The East Providence High School Department of Athletics and the Friends of Townie Athletics recently held the school's annual Senior Sports Awards Night Wednesday, May 29.

The top prizes were awarded to Brayden Rouette and Eva Laroche, who were chosen as the respective 2024 EPHS Male and Female Athlete of the Year named in honor of two of the schools former outstanding coaches and administrators, Kenneth Reall and Alice Sullivan.

Reall was on hand to present the awards to Rouette and Laroche, the former who was a key contributor to the Townies in boys' cross country and tennis and the latter who performed well in girls' soccer. Each is a top student academically, Laroche finishing as the third highest ranked student in the EPHS Class of 2024, the aveditorian.

The following is the full list of recipients for the 2023-24 term:

Year-long honors

Kenneth Reall and Alice Sullivan, Male and Female Athlete of the Year: Brayden Rouette and Eva Laroche

Arthur Elmasian Award: Ryan Travassos, Malia Mullen

Mildred S. Morris Athletics Townie Award and Scholarship: Marley Nicini

Paul Tumidajski Athletics Service Award and Scholarship: Jake Parent

Fall season

Edward Cronan Award, Outstanding Boys' Cross Country: Brayden Rouette

George Poli Award, Boys' Soccer: Nathan Capelo

Kathyrn Crowley Award, Girls' Soccer: Eva Laroche

Patricia L Salera Memorial Award, Outstanding Varsity Cheerleader: Alyssa Potrzeba

Kathy Travers Award, Girls' Tennis: Lena Shanty

Haley Sisto Award, Girls' Tennis: Caroline Haggerty

William Stringfellow and Sandy Gorham Award, Football: Anjai Izqueirdo

Luis Carvalho Award, Girls' Volleyball: Daniella Escudero

Unified Volleyball Champions Award: Josh Harris - Athlete, Jason Russo - Partner

Winter season

Butch George Award, Wrestling: Steven Clark Jr.

Dr. Isadore Ramos Award, Wrestling: Simon Palombo

Gini Duarte Award, Girls' Basketball: Danelle Solano Guerrero

Everett Aldrich Award, Boys' Basketball: Kenaz Ochogwu

John Sandy Gorham Award, Boys' Swim: Nick Capobianco

Jennifer Mooney Award, Girls' Swim: Ines Benadouda

Competition Cheer Athlete of the Year: Kassidy Martins

Spring season

Rizzini Award, Boys' and Girls' Lacrosse: Jacob Leite, Kenna Wigginton

Bob Caruolo Award, Girls' Track: Kandace Daniel

William Poland Award, Boys' Track: Cameron Evora

Luis Carvalho Award, Boys' Volleyball: DJ Lepine

Rob Traverse Award, Softball: Mackenzie Jordan

Donat Maynard Award, Baseball: Kyler Lorenz

Scott Gorham Award, Boys' Tennis: James McShane

William McEnery Award, Golf: William Fitzgerald

Unified Champions Basketball Award: Ben Nascimento - Athlete, Emma Johanson - Partner

12 Season Award Winners: Ryan Travassos, Simon Palombo

Award Biographies

Kenneth Reall Award (Top Male Senior Athlete of the Year) - Kenny Reall is a former East Providence High School Physical Education/Swim Teacher and Swim Coach, Athletic Director at East Providence HS and a founding member of the Friends of Townie Athletics. EPHS Hall of Fame Member

Alice Sullivan Award (Top Female Senior Athlete of the Year) - Alice Sullivan was the “godmother” of Girls Sports for the State of RI and East Providence HS. As a long time Physical Education Teacher, she was the driving force behind equity for Girls sports. Alice was also an Assistant Principal at EPHS. EPHS Hall of Fame Member

Arthur Elmasian Award (Male and Female Senior Athlete) - Arthur Elmasian was a principal and staunch supporter of athletics at East Providence HS. You could always count on seeing Mr. Elmasian at Townie contests. EPHS Hall of Fame Member

Mildred S Morris Athletics Townie Award and Scholarship - Mildred (Millie) Morris was a lifelong Townie who dedicated her life to supporting students, teachers, coaches, administrators and all East Providence residents.
She was employed as a secretary in the school department for 32 years. During and after her tenure as a school secretary, Mrs. Morris was a founding member of the Friends of Townie Athletics where she also served as Vice President until her passing in August of 2024. As a member of FTA, she was instrumental in helping the organization raise funds and provide the student-athletes with awards, equipment, banquets, and other things not provided within limited school budgets. She insisted on East Providence students receiving the best academic and athletic supplies necessary.

Paul Tumidajski Athletics Service Award and Scholarship – Paul is a 1986 graduate of East Providence HS who has been instrumental in game day operations for Townie Athletics since 1985. He began as a statistician for various teams and then moved to the scorer’s table where he has been a fixture for over 35 years, working Boys and Girls Volleyball, Wrestling, and Boys and Girls Basketball. All officials who come to East Providence do not worry about the scorer’s table due to Paul’s presence. I am not sure there is a person who has seen more Townie Athletics contests than Paul. When he’s not working a game, you can see Paul out shooting photos of our teams.

Coach Pizzis’ Family Scholarship - Coaches Angelo and Stacie Pizzi have been ardent supporters of EPHS student athletes. Coaching Football, Soccer, Basketball and Lacrosse they have worked with many of our athletes. They award an annual scholarship to a male and female athlete from football, boys/girls lacrosse or boys/girls soccer who exemplify Townie Pride and determination.

Fall Sports

Edward Cronan Award (Boys Cross-Country) - Ed Cronan was an EPHS Assistant Athletic Director, former EPHS History Teacher, Guidance Counselor and Cross Country Coach. EPHS Hall of Fame Member.

George Poli Award (Boys Soccer) - George Poli was a Math and Computer Science Teacher at East Providence HS. He was the EPHS Boys Soccer Coach for many years having won several state titles.

Kathryn Crowley Award (Girls Soccer) - Our former Superintendent who was very instrumental in the construction of our new High School as well as a big supporter of Townie Athletics.

Patrica Salera Memorial Award - Patricia Salera was an East Providence High School cheerleader and a former EPHS Cheerleading Coach.

Kathy Travers Award (Girls Tennis) - Kathy Travers was the first EPHS Girls’ Tennis Coach. She was a Physical Education/Health Teacher at EPHS. She was an avid tennis player and supporter of tennis events throughout the state.

Hayley Sisto (Tennis) - A former Townie player who lost her life to illness. Haley was a great teammate and fierce competitor.

William Stringfellow and Sandy Gorham Award (Football) - Coach Stringfellow is an EPHS Hall of Fame Member. He was Athletic Director, longtime EPHS Football Coach as well as a Physical Education/Health Teacher.
Coach Gorham is an EPHS Hall of Fame Member, former EPHS Physical Education Teacher and longtime Football, Softball and Swim Coach at EPHS.

Luis Carvalho Award (Girls Volleyball) - Luis Carvalho is a longtime Physical Education Teacher and Volleyball Coach (boys and girls) at EPHS. Luis is in the RI Coaches Hall of Fame, URI Hall of Fame and the EPHS Hall of Fame.
Unified Volleyball Champions Athlete and Partner Award- this award is given annually to the Volleyball Athlete and Partner that uphold the values of Special Olympics throughout their competitions.

Winter Sports

Butch George Award (Wrestling) - Presented to the senior wrestler who exemplifies the attributes of Townie All State Wrestler Butch George; a great teammate, sportsman and competitor.

Dr. Isadore Ramos Award (Wrestling) - Dr. Ramos served as EP City Councilman, Mayor, Asst. Superintendent, EPHS Assistant Principal, Physical Education Teacher and was a wrestling All American. EPHS Hall of Fame Member.

Gini Duarte Award (Girls Basketball) - Gini Duarte was a Girls Basketball Coach at East Providence High School. She was also an East Providence Elementary School Teacher ending her career at Emma G. Whiteknact School.

Everett Aldrich Award (Boys Basketball) - Everett Aldrich was a Guidance Counselor at East Providence HS and former EPHS Boys Basketball Coach. EPHS Hall of Fame Member.

John Sandy Gorham Award (Boys Swim) - Coach Gorham is an EPHS Hall of Fame Member, former EPHS Physical Education Teacher and longtime Football, Softball and Swim Coach at EPHS.

Jennifer Mooney Award- (Girls Swim) - a former All State Swimmer and multi event school record holder.
Competition Cheer Athlete of the Year - Chosen by the coaching staff as the most outstanding Senior team member.

John W. Kennedy Award (Hockey) - John Kennedy was a graduate of East Providence HS, Class of 1958; a local business owner and longtime supporter of the EPHS Hockey Team. EPHS Hall of Fame Member.

Spring Sports

Rizzini Award (Boys and Girls Lacrosse) - EP Townies Matt & Chris Rizzini petitioned the East Providence School Department and athletic department to establish Lacrosse as a varsity sport rather than a club sport. It is due to their support and persistence that Lacrosse is now a varsity sport. Both played Lacrosse at EPHS.

Bob Caruolo Award (Girls Track) - Bob Caruolo is a former Science teacher at East Providence HS as well as a longtime EPHS Girls’ Track Coach. EPHS Hall of Fame Member.

William Poland Award (Boys Track) - Bill Poland was an East Providence HS Physical Education Teacher, EPHS Boys’ Track Coach and Assistant Football Coach. EPHS Hall of Fame Member.

Donat Maynard Award (Baseball) - Donat Maynard was an East Providence HS History Teacher, an East Providence HS Baseball, Hockey Coach and Assistant Football Coach. EPHS Hall of Fame Member

S. Robert Traverse Award (Softball) - Rob Traverse is a former EPHS History Teacher, Guidance Counselor, EP Assistant Athletic Director, and long time EPHS Girls’ Softball Coach. He also served as the Freshman Boys’ Basketball Coach, Assistant Coach for Boys’ Varsity Basketball, Head Coach of Boy’s Cross Country, and Assistant Boys’ Baseball Coach.

Donat Maynard Award (Baseball) - Donat Maynard was an East Providence HS History Teacher, an East Providence HS Baseball, Hockey Coach and Assistant Football Coach. EPHS Hall of Fame Member

Scott Gorham Award- Boys Tennis - Scott was a Townie Tennis player who was tragically taken from us in an accident. He had a spirit and passion for the game that made all Townies proud

William McEnery Award (Golf) - Bill McEnery is a former EPHS History Teacher, EPHS Coach (softball, basketball) and current Golf Coach.

Unified Basketball Champions Athlete and Partner Award- this award is given annually to an Athlete and Partner that uphold the values of Special Olympics throughout their competitions.

12 Season Award Winners

These athletes competed and completed every season of their 4 year athletic career at East Providence HS.