EAST PROVIDENCE — A trio of East Providence High School senior student-athletes — Mia Jackson, Yanis Benadouda and Cole Poissant — held a National Letter of Intent signing ceremony in the fitness center on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
The three members of the Class of 2020 officially penned their commitments to continue their sports careers at the collegiate level: Jackson in women’s soccer, Benadouda in men’s swimming and Poissant in baseball.
Jackson, the highly decorated Townies’ first-string goalie in each of her four years, will attend Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts. The Skyhawks compete at the NCAA Division II level and are members of the Northeast-10 Conference.
Benadouda, who has to date won multiple division events and placed seventh in the 50-yard freestyle at states last winter for the EPHS boys’ swim team, heads to Providence College next fall. The Friars vie in the Big East Conference at the NCAA Division I level.
Poissant, the Townies’ starting catcher, among their top hitters and a multi-time All-Division I performer, is headed to Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire. The Ravens also compete at the NCAA Division II level and are as well members of the Northeast-10 Conference.
“They’re athletes. They’re students. They just embody ‘Townies’ all the way with respect and enthusiasm all around,” EPHS principal Shani Wallace said of the trio during the ceremony.
November 13 was the first day of the fall national signing period. Another will take place in April 2020 during the spring.