EAST PROVIDENCE — There are a few certainties on the annual coverage calendar for The Post, one of the most significant being commencement exercises at East Providence High School and the corresponding story about the top three ranked students in their graduating class.

Nothing about 2020 to date, however, has been “certain,” especially so for the matriculating group of EPHS seniors, this year led by valedictorian Christina-Marie Capobianco, salutatorian Alexandra Toabe Wolski and avedictorian Madison Rae Marcure.

Each recently responded to a typical series of questions posed to the top three annually, interviews usually done in person. But, again, in these atypical times brought on by the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the students, unusually, answered via e-mail.

Commencement will be done “virtually” as was the last several months of the 2019-20 term. Graduates “walked” across the stage individually inside the high school gym, rather than at Pierce Stadium often on the first Friday evening of June. The events, including all of the comments, speeches and pomp, were recorded and edited into a video, which be shown on the internet and local television channels.

Through it all the Class of 2020 seniors persevered and prospered, notably the top three.

Besides being at the head of their class academically, the trio share another noteworthy similarity. All attended Riverside Middle School prior to secondary. Also, Wolski and Marcure, besides attending Kent Heights Elementary, are both headed to Rhode Island College where their intended fields of study are Psychology and Communications: Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, respectively. Capobianco will attend Providence College in the fall with the intent to major in Education.

The following is the Q&A with the top three students in the Class of 2020 at East Providence High School…

The Post: What aspect of your experience at EPHS, educationally, socially, etc., best prepared you for college?

Capobianco: “Of all my high school experiences, being involved in athletics prepared me most for college. The biggest lessons athletics taught me are to believe in myself, not to give up, to put in the necessary practice, support my teammates, and take responsibility for my own performance.”

Wolski: “I think what prepared me most for college was the way we all worked together. We had group chats for almost every class and always helped each other with homework or studying for tests. If any of us ever had a question, someone else would be there to try to answer it.”

Marcure: “Having the opportunity to take college level courses, such as AP (Advanced Placement) and EEP (Early Enrollment Program) classes, definitely helped prepare me for my college career. I was able to experience the fast-moving pace and work load of a college class which helps me to understand what I am in for when I start college. I also became more of a ‘social butterfly’ my last few years at EPHS, making new friends and preparing me to be more outgoing in my future.”

The Post: What will be a lasting memory from your four years at EPHS…A class, a teacher, a learning situation, anything else?

Capobianco: “A lasting memory from my four years at EPHS would be working with the students in the life skills class. This was an experience where I was supposed to be in the teaching position, but the truth is, we taught each other. I feel that by imparting to them the lessons that I had learned, I was able to show them a way to do better in whatever they were attempting to achieve. They, in turn, inspired me with their willingness to try even when the task at hand was difficult. We created friendships and I looked forward to meeting with them everyday. I will miss the friends that I have made in this class.”

Wolski: “This isn’t profound, or even close to the only thing I’ll remember, but something I think I’ll bring up for the rest of my life is the time school was delayed because someone had stolen about 30 batteries from school busses in the bus depot and they had to delay everything to get more.”

Marcure: “I will always remember the bond I built with one of my favorite high school teachers, Mrs. (Judy) McNulty. She was my US History teacher both junior and senior year. During those two years not only did we joke around constantly but I was also able to go to her whenever I needed advice or someone to talk to. We created a bond I will always cherish and I hope to stay in touch with her.”

The Post: In which way or ways, if any, did the COVID-19 pandemic affect you as a student during your senior year?

Capobianco: “In addition to the obvious disappointments of missing a traditional graduation experience, senior prom, awards night, sports banquet, and spring sports, I missed having immediate contact with my teachers. While students did have the ability to contact teachers through email, there is no substitute for having immediate access to your teachers during the school day in order to ask questions, request feedback, and seek reinforcement or clarification of an idea or assignment.”

Wolski: “The transition to online school was hard for me because I need a set schedule, and school provided that for me. It was hard to get any work done on time because while I did homework over breaks and on weekends before, it felt like I had more structure then because I knew I was going back to school and there was less work as I could do it in school too or work ahead. But I feel by the end I had adjusted better. I was able to get everything done on time and not feel like I was drowning anymore. I never was able to create a schedule for myself, but even without one, I feel I’m better able to use my time and get things done.”

Marcure: “The COVID-19 pandemic definitely blindsided all of us during one of the most difficult and important years. It made learning new material difficult because we had to basically teach ourselves at home. It stole all our senior memories, like prom, the senior cruise, and graduation. Despite all this, I made it through and am ready for what’s ahead.”

The Post: What is the key theme of your commencement speech and why did you choose it?

Capobianco: “The key theme of my speech is the importance of a person’s words and the power of positive affirmation. I admit in my speech to not liking school until I went to the Riverside Middle School. The teachers that I met there, as well as the principal, Mr. (Stephen) Prew, had a way of boosting my confidence by their positive tone and feedback. I am the kind of learner who asks a lot of questions. I was fortunate enough to have teachers who not only welcomed, but encouraged my questioning. I feel that their words literally changed the course of my future. I felt the same positive force from the motivating comments given to me by my high school coaches.”

Wolski: “I think the key theme of my commencement speech is that we have something to remember. I can’t say that I chose it intentionally. I didn’t know what to write, so I wrote everything down. The parts that sounded the best all had that theme, so I based my speech around that.”

Marcure: “The key theme of my commencement speech is the strength and perseverance that we demonstrated throughout these past four years, but especially our senior year. I also touch upon the memories we’ve made and the bright futures we have ahead of us. I chose to speak about these topics because I wanted to congratulate everyone for conquering their last year even with the COVID-19 pandemic that got in our way. I also wanted to inspire everyone to do the best they can because I know we’re all strong and are going to succeed in whatever we set our minds to.”

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