EPHS Student-Athletic Banquet Held

The annual East Providence High School Athletic Awards banquet was held at the Metacomet Country Club on June 6, 2018. The annual event brought together student-athletes, parents, coaches, alumni and families as senior awards were handed out.

"Thank you for a great job representing our school in and out of the classroom," said Athletic Director Gregg Amore. "Our student-athletes have received thousands of dollars in scholarship help and will be once again attending the best colleges and universities in the country," added the A.D.

The event is sponsored by the volunteer alumni group, 'Friends of Townie Athletic Organization' (FTAO). "The FTAO is pleased to provide this dinner and award plaques to the student-athletes as well as providing other donations of equipment and services throughout the year," said longtime FTAO chairman Clarence "Junior" Butler. "The FTAO has distributed over $400,000 in awards and scholarships to students at East Providence High," said Butler.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Arthur Elmasian Award. Named after the school's former principal, the award is given to the senior athlete who exemplifies a combination of Townie Pride, Sportsmanship, Leadership and Athletic Ability. "Arthur Elmasian knew every student's name in the high school when he was principal. He was a leader in the Rhode Island Interscholastic League and his legacy continues on. We had a very difficult decision this year and have decided to select two Elmasian winners," said Amore. Elmasian's daughter Catherine Elmasian Croke and long time FTAO member Millie Morris presented the awards to Hasna Badji and Alyssa Guarino. "My father is smiling from Heaven," Catherine Elmasian said after the event.

Another significant award was the Alice Sullivan Award which is presented to the senior female Student- Athlete of the Year. Alice Sullivan was a physical-education teacher and former vice principal of East Providence High School. She was the first director of girls sports for the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, a position she held for 24 years. "She was a true pioneer in girls athletics and the main reason that Rhode Island has a vibrant girls athletic program," said Amore. The 2018 Sullivan award went to Hailey Placido.

Here are the rest of the 2018 Townie senior athletic awards:

James L. Greene Memorial Award: Awarded to the faculty or staff member for their unwavering support of East Providence High School Athletics- Bruce Zarembka.

Performance Physical Therapy Scholarship Award: Awarded to an East Providence High School Student Athlete who is going on to college to pursue a degree in physical therapy or occupational therapy- Erin St. Hillaire.

Patricia L. Salera Memorial Award: Presented to the Outstanding Senior Cheerleader- Thalia Santiago.

Matt Flores Award: Presented to the Outstanding Senior Baseball Pitcher- Ben Sears.

Donat Maynard Award: Presented to the Outstanding Senior Baseball Player- Ben Sears.

John W. Kennedy Award: Presented to the Outstanding Senior Hockey Player- Colin Feeney.

Bob Caruolo Award: Presented to the Girls Senior Track Athlete of the Year- Hasna Badji.

Everett Aldrich Award: Presented to the Outstanding Boys Senior Basketball Player- Deyshawn Tengbeh.

Gini Duarte Award: Presented to the Outstanding Girls Senior Basketball Player- Shaniah Hazard.

Luis Carvalho Award: Presented to the Outstanding Senior Girls Volleyball Player- Kate Mendillo.

Luis Carvalho Award: Presented to the Outstanding Senior Boys Volleyball Player- Matt DaSilva.

Christiano Barbosa Award: Presented to the Male Volleyball Player who displays Townie
Pride, enthusiasm and a positive attitude while on the court.- Dan Forsythe.

William Stringfellow and Sandy Gorham Award: Presented to the Outstanding Senior Football Player- Jaren Alves.

William Stringfellow All-State Award: Thalia Santiago- Cheer, Ben Sears- Baseball, Hasna Badji- Outdoor Track.

Scott Gorham Award: Presented to the Outstanding Senior Boys Tennis Player- Kyle Desmarais.

Kathy Travers Award: Presented to the Outstanding Senior Girls Tennis Player- Mary McBride.

George Poli Award- Presented to the Outstanding Senior Boys Soccer Player- John Kauffman.
Kathryn Crowley Award: Presented to the Outstanding Senior Girls Soccer Player- Grace Abrams.

Townie Softball Award: Presented to the Outstanding Senior Softball Player- Sadie Patterson.

Unified Champions Partner Award: Presented to the Unified Sports Partner who embodies the mission and spirit of Unified Sports- Robert Watson.

Unifed Champions Athlete Award: Presented to the Unified Sports Athlete who embodies the mission and spirit of Unified Sports- Lauren Pereira.

Kenneth Reall Award: Presented to the Senior Male Student- Athlete of the Year- Dan Forsythe.

Gini Duarte Memorial Scholarship Award:  Hasna Badji.