FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 6, 2002

11 Honored by the
Rhode Island Speaker of the House
and House of Representatives

Providence, RI—Ten current Rhode Island College student-athletes and one alumna were honored by the honorable, William J. Murphy, Speaker of the House, and the Rhode Island House of Representatives at a reception held in the House Lounge at the Rhode Island State House on Tuesday, May 6.

The event was designed to give significant public recognition to men and women from the Community College of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College and the University of Rhode Island who have had significant achievements in their academic and athletic pursuits at their respective institutions. The honorees have also demonstrated exemplary citizenship and community service.

The honorable Thomas Winfield, Deputy Speaker of the House, was the master of ceremonies.

The ten Scholar-Athletes from Rhode Island College were: Liz Barrette, a freshman tennis and basketball player from North Providence; Lester Carter, a basketball player from Boston, MA; Stephanie Callaghan, a senior volleyball player from Warwick; Justin Deveau, a sophomore wrestler from North Attleboro, MA; Shannon Hughey, a senior gymnast from Warwick; Caitlin Schimmel, a senior softball player from Cumberland; Mike Riley, a senior wrestler from Lowell, MA; Donna Vongratsavay, a senior tennis player from North Providence; Kim Warrington, a junior softball player from North Kingstown; Kim Wood, a junior soccer player from Little Compton.

Athletic Alumni from each school were also honored. Warwick’s Jo-Ann Avedisian was RIC’s award-winner. Avedisian ’80, M.Ed. ’84 is one of Rhode Island College’s best-ever softball players.

A 1992 inductee into the RIC Athletic Hall of Fame for her achievements, she was a four-year letterwinner and three-time captain during her career as an Anchorwoman. She earned All-State honors in each of her four seasons at the Rhode Island State College Championship Softball Tournament.

She competed at the EAIAW Softball Championships at Glassboro State College in 1980. Avedisian also enjoyed an All-World selection in 1985 from the United State Slow Pitch Softball Association for her efforts at the Eastern Regional Division B Championships. She served as an assistant coach with RIC’s softball team from 1984-87.

Since 1980, she has taught special education on the elementary, junior high and high school levels for the town of Coventry. Avedisian has been the Coordinator of Special Services for Grades 9-10 at Coventry High School for the past three years. She has also coached the skills of basketball, softball, swimming and track and field.

She received her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in May, 2002 from RIC. She was named Co-Coach of the Year for Rhode Island Special Olympics in 2000.

She earned a Promising Practices award from the Rhode Island Department of Education and was named a Professionally Recognized Special Educator by the Council for Exceptional Children. She has also been a presenter at many statewide, regional and national conferences.

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