March 28, 2024

EPHS Soccer Team Honors 9/11 Heroes

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EPHS Girls Soccer Honor 9/11 Heroes

The East Providence High School girls soccer team honored the First Responders and other veterans at their home soccer game on September 11th. "The team and I thought that it was an appropriate time to honor our veterans and First Responders and all those affected by the events of September 11, 2001," said head soccer coach and EPHS teacher Angelo Pizzi. Under a bright sun on the new turf field behind the high school, a moving ceremony was held on 9/11/17.

"Today we would like to reflect and remember all those who died and those who responded as heroes on that awful day," said Coach Pizzi in addressing the crowd who had gathered for the game and ceremony.

Members of the United States Veteran's Motorcycle Club drove their cycles on to the field in an honor formation. Also area veterans were invited to participate. Leading everyone on to the field was Townie Richard DelleFemine whose sister Carol Bouchard died in the 9/11 attack on America. The high school band played the National Anthem and TAPS and marched on to the field in honor formation.

Carol Bouchard, a graduate of East Providence High School, was taking her first-ever flight that day. "It was a beautiful day like today," said brother Richard DelleFemine. "I was working in East Providence as a contractor and was driving to Boston. I was in the car and first heard the news that a plane had hit one of the New York twin towers. It was Flight 11. It then dawned on me that my sister was on that plane. I got to Boston and looked up at the Prudential Center. We didn't know what to think," said a melancholy DelleFemine.

"I headed back home as we tried to get information and process the whole thing," he continued. Unbelievably we then heard that a second plane hit the Towers and they both collapsed. I talked to my Mom on the phone and we still didn't know much." As DelleFemine arrived at home in East Providence about 1:30 that afternoon, his front yard was filled with family and friends. They now knew the awful news. Carol and the others had perished. It was a terrorist attack.

"We had to tell all the kids and family and friends and to be honest, it hasn't gotten any easier," said a now teary eyed DelleFemine. Through the years he has kept his sister's memory alive. He has talked with school groups about the day and has become more patriotic than ever. "I used to speak in the schools in EP but am really too emotional to continue. Now my daughter Jessica has taken on that responsibility," he said.

This year Jessica DÁllesandro spoke to classes at Riverside Middle School. She spoke of an event that happened before these students were born. She brought mementos of her Aunt and of that day on September 11. "She will carry on the legacy of never forgetting."

Alan Winter was there last month at the EPHS ceremony. He was the Riverside Middle School PTA President when the attack took place. "I didn't think it was real. Not until I was in a store and the TV sets were on," said Winter. "It got real scary when the second plane hit."

Superintendent of Schools, Kathryn Crowley was there to support the soccer team also. "I was Principal of Mount Hope High (Bristol) at that time. I'll never forget, it was an awful day to say the least," she said.

"I'm proud of my soccer team and all the students and community who came out today to remember. I can't forget and I'm sure these kids will remember this day for a long time also," said EPHS Principal, Shani Wallace.

Sixteen years later the EPHS girls soccer team paid tribute to a time they never knew and to a Townie graduate and 9/11 victim they never met - Carol Bouchard. "Sixteen years later and it doesn't get any easier." The soccer team went on to win their first regular season game and hasn't lost since. See 'Sports Update' in this issue.

The 2017 Townie soccer roster includes: Feola, Savannah; Sousa, Jaime; DeOliveira, Alyssa: Palumbo, Lily; Olson, Zoey; Rejto, Laura; Rodrigues, Luana; Fortes, Carissa; Dias, Ashley; Lopes, Isabel;Coelho, Anna; Sherman, Sarah; Placido, Hailey; Donnelly, Taylor; Monteiro, Isabella; Braga, Angela; Gorski, Emily; Enes, Megan; Heck, Taylor; Abrams, Grace; Driscoll-Nicholaus, Simone; Sanchez, Sara; Pizzi, Krystal; Cassino-Henriquez, Ashley; Playe, Kasey; Amaral, Lindsey; Pattie, Aaliyah; Doro, Michaela; Couto, Sydney; Jackson, Mia; Landry, Rebecca and Chakouian, Paige. The Townie Head Coach is Angelo Pizzi, Assistant Coach is Stacie Delos and Athletic Trainer is Amanda Moran.

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