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North Providence School Committee recognizes valedictorian, athletic program and names district teacher of the year
Summary
The committee presented citations to the high school valedictorian and salutatorian, honored North Providence High School as the state athletic-administration association’s School of the Year, inducted 44 seniors into the National Honor Society and named Jennifer Kolak the district’s 2025 Teacher of the Year.
The North Providence School Committee formally recognized student and staff achievements at a meeting that included citations for the high school valedictorian and salutatorian, an athletics award, National Honor Society inductions and the announcement of the district teacher of the year.
Superintendent Joseph Gojo presented a citation to the North Providence High School valedictorian, identified in the meeting as Esha Bahedi Valadikari, and to salutatorian Sasha Perrold. The citation read in the meeting offered “sincere congratulations” from the school committee and extended “its very best wishes” to the graduates.
The committee also recognized the North Providence High School athletic program as the Rhode Island Interscholastic League Athletic Administrators Association’s 2025 School of the Year. Athletic Director Anthony Piccicelli accepted the recognition and credited school leadership, coaches, student-athletes and the community. Piccicelli cited athletic and academic accomplishments recited at the award banquet, including a Division III boys basketball state championship; a division championship in unified basketball; a Ricca competition cheerleading title; and the girls flag-football inaugural championship. He also noted student‑athlete academic honors, two football players named to the National Football Foundation (Rhode Island) Golden Dozen, participation in programs such as VASA and Clean Competition, and community outreach events the transcript identified as “Hi‑5 Fridays.” Piccicelli said facility upgrades, new bleachers with handicap access, district branding and planned summer work on two high school gyms and the pit were highlighted at the awards banquet.
Principal Kristen McGill summarized the National Honor Society induction, saying the district inducted 44 seniors into the high school chapter. McGill relayed brief reflections students offered about teachers who influenced them and listed NHS officers who led the ceremony. The transcript records students’ stated college plans (examples given include Columbia, Cornell, Boston College, University of Miami and WPI) and described the event as showcasing students’ scholarship, leadership, service and character.
The committee announced the North Providence Public Schools 2025 Teacher of the Year: Jennifer Kolak, identified in the meeting as the multilingual-learner (MLL) specialist at Maguire Elementary School. The committee said Kolak has taught for 24 years, supports families and colleagues, collaborates with community partners including the North Providence Public Library and local parent groups, pursues continuing professional learning, and works across the district to meet the needs of multilingual learners. A plaque and flowers were presented during the meeting.
The recognitions were presented with applause; no formal votes were required for citations and awards. The committee recessed briefly after the presentations before continuing its business agenda.
