'Power to change the world'

Dozens of seniors were recognized last Thursday night with medals, awards and scholarships as Senior Honor Awards Night took place inside the Johnston High School auditorium.

More than 40 scholarships and 25 awards were presented to members of the class of 2019, with valedictorian Sophia DaCosta and Ivan Fernandez, who will graduate third overall, taking home nine total honors.

Connor Agnew – the No. 5 student in the class – won eight awards and scholarships, while salutatorian Kelly Sigui, senior class president Zachary Zambarano, Student Council president Emily Raposo and Lauren Messa each claimed seven. Dennis J. Anderson Jr. heard his name called six times. A full list of all the winners for every award and scholarship can be found in this week’s edition.

Zambarano – who has served as class president in both his sophomore and senior years – opened the festivities with a speech harkening to the students’ days as kindergarteners. Time flies, and he encouraged them to enjoy every last moment of their eight days remaining at JHS.

“At 5 years old, it was hard to imagine that we would be here now, with just a few short weeks remaining,” Zambarano said. “At 13 years old, at freshmen orientation, in this very auditorium, the prospect of reaching the end of our time in Johnston seemed but a distant hope. But four years … flew by in an instant.”

Zambarano shouted out a few of his classmates and earned some laughs, calling out DaCosta’s “outstanding GPA,” Fernandez’s “overall greatness,” Manny Lourenco Jr.’s “brute strength” and Ian Banno’s “musical genius.” He said those traits are just a few that exemplify how unique the class of 2019 was to Johnston.

“I believe that you all have the power to change the world,” Zambarano said. “You all represent the best of our society, and are no doubt the light that our world needs right now. Though we may travel far and wide, move across the state, country or world, I hope that we can always remember that our journey began here. Eight days. Enjoy every minute of them.”

Principal Dennis Morrell offered some brief comments before the awards ceremony began in earnest. He said the honors they were about to deliver are symbols of success and academic integrity, fostered throughout the students’ journey at JHS.

He said it is important to stop and honor success, and to thank those that helped students get to this point.

“Society in general tends to define success by how much we complete and how much we accumulate,” Morrell said. “At times, it can feel as if we are caught in a cycle, of rushing from one achievement to another. We must value our successes … and take note of what we have achieved – individually and collectively – and to honor those who have excelled and to give thanks.”

The ceremony officially began with recognition of the members of the Rhode Island Honor Society and National Honor Society, who are listed in this week’s edition.

Academic Decathlon coach Debra Smyth stepped to the podium next to honor senior members of the squad – Haya Abaherah, Elizabeth Cruz, Shaheer Jamil, Sandy Posadas Lastor, Aaron Qureshi, Tyler Roche, Kelly Sigui and Matthew Silvia.

Science Department chair Gregory Russo and science teacher Jennifer Sousa followed to call out the American Chemical Society Charter Chemistry Club members from the class of 2019 – Elizabeth Cruz, Nailea Estrada, Karen Martinez, Lauren Messa, Grace Muller, Jordan Oliveira, Cleasia Peoples, Vanessa Pichardo, Breana Podmaska, Madison Scuncio and Zachary Zambarano.

Morrell handed out the first honors of the night, which was the Aspiring Educators award. Emily Raposo, Alexander Rodriguez, Jonathan Souza and Julianna E. Zalewski were the four recipients.

Morrell also presented the salutatorian and valedictorian awards. He said he expects to see “wonderful things” from Sigui, who will attend Brigham Young University in Utah this fall to study accounting.

“She has accepted challenges and overcome hardships, all while remaining approachable and steadfast on her goals,” the principal said.

Morrell used three words to begin his remarks about DaCosta – committed, athletic and determined. He described DaCosta, who will attend Smith College in Massachusetts to pursue studies in engineering, as “an honest representation of hard work.”

“Her remarkable leadership skills blossomed as softball team captain and lead publisher for the school newspaper,” Morrell said. “She has made quite a mark academically, athletically and creatively.”

Russo, who also serves as the student council adviser, presented the Senior Student Council President Award to Raposo. Raposo, who worked for four years on the Student Council, was elected unanimously as its leader last fall.

“It has been a pleasure to work with her all year long, through everything and all the events that we run, starting from September until senior send-off next week,” Russo said.

Senior class adviser Margaret Guilmette gave Zambarano the Senior Class President Award, and before he could walk back to his seat Morrell told him to hang tight by the stairs. Both he and Raposo received the Principal’s Leadership Award.

A full list of winners of the remaining awards and scholarships can be found in this week’s issue.