A sea of red caps and gowns packed the front rows of the Providence Performing Arts Center on June 11 as Cranston West graduates prepared to celebrate their achievements from the past 13 years. West Principal Thomas Barbieri welcomed graduates and families back to PPAC – the first Cranston graduation to take place there since 2018.

During his opening remarks, Barbieri recognized the loss of special education teacher Mrs. Angela Palliotte and Paul Bucci, the former West track coach. He also acknowledged the 2022 class banner created by Alexandra Coia who will be attending Brown University in the fall; the banner will hang in the school’s alumni auditorium alongside the banners of previous graduating classes.

Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins and Cranston School Committee Chairperson Daniel Wall congratulated students on their achievements, followed by remarks from Superintendent of Schools Jeannine Nota-Masse.

“Seeing all of you walk down these aisles, in this magnificent venue, smiling and proud in your caps and gowns for this commencement ceremony brings me as much joy as it does you and your families. Today is one of the most meaningful and important days that you have had in your thirteen years as a student,” said Nota-Masse.

She spoke about students’ educational journey from kindergarten to twelfth grade, reminding them of what they learned along the way and how they are ready to step up to the challenges before them.

“Embrace challenges and changes; as they will be the threads that weave the story of your life,” Nota-Masse said.

John Soscia, president of the class of 2022, addressed his peers at Saturday’s ceremony. He, along with Madeline Barbieri, were presented with the Ideal Cranstonian Award, which is considered one of the most prestigious honors a student can receive in recognition of their personal achievements and contributions to Cranston West. The individual receiving the award exemplifies Falcon pride, service to the community and serves as a role model to others, supporting the school core values and beliefs with dedication and integrity.

Barbieri introduced the 2022 salutatorian Angela Marses. He said her academic accomplishments were impressive. Graduating with a 5.04 GPA, she took eight advanced placement courses during her time at West and was a top student in the Cranston Area Career and Technical Center’s Pre-Engineering and Robotics Program.

“Angela's calm and steadfast demeanor is a magnet for her peers. She is a young woman who is anchored by her close knit nuclear and extended family, rich heritage and faith,” Barbieri said.

Marses has committed to The University of Rhode Island and is a recipient of The Thomas M. Ryan Scholarship, which is a full academic scholarship.  She spoke to her peers about the falcon family and how it was the teachers, family members and friends who helped them get to this point in their academic career.

“As a class, we often hear the phrase that falcons fly together. And as a family, we have all flown together through the many triumphs and challenges we experienced,” said Marses.

Marses talked about the school’s Thanksgiving football game which has become everyone’s favorite family reunion at “the nest.” This is the event where teachers ask graduates about their first semester and friends will share what they’ve been up to.

“As far as we may go, we are rooted back to our falcon family and are ready to offer our newfound wisdom to our younger relatives, the values of respect, tradition, and pride that have been instilled within us,” Marses said.

Marses also gave a shout out to Barbieri who will be the new Cranston East principal come fall.

“I would like to take the time to thank our principal, Mr. Barbieri, for guiding our falcon family, teaching us the value of respect, and definitely being the most dedicated falcon. Mr. B, from a personal standpoint, you have always been my biggest advocate since I first met you as you walked through my kindergarten classroom holding the hand of one of my soon to be best friends. For that, I will always be extremely grateful, and am glad to have been a part of your last year at the nest,” Marses said.

Barbieri called valedictorian Mikaya Parente to the stage and shared that Parente graduated with a 5.15 GPA and maintained her number one class rank all four years. She also served as the varsity track and field captain this year – breaking two school records in the long jump and triple jump when she was in ninth grade. She broke the Cranston High School West record in the track and field four by one hundred meter relay, and was recognized as a member of the Providence Journal and Rhode Island Coaches Association 2nd Team All State. Babieri shared that one of Parente’s passions has been flying and she began flight training at age 14 to earn her pilot’s license. By 16, she performed her first solo flight.

Parente plans to attend Harvard in the fall and major in Mechanical Engineering. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree, she would like to continue her education at the graduate level in aerospace engineering.

At Saturday’s event, Parente spoke to the future, using her experience as a pilot to create a metaphor throughout her speech.

“I encourage you all to learn about yourselves from the parts of your journey that you are not so proud of, and continue to propel yourself through the rough patches to make it through to clearer skies,” Parente said. “Use what you’ve learned these past four years to make each upcoming journey more prosperous than the last.”

Following Parente, Barbieri addressed the class of 2022.

“I’ve had the honor of greeting you in the morning, visiting your classes, eating with you in the lunchroom, attending productions, special events, award nights, dances, proms, team nights, and athletic games and yes, even having you over my house,” Barbieri said.

Barbieri shared that 55 percent of the graduating class qualified for RI Honor Society, 94 percent will go onto post-secondary institutions/military and students collectively garnered $15 million in college merit money.

“I ask all my graduating classes to do the following three things: first, kiss your parents and family members – tell them you love them today and every day; second,, thank a teacher and third, be selfless; come back and give back to your community and to your Falcon family, as we will always be here for you,” said Barbieri. 

Barbieri honored Special Education Teacher Christine Baum who read the Cranston West Tradition of the Rose and commended Troy Nicotra and Jay Medina who are joining the United States Marines.

Afterward, West’s assistant principal, John Fontaine, thanked Barbieri for his time at West.  

“Mr. Barbieri has truly embodied our core values and bound the Falcon community together for the last ten years and set us on a path for the future success of our school community.  Therefore, as an entire school community, let us now, one last time, recognize his outstanding service as Principal of Cranston High School West and a Forever Falcon,” said Fontaine.

The school year wouldn’t be complete without one final instruction.

 “Class of 2022 – you are dismissed – now let go and show the world the meaning of being a Falcon,” Barbieri said.