Newport students shine in academics and athletics

Newport public school students are excelling across multiple disciplines, from cybersecurity to track and field, demonstrating the district’s commitment to fostering well-rounded education.

Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain proudly shared a list of recent student achievements during a conversation with What’sUpNewp on Wednesday, June 26.

“We have a lot of great things happening here,” Jermain said. “You’re going to have bumps in the road here and there, but at the end of the day, it’s all worth it. It’s all about the kids, the community, and we’ll all come together in the end.”

In the realm of technology, Newport’s NAC tech cybersecurity team ranked 14th in the nation in the cyber skyline power rankings. Standout student Amadeus Witty placed 47th out of 1,210 competitors nationally.

“That’s huge,” Jermain emphasized, highlighting the significance of Newport students competing at such a high level in a rapidly growing field.

On the athletic front, Newport’s girls soccer team clinched the state championship, while the unified basketball team also secured a state title. These victories underscore the school’s commitment to both traditional and inclusive sports programs.

In track and field, several Newport students competed at the New England level. Katie Thomas finished 16th, Laura Hogue placed 21st in the 800-meter event, Des lean Robles came in 24th in the 100-meter dash, Jacquari Medina took 26th place, and Travis Burroughs finished 29th in the triple jump.

“These are New Englands, not state,” Jermain clarified, emphasizing the high level of competition these students faced.

The Rogers High School band also brought home accolades, placing first in a music festival in Connecticut. This achievement highlights the strength of Newport’s arts programs alongside its academic and athletic successes.

Attendance rates improved across all three Newport schools, with Rogers High School potentially ranking in the top three for improvement statewide. Jermain credited this success to the collaborative efforts of Principal Vance, Assistant Principal Monahan, Miss Bulcarelli, teachers, and the entire school community.

“Rogers did an unbelievable job for attendance,” Jermain said. “That’s a huge one.”

The district also celebrated perfect attendance records, with 16 students at Rogers High School, one at Thompson, and two at Pell achieving this milestone. Jermain announced these students would receive special recognition from the superintendent’s office.

Beyond individual and team achievements, Newport schools are making strides in community engagement. The Parents Leading Equity in Education (PLEA) program saw 14 parents complete the course this year.

“They now are active participants in school decisions,” Jermain explained. “They participate. They are more involved with their schools. They sit on their school improvement teams, they go to their PTO meetings.”

This increased parental involvement aligns with the district’s goal of creating a more inclusive and supportive educational environment.

The Thompson Middle School (TMS) students also gained national exposure, presenting their mini boat program in New Orleans in collaboration with the University of Rhode Island.

In the realm of career readiness, two Newport students, Luisa Rodriguez and Janice Evans, have already obtained their cosmetology licenses, allowing them to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation.

These diverse achievements come against a backdrop of challenges facing the Newport school district. With a student population that includes a high percentage of multi-language learners and families facing economic hardships, the district continues to adapt its teaching strategies and resource allocation.

Despite these challenges, Jermain remains optimistic about the future of Newport schools. “We just want Newport public schools to be a place where every child succeeds, reach his or her full potential, and is a great place where everyone wants to send their children,” she said.

As Newport prepares for the upcoming school year, these student achievements serve as a testament to the resilience and potential of its diverse student body, as well as the dedication of its educators and administrators.