Photo Credit: Kenneth C. Zirkel |This work is licensed to the public under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

As the new Rogers High School in Newport nears completion, the city is giving community members a chance to leave their mark. You can now sponsor commemorative benches that will be placed at the school’s main entrances.

These benches aren’t just any old seats. They’re modeled after the ones you’ll find along the Storer Park Harbor Walk and are built to handle Newport’s tough coastal weather. They’re both stylish and sturdy, made of black cast aluminum to withstand salty air and sea breezes.

Want to sponsor a bench? It’ll cost you $3,701, but that includes a personalized dedication plaque (2 inches by 12 inches) to honor a special someone. Keep in mind, it’s first-come, first-served, so you’ll need to submit your application and payment to secure your spot.

If you’re interested or have questions, reach out to Brigid Rubin at (401) 845-5804 or brubin@cityofnewport.com. You can also download the application form from the City’s website at www.CityofNewport.com/MemorialBench.

This is a great way to support the new high school and create a lasting tribute in the community. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unique opportunity!

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...