Reading Across RI, National Honor Society Graduation, And The Biotechnology Open House

Outstanding educators and staff shine as they highlight student success in Woonsocket.  I had the good fortune to attend the WACTC/WHS Biotechnology Open House and participate in the National & Rhode Island Honor Society Graduation Induction Ceremony.  In addition, I was informed about the 2011 Reading Across Rhode Island Videoconference that was hosted in the Woonsocket High School Library Media center.  All of these events demonstrate how our excellent staff go above and beyond the traditional school day to support and highlight academic success.

WACTC/WHS Biotechnology Open House

The outstanding educator that I must highlight first in this section Ms. Claire Laquerre for her intellect and perseverance.  I remember when she requested a meeting almost three years ago in an effort to solicit my approval to find and support the development of this classroom.  She had the support of her principal at that time, Dr. Garcia, and her Department Chair, Janet Mielle, as they convinced me that I should support this nationally commended teacher.  With my approval, it took two years and two principals to navigate the building politics required to actually get an appropriate space and to begin building the room.  Then Claire and Peter Fontaine, Director of Facilities, had to figure out how to refurbish the room during a fiscal crisis with no capital improvement funds.  Claire was resourceful and with the help of students, teachers, parents, and even a board of regents, she has gotten to the point where the room is complete and she could hold this open house where our very impressive students had a chance to demonstrate their talents.

The open house was held on May 5, 2011 from 3 to 6 p.m. Many members of the Biotechnology Advisory Board were in attendance.  The students did presentations on the following topics:

Gel Electrophoresis - Carol Acevedo

Aquaponics - Jeremy McBurney

Zebrafish Studies - Derek Bell

Zebrafish Mainetenance - Jazmine Roman-Stewart

Hydeoponics - Rebecca Landry

Digital Imaging - Clayton Mcmillan

Fermentation/Clean Room - Amanda Dancause

Clean Room Techniques - Sierra Valois

During the presentation of awards, Claire told some very touching stories of sacrifice and support, two of which I would like to highlight because these staff members need to be lauded for their outstanding service to our school community. 

Raymond Duquette, who I almost always bump into when I visit the high school and is always working hard, was honored for the hours of personal time that he spent with Claire that were required to refurbish the room. 

The other staff member, Director of Instructional Technology Mike Ferry, was lauded for his large personal financial donations to provide the lab with critical equipment.  On one occasion it was over $500 and on another occasion it was several hundred more dollars.  There were so many other stories that I could not recount them all but I will provide you with the list of the awards and awardees.

Shining Star Award: Amanda Dancause, Kory Nordby, Charles McMullin, Tyler Plant

Certificate of Appreciation: Merylene Emmett

You Make a Difference Awards: Raymond Duquette "Jack of all Trades," Michael Ferry - Woonsocket Education Department, Tyler Plant - Biotechnology Student, Betsy Shimberg - RI Board of Regents

When this event was over, Ms. Laquerre lamented, "it's too bad we have come this far and we will not be able to offer biotechnology next year because we are changing the schedule from a block schedule to a six period day."  I explained to her that her efforts were not in vain.  There seems to be a popular misconception at this point that programs will be eliminated solely by the change in schedule.  I am confident that an exciting curriculum taught by an outstanding teacher like Claire Laquerre will survive and thrive, even during the lean times!

National & Rhode Island Honor Society Graduation and Induction Ceremony

Every year this ceremony is one of the highlights of the school year for me.  It is a chance to celebrate high academic success as well as the virtues of service, leadership, and character.  Every year I look in the audience at these students and wonder who will be famous, and for what, when I am long retired and reading about them on my Kindle.  

This is the second year that Mrs. Diane Lafrenaye is the Honor Society Advisor and she has done a great job each year.  The ceremony is always organized to perfection, and the pomp and circumstance provided by Mr. Keven Plouffe, Band Director, and the Jazz Band is always perfect as well.  The best surprise is the announcement of the Valedictorian and Salutatorian Special Awards because very few people, including myself, know who they are yet.  This year we learned that Julie Briere is the Valedictorian and that Jennifer Pierel is the Salutatorian.

The Woonsocket High School National Honor Society Members were: Kristen Angell, Brook Badeau, Sara Brennan, Julie Briere, Valendy Chaleunsouk, John Cruz, Billy Daophaouthenh, Aminata Diallo, Angelica Dubois, Chanmoriya Eam, Genesis Flores, Yulaika Garcia, Nicholas Gaulin, Christina Goulet, Masharee Hopkins-Jones, Cora Hunt, Naramane Khaled, Ericka Mack, Daniel McNulty, Jennifer Nguyen, Samantha Paquette, Lindsey Pelley, Jennifer Pierel, Jose Ramos, Cedric Michael Samson, and Kearly Staples.   

The Woonsocket High School Rhode Island Honor Society members include the National Honor society members as well as the following students: Aaron Andrews, Haley Barchiesi, Jesslyn Biernacki, Ryan Boulanger, Elizabeth Brodeur, Adam Brunetti, Tranh Truc Cao, Jesse Charette, Emily Chase, Cassandra Cooper, Christopher Cote, Sean Coupel, James Daosaeng, Alex Denomme, Kelsey Doiron, Arthur Dugas, Rody Fernandez, Abisag Flores, Kelsey Gately, Kayla Gingras, Jodie Girard, Joshua Houle, Keith Hurteau, Brittney Keophoxay, Megan Kostas, Bintou Marong, Yohasma Marzan, Elizabeth Murray, Dakota Nichols, Dung Pham, Lily Phommachanh, Samantha Plante, Jalizza Ramos, Joshua Renaud, Kaitlyn Riddick, Jennifer Rochefort, Robert Rodriguez, Marissa Roy, Julianna Silveira, Thalia Solier, Jintana Souvannavongsa, Jessica St. Jean, and Alexandria Urbaez.

The Junior Marshals were: Olivia Asgarian, Michaela Bartholomy, Katelyn Belleville, Michelle Brayboy, Allyson Cartier, Angela Chevalier, Esther Cortorreal, Devon Dion, Shannon Heil, Emily Person, Lauren Pelly, Justyna Pietrus, Melinda Rice, Kathryn Smith, Kristen Treganowan, and Angela Viphakone.

The National Junior Honor Society has the motto "Noblesse Oblige."  This phrase literally translated in French means nobility obligates.  However, figuratively it means that one must act in a fashion that conforms with one's position, and with the reputation that one has earned.  More simply stated, whoever claims to be noble must conduct himself nobly.  Now that our students have achieved this high honor, I challenge them each year by ending my speech saying "Noblesse Oblige."

The 2011 Reading Across Rhode Island Videoconference

Woonsocket High School was selected as the site for the 2011 Reading Across Rhode Island videoconference. Also joining the event were classes from Chariho High School and Westerly High School.

Craig Mullaney, author of "The Unforgiving Minute:  A Soldier's Story," spoke to a group of students assembled in the Woonsocket High School Library/Media Center.  Mrs. Danielle Derotto's senior Advanced Placement English class as well as members of the JROTC read the book in advance.  Staff and students enjoyed the 90 minute program which included the authors speech and a lively question and answer period.  The entire program is available at http://amms.oshean.org/content/rinet/rari-2011

The event was organized by Mrs. Diane Lafrenaye the Woonsocket High School Library/Media Specialist.  Mrs. LaFrenaye is passionate about her students and you can tell by the fact that she is integral in so many outstanding initiatives in the High School.  She received technological assistance from Adam Stanley, the Woonsocket Education Department Network Administrator.   Adam is a former Woonsocket student who has come back to work and serve the community he grew up in.  As a student he helped develop the Woonsocket Education Department Web Site and now he runs the whole computer system for us. 

In Summation

It never ceases to amaze me how many great events are happening in the Woonsocket Education Department.  I feel very fortunate to be able to highlight these events because they are some of the greatest examples of our students, staff members and community reaching new and greater heights.

Sincerely,

Robert J. Gerardi, Jr., Ph.D.                         

Superintendent of Schools                             

Woonsocket Education Department  

"Noblesse Oblige; or, superior advantages bind you to larger generosity"

Ralph Waldo Emerson

(American Poet, Lecturer, and Essayist, 1803-1882)

"There are obligations to nobility"

Duc De Levis

(French Soldier, 1764-1830)

"To obligate persons often costs little and helps much"

Baltasar Gracian

(Spanish Philosopher and Writer leading Spanish Exponent of Conceptualism, 1601-1658)

"In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself"

James Madison

(American 4th U.S. President, 1751-1836)