Pell Center

The Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy at Salve Regina is a multidisciplinary research center focused at the intersection of politics, policies and ideas.

Rhode Island Students Awarded Pell Medal for U.S. History

Newport, R.I.—Sixty-six Rhode Island students earned the Herbert and Claiborne Pell Medal for U.S. History this year.  The medal, administered now by the Pell Center at Salve Regina University, recognizes college and high school students in the state who have excelled in U.S. History.

The Pell Medal was originally presented by Senator Claiborne Pell and his wife, Mrs. Nuala Pell, for more than 50 years. After Mrs. Pell’s passing in April 2014, the Pell Center at Salve Regina University agreed to become the steward of the medal process.

Pell Medal U.S. History
Clay Pell (far left) presented the Herbert and Claiborne Pell Medal for U.S. History to Rebecca Giguere (first row, second from right) at the University of Rhode Island

“It has been a joy and an honor to recognize many of our most promising students across Rhode Island,” said Clay Pell who has personally presented several of the medals at events across the state.  “To me, this medal represents my grandparents’ reverence for the past as well as their confidence in future generations.”

Pell Center Executive Director Dr. Jim Ludes said, “While I chose a career in public policy, I prepared for that career by studying history. So I’m especially grateful that the Pell Center can help continue this beautiful tradition.”

Established by the Pell family, the Pell Medal is named for Representative Herbert C. Pell and his son, Senator Claiborne Pell.  Herbert Pell served as a member of Congress and American Minister to Portugal and Hungary, while Claiborne Pell, who is responsible for the creation of the Pell Grants and the National Endowment for the Humanities, served in the Senate for 36 years and worked to strengthen American foreign policy.

“I also want to recognize Ms. Jan Demers,” said Ludes.  “For years Jan helped Senator and Mrs. Pell administer the medal.  We at the Pell Center know we have big shoes to fill in our new role and we are grateful for the support and encouragement Jan has given us.”

The winners of the 2015 Herbert and Claiborne Pell Medal for excellence in the study of U.S. History are:

 

Barrington

F. Nelson Blount, St. Andrew’s School

Madeline Schirber, Barrington High School

 

Bristol

Sabrina Dasilva, Mount Hope High School

Andrew Carter, Roger Williams University

 

Central Falls

Leslie McBurney, Central Falls High School

 

Coventry

Jared Flamand, Coventry High School

 

Cranston

Jonathan Penta, Cranston High School East

 

Cumberland

Justin Wood, Cumberland High School

 

East Greenwich

Zachary Johnson, East Greenwich High School

Mary McKenney, Rocky Hill School

 

East Providence

Monica Barbosa, East Providence High School

Dante Diwan, Providence Country Day School

 

Harrisville

Samantha Mancone, Burriville High School

 

Johnston

Tiana D’Acchioli, Johnston Senior High School

 

Kingston

Rebecca Giguere, University of Rhode Island

 

Lincoln

Benjamin P. Chiacchia, Lincoln High School

Reymy Pena, William M. Davies, Jr. Career and Technical High School

 

Middletown

Erin Keating, St. George’s School

Samantha Plezia, Middletown High School

 

Narragansett

Rayne Henley, The Ocean Tides School

Cole Metzger-Levitt, Middlebridge School

Eileen Sullivan, Narragansett High School

 

Newport

Mitchell Cardon, Paul W. Crowley East Bay Met School

Catherine Hermes, Rogers High School

Jessica Rose, Salve Regina University

Brandon Watson, Paul W. Crowley East Bay Met School

 

North Kingstown

Joseph Black, North Kingstown High School

Lydia Sgouros, North Kingstown High School

 

 

North Providence

Brendan Walker, North Providence High School

 

North Scituate

Christine Wagner, Ponaganset High School

 

North Smithfield

Diane Newberry, North Smithfield High School

 

Pawtucket

Vanessa Dos Anjos, St. Raphael Academy

Nathan Gagnon, William E. Tolman High School

Judiana Moise, Blackstone Academy Charter School

Djita Sidibe, Charles E. Shea High School

 

Portsmouth

David Brower, Portsmouth Abbey School

Chris Norton, Portsmouth High School

 

Providence

Estrella Argueta, Hope High School

Elizabeth Bitgood, Rhode Island College

Jasmin Cantera, Academy for Career Exploration

Johanny Castillo, Paul Cuffee Upper School

Hannah Duncan, Brown University

Lexus Fernandez, Mount Pleasant High School

Emma Funaki, Rhode Island School of Design

Kaly Heng, Central High School

Julianna Marandola, La Salle Academy

Henry Mayer, Classical High School

James Morin, Providence College

Julissa Sabater, School One

Rose Maso, Lincoln School

 

Scituate

Robert Capron, Scituate High School

 

Smithfield

Kalah Caruso, Bryant University

Megan Long, Smithfield High School

 

Wakefield

John Albert, The Prout School

Rieley Auger, South Kingstown High School

 

Warwick

Henry Cascella, Pilgrim High School

Riley Chabot, Bishop Hendricken High School

Hanah Ellis, Warwick Veterans Memorial High School

Hunter Heberg, Toll Gate High School

Tuon Mi, Community College of Rhode Island

 

Westerly

Kyra McCormick, Westerly High School

 

West Greenwich

Brianna McFadden, Exeter-West Greenwich High School

 

West Warwick

Kristen DiSano, West Warwick High School

 

Wood River Junction

Lydia Crandall, Chariho Regional High School

 

Woonsocket

T.J. Bergeron, Beacon Chart High School for the Arts

Adam Mercier, Mount Saint Charles Academy

Abigail Shobako, Woonsocket High School

 

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