Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea has honored juniors Madeline Barbieri and John Soscia from Cranston High School West with the 2021 Rhode Island Civic Leadership Award. The award is given annually to recognize high school students who have made outstanding contributions to their schools and communities over the past year.

The Civic Leadership Awards are typically presented to students during a ceremony at the Rhode Island State House. However, this year’s awards were held during two virtual events for students and their families to follow social distancing best practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The virtual events drew over 100 participants. After congratulations and remarks from Secretary Gorbea, students had the opportunity to ask the Secretary questions about government service, the importance of civic engagement, and new Department of State initiatives.

“This year’s virtual Civic Leadership Awards were a terrific opportunity to speak with Rhode Island’s young leaders about the issues important to them,” said Secretary Gorbea. “Their insightful questions and spirit of civic engagement are more proof that the future of our state is bright indeed. Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners and keep up the great work!”

The students were nominated by their guidance counselors, who each had high compliments for both students and their outstanding leadership roles at Cranston West.

“I have had the pleasure of being Madeline’s guidance counselor since middle school,” said CHSW guidance counselor Marissa Giardina. “From that time, Madeline has been a leader in the community, classroom and athletic arena. She is a selfless philanthropist, an avid learner, and a role model for her teammates. Madeline truly embodies the ideals of the Civic Leadership Award. She sets the precedent for the entire Cranston High School West community.”

Guidance counselor Andrea Combs had similar praise for Soscia.

“John embodies the qualities that make a great leader including respect, compassion and loyalty, and despite the challenges of the past year, continues to inspire his peers towards achieving the values that represent Cranston High School West,” she said. “It has been a pleasure to be his school counselor, and I look forward to his continued leadership at Cranston High School West.”

The Civic Leadership Awards are part of Secretary Gorbea’s mission to engage and empower Rhode Islanders by connecting them with their government and encouraging civic pride. Each year, high schools across Rhode Island are invited to nominate two students in the junior class who best meet the ideals of the Civic Leadership Award: public service, leadership ability, and academic achievement. This year, Secretary Gorbea received 142 nominations from nearly 70 schools across the state.