March 28, 2024

32nd EPHS Hall of Fame Ceremony - This October 18th

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The 32nd annual East Providence High School Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on Sunday, October 18th, 2015 at the Venus de Milo Restaurant in Swansea, Massachusetts. The event is open to the public and tickets are available at the high school main office. Tickets are $40 each and include a full dinner. Reception is at 12 noon and dinner at 1:00 p.m. Tickets can also be obtained from Don and Linda Carlson by calling 401-433-3693. Tickets can be obtained through Monday, October 12th, 2015. Hall of Fame inductee, Dr. Kenneth R. Walker, EPHS class of 1949, retired East Providence school administrator, Rhode Island College professor, NCAA referee and retiring Chairman of the R.I. Parole Board will be Master of Ceremonies.

The Hall of Fame was created and initiated by former Superintendent of Schools, Myron J. Francis, Class of 1947, and was instituted in 1984 in conjunction with the East Providence High School Centennial Year Celebration. Francis was also 1947 EPHS class president. The Townie Hall was designed to recognize distinguished TOWNIE graduates who have brought honor to themselves and to the high school.

The six 2015 inductees are: Harry Mutter, Class of 1962; Henry Moniz, Class of 1963; Raymond Lombardo, Class of 1967; Gregory Dias, Class of 1975, Michaela Johnson, Class of 2006 and David Shadrick, Honorary category. The 2015 Inductees:

Harry Mutter, '62 is the retired Director of Buildings & Grounds for the East Providence School Department. Harry is a long time member of the East Providence Community & Teacher's Credit Union Board of Directors and has served annually as treasurer and volunteer for the East Providence Heritage Days Committee. Harry is a scorer for men's basketball and football at Brown University. He is also a scorer for men's basketball at Johnson & Wales University. Harry has been a long time official and referee for CYO basketball. Harry was a standout athlete at East Providence High School and a member of the school's 1961-1962 Rhode Island State Championship basketball team. He was also a 2nd team all-state selection for Townie baseball. For more than 30 years, Harry was one of the state's best softball players. He played on several state and New England championship teams, most notably Conti Brothers, Taylor Brothers, The Hustlers and Bovi's Tavern. He is still considered one of the state's best homerun hitters in softball history. He received numerous MVP and batting titles. He has hit over 1,000 homeruns and was an outstanding fielder as well. Mutter continued to excel playing in the over 50 softball league where he helped his team win a state championship. Harry was named to the All World Team. In 1997, Mutter was inducted into the U.S.S.S.A. New England Hall of Fame. On most evenings Harry can be found in the gymnasium at East Providence High School or at Pierce Stadium watching or scoring athletic events.

Henry J. Moniz, '63 graduated from high school and enlisted in the United States Marines serving in Vietnam. He was a combat veteran and specialized in Military Occupational Motor Transport for 4 years. Returning to Rhode Island he realized a childhood dream and became a Rhode Island State Trooper in 1969. He was the state's first African American State Trooper. Henry excelled in law enforcement with 35 years of public service working at the state and federal levels. His duties also saw him provide for protective services for United States Presidents and Vice-Presidents and numerous other dignitaries. His training included the R.I. Police Academy, Federal Basic Agents Training in Washington D.C. and Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy in Georgia. Henry was the agent for several government cases including some important United States Supreme Court rulings in which he is quoted by the Court. He has received four individual Special Achievement Awards from the United States Secretary of the Treasury for high quality criminal case production. Moniz was the recipient of a Special Citation from the city of Boston, Police for apprehension and conviction of two bombing suspects wherin a police officer was killed. He is the recipient of the Distinguished Law Enforcement Service Award from the Massachusetts Italian Police Officers Association for his criminal investigations and he received a proclamation from R.I. Governor Lincoln Almond for government services. Henry also received the R.I. State police Certificate of Recognition and Appreciation for Honorable Service to the people of Rhode Island. After a career with the R.I. State Police he worked as a Senior Special Agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms, Boston. Moniz has been successful in the private sector working for ITT Wire & Cable, Garda Armored Logistics Technology and C&D Security in Connecticut. Henry excelled in Townie football and was an honors student.

Raymond Lombardo, '67 was a standout athlete in high school and college and a teacher, school administrator and coach for decades throughout Rhode Island. While at EPHS Lombardo was a member of the football, track, wrestling and baseball teams. He was also on the student council. He was a captain of the Townies undefeated state championship football team. His football teams had a 35-2-1 record over a 4 year period. He is most proud that his Townies defeated rival LaSalle on Thanksgiving all three years with a combined 90-18 score! He and teammate John Johnson claim more starting victories than any in EP football history. Ray also enjoyed a 25-1 record in wrestling. He was R.I. All-State and All-New England in wrestling. He attended URI on an athletic scholarship and earned All Yankee Conference Honore. He also wrestled at URI. Ray held many educational positions in Rhode Island during a 36 year long career. In addition to teaching Math he was an English and Math coordinator. He was a Martin Middle School House Leader and an Assistant Principal at Smithfield High, Martin Middle and East Providence High Schools. He served on and chaired dozens of educational planning committees throughout his career in education. In his spare time, Ray coached and directed many athletic teams in the community. He was the founder, sponsor and coach for Barrington Bobcats Softball, a league President for Barrington Little League softball, a Townie football coach and active member of numerous other local athletic programs. Lombardo has also been involved in an organized several major fundraising events for those in need in the community.

Gregory Dias, '75 has become one of Rhode Island's premier attorneys and an active volunteer in East Providence charities. He is a member of the Rhode Island Bar since 1982 and the Federal Bar since 1983. Greg is also an Assistant Solicitor for East Providence whereby he represents the City in various matters including criminal prosecution, adult criminal matters, drunk driving, domestic assaults, all the fun stuff, etc! He was Honor Society student while at Providence College and a member of the Dean's list. A political science major he went on to serve as a Bail Commissioner for Providence County and was an intern in the R.I. Attorney General's office. Greg updated and rewrote the "Law Enforcement Officer's Training Manual" after researching United States and Rhode Island Supreme Court Cases. Greg is Chairman of the Rhode Island District Court Bench Bar Committee and a past President of the Rhode Island District Court Prosecutor's Association. He is the recipient of the Rhode Island Bar Association Public Access to Justice Pro Bono Publico Award. Greg continues to be very active in many community organizations. He is on the Board of Directors for the East Bay Community action program, the Non-Profit Coastline Employee Assistance Program, the R.I. Student Assistance Program, the TAP-In and K-Rob Foundations to mention a few. Greg is also committed to the Friends of Townie Athletics fundraising group, serving on the Board of Directors as Treasurer. This group funds many of the school's athletic needs that are not covered by the City budget. This includes funds for championship awards, dinners, uniforms, etc. Greg can be seen at many athletic and academic events at EPHS and at Providence College.

Michaela Johnson, is an Honor Society graduate of EPHS and a standout student athlete. Michaela was Captain of the basketball team and the recipient of the Rhode Island Gatorade Sportsmanship Player of the Year Award for soccer. She also was selected to the R.I. third team All-Division softball team. Michaela was a member of the school student council. Michaela was active at Bridgewater State University where she was a two year Captain in basketball, playing four years and winning the Unsung Hero Award. She was involved with campus radio and was an Orientation Leader. Michaela was a Magna Cum Laude Student Commencement Speaker. Since graduating from EPHS and Bridgewater, she has established herself as a highly respected television personality with a huge following. Michaela was selected as winner of the Search For s Star appointment on local television. This led to her current role as Co-Host for the popular Rhode Show on WPRI Channel 12 Television which airs every day. Michaela is committed to community service supporting numerous charitable events resulting in millions of dollars for local non-profits and charities. She has continually kept EPHS in her endeavors as a professional. Michaela's lists of charitable event participation exceeds dozens of organizations, too numerous for print here. "Michaela is an incredible asset to The Rhode Show. From the moment she stepped foot into the station, her enthusiasm was evident. The East Providence Native constantly impresses us with her strong work ethic...she is an exceptional addition to WPRI 12 and FOX Providence," - News Director and the Executive Producer of The Rhode Show. Look for Michaela to continue to be a rising star in television news and entertainment.

David G. Shadrick, Honorary is a retired East Providence teacher with 35 years of service. While David attended that "other" high school, no one has shown more Townie Pride in his daily life than he! David taught at Orchard Street and Martin Middle Schools before finishing his very distinguished career at EPHS. One frequently hears the comment around town that "Dave Shadrick is one of the best teachers in East Providence history." In a city with many excellent teachers, David ranks high on the list. As his nominator Greg Amore said, "Dave never misses an opportunity to tell people that his own two children received a world class education in East Providence schools. He is proud to have taught doctors, lawyers, scientists, fighter pilots, Wall Street traders, elementary and secondary teachers and many other Townies who have done so well." Many of these former Shadrick students describe how they have been inspired by David. He has been an exceptional teacher and steadfast volunteer for EP students and families. He is a volunteer with the Friends of Townie Athletics, the Citizens Scholarship Foundation, and tireless volunteer for multiple school fundraisers. David worked hard to secure grant funding so that EPHS students in advance placement studies received five years of exam-free expense. He is one of East Providence's best coaches having coached baseball at Martin Middle School whereby his teams won six division championships. He also coached EPHS boys tennis where his teams won five division and one RI State Championship. David has also volunteered to help coaches of several other teams when needed. David served as a House Leader at Martin Junior High and Social Department Head at EPHS. He also was a successful Vice-Principal at EPHS. David committed his entire professional life to the students, teachers and athletes of East Providence. He is a true "Townie" despite his original high school affiliation!

The Hall of Fame Committee invites everyone to help honor these 2015 inductees by attending this year’s ceremony. Any EPHS graduate is welcomed to join the Hall of Fame Committee. Anyone, including non-graduates can nominate someone for Hall of Fame consideration. Nomination forms are available at East Providence High School.

(email bobrodericks@gmail.com for further information)

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