John DeGoes

Kevin McBride

Joseph Medeiros

Edward Serowik

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EAST PROVIDENCE — A class of four will be welcomed to the fold during the 34th East Providence High School Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 15, at the Venus De Milo restaurant in Swansea. The ceremony/dinner starts at noon.

The Class of 2017 inductees includes Joseph Medeiros, a 1975 EPHS grad; Kevin McBride, 1976; Edward Serowik, 1954; and Dr. John V. DeGoes, who will be inducted as an honorary member.

Tickets are $40 per person 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'.

The Hall of Fame was established in conjunction with the East Providence High School 1984 Centennial year. It 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 hall inductees consisted of 12 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 five 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."

Joseph Medeiros

Joseph "Joe"Medeiros, is the heart and soul of Pierce Stadium in East Providence. A three-year baseball player while at East Providence High School he also excelled in Track. After Rhode Island College, Joe began a career of public service and dedication concentrated on providing city residents with a high quality of recreational activities.

Joe maintains the 26-acre Pierce complex which houses a baseball and football stadium often considered the class of New England. The stadium also has several little league fields and recently renovated basketball, tennis courts and walking trails. During years of economic difficulty, Joe often maintained a quality complex with next to zero funding.

Joe is a volunteer with many organizations. He has been a 26-year member of the Heritage Days committee, the Dolly Searle Golf Tourney, Relay for Life, Eagle Scouts, and many more. Joe's talents have been recognized by the Pawtucket Red Sox as he has been asked to be part of their ground crew.

Additionally, Joe has lead an effort to maintain high school and middle school athletic fields. Joe is responsible for Fourth of July fireworks and Loof Carousel events.

Kevin McBride

Major General Kevin McBride was a three-year member of the high school indoor and outdoor track teams and also two years of cross-country, serving as team Captain for track. Kevin began his duties as The Adjutant General for Rhode Island in 2011. He is also as the Commanding General in the Rhode Island National Guard. General McBride has served in a number of command and staff positions during his career.

Kevin is a distinguished University of Rhode Island honor graduate where he received his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. The General has commanded an Attack Helicopter Battalion and the 56th Troop Command Airborne.

He served as the Commander of the 43rd Military Police Brigade including deployment in support of Operation Iraqi. Prior to that Kevin served as the Deputy Commanding General, Army National Guard, Army Materiel Command and Commander of the United States Army North's Contingency Command Post, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Kevin has recently retired from the United States Army after 35 years serving honorably the citizens of this nation and residents of Rhode Island.

Edward Serowik

Edward Serowik, has been the main reason that the Nationally Famous Crescent Park Loof Carousel has remained in service and is so popular in East Providence and Rhode Island. Of the over 50 carousels that Charles Looff built in his lifetime, the Crescent Park version remains one of the few remaining in operation in the world and has been named as a National Historic Landmark in 1987. The main reason the Loof carousel hasn't been shut down is Eddie Serowik.

Whenever the more than 120-year-old famous Merry-Go-Round appears to be breaking down, a call goes out to Ed Serowik. Eddie began working at Crescent Park in 1948 as a teenager and is one of the few locals hired by the daughter of Charles Loof. Ed was a member of the second graduating class of the "new" East Providence High School.

Former Superintendent of Schools Edward Martin recognized Eddie's skills and recruited him to work for the school department's maintenance team in 1980. In 1983, Eddie was assigned as the Head of Maintenance for the entire high school. With Eddie at the helm, the high school was in terrific condition throughout his tenure.

In retirement Eddie continues to volunteer his time wherever needed. He collects tickets at athletic events and volunteers to assist in countless school and city events. His skills and expertise have been second to none.

John DeGoes

Dr. John V. DeGoes was a prodigious scholar, athlete and coach. He had an extensive background in education with several undergraduate and advanced degrees. A passionate, life-long educator, John began his career as a History teacher in Central Falls, then Assistant Principal at Cumberland High School.

Dr. DeGoes was Superintendent of Schools in Central Falls from 1983-1987. He became East Providence's superintendent serving from 1987 to1994. He initiated the East Providence America 2000 Initiative and helped to establish Grove Avenue School as a "Governor's School." John developed a cable television show called 'Chalk Talk' and developed alternative education programs for at-risk kids. John was honored as Rhode Island Superintendent of the Year in 1991 and was President of the Rhode Island and New England Associations. John's biggest contribution to East Providence may have been his calming effect he had on the school district and his support for teachers and students in the city.

After retiring, he worked in North Attleboro and then came back to East Providence as Interim Superintendent in 2012 and 2013 while the city was experiencing financial difficulties. He once again calmed the "rough waters." John was also a councilman in the city of Pawtucket. John was inducted into the Cumberland High School Athletic Hall of Fame and served for 7 years in the Air National Guard and Air Force during the Berlin crisis. After residing in East Providence for over 25 years, his family has established an East Providence scholarship in his memory.