Lean on your community, graduates encouraged

Principal Whipp shares song's inspiration

By Tom Killin Dalglish
Posted 6/24/18

LITTLE COMPTON — There can few more joyous occasions for a community than the graduation of its children from school, and Wilbur & McMahon Principal Sonya Whipp drew upon this hopeful sentiment in her address to the 33 members of the school's graduating eighth grade class last Wednesday night, June 21.

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Lean on your community, graduates encouraged

Principal Whipp shares song's inspiration

Posted

LITTLE COMPTON — There can few more joyous occasions for a community than the graduation of its children from school, and Wilbur & McMahon Principal Sonya Whipp drew upon this hopeful sentiment in her address to the 33 members of the school's graduating eighth grade class last Wednesday night, June 21.
"You, the class of 2018," she said, "inspire me on a daily basis. You are hardworking students who
strive to excel, you are great athletes who strive to give your best every time you take the
field, and most importantly you are good friends who strive to support each other."
She said she'd attended a school band and chorus concert recently, and was inspired by one of the musical performances to offer the remarks she was now making to the graduating students.
Then, interspersing the words of Bill Withers' song Lean on Me, with admonitions she herself offered to the young graduates, she asked the students, as they "face many new challenges," to remember that "Sometimes in our lives we all have pain/ We all have sorrow/ But if we are wise/ We we know that there's always tomorrow."
"Look around you now at your classmates and all the people in this auditorium," she said. "This group
of people is here to support you throughout your life. Remember we are all here for you."
Then she quoted again from the Bill Withers song: "Lean on me, when you're not strong/And I'll be your friend/I'll help you carry on/For it won't be long/Til I'm gonna need/Somebody to lean on.
"You are ready to move on," she told the class, "It’s your time to shine. Just remember to ask for support."
Then, borrowing from Bill Withers again, she read, "You just call on me brother, when you need a hand/We all need somebody to lean on./I just might have a problem that you'll understand./We all need somebody to lean on./Lean on me, when you're not strong,/And I'll be your friend,/I'll help you carry on.'
Principal Whipp's final words to the students were, "Your community is a powerful force that will support you throughout your life and help you carry on. Remember we are all here for you to lean on.
Congratulations on this achievement, and best of luck in all your future endeavors."
Ms. Whipp was followed by Sophia A. Faria, who gave the valedictory address, and by the presentation of 13 awards to as many students, whose accomplishments the school recognized (see separate side).
The school band performed "Kernkraft 400," a class farewell was delivered by Michael DeLeo, and the certificates were presented — along with a special gift from the eighth grade team. "Each 8th grader received a framed wordle from their teachers. Each was a different picture," said Ms. Whipp.  

Wilbur and McMahon Schools
Members — 8th Grade Graduating Class of 2018

Jude Ryan Andrews
Joseph Robert Barboza
Jeffrey Vernon Brady
Meghan Corinne Brady
Teagan Phillip Brady
Ellie Ann Carr
Sophia A Faria
Mackenzie Meggan Friere
Grace Lanning Goodfriend
David Jacob Harrop
Kelly Rose Hayes
Karina Rose Hopton
Thomas Kyros
Avery Kathyrn Letourneau
Samuel A Levesque
Julia Lee Marion
Sadie Abigail Marion
Anthony Jacob Maynarich
Ruth Ann McKinnon
William Padraic McKinnon
Geo Shadow Mottram
Antone Tobias Oliveira
Evan Michael Rapoza
Sylvia Elizabeth Rapoza
Mikaela F Rocha
Aurora Louise Scott
Taylor Catherine Shapiro
Jonathan Adam Silveira
Riley Kate Turcotte
Noah Samuel Watters
Gregory Douglas Wilson
Paige T Windham
Matthew Glen Wordell

Grade 8 Awards Presented - 2018
The following named students were recognized, and honored, at Wilbur & McMahon School graduation ceremonies last Wednesday, in various categories of achievement or scholastic effort, and received the awards indicated, in the order as listed and identified in the Graduation Program.
• Valedictorian (Sophia Faria).
This honor is bestowed on the student in the eighth grade with the highest academic average. Introduced by Ms. Sonya Whipp, Principal, Wilbur & McMahon School.
• American Legion and Auxiliary Awards (to William McKinnon, Ruth McKinnon)
This award is given to a student (or students) who demonstrates the qualities of citizenship in the community and school environment. Presented by Commander Bobby Harris.
• Little Compton Prevention Coalition Y.O.L.O. (Youth Optimistic Leadership Organization) award (to Meghan Brady)
A certificate and $100 award is given to an eighth grade student "who consistently makes positive, healthy choices, and helps encourage his/her peers to do the same." The Coalition says that part of its mission, is "to envision a community that embraces and promotes the health and safety of all its residents." It says it is "working toward achieving that vision through education, community engagement, and providing resources." Presented by Ms. Polly Allen, Coordinator, on behalf of the Coalition.
• The Little Compton Educational Foundation (LCEF) awards (to Jeffrey Brady and Paige Windham)
Certificates and two $200 awards recognize two graduating eighth grade students "who strive to enrich their educational experience and embrace their passion for learning by participating in a wide variety of extracurricular opportunities and community activities." Presented by LCEF Board members Ms. Lindsey Pinkerton and Ms. Amanda Nickerson Toste.
• School Committee Award (to Sophia Faria)
A certificate and $50 award, given to a student in Grade 8 with the highest academic average. Presented by Mr. Patrick McHugh, President, Little Compton School Committee.
• Little Compton Teacher's Association award (to Sophia Faria)
Award given to a student in Grade 8 with the highest academic average for grades 5, 6, 7,and 8. Presented by Ms. Jean Dunn, LCTA President.
• Ruth B. Parks Award (to Aurora Scott)
A certificate and a $100 award is given to a deserving eighth grade student graduating in June. The award is donated by the Little Compton Democratic Town Committee. Anyone in the town or school may nominate a student who fits the following criteria: 1) demonstrates an active interest in the community, 2) has shown concern for others, 3) has overcome obstacles in his/her life either academically or personally, and 4) demonstrates an enthusiastic attitude. Presented by Mr. Christopher Goulart, on behalf of the Little Compton Democratic Town Committee
• Katherine B. McMahon Award (to Riley Turcotte)
A certificate and $50 award presented annually to a graduating student who has never been in a leadership role in his/her seventh or eighth grade school year: who exhibits consistent effort toward his/her schoolwork, who is "congenial, polite, and supportive of staff, adults, and students," and who "assists with and is most often available at school functions." Presented by Ms. Sonya Whipp, Principal.
• Community Center Founders' Awards (to Matthew Wordell and Grace Goodfriend)
Certificates and two $100 awards are given to the boy and girl who best meet the following criteria: they "show consistent effort in their school endeavors," and "do their best academically and show, through hard work, that they want to do well and will try to go above and beyond in order to succeed." Presented by Ms. Diane MacGregor, on behalf of the Little Compton Community Center.
• Abe Quick Award (to Geo Mottram)
A certificate and $50 award is awarded to an eighth grade student "who demonstrates excellence in public speaking." The award is donated by the Little Compton Republican Town Committee. Presented by Mr. Joseph Quinn on behalf of the Republican Town Committee.
• Williams College Book Award (to Mikaela Rocha)
The award recognizes, and a certificate and a book is given to, an "outstanding eighth grade student who demonstrates academic excellence, contributes significantly to the extracurricular life of the school, and exhibits clear leadership potential." The Williams College Book Award is sponsored by the Rhode Island Williams College Association.
• President's Education Awards for Educational Excellence, and Educational Achievement
The President's Education Awards Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, in partnership with the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. The program was developed to help principals recognize and honor students who have achieved high academic goals through hard work and dedication to learning. Both awards were presented by Ms. Sonya Whipp, Principal.
The President's Award for Educational Excellence: recognizes the students listed below for their academic success in the classroom:
Jude Andrews
Jeffrey Brady
Meghan Brady
Teagan Brady
Sophia Faria
Grace Goodfriend
Kelly Hayes
Thomas Kyros
Avery Letourneau
Julia Marion
Sadie Marion
Ruth McKinnon
William McKinnon
George Mottram
Antone Oliveira
Evan Rapoza
Sylvia Rapoza
Mickaela Rocha
Aurora Scott
Taylor Shapiro
Jonathan Silveira
Riley Turcotte
Paige Windham
Matthew Wordell
The President's Award for Educational Achievement: recognizes the students listed below for their outstanding educational growth, improvement, commitment to or intellectual development in their academic subjects, but who do not meet the criteria for the President's Award for Educational Excellence:
Ellie Carr
Samuel Levesque
Noah Watters
• Young Naturalist Award (to Sylvia Rapoza)
A certificate, a book, and $100 are awarded to an eighth grade student who has shown an outstanding interest in an aspect of the natural world. The award is sponsored by the Sakonnet Preservation Association. Presented by Ms. Nan Haffenreffer, on behalf of the Association.
• Perfect Attendance Award. (to Ruth McKinnon. William McKinnon, Joseph Barboza, and Sadie Marion.) Presented by Ms. Sonya Whipp, Principal.

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