PCD Celebrates Class of 2026

At the start of the ceremony, Wellness Coordinator Jason Roderick delivered the Invocation, encouraging graduates to recognize those who helped guide and support them along the way — and to extend that same support to others in return. “My ask of you as you take the next steps in this journey, is to reach back as you move forward, to grasp the reaching hand of those behind you on their path, and show that same love and care and support that brought you here today,” he said. “For what may not be obvious is how much we ourselves flourish from the act of helping others flourish.”

“As you step into what comes next, college, work, travel, service, or whatever path is calling you, I hope you chase success, absolutely. But I also hope you chase meaningful connections,” Head of School Kevin Folan encouraged the graduates. “Your future will be shaped not only by what you know, but by how you care for, and work with, the people around you.”

Director of Athletics Marquis Harper and Co-Director of Upper School Student Life Brad Clarkson shared the honor of delivering this year’s Commencement Address. Harper encouraged graduates to bloom where they are planted, reminding them that “It’s in you to succeed and despite hard circumstances, when you commit to blooming regardless of where you are, you’re going to find it gets easier.” Clarkson followed by urging the Class of 2026 to carry forward the school’s motto of “Play the Game,” reflecting that “The most important things in my life didn't happen because I had a perfect plan. They happened because of relationships, friendships, mentors, family, and a community that invested in me long before I understood what that investment would mean.”

At the close of the ceremony, Associate Head of School Mark McLaughlin delivered the graduates’ charge, sharing reflections and advice gathered from the senior class advisors. Graduates were encouraged to “listen more than you talk,” “do everything you can to prioritize travel” and “lean into genuine curiosity and seek out the commonalities that unite one culture to another.” Advisors reminded students that “progress comes from showing up day after day and doing the work even when motivation fades.” Additional words of encouragement included “spend your life trying to make it the best it can be” and “Make the most of college. Learn everything, have all of the fun. There's a time and a place for everything: it's called college.”

The graduates will attend nearly 30 different colleges and universities across the country and around the world.

Congratulations, PCD’s Class of 2026!

Emmanuel Barboza - Boston College: Messina

Yiran Chen

Alexander Ciolfi* - University of Pennsylvania

Chase Christopher Cooper - Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Tyler James Cunningham - Johnson & Wales University

Gretchen Dechant - University of Rhode Island

Gabriel Demers - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Gia Minh Do Nguyen - University of Rhode Island

Ryan Duclos - Boston University

Morrison Ford - University of Rhode Island

Halsey Hollenbeck - University of North Carolina

Elisabeth Duffy Kelly - Salve Regina University

Owen Lebeau - Salve Regina University

Siqi Lyu - University of Wisconsin

Ziyan Lyu - Rutgers University

Jack Masse - Salve Regina University

Madison Medeiros* - Penn State University: Schreyer Honors College

Mays Miller - Trinity College Dublin

Michael Joseph Miranda - Savannah College of Art and Design

Luke Norris - Lafayette College

Robert Pascale - Gap Year

Thea Pessin* - Binghamton University

Trevor Poillucci - Emmanuel College

Trinity Preston - University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Charlotte Pudloski - University of Colorado - Boulder

Aidan Cole Riendeau* - Wesleyan University

Joseph Ripa - The George Washington University

Greyson Cade Roderick* - University of Pittsburgh: Frederick Honors College

Hazel Schofield - Tufts University

Ella Ruth Sinel - Marist University

Mabel Smith - Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Tyler Stanzione - Western New England University

Ian Treen - Employment/Audition

Victoria Vieira* - Wentworth Institute of Technology

Addison Grace Wells - Salve Regina University

Aidan White - Wheaton College

Sichao Yang* - University of California - Los Angeles

Siyue Yang* - Emory University

Cedric Ye* - Northeastern University

Qiya Zhang - Rutgers 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 2025-2026 academic year:

US - Excellence in Spanish: Aidan Riendeau
US - Excellence in Latin: Thea Pessin

US - Excellence in History: Madison Medeiros

US - Excellence in Chemistry: Harper Kimura

US - Excellence in Biology: Greyson Roderick

US - Excellence in Physics: Luke Norris

US - Excellence in Mathematics: Katherine Porter
US - American Mathematical Society Award For Outstanding Achievement In Mathematics: Cedric Ye

US - Excellence in Vocal Music: Greyson Roderick

US - Excellence in Instrumental Music: Chase Cooper

US - Excellence in Art History: Hazel Schofield

US - Excellence in Digital Media: Cedric Ye

US - Yearbook Award - In recognition of outstanding effort, achievement and leadership in the production of the Yearbook: Thea Pessin

US - The Sandstroem Book Award - To the outstanding Senior for excellence in English: Gretchen Dechant

US - The Pell Medal Award - Excellence in United States History: Gala Heimer

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: Ava Ackerman

US - The Rensselaer Award - Given by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to a member of the Junior Class for achievement in mathematics and science: Ada Tin Lok Zhang

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: Henry Sichao Yang

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: Michael Miranda

US - Charlotte T. Stratton Theater Award: Gretchen Dechant and Mays Miller

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: Flynn Merlino

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

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: Rosgaly Perez

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: Andrew Howe

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: Gala Heimer

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: Sara Muqudas

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: Greyson Roderick

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: Greyson Roderick and Cedric Ye

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: Elisabeth Kelley

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: Cedric Ye

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: Luke Norris and Victoria Vieira

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: Ryan Duclos and Cedric Ye

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: Mabel Smith

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: Imogen 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: Madeline Ford

US - Faculty Citations: Mays Miller and Aidan Riendeau

US - Mary Suttell Underclass Athletic Award: Megan Iannella

US - Suzanne Bailey Athletic Award: Victoria Vieira

US - Alex Poulos Memorial Athletic Award: Maddux Fredericks

US - Robert Arthur Lavan Memorial Athletic Award: Ryan Duclos

US - Charles S. Gwynne Award: Emmanuel Barboza and Mays Miller

US - J. Roberick Eaton Sportsmanship Award: Chase Cooper and Hazel Schofield

Coach's Citation Award: Gia Minh Do Nguyen, Aidan Riendeau

Athletic Director's Sequoia Award: Halsey Hollenbeck, Charlotte Pudloski, Joseph Ripa and Tyler Stanzione

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Instrumental Music: Addy Evans

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Instrumental Music: Sennett Nixon

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Vocal Music: Sarah-Faith Sarrasin

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Visual Art: Avery Bouvier

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Visual Art: Dominic Heywood

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Visual Art: Hannah Wells

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Theatre Art: Amara Lulla

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Theatre Art: Sarah-Faith Sarrasin

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Spanish: Ella Bowers

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Latin: Keira Henschel

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Latin: Sennett Nixon

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in History: Levi Berman

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in History: Sebastian Nataniel-Perez

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in History: Londyn Pemberton

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in History: Claire Watson

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in English: Claire Watson

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Mathematics: Sennett Nixon

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Mathematics: Peter Priebe

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Science: Levi Berman

MS - Outstanding Effort and Achievement in Science: Amara Lulla

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

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

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: Micah Bogad and Sarah-Faith Sarrasin

MS - Middle School Excellence Award - Awarded to the most outstanding Middle School student for combined scholastic achievement and extracurricular participation and leadership potential: Sean Masse