EPHS to Induct Five

The 35th East Providence High School Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on Sunday, October 14, 2018. The dinner/ceremony will be held at the Venus De Milo restaurant in Swansea, Massachusetts at 12 noon. The Hall of Fame was established in conjunction with the East Providence High School 1984 Centennial year. The HOF was created by former Superintendent of Schools Myron J. Francis, Class of 1947 and others in an effort to promote pride in city schools. The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to recognize Townie graduates who have brought honor to themselves and to the High School.

The initial group of HOF inductees consisted of twelve graduates. The Committee continuously seeks nominations from the general public as "we hope to identify and expand our focus on those many meritorious Townie graduates." Currently inductees are limited to 5 each year and possibly one honorary.

In addition to honoring new members with certificates and pins at the Induction Ceremony, plaques bearing the likeness of each inductee will be enshrined in the Gymnasium and Auditorium lobby at East Providence High School.

The committee program states further that "The Hall of Fame is not a one-time effort to honor successful graduates. Rather, it is a lasting memorial to TOWNIE PRIDE, which will purposely serve as an inspiration for future generations of East Providence High School students."

The 2018 Inductees are: Suzanna "Suzy" Alba, Class of 2000; Mark Crevier, Class of 1968; Steven Martin, Class of 1966; Donna Tente, Class of 1976 and James Russo, Honorary.

Suzanna Alba was an active member of the EPHS Class of 2000. She was a member of the Meistersingers and Flag Corps and served as a 'voice of the Townies' student broadcast announcer at football games. She also read the morning announcements and pledge of allegiance each day. Alba was the Captain of the varsity tennis team, a Student Council member, French Club Officer and Yearbook editor. Alba and teacher Maureen Spaight received special recognition as a "student who changes the world" State Farm insurance commercial. She is Director of Alumni Affairs and a Professor at Rhode Island College. She has also been a AmeriCorps VISTA Project Coordinator. She is currently a member of the Smithfield Town Council. She has won numerous awards for leadership and commitment to public service. Alba has donated time to work with East Providence's citizenship scholarship program. Alba was nominated by Thomas Grady.

Mark Crevier was a swim team captain, played football, basketball and was Senior Class President for the Class of 1968. He graduated with honors from EPHS and URI. He is a past president of the Council of Women and Infants Specialty Hospital Management Association. He is recognized nationally in the hospital management field. Crevier has also been an adjunct professor in Accounting at URI and an Economics Instructor at Brown University. He was Senior Vice President/CFO of Care New England. He also served as Board Chairman of Coastway Credit Union. Crevier was nominated by Elaine Fratus.

Steven Martin served in the US Army from 1968-1970. He was the food service Director at Evergreen Nursing Home for over 25 years. Steven has been recognized nationally for his commitment to the gravely ill and dying citizens. He has received the Presidential Award and the Evergreen Eagle award in 2003 for exceptional commitment and loyalty in enhancing the quality of the Evergreen Health Community. In retirement he has become widely recognized as a superb humanitarian and philanthropist, co-founding a non-profit charitable corporation. Over 4 million pounds of food and othe donations were given in a year to the We Share Hope charity based in the Riverside Congregational Church, Riverside, RI. This was an estimated $15 million in personal care needs, food, medicine and clothing. Martin was nominated by Linda and Don Carlson.

Donna Tente went on to graduate from Providence College and was a former Vice President of Sales and Training at Rhode Island Hospital Trust before becoming a Consultant at BankBoston. Donna also joined City Team Ministry as a Family Service Coordinator in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She became the Disaster Relief Coordinator. She is a leader for their projects in Haiti where she travels many times searching to develop schools, orphanages and farms. She rebuilds houses and community centers and lives with the volunteers she leads. She is renowned for her efforts to help end hunger, "one child at a time." Tente was nominated by Lois Beauparlant.

James Russo is in the honorary category. A non-EPHS graduate, Russo attended LaSalle Academy, graduating in 1977. An honors student at LaSalle, he went on to graduate from Providence College. Russo attended Suffolk University Law School and today is an attorney. He was appointed Assistant City Solicitor in East Providence and became legal counsel for the RI House Corporations Committee under State Representative Bob Weygand. Russo was Chief of Staff for then Congressman Bob Weygand. Russo has been active politically, managing campaigns for several candidates for local and state office. He was Chairman of the 2017 East Providence Charter Review Commission. Russo has also been a longtime area youth coach/mentor in local community and church sports. He was nominated by Dr. Michael Healy.

Tickets are $40. and cover costs for full dinner, awards and wall plaques. Ticket chairpersons are Don and Linda Carlson. They can be reached for tickets at 11 Breeze Way, Riverside, R.I. 02915 or by phone at 401-433-3693. Checks can be made out to 'EPHS HOF Dinner'. Tickets are not sold at the door.