PORTSMOUTH — R.I. Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea has honored Katherine Damon and Gavin Bicho from Portsmouth High School with the 2021 Rhode Island Civic Leadership Award. 

The award is given annually to recognize high school students who have made outstanding contributions to their schools and communities over the past year.

The Civic Leadership Awards are typically presented to students during a ceremony at the Rhode Island State House. However, this year’s awards were held during two virtual events for students and their families to follow social distancing best practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The virtual events drew over 100 participants. After congratulations and remarks from Secretary Gorbea, students had the opportunity to ask the Secretary questions about government service, the importance of civic engagement, and new Department of State initiatives. 

“This year’s virtual Civic Leadership Awards were a terrific opportunity to speak with Rhode Island’s young leaders about the issues important to them,” said Secretary Gorbea. “Their insightful questions and spirit of civic engagement are more proof that the future of our state is bright indeed. Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners and keep up the great work!”

“Katherine and Gavin both have outstanding leadership qualities that make our school a better place,” added PHS Principal Joseph Amaral. “They both exemplify leadership through action and good works. We are both very proud of them as our school’s recipient for this award."

The Civic Leadership Awards are part of Secretary Gorbea’s mission to engage and empower Rhode Islanders by connecting them with their government and encouraging civic pride.

Each year, high schools across Rhode Island are invited to nominate two students in the junior class who best meet the ideals of the Civic Leadership Award: public service, leadership ability, and academic achievement. This year, Secretary Gorbea received 142 nominations from 70 schools across the state.