Panther pride was on full display last Wednesday evening inside Johnston High School’s jam-packed auditorium.
It was Senior Honors Night, an evening that brought smiles to the faces of Superintendent Dr. Bernard DiLullo Jr., Principal Zachary Farrell, Mayor Joseph Polisena and Town Council President Robert V. Russo, among others.
School Committee Chair Janice Mele and a number of Johnston High department heads were also on hand to honor students like valedictorian Angela Gallucci and salutatorian Kalyn Ricciuti for their achievements.
From the time the Johnston High band under the direction of Ronald Lamoureux played the processional march until Ricciuti received the last of her extraordinary honors, dozens of proud Panthers – who will graduate next Friday evening, June 5 – were recognized.
The awards provided evidence of how well-rounded many Johnston students are, excelling in academics while participating in sports and other extracurricular activities.
Petrozzi, for example, serves as Student Council president. She led the Pledge of Allegiance before receiving the Principal’s Leadership Award and two additional honors for excellence in studies, and as many scholarships.
She was also among the 22 students who gained admittance to the prestigious Johnston High Chapter of the National Honor Society. That list, Farrell proudly noted, includes Meagan Albro, Jenna Brien, James Briggs, Kyle Brockmiller, Mackenzie Carroll, Nicholas Corsi, Lia Cucinotta, Tiana D’Acchioli, Samuel DaCosta, Edward Esposito III, Angela Gallucci, Kiana Harriet, Kaleigh McGuirl, Matthew Merolla, Jenna Palumbo, Aaron Perfetto, Kalyn Ricciuti, Katherine Rocha, Taylor Russo, Tori Silva and Derric Vigeant.
A total of 47 seniors earned admittance to the Rhode Island Honor Society. Christian Silva, the class of 2015 president, won the Senior Class President’s Award and a scholarship.
There were also other multiple-award winners, including Taylor Russo, Kathrine Rocha and Edward Esposito III.
Among Russo’s honors were the Lt. Gov. Daniel J. McKee Leadership Award, the Johnston School Committee Scholarship and two other scholarships.
Greg Russo, chairman of the Science Department, presented Esposito with the Excellence in Science Award. Esposito also received the U.S. Air Force Math and Science Award, American Mathematical Society Award and Excellence in Spanish Award, as well as the Dr. Anthony DeLuise Scholarship.
Rocha, meanwhile, combined excellence in studies with involvement in Johnston Police Explorer Post 405, an organization for young people ages 14 to 20 who have expressed a career in law enforcement. She won the Law Office of Robert V. Russo Scholarship, Sabrina Conti Memorial Scholarship and Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea Civic Leadership Award. Esposito took home the male half of Gorbea’s valuable contribution to the night’s program.
Gallucci and Aaron Perfetto were honored with Senior Scholastic Athletic Awards, while individual sports scholar honors went to James Briggs, golf; Lia Cucinotta, cross country, Tiana D’Acchioli, track and field; Samuel DaCosta, hockey; Adriana DiNobile, cheerleader; Ashley Gallante, track and field; Katherine Rocha, volleyball; Emely Rodriguez, softball; and Derric Vigeant, football, wrestling.
The top senior athlete award went to Michael Caparco for basketball, football and wrestling, and Isabella DiRaimo for basketball and lacrosse.
Some 18 prolific Panthers took home the school’s Athletic Director’s Awards. They were Matthew Butler, golf; Brian Campanelli, soccer; Michael Caparco, wrestling; Marc Conte, wrestling, football; Samuel DaCosta, hockey; Dana Desmarais, volleyball; Adriana DiNobile, cheerleader; and Isabella DiRaimo, basketball; Leah Gravel, soccer; Allare Maiello, cheerleader; Karina Mattera, basketball; Stephen Pennacchia, baseball; Lauren Petrozzi, cheerleader; Jess Ribezzo, wresting; Taylor Russo, cheerleader; Devin Soares, wrestling; Lauren Tedesco, soccer; and Derric Vigeant, wrestling.
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