Futures Built on Community
The Blueprint for Success: From HGTV to WPI
For one E-Cubed Academy Valedictorian Melissa Paula, the spark for her future career came during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the world on pause, she found herself watching HGTV on loop, completely captivated by the process of designing and building structures. Combined with the fact that her family already works in construction, the path forward became crystal clear: Architectural Engineering.
Her next stop will be Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) to pursue her Bachelor of Science, with her eyes already set on a future Master’s degree.
The road to WPI required a lot of casting about—she applied to 15 different schools. But the moment she stepped onto the WPI campus for a tour, the search was over. "I can see myself here," she recalled thinking, charmed by the campus's "little town" vibe. Streamlining her applications through the Common App made the massive undertaking manageable.
Her growth at E-Cubed Academy was profound. Initially shy, she chose the school to follow in her older sister’s footsteps and to benefit from a smaller, intimate environment. It paid off. Through extracurriculars like the Crochet Club (where she channelled her love for crafting, sewing, and DIY into making a cultural flag) and the Onward We Learn program—which she joined in the 6th grade—she found her footing. As a Future Gen Scholar, she participated in a two-year summer program, and her public speaking opportunities through PPDA presentations forced her to branch out.
As graduation approaches, she feels the natural weight of a major life transition. It’s bittersweet to say goodbye to a tight-knit community where teachers truly want to see you succeed. Before she leaves for WPI, she has a clear message for the educators who guided her:
“Thank you for believing in me, trusting me, and being a big support for my success.”
Levelling Up: Matthew Velasquez’s High-Score Journey to URI
Walk into E-Cubed Academy, and there is a good chance you’ll hear about Salutatorian Matthew Velasquez. A powerhouse of energy and involvement, Matthew is heading to the University of Rhode Island (URI) this fall to study Mechanical Engineering, kicking things off early with the Talent Development (TD) prep program this summer.
Matthew chose mechanical engineering because he wanted to push himself. "I'm good at everything, so I went for something hard," he says with a smile. Influenced by his dad’s background in mechanical engineering and a deep love for math, Matthew chose URI because it boasts the state's biggest engineering program, offered him excellent scholarships, and provided the perfect flexibility should he choose to split his focus between engineering and business.
Matthew is no stranger to hard work; he’s already taking dual-enrollment classes at CCRI. He got a head start on his college process last summer by applying for the competitive Questbridge scholarship. While he didn't get it, the early effort meant his essays and applications were fully prepped by the fall, saving him from senior-year panic.
Matthew’s high school career has been defined by his diverse passions. A lifelong fan of Nintendo and the Wii, Matthew was the ECubed High Esports Captain all four years, dominating in Super Smash Bros. He gave track a shot his freshman year and played varsity volleyball during his junior and senior years.
Matthew represented his peers on the Student Advisory Council, working alongside his mom to tackle district issues. "It felt like I was making a difference," he says.
Programs like Providence Promise helped his family save money for college, while College Visions guided his application and scholarship hunt.
E-Cubed Academy proved to be a sanctuary for Matthew. Coming from a previous school where he experienced bullying, he was nervous on his first day. But he chose to just be himself. By 5th-period Computer Science, he ran into his best friend from elementary school, and he never looked back.
Matthew credits a massive roster of staff for his success: Mr. Hoffman inspired his love for Computer Science; Mrs. Healey was the "best English teacher ever" and felt like a second mom; Mr. Dibiasio and Mrs. Santos constantly pushed his academic limits; Mr. Murphy provided a chill, supportive outlet in Esports; and Mr. Healey taught him how to think logically through life lessons.