By EMMA BARTLETT

Cranston Hall of Fame announced its five 2022 inductees who will be celebrated on Oct. 14 at Alpine Country Club. The nominees are attorney Nicole Benjamin of Bristol, Paul Ciccarelli of Venice, Florida, Honorable Paul DiMaio of Johnston, Michael Matracia of Cranston and Stephen Scappaticci of Cranston.

Since 1980, Cranston Hall of Fame has inducted more than 200 individuals; recipients are selected for their outstanding contributions in their respective fields and for distinguishing themselves on a city, state, regional and/or national level in their chosen field of endeavor. Additionally, applicants must be graduates of Cranston Public Schools.

The new inductees for the Cranston Hall of Fame Class of 2022 have made significant accomplishments in the fields of law, education, law enforcement, cybersecurity and community service.

Fred Vincent, who served as Cranston Hall of Fame’s president for 10 years, said CPS’s School Committee started the initiative 42 years ago. In accordance with the bylaws that the committee created with legal counsel, the organization selects five inductees annually. This year, Cranston Hall of Fame’s selection committee – which Vincent headed – had 11 applications to choose from.

The selection committee is made up of three board members, one prior inductee and one school administrator. The group screens the applications to ensure they meet the minimum number of qualifications and discusses each application – which consists of a resume, letters of endorsement and any supplementary material. From there, each committee member is asked to select their top picks. The top five names are then brought to all board members to discuss the rationale behind the selections.

Vincent and current president Cindy Soccio said the selection process takes place between May and June. The organization then holds an award ceremony in the fall where inductees receive a plaque and citation from the Mayor of Cranston. At the event, inductees are escorted into the hall by a board member and each give a speech after being introduced by a colleague or family member. Soccio said the banquet will have between 200 and 250 people; 50 tickets will be given to each inductee.

“It’s a very personal affair for the inductees, their family and friends,” said Vincent. “It’s a wonderful night because it makes it more intimate.”

Vincent said that while he enjoys the whole event, the inductees’ speeches are his favorite. He’s been to many of the induction ceremonies over the years and said each inductee stood out and has a unique story in perceiving how Cranston – specifically the school system – shaped their careers.

“They’re [inductees] all very humble,” Soccio said. “They always acknowledge their education, the school system. Sometimes there’s a particular teacher that had an influence in their life.”

Vincent and Soccio were named to the board at the suggestion of Frank DelSanto, who joined the board in 1980 and recently retired from the position. 

“I was so impressed by the foundation, the people behind the scenes who put it all together that I was very willing to participate,” Soccio said, who has now been president for three years.

She said the board of directors is almost exclusively made up of Cranston residents and include a diverse assortment of individuals in business, government and education.

I think it shows their interest in giving back and promoting Cranston and Cranston schools because this is all volunteer,” said Soccio.

Following the fall awards ceremony, nomination forms for the next year open; Soccio added that those who applied but were not selected will stay in Cranston Hall of Fame’s que and be reconsidered.

In addition to the inductions, Cranston Hall of Fame also hands out scholarships to four students from the district’s high schools at the ceremony. The past two years, the hall of fame has given away $500 to each student but will now increase that amount to $1,000 per student. Each student is selected by the schools’ principal.

“The Cranston Hall of Fame dinner and induction is a highlight of the Cranston social season, an event that brings many families and old friends together for a memorable experience,” noted Soccio.  “This is one community event that you do not want to miss!”

Vincent added that this year, through the help of Soccio, Cranston Hall of Fame initiated an application to be a 501c3. The organization is working on establishing its own web page where it can list inductees’ names. Currently, the hall of fame’s site is attached to the school department’s website and has little information on it. 

Inductees will be honored at a ceremony and dinner banquet on Oct. 14 at Alpine Country Club. The ceremony and dinner are open to the inductees’ family, friends and the general public. Tickets are $55 per person and may be obtained by contacting Susan Soscia at sue@alphaphysicaltherapy.com.