2024 Award Winners

Rep. Joseph M. McNamara represents District 19 in Warwick and Cranston, serving as the Chair of the House Education Committee while also contributing to the Labor and Rules Committees. He has successfully championed several education and health-related initiatives, including the Hope Scholarship pilot program, enhanced access to school-based psychological services, and laws improving telepsychology and redistributing unused medications. A retired educator with degrees from Providence College and Boston University, he remains active in numerous community and educational organizations, reflecting a lifelong commitment to public service and education.

Arthur Kershaw, a 1958 graduate of West Warwick High School and standout athlete, had a remarkable career as an educator, coach, and athletic director at East Greenwich High School. Over his 39-year tenure, he led football teams to five Super Bowl wins, coached baseball teams to ten division titles, and achieved championships in three different sports, earning him induction into multiple Hall of Fames. Residing in East Greenwich with his wife of 60 years, Ginnie, and their family, Art’s legacy is celebrated for his profound impact on athletics, sportsmanship, and education.

Kevin Deignan, a 1984 graduate of Toll Gate High School in Warwick, has dedicated over 50 years to football as a player, official, and executive. After playing for East Greenwich Pop Warner and earning the Unsung Hero Award in high school, he joined the Rhode Island Football Association in 1995, serving as a referee from 2002 until retiring in 2021, during which he officiated numerous playoffs and Super Bowls. Inducted into the Providence Gridiron Hall of Fame in 2021, Kevin remains active in football and community organizations, residing in North Kingstown with his wife Laurie and their four children.

Benjamin quarterbacked North Providence to the Division IV state title this year as he passed to 1,054 yards. Academically he ranked 13th in a 228-member graduating class this year at North Providence.

A first-team All-State selection, Michael did it all for Woonsocket as a running back, linebacker, kickoff returner and punt returner. A four-time All Academic selection, he posted a 3.54 academic GPA during his high school career. 

During his four-year career as a defensive end Aiden played a major role in the five-year Davies program win its first game in program history; earned three playoff berths, a Division Championship and a Super Bowl appearance.  He was a three-time All-Academic selection and a two-time first team All-Division selection.

A four-sport athlete and a two-time first-team All-State football selection, Myles was the Rhode Island Gatorade Football Player of the Year this season. The 5-10, 187 pound running back rushed for 1,504 yards and scored 21 touchdowns this past season. The student co-president of the school this year at Moses Brown, he compiled a 3.48 GPA during his high school career.

 A first-team All-State defensive back, Mitchell registered 80 tackles and six pass interceptions during the 2023 season playing a major role in Barrington’s drive to the Division II state title. He also has been a High Honors student in all four years of his high school career. 

A Providence Journal All-State selection, Grover’s performance at defensive back played a major role in La Salle’s second place Division I regular season finish. Academically he posted a 94.21 combined GPA during his high school career.

A two-time, first team All-Division football selection as a wide-receiver and defensive safety, academically Luke ranked in the top 15 percent of the 163-member graduating class this year at Westerly

A three-year starter and two-time, all-division selection at both tight end and middle linebacker in football, Jacob has earned highest academic honors in every quarter of his high school career.

 A running back and defensive end, Benji was a first-team All-State selection this past fall and academically ranked in the top 10 percent of his 326-member graduating class.

Trent earned a first-team All-State selection this season for his defensive play that keyed North Kingstown’s drive to a Division I Super Bowl berth. From his linebacker berth he registered 121 tackles, 4 pass interceptions and four quarterback sacks. Meanwhile, his classroom performance earned him selection to the National Honor Society.

 Both a first-team All-State selection and a member of the National Honor Society Marcus’ play on the offensive and defensive lines played a major role in Hendricken’s drive to this year’s Division I state title.

His coach said Lex is “the most cerebral player I’ve ever coached”.  Lex is a three-sport standout, a first-team all-division football selection, a National Honor Society member and president of the Smithfield student council.

A member of the National Honor Society and academically ranked in the top 10 percent of his graduating class, Jacob was a force on offensive and defense lines the past two seasons.

A High Honors student in every quarter of his high school career Jack was a two-time football all-division selection.

A 5-10, 170-pound wide receiver and corner back, Joe is a two-time football all-division selection and a member of both the Rhode Island and National Honor Societies.

A 5-10, 205-pound two-way lineman, Anthony was both an all-division football selection and an honors student.

A three-sport standout - football, basketball and baseball - Rocco posted the top academic GPA on all three teams. A National Honor Society member, he also was his class president this year.

A two-sport captain and National Honor Society member, Aidan missed large portions of his junior and senior football seasons with injuries but still was named the Division III second team all-division quarterback in his senior season.

A National Honor Society member, Dean played wherever the Falcons needed him on the offensive or defensive lines last season, starting in every game during the 2023 season.

A member of the National Honor Society as well as a first team all-division football selection, Ken was recipient of St. Raphael’s prestigious Dennis O’Brien Memorial award this season.

A second team All-State football selection and a two-time All-Academic honoree, Joshua scored 14 touchdowns as a running back and six sacks as a defensive end and linebacker in his senior season.

A high honors student and an all-division football selection, Taylor registered 503 receiving yards in his senior season last fall and connected on 9 of 10 field goal attempts.

A National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society member and all-division football selection, Grayson posted highest academic honors in every quarter of his high school career.

A 5-11, 285 offensive and defensive lineman, Christian was an all-division selection in football and academically ranked in the top 15 percentage of this year’s 180-member Johnston High graduating class.

 A 6-0, 185-pound running back, slot receiver and linebacker Cade is two-time all-division football selection and a member of the National Honor Society. During his four-year high school career, he has posted a combined a 4.44 academic GPA

A football and hockey standout, academically Ryan ranks in the top 10 percent of this year’s 365-member East Providence High graduating class. He posted a 91 or higher final grade in every one of his academic courses during his four-year high school career.

A four-year Honor Roll student, Tyler highlighted his football career with a second team All-State selection. This season he ran for 2,000 yards and scored 19 touchdowns as a tailback and made 31 solo tackles as a linebacker.