas

pAgE 24

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

HIGH SCHO M I R G O L L I CLASS OF P

2020

THE BE

SENIO

The football team returned to the playoffs and finished the job, rolling to a perfect season and capturing the Division III state championship. It was the program’s first title since 1975.

Field hockey also has a fantastic season, securing another title under the direction of coach Stephanie Shields.

It was a big year for P

Other fall teams to reach the postseason inc as well as girls tennis.

Pilgrim boys basketball turned things aroun snapping its multi-year drought. Meanwhile, and reaching the semifinals.

4

pAgE 25

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

EST OF THE BEST

OR ATHLETES

Pilgrim sports, one of the best of all time, in fact.

cluded both the boys and girls soccer teams,

nd this past winter, reaching the playoffs and the girls returned to the Division III playoffs

Pilgrim boys hockey continued to be one of the top teams in the state and punched their ticket the Division III finals for the fourth straight year after a first-place regular season.

Those seniors finished their careers with four title appearances and two wins.

The gymnastics team also shined at the state meet, taking home a second place finish overall.

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

HIGH SCHO M I R G OL L I CLASS OF P

2020

pAgE 26

THE BEST O

SENIOR A

6

pAgE 27

OF THE BEST

ATHLETES

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

Graduates…

If you can dream it, You can do it!

ter ’s (Formerly Pe d) Coney Islan

2298 West Shore Road Warwick, RI 02889 401-732-6499•pbandjsri.com

Congratulations & Good Luck to the Class of 2020

KUCINSKI

JEWELERS

Owners Tom & Marta Kucinski

Onward & Upward Class of 2020!

401-921-6706 2362 West Shore Road Warwick

PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT

PAID POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT

Congratulations to the Class of

2020

Wishing all the graduates a bright and successful future.

The best is yet to come.

Donna M. Travis Council Ward 6

401-354-7966

Warwick • Wakefield • Westerly • Scituate • Lincoln • Providence WWW.SCFAA.COM

CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2020 We are honored to celebrate this achievement with you and we wish you all the best today and always.

It’s about your business, your community… and your life.

Partner with a team who gets it

401.732.1100

business@centralrichamber.com

pAgE 28

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

THE CLASS

PILGRIM HI

WARWICK BEAC

Pomp for Class of 2020 given the circumstances

By LAURA WEICK During Warwick’s high school graduations last week, rapturous crowds were replaced by empty auditorium seats.

Temperature checks at the door replaced lavish, grand entrances. And instead of shaking a principal’s hand, graduates nodded or smiled while accepting their diplomas, avoiding any unnecessary contact.

Warwick School Committee Chairwoman Karen Bachus and Warwick Public Schools Superintendent Phillip Thornton also spoke for both school’s ceremonies. They each discussed how the pandemic will be remembered in the future, and how students have proven their perseverance during it.

Thornton and Bachus attended both graduations as well as members of the School Committee.

“My advice to you is to be yourself, to continue to persevere, not to be afraid of failure,” Bachus said. “Your failures make you smarter and stronger. They actually lead you to success.”

A total of 286 Toll Gate received their diplomas on June 3 in a ceremony similar to that of their peers at Pilgrim. Students who were chosen to speak at graduation recorded videos of their statements. Valedictorian Kaylah Staknis, salutatorian Jaemin Hyun and class essayist Berit Ollson all addressed the pandemic, as well as what they each have learned from it.

“Take with you what has happened to our senior year as a lesson,” Toll Gate valedictorian Kaylah Staknis said. “Take moments to step back and appreciate the people and places you love.

Stop rushing each weekday waiting for Friday.

Don’t put off your happiness to the future. Tell the people that have made an impact on you how much you appreciate them.”

Ollson also advised her classmates to count their blessings and keep everything they experienced to heart.

allow this experience to ruin your future hopes and dreams,” Habershaw told the graduating class. “I ask that you continue to persevere and attain your goals. Life will never be the same, but we must adapt in a positive manner.”

Valedictorian Jamee Salisbury, salutatorian Sophia Piperata and class essayist Marissa Birmingham were Pilgrim’s student speakers. They each thanked teachers, family and friends, while encouraging their classmates to look forward to their futures despite the pandemic.

“This disruption that we are experiencing is not our misery” Piperata said. “It is only our opportunity for comparison. It allows for every future celebration to be that much more joyful.”

After her graduation appointment, Birmingham reflected on her and her classmates’ ceremony.

“It was definitely different from what I expected,” Birmingham said about the ceremony. “But I know that they did the best they could in the circumstances, so I’m proud to have the experience.”

Birmingham will attend the University of Connecticut in the fall to study biological sciences. She explained that the pandemic has made her more determined than ever to succeed in her career interests.

“I want to be a doctor, so it has motivated me even more seeing the doctors going out of their way to help people, even if it puts them in danger,” Birmingham said. “I want to be like that too; cautious, but not afraid.”

“We cannot go back, we can only go forward and that is why it is so vital to take these lessons and sacrifices we have made today and broadcast them over the rest of our lives,” Ollson said. “I will never PHOTO OP: Aaron Cole stands beside Pilgrim Principal Gerald again overlook day-to-day human Habershaw for a photo that will be part of video including speechcontact, or busy work, or avoid opes and awards. portunities because I’m lazy. I think we are going to be an outrageously “It wasn’t normal, it wasn’t like it should have been be- productive graduating class because we have cause of this hole thing, but we still got to walk across the lived through the alternative, a life with no stage,” Connor Eilinwood, a senior graduating from Pilgrim purpose, and I have no desire to live through High School, said. “It was way better than just having a video it again.” to watch at home.”

Toll Gate High School Principal Candace In order to meet social distancing guidelines due to the M. Caluori told the graduating class that they COVID-19 pandemic, while still maintaining a sense of always managed to persevere, from when the accomplishment, Warwick’s two public high schools held school was flooded by a leak earlier this year to graduation by appointment. Toll Gate High School and the transition to remote learning over the past Pilgrim High School had each of their graduating students few months. Voicing school spirit and pride walk alone across the stage in their school’s empty auditotowards the students, Caluori reminded them rium. Alimited number of graduates would arrive during to cherish their high school memories and predesignated time slots to accept their diploma in front of pare for the future. their principal, vice principal and a limited number of fam“Focus on the great times that you have had ily members. Each graduate’s walks were edited together to at Toll Gate,” Caluori said. “Focus on the hard create a video of each school’s graduation. work that has gotten you your diploma. Focus Warwick Mayor Joseph Solomon addressed both classes on your family. Focus on the teachers and staff, in a video, congratulating them on obtaining their high that have helped you throughout your high school diplomas. He emphasized the class’s resilience in school career. Focus on your future. That fugraduating during a pandemic, and also advised them to use their experience to develop empathy and make a difference ture will look different for all of you. Regardless, the future you make will be yours and in the world. yours alone.”

“Today, I want you to also be the helpers of today and the A total of 349 students graduated from Pilfuture,” Solomon said. “Help make our community a better grim High School on June 4. Principal Gerald place. Help make our world a better place. We need people J. Habershaw gave a prerecorded speech to Pilgrim graduates and twins Deidra and Janessa Clements pose after like you, young leaders, graduates of today, that care about receiving their diplomas in Thursday’s ceremony. (Warwick Beacon these students. our communities. If you see an issue that needs to be fixed, don’t just wait for someone else to fix it. Help find a solution.”

“To the class of 2020, I ask that you do not photos)

8

pAgE 29

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

S OF 2020

IGH SCHOOL

CON COVERAGE

THERE FOR THEIR TEAM: Coaches Blake Simpson and Kaitlyn Rachiele set up a tent in the parking lot from which they recognized their players.

THEY WERE SMILING: Kathy Byrne and Cindy Rix ensured that graduating seniors adhered to the schedule.

CENTER STAGE: Nicholas Cunningham pauses for a moment so his family can get photos after having received his diploma. Looking on are Assistant Principal Pam Bernardi and Principal Gerald Habershaw.

MASKED PATRIOT: Judith Coben, a member of the Warwick School Committee and a Pilgrim alumnus, won’t miss out on the graduation.

pAgE 30

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

THE CLASS OF 2020 PILGRIM HIGH SCHOOL WARWICK BEACON COVERAGE

What does future hold? 3 grads give their perspective

ENOS

SALISBURY

STAKNIS

With high schools across the country closed since midMarch in the face of the sudden COVID-19 pandemic, how are leaders in Warwick high schools looking forward to their futures after crossing the stage at a much smaller graduation ceremonies than they could have ever anticipated?

It turns out that the path isn’t uniform, with different majors, outlooks, and post-secondary career and education plans for each student giving them their own hopes and goals for navigating the world during and after the coronavirus. The Beacon conducted phone interviews with three outstanding students in the graduating Warwick Public School classes - two valedictorians and one class president - in order to hear their opinions on what the future may hold for both them and the global community.

Jamee Salisbury, Pilgrim High School’s valedictorian, said that losing events such as prom and her outdoor track season has been a major setback for her graduating class. Without the usual fun senior activities to send off the soon-to-be graduates, she said that the experience of senior year was seriously altered from the predictions that she and her classmates originally had.

As she plans to major in finance this fall once she begins her studies at Temple University, Salisbury related that her chosen field will likely face enormous challenges as many businesses have suffered from a struggling economy as a result of the pandemic. She remains optimistic, however, that the pandemic will result in a higher standard for sanitation in many industries, especially food service.

While she says that Temple University currently has plans to welcome students back to the physical campus in Philadelphia in autumn, there will still be social distancing precautions in place by then, as well as an early end to the fall term.

Personally, Salisbury experienced little disruption in her own college application process; however, she acknowledged the difficulties many students have faced when not being able to visit the campuses of their potential choices, and mentioned that the pandemic may deter some students from going to schools far away from home.

Instead of giving a traditional live address to her classmates in person; Salisbury pre-recorded her speech in late May to be shown virtually instead.

“It’s harder to make jokes or to relate to the audience,” she responded when asked how her speech would be different without her graduating class there with her. However, she said that she was grateful for the chance to still participate in her class’s final ceremony.

“It’s definitely been hard for the track team not having a final season,” said Kaylah Staknis, Toll Gate High School’s

graduating valedictorian this year and an involved athlete in her school community.

Looking back, Staknis wishes that she had spent more time at sporting events with her friends before schools closed for the spring; she described “putting off happiness” and focusing on her studies with the resolve to enjoy herself later at the end of the year. Now that her senior spring has been interrupted by COVID-19, she has resolved to always appreciate what she has in the moment, and to never again delay the opportunity to make memories with the people she cares about. She notes the loss of a proper senior night for the indoor track team, as well as an entire lost season of outdoor track, as particularly devastating.

Staknis described how her sports teams became a second family to her, always there to provide support no matter what time or place. She pointed out how Mr. Ricci, their outdoor track coach, was also a substantial influence on her team during their years of competition, and leaving without a sense of closure has been difficult.

She will attend the University of Notre Dame this fall on an ROTC scholarship, where she plans to major in political science. Afterwards, she will pursue five years of service in keeping with the scholarship terms.

While the pandemic may have disrupted her life, Staknis says that it has ultimately strengthened her initial resolve to make a difference in America through politics.

“This has made me more passionate about the field and really solidified my interest in it,” she said. Staknis believes that the ability to persevere through difficult and unexpected experiences will help not only her, but her chosen field as a whole, develop as time goes on in order to be more versatile and effective.

She recorded her graduation speech on the same day she went to pick up her cap and gown, noting that the experience was vastly different than how she could have ever expected.

“I’m grateful to have been able to do it on the Toll Gate stage, but it was hard for closure without the audience,” she said. “Not having that final moment was really difficult.”

While the state of Indiana may change its policies later on, Staknis says the current plan for the University of Notre Dame is to open in early August in order to complete a term before Thanksgiving, reducing the likelihood of students bringing the virus back to campus following an autumn break.

The nature of the pandemic is especially personal to Madison Enos, who served as Class President of Pilgrim High School’s 2020 graduating class; she plans to pursue a biomedical sciences degree on a pre-med track at Quinnipiac University this fall. She particularly lamented the cancella-

tion of her Science Olympiad team’s final competition this spring, which takes nearly the entire preceding school year to prepare for. As Enos graduated eighth in her class.

Spotlight on medicine In terms of awareness, she says the pandemic has contributed to a greater public appreciation of the valuable work done in the medical field.

“It’s showing everyone not just the doctors and the surgeons, but what the nurses do,” she said, noting that their work goes far beyond simple tasks like checking vitals. “I think it’s really opened everyone’s eyes to what healthcare is.”

Enos considers herself lucky as far as college decisions go; she was able to visit one of her two final choices for college prior to the pandemic, which allowed her to rule out that school and decide on Quinnipiac as her final choice. She also credits extensive online information put out by Quinnipiac University, as well as guidance from a family friend who went there, as helpful assistance in the process of making a decision regarding her post-secondary education. She said that students will arrive at the university two weeks prior in order to undergo COVID-19 testing.

She hopes that she will be able to use her love of innovation to engage with the medical community after high school, in order to address new challenges as they come with creative solutions.

While Enos wishes her high school graduation ceremony could be more traditional, she acknowledges that the social distancing guidelines in both Rhode Island and Warwick specifically could have been a lot worse. She appreciates the opportunity to bring family members, as well as the chance to experience walking the stage.

As for the Warwick students yet to begin the process of applying to college, certain aspects of the typical application timeline have been disrupted; in-school administrations of the SAT were canceled in March, with testing dates now set to be held in-person with social distancing guidelines in place starting this August. While priority registration will be given to students who have not yet acquired a score, the window to retake the test has been greatly reduced. The College Board, who administers the SAT, has begun requesting that colleges adopt a more flexible outlook on test scores and their role in the admissions process.

The Capstone Project for rising Warwick seniors, which will serve as a modified version of the traditional senior project, is also now entirely virtual to ensure that it is possible to complete regardless of whether or not students will return to physical classrooms in the future.

0

pAgE 31

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

Congratulations Gianna Travis Class of 2020 Toll GaTe CosmeToloGy We are so proud of you, Grandma and Grandpa

Congratulations & the very best to all the amazing Warwick 2020 grads!

Kudos to the Pre-K, K, grades 5, 8, & 12 students!!!!!

~ The Class of 2020 ~

The quarantine did NOT define them!

They learned - they Zoomed, "hung out," created, wrote, calculated, coded, discussed, collaborated, sang, danced, laughed, & more - all virtually!

Graduating during a pandemic? Mission accomplished! ...and a special shout out to our PHS senior, Abbey!

"What she tackles, she conquers!"

- The Testa Family

ASPIRE TO BE GREAT CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2020

We’re proud of you graduates and wish you a bright and beautiful future.

Congratulations and may your future be filled with continued success and much happiness.

618 Toll Gate Road, Warwick, RI 02886 Call 401.239.1800 for Same Day Appointments AspireDermatology.com

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

pAgE 32

THE CLASS OF 2

PILGRIM HIGH SCHO

2

pAgE 33

2020

OL PATRIOTS

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

Congratulations to all our 2020 Graduates.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.

The important thing is not to stop questioning."

-Albert Einstein

Camille Vella-Wilkinson

RI State Representative District 21

Attention Family and Friends of the Class of 2020

Would you like to contribute to these pages?

Add a personal message, photos, etc. to honor your special grad in the Pilgrim High School e Edition.

Contact us at 732-3100 or e-mail: mor@rhodybeat.com

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

pAgE 34

THE CLASS

PILGRIM HIGH SC

4

pAgE 35

S OF 2020

WARWICK BEACON - pIlgRIm hIgh sChOOl gRADUATION 2020

CHOOL PATRIOTS

WARWICK BEACON - pilgrim high school GRADUATION 2020 PAGE 36

You Will Soar, You Will Shine.

You Will Stumble, You Will Rise.

You Will Shine.

Congratulations & Good Luck Graduates!

You’ve made it this far... We can’t wait to see what you’ll do next!

Your Friends & Neighbors at

Doing what’s right...for you! greenwoodcu.org

401-739-4600

2669 Post Road, Warwick