22 CHS Graduates Honored With Oaker Awards

"For the last 30 years at graduation we highlight students by way of an Oaker award. This award acknowledges students who bring credit to CHS by their actions, accomplishments and behaviors," explained Principal Hobin. "Oaker nominees are considered by faculty to be well rounded ethical young men and women. Some of the Oakers have overcome great difficulties to be able to cross this stage and graduate.  In short, Oaker awardees have given it their all at CHS. This award is named in honor of long time Coventry High science teacher Ernest DiMicco. This year’s Ernest D. DiMicco Oaker Award recipients were nominated and selected by the faculty."

"These 22 Oakers represent the many diverse and varied students and programs available at the high school."

Gianna Palermo

Gianna is a optimistic, selfless, reliable, hard-working young lady. A member of the girls’ soccer team, Gianna suffered with an injury that derailed her junior season. After a lot of hard work and determination Gianna returned for her senior year. She is equally hard working in the classroom, taking honors and advanced placement level coursework. Her senior quote "Everything happens for a reason" explains her well balanced perspective on life.  Ranked 60th in the class, Gianna plans to attend Gordon College in the fall to study biology.

Zachary Mattera

Zachary is a “quiet professional” who is not out for notoriety. He has a fine record in academics, in leadership, in community service, and demonstrates the highest level of integrity and character. Zachary tries to help others to be as successful as he has become. He consistently exceeds the standard in his studies while balancing the demanding position of AFJROTC Kitty Hawk President. In that role he is responsible for a school wide tutoring program for struggling students. Whether tutoring students, working as the treasurer of the Conservative Student Association, or training for a boxing match, he inspires students to work hard and achieve results. We wish him well as he will be attending Norwich University in the fall.

Victoria Cruz

Outgoing, fun, ambitious are all words used to describe Victoria. This extremely active young lady found time in her busy schedule, which included varsity athletics as well as volunteering in the Life Skills program, to volunteer for the Middle School program “Connections”. Her bright outgoing personality and can-do approach to every aspect of the program was infectious. Interacting with Victoria in the corridors is always positive, and there is no doubt that on any given day she is picking someone up and making their day better. A fine example of Oaker Pride, Victoria will attend the University of New Hampshire in the fall to study occupational therapy.

Alexander Zannella

Alex has given a lot of himself over the last four years to Coventry High School.  He is the captain of the varsity football, hockey and baseball teams. He also sits in the seat of the most rigorous classes Coventry High School has to offer. He has taken many years of honors courses, advanced placement courses, and advanced band. He is a member of the National Honor Society, the National Spanish Honor Society and the Rhode Island Honor Society. Recently, by the Rhode Island Chapter of the National Football Foundation and received a $1000 scholarship. Ranked number sixth in the class and voted Best All Around by his peers, Alex plans to attend Quinnipiac this fall to become a physician’s assistant.

Erin Tatro

It is the opinion of many that Erin Tatro is the hardest working student at Coventry High School. Erin has near perfect attendance through four years of high school. She is an honor roll student, taking classes that personally challenge her. Erin has never used an excuse to shy away from hard work or complete an assignment to the best of her ability. She teaches us what it really means to work hard and prevail. Erin plans to attend CCRI in the fall.

Kristina Andrea

Kristina is a four-year member of the executive board for the Class of 2012. She has served her class selflessly. She has helped plan many events for her class, sacrificed her time to build floats and organize spirit week. When I have needed a student opinion or a student voice, Kristina was often my soundboard. She truly loves this class and this school. It is no surprise that in grade 12, she was voted "Did the Most for CHS". Kristina plans to attend Johnson and Wales in the fall to study hospitality.

Brandon Sullivan

Brandon is an outstanding young man. Within each graduating class, certain individual students make a lasting impression on the staff. In this class, Brandon is one of them. He has an engaging personality and a very mature outlook on things. He is an active member of the Conservative Club and the Bio-Tech club. Brandon is also a multi-sport athlete, having played soccer, basketball and baseball. Brandon was named the captain of the baseball team during his junior and senior years. He exhibits the maturity and responsibility of a leader on the field and in the classroom. Brandon will study computer science at Eastern Connecticut State University with a goal of working for the FBI.

Montana Robitaille

Montana was one of our fifteen students who completed their senior year in a concurrent program at CCRI or JWU. This program provides the opportunity for high school seniors to take college credit while finishing their high school career. While at CCRI, Montana earned a dean's list GPA of 3.42. Montana is also a captain of our school’s golf team. For the past several years, I have had the pleasure of golfing with Montana in the annual student versus faculty golf tournament called the Coventry Cup. I am told that my golf skills are not great. I like to think that Montana is just that much better. Each year, the head coach states that if I can beat a girl, he will pair me up against a boy the following year. Montana defends her record next week and hopefully I will be ready. Montana plans to attend URI in the fall to study psychology.

Christopher Perry, Jr.

Christopher received the most nominations this year for an Oaker award. His advisory teacher states that he is truly a hard-working student. Chris has repeatedly risen above challenges to become a respected and appreciated member of the Class of 2012. He has participated in our internship program to assist underclassmen in the Cosmetology program. He organized a breast cancer charity day that raised $1,200 for the organization. His optimism and engaging personality are what students gravitate to. He is strong, true to himself and kind. He will do well as he enters the Cosmetology field after attending Toni and Guy Cosmetology training in the fall.

Emily Fisher

Emily Fisher has numerous talents that she has shared with Coventry High School. Emily was the senior editor of the yearbook. She worked tirelessly writing, organizing and gathering evidence to produce everlasting memories. In addition, Emily helped produce the Entry, our school newspaper. She won two scholarships for her well-written essays. A member of the History Club, the secretary of the community service Interact Club, Emily never seeks the limelight. On a daily basis Emily is respectful, friendly, caring, and a positive example of student citizenship. In the fall, Emily will attend Rhode Island College to study education.

Matthew Parent

Matthew Parent is a true Oaker whether he is carrying out the duties of one of his jobs, or socializing with students and faculty while cruising the hallways in his power wheelchair. Matthew has been a student in the Life Skills Program since his freshmen year. He is a strong, friendly, and happy young man. He has been faced with many challenges over the past several years but always, I mean always, comes to school with a positive attitude and a smile. As Matthew matured, he learned to navigate the halls independently and blossomed with various vocational jobs at Alpine Nursing Home and the Warwick Mall. He is a Special Olympian. In addition, Matt has been a member in the local Community Squires and is now a full Knight of Columbus. In the fall, Matt will continue in our transition center to further develop his functional and transition skills.

Adabel Cruz

Adabel is a focused leader in the Health Careers program within the Regional Career and Technical Center. After a challenging sophomore year, Adabel made a life-changing decision to enter the Health Careers program. Even though she entered the program in the second year, she wasted no time catching up to her classmates with content knowledge and vocational skills. She has become an ambassador for the program, often helping with career fairs and community events. She has been on the honor roll and is a member of our Skills USA program. Fluent in Spanish and voted “Most Changed” by her classmates, Adabel is certain to become a leader in the nursing field. She plans to attend CCRI in the fall. 

David Geer

Dave is a product of the great work in our music department. He is a natural musician, participating in the jazz band, marching band, Breakfast with the Beatles, RI Allstate Band, Varsity Review and the school musicals. Outside of school he receives private music lessons with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School and is an active participant in a local band. He often volunteers his time to play in a jazz ensemble for various school events; most recently at a faculty luncheon and the Hall of Fame induction ceremony of the Alumni Association. David is also an honor roll student and is a member of the French Honor Society. In addition, he is a black belt and martial arts instructor. Dave will attend Rhode Island College in the fall on scholarship to study music education. 

Talia Pecchia

Talia is a student that every extra curricular advisor dreams to work with. Her attention to detail, her commitment to Coventry High, and her friendly personality have made her a wonderful leader for the school and a voice for the student body. She has been the backbone of every major event the Student Council has run this year. Considering how many events Student Council plans, it is amazing that she still found time to hold a part-time job, be a member of the National Honor Society, and obtain highest honors all four years of high school to finish 46th in the class. Talia leads by example. She would never leave an event until every job was done. She has served Coventry High School exceptionally well as the student body President. We wish her well as she enters URI in September to study elementary education.

William Studley

Will is truly exceptional. Watching him grow and develop into a self-confident, goal oriented young man has been a pleasure. When he entered Coventry High, Will was shy and reserved. About midway through his freshman year, Will found himself, decided what he wanted to do, and set forth a course of how to get there. He has never wavered in his dedication and desire to attend college, study engineering and have a career in the military. Will has been a member of the Air Force Junior ROTC program and Falcon Drill Team since he was a freshman. He has held numerous positions in these organizations over four years; climbing to the highest rank possible, Cadet Commanding Officer. He has logged hundreds of hours with the ROTC drill team at community events, parades, veteran’s hospital ceremonies, high school graduations, and funerals.  He has dedicated countless weekends to share his time with the Rhode Island and Coventry community. I will truly miss this young man when he enters Mississippi State University in September to study mechanical engineering.

Nathan Salisbury

Although not a member of the Student Council at the beginning of the year, Nathan has helped the group from Day One. He used his remarkable carpentry skills to build and assemble floats for the Homecoming parade. In addition, he was responsible for the assembly of the Varsity Revue backdrop. Additionally, he operated the lights for the Varsity Revue, World Language Cabaret and Spirit week lip sync contests. Nathan selected a diverse course load in his senior year. He is an A student in the Career Center Carpentry Program, a star in public speaking, and earned a grade of 100% in Finite Math during the fourth quarter. He never seeks recognition but is well deserving of this one. Nathan will study banking and finance at CCRI in the fall.

Katie Auld

Katie personifies the term hard worker. She is Class Secretary and has the ability to captivate an audience on stage as a soloist. Katie has maintained high honors status all four years at CHS. She is a member of the girls’ tennis team, a member of the National Honor Society, the National Italian Honor Society, Select Chorus, and an active member of her church. She was recently awarded the Ardis Barbour Award for excellence. Katie will attend URI in the fall.

Lyndsey Sweeney

Lyndsey has been a partner player on the Unified Basketball team for the past four years. The coaches have expressed how much of a powerful and positive influence this young lady has had on the unified athletes. The athletes look up to and rely on her. There will be a void on the team after she graduates. She is also a member of the State Championship Volleyball team, receiving the Sportsmanship Award at Coventry High for 2012. Lyndsey is positive, friendly, and an overall great kid! She will excel as she enters Rivier College to study math education.

Richard Pare

Richard has experienced many challenges in his life, including some significant ones in the time he has spent at Coventry High School. With the support of the caring Mowry family, and a determined mentor, Lisa LaChance, Richard recently completed his Capstone, re-built a four year portfolio in one year, enrolled in our PLATO program to regain 2.5 lost credits, and successfully passed his senior year courses. Richard’s hard work proves that when the game of life throws in some twists and turns hard work and perseverance pay off. We wish him well as he pursues a career in music.

Nicholas Mowry

Nick Mowry is a great friend! Opening his home to Richard and sharing his senior year with him has been a positive experience for both boys. I have watched Nick be supportive and encouraging to many members of this graduating class. For his Capstone project, he organized a benefit concert to raise money for the Gloria Gemma Foundation. He is polite, respectful and just an overall great young man. Nick is a Captain of the first Coventry High School Varsity Lacrosse team, serving as the goalie. Voted by his classmates as the Class Musician, Nick is a member of the jazz band and the marching band and the Bio-Tech club. Nick will continue to study at Johnson and Wales University in the fall.

Amanda Hoskins

Amanda is one of the most extraordinary young women at Coventry High School. An honor roll student, member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Captain of the varsity soccer team, a World Language club officer, Amanda proves that she can easily balance academics and athletics. After spending a great deal of time preparing for this Institute, she was asked to present to the Rhode Island Historical Society. This presentation led to an opportunity to travel back to Washington D.C. to present to the United States Congress. Amanda has spent Sunday mornings playing sports with mentally and physically challenged students. This year Amanda worked as an intern at Channel 10 to learn all aspects of broadcast journalism. She will continue her studies of broadcast journalism at Quinnipiac this September.

Joseph Nardolillo

Joe could quite possibly be the nicest kid at Coventry High School. For the past four years, he has made our school a better place for both students and staff. A member of the Wrestling team Joe brings the attitude “of aggression on the mat, and gentlemen off the mat” to everything he does. Joe, I must say however, that truth be told I hear you have still not beaten your father at wrestle offs at your wrestling do jo! Loved, and respected by both the faculty and his classmates,   I am certain that this Oaker will continue to bring great pride to his family, and his school, as his begins the Doctor of Pharmacy program here at the University of Rhode Island in September.