PCD Celebrates Class of 2025

In his Invocation address, English Department Chair Chris Dodd quoted author and academic Anthony J. Marsella to offer the class both a challenge and a compass for their future. “Show, by your actions, that you choose peace over war, freedom over oppression, voice over silence, service over self-interest, respect over advantage, courage over fear, cooperation over competition, action over passivity, diversity over uniformity, and justice over all,” he said.

“Life will not go as planned,” Head of School Kevin Folan reminded the graduates. “When it does—how will you respond? Will you let it harden you—or open you? Will you look away—or lean in? Will you become bitter—or become better?,” he asked. “You are graduating today with talent, knowledge, and potential. But the road ahead will also require grace, humility, and resilience. And maybe—if you let it — it will offer you a moment that changes how you see the world and how you see yourself.”

Biology teacher Nancy Gelardi, this year’s Commencement speaker, encouraged the students to keep an open mind and be willing to learn new things. “When you look at something in the world, be curious, wonder how, why, where and when. Ask questions, lots of them, and then go try to find the answers. Pay attention to what is happening in the here and now. That is my advice for how you should approach this world,” she said. “Go learn things, experience things, discover things, and always remember that you are now and forever, PCD Knights.”

At the end of the ceremony, Associate Head of School Mark McLaughlin gave the graduates their charge, with advice from the senior class advisors. They were encouraged to “cultivate and put effort into maintaining relationships” and “remember that when faced with challenges, break them down into smaller, manageable pieces.” They were urged to “go out and be great. Try your best, be positive, help others, and be thankful,” and reminded to “keep reading… nonfiction builds your knowledge, skills, and awareness about what's going on in the world and fiction builds imagination and empathy for different perspectives.” Other advice included “look for the best in yourselves and others in an increasingly fractious world” and “allow hope and tenacity to cultivate in your character.”

The graduates will attend more than three dozen colleges and universities across the country.

Congratulations, PCD’s Class of 2025!

Emerson McKay Bates - Flagler College

Peter J Beatrice III - Stonehill College

Kelsey Jade Blecker* - Pennsylvania State University - Schreyer Honors

Ryan Matthew Boline - Gettysburg College

Talon Botelho - University of Rhode Island

Allison Flora Bromberg - Elon University

Jack Alexander Caletri - Rhode Island College

Nora E Calhoun - University of Rhode Island

Calvin J Colby - Berklee College of Music

Nathaniel Eliot Comiskey* - Williams College

Martim Alexandre Conceição - Lynn University

Colin J Demers - Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Finnley Christina Dietrich - Gap Year

Ezekiel James Dodd - Fordham University

Efthimia Sophia Eliopoulos - Sacred Heart University

Hannah Elizabeth Eno - University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Richard A Fernandes III - Roger Williams University

Kathryn Elizabeth Ford* - University of Virginia

Seamus S Galeone - Endicott College

Cesar Godinez* - Harvard University

Isabella Grace Goetz* - New York University

Andrew William Hamel - High Point University

Maggie Francis Holland - Sacred Heart University

Cooper W Horley - High Point University

Margaret Hazel Iannella - Marquette University

Brady Steven Jones* - Rice University

Eleanor Beatrice Karl* - Colby-Sawyer College

Lana Edith Kooloian* - Tulane University

Atticus Krauss - Vassar College

Benjamin Kudarauskas - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Nolan Thomas Lambert - University of Rhode Island

Pyotr G Leshchenko - University of Rhode Island

Evan Lourenco - Apprenticeship

Shujie Lyu - Emory University - Oxford College

Isaiah J Murad - The University of Tampa

Asher W Pinkerton - McPherson College

Avery M Pisaturo - Adelphi University

Jordan Canning Plante - Grinnell College

Harry Remick Priestley - Colby College

Owen R Priestley - Wentworth Institute of Technology

Rayn Olivia Raposa - Bristol Community College

Simon Peter Rivet - Motoring Technical Training Institute

Benjamin David Shields - Merrimack College

Joshua Joseph Surprenant - Oberlin College

Aaron Luke Sutton* - Northeastern University

Nerissa Michele Theisen* - Franklin W Olin College of Engineering

Emeline Seymour Turnbull - Syracuse University

Alayna Jesavely Vittini - University of Rhode Island

Ivy Shashana Walter - Fordham University

Yatong Wang -New York University

Eloise Norma Wetherby - Salve Regina University

Nelson J Wilson - Boston University

*Graduated Cum Laude

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The end of the school year also marks a time to recognize PCD students of all grades for their accomplishments in the areas of academics, athletics, the arts, and leadership. The following awards were bestowed for the 2024-2025 academic year:

US - Excellence in Spanish: Victoria Vieira
US - Excellence in Latin: Nathaniel Comiskey

US - Excellence in History: Lana Kooloian
US - Excellence in Chemistry: Gala Heimer

US - Excellence in Biology: Kelsey Blecker

US - Excellence in Physics: Owen Siyue Yang

US - Excellence in Mathematics: Henry Sichao Yang
US - American Mathematical Society Award For Outstanding Achievement In Mathematics: Brady Jones

US - Excellence in Vocal Music: Ivy Walter

US - Excellence in Instrumental Music: Hannah Eno

US - Excellence in Instrumental Music: Calvin Colby

US - Excellence in Art History: Jordan Plante

US - Excellence in Digital Media: Joshua Surprenant

US - Yearbook Award - In recognition of outstanding effort, achievement and leadership in the production of the Yearbook: Allison Bromberg and Lana Kooloian

US - The Sandstroem Book Award - To the outstanding Senior for excellence in English: Isabella Goetz

US - The Pell Medal Award - Excellence in United States History: Cedric Ye

US - The Brown University Book Award - Awarded to the top junior who combines a high degree of ability in the field of English, both written and spoken: Cedric Ye and Greyson Roderick

US - The Rensselaer Award - Given by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to a member of the Junior Class for achievement in mathematics and science: Henry Sichao Yang

US - The Richard S. Stanzler Memorial Prize - Given in memory of Richard S. Stanzler, of the Class of 1954, by his family and friends to the student in the Upper School who has excelled in the humanities in the current academic year: Kelsey Blecker

US - Judith A. Speyer Art Award - For excellence in art in honor of Ms. Speyer whose teaching and passion for the arts inspired students for 31 years: Eleanor Karl and Rayn Raposa

US - Charlotte T. Stratton Theater Award: Kelsey Blecker and Nora Calhoun 

US - Nancy M. Hanley Award - Given by friends and family in honor of Nancy Hanley, school Librarian. This award is given to that ninth grade student whose spirit, citizenship and academic commitment lift those around them in the way that Mrs. Hanley did for those around her: Karyss Williams

US - PCD Alumni Award - Given to a member of the tenth-grade for high scholarship combined with consistent and constructive leadership: Lydia Mueller

US - University of Rhode Island Alumni Association Book Award - Awarded to the Junior in our school whose outstanding personal attributes and service to school and community make this person worthy of honorable recognition: Ryan Duclos

US - Dartmouth Alumni Association of RI Book Award - Awarded to that Junior who ranks in the top ten percent of his/her class and who best combines and qualities of scholarship, leadership and achievement: Aidan Riendeau

US - Harvard Club of RI Book Award - Awarded to the outstanding student in the Junior class who displays excellence in scholarship and high character, combined with achievement in other fields: Victoria Vieira

US - Yale Alumni Club Book Award - Awarded to that Junior in a rigorous college preparatory program whose academic achievement and contribution to the life of the school is testimony to his or her outstanding personal character and intellectual promise: Cedric Ye

US - PCD Community Service Award - Awarded in honor of Ken Graboys, Class of 1981, to the graduating senior who has demonstrated extraordinary giving of self in service to others in the greater community: Cesar Godinez

US - Academic Excellence Award Given to a member of the graduating class who has been a student at Providence Country Day for two years or more and maintained the highest academic average: Brady Jones

US - Gerald B. Woodruff Progress Award - Given to that student in the graduating class who in his or her years at PCD has displayed the greatest personal growth as an individual and a member of our community: Joshua Surprenant

US - William R. Giunta Memorial Book Award - Given to a member of the graduating class who best exemplifies a spirit of concern and interest in people and the value of community: Alayna Vittini and Nelson Wilson

US - Percival C. Norris Memorial Award - Awarded to that member of the graduating class who has, over the years, shown outstanding loyalty and constructive leadership in the tradition of Mr. Norris: Eleanor Karl

US - Class of 1929 Gold Medal for Excellence (Medal) - Awarded to the student for excellence in scholarship, participation in athletics, participation in other extracurricular activities, leadership in and influence upon the school, and faithfulness of effort: Cesar Godinez

US - Mennucci Community Impact Award for Excellence in the Arts - Given in honor of former faculty member Michele Mennucci. During her 30 year tenure, Ms. Mennucci elevated the arts program at PCD through her enthusiastic and unwavering support of student creative expression and her vision and leadership as the Chair of the Arts Department. The award recognizes a graduating senior for sharing their gifts with our community and for their consistency and commitment to the arts at PCD: Rayn Raposa

US - Christelis Classical & Renaissance Arts Prize - Awarded to the selected rising senior who demonstrated a passion for the classical and renaissance arts and will use the proceeds from the prize for a study abroad program this upcoming summer: Mays Miller

US - Murray Scholar Award - Awarded to an outstanding junior at Providence Country Day School who has demonstrated citizenship and service within the PCD community, excelled in the classroom, and actively contributed to the athletic program and the extracurricular life of the school: Ryan Duclos

US - Faculty Citations: Joshua Surprenant and Nerissa Theisen

Upper School Athletic Awards 

US - Mary Suttell Underclass Athletic Award: Madison Caletri

US - Suzanne Bailey Athletic Award: Maggie Ianella

US - Alex Poulos Memorial Athletic Award: Maxwell Tuthill

US - Robert Arthur Lavan Memorial Athletic Award: Cesar Godinez

US - Charles S. Gwynne Award: Atticus Krauss

US - Charles S. Gwynne Award: Eloise Wetherby

US - J. Roberick Eaton Sportsmanship Award: Eleanor Karl

US - J. Roberick Eaton Sportsmanship Award: Nelson Wilson

Coach's Citation Award: Kelsey Blecker, Talon Botelho, Allison Bromberg, Nora Calhoun, Calvin Colby, Finnley Dietrich, Isabella Goetz, Andrew Hamel

Athletic Director's Sequoia Award: Ryan Boline, Jack Caletri, Ezekiel Dood, Efthimia Eliopoulos, Kathryn Ford, Maggie Holland, Brady Jones, Nolan Lambert, Isaiah Murad, Harry Priestley, Simon Rivet, Aaron Sutton, Emeline Turnbull, Eloise Wetherby

Middle School Awards:

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Instrumental Music: Iris Morkunas

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Instrumental Music: Thomas Wood

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Vocal Music: Killian Runco

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Vocal Music: Carver Helger

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Visual Art: Isla Blecker

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Visual Art: Sasha Kanig

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Visual Art: Killian Runco

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Visual Art: Skylar Monteiro

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Theatre Art: Skylar Monteiro

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Spanish: Christian Panagos

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Spanish: Lily Casella

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Latin: John Meuse

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Latin: Flynn Merlino

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in History: Arsal Azim

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in History: Lillian Cote

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in History: Mya Dwumah

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in History: Flynn Merlino

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in History: John Meuse

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in History: Christian Panagos

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in English: Thomas Wood

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in English: Siena Monoson

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Mathematics: Thomas Wood

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Mathematics: Cedric Priebe

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Mathematics: Siena Monoson

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Science: John Meuse

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Science: Killian Runco

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Science: Carver Helger

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Science: Ernesto Rocha

MS - Progress Award - Awarded to a student who has demonstrated significant academic or social growth in their Middle School Careers: Jack Rogers

MS - Academic Award - Awarded to the student who has achieved the highest academic average in the class over the past two years: Thomas Wood

MS - Mary Elizabeth Hunt Award - Awarded to our most outstanding Middle School citizen, in honor of Betty Hunt, our school receptionist for many years, who radiated warmth and sunshine: Lily Casella and Madeleine Tuthill

MS - Williams College Book Award - Awarded to the most outstanding Middle School student for combined scholastic achievement and extracurricular participation and leadership potential: Flynn Merlino and Christian Panagos