The Future Start Here
Valedictorian and Salutatorian: Providence Career and Technical Academy
Engineering a Creative Future
Valedictorian Cullen Gamache always knew that engineering was the destination. The challenge was finding a high school environment that would act as a launchpad for that specific dream. The answer came in choosing a dedicated tech school, where the opportunity to dive headfirst into a specialized Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pre-Engineering program perfectly matched his ambitions.
While Cullen spent their days calculatedly solving problems within the engineering curriculum, his life outside the classroom was defined by rich artistic expression. For the past ten years, Cullen has dedicated himself to the rigorous discipline of ballet. Simultaneously, he found a second home in the local music scene, capturing the raw energy of live performances as a passionate creative photographer.
When it came to mapping out life after graduation, the path clicked into place during a junior year college fair. It was there that Cullen discovered the Wentworth Institute of Technology. Blown away by the school's renowned co-op program—and comforted by the fact that the campus was the perfect distance from home to foster independence—the decision was made. Cullen is officially bound for Wentworth to major in Mechanical Engineering.
Looking back at the years spent in Providence Schools, Cullen is filled with immense gratitude for a supportive network of educators. High praise goes to the team at PCTA, Ms. Laven and Ms. Marchesseault , the dedicated mentors who guided them step-by-step through the complexities of the engineering program, as well as Mr. Bull, his physics teacher, who served as a fantastic sounding board during his senior year.
As graduation approaches, Cullen is riding a wave of pure excitement, eagerly anticipating the completely new experiences and changes that college life promises to bring. Looking back at the quiet anxieties of their freshman year, Cullen offers a liberating perspective to the students stepping into high school next: "I think I would say don’t take yourself too seriously. I thought I had to prove something when in reality everyone is in the same boat as you and you just have to try. Don’t try to fit in. Try to be yourself. You need to be authentic and you will find people who like you for you."
A Blueprint for Independence and Action
For Salutatorian Edith Gomez Rosario, the journey through the Providence Public School District began right before the sixth grade. Moving from New York, she transitioned into Esek Hopkins Middle School, discovering what she warmly describes as an "easier way of living" in her new city. When the time came to choose a high school path, her academic achievements earned her a coveted spot at Classical High School. However, she looked at the specialized opportunities around her and decided that the Providence Career and Technical Academy (PCTA) simply had more to offer her long-term goals.
Driven by a deep-seated desire to help people and bring families together, Edith chose a dual focus in business and cosmetology. Her high school career became a masterclass in pragmatism and hard work; she earned her Microsoft certification and is set to graduate with a professional cosmetology license. While she admits to worrying about the looming financial realities of higher education, she already has a strategic plan in place, viewing her cosmetology license as a practical way to earn income and help her parents pay off her upcoming college tuition.
Outside of her technical studies, Edith was a familiar face in the athletic department. She spent her freshman, sophomore, and junior years pushing her limits on the track as a sprinter. By her senior year, she pivoted to support the athletic community from the sidelines, stepping up as the football manager under a coach who uniquely guided her in both sports.
Navigating the college application process brought its share of stress, especially with different universities demanding varying requirements. Fortunately, the Common App helped streamline her efforts, paving the way to a thrilling next step: the University of New Haven. There, she plans to immerse herself in Forensic Science with the ultimate goal of mastering cellular and molecular biology.
She credits her success to a trio of foundational educators—her English teacher, Ms. McLoud, her technology teacher, Ms. Furtado, and her business teacher, Mr. Dedonato. To Edith, these mentors stand out because they take the time to truly understand how each individual student learns best.
Reflecting on her growth, Edith notes that high school transformed her from a stressed freshman into a calm, collected leader. As she prepares to step out into the world, eager to embrace the independence of young adulthood, she leaves a vital piece of advice for the freshman class: "Take your time and don’t try to rush things. Don’t try to fit in. Try to be yourself. You need to be authentic and you will find people who like you for you."