The East Providence Local Advisory Committee for Special Education held its 16th Annual Special Needs Recognition Program Reception Wednesday night, May 1, at East Providence High School.

Each year, EPLAC, highlights the efforts of educators, teacher assistants, support staff, therapists, inclusion programs, students, parents and community groups "that have provided consistently outstanding services for Special Education students, especially in the area of inclusion."

Of special note, Beth Studley, a para-professional and coach at East Providence High School, was chosen as the fourth recipient of the Carla Midgley Award. The award was established in 2021 in the loving memory of the revered city resident, EPHS grad and long-time Special Needs educator in the district who was an instructor at Hennessey Elementary School at the time of her passing in 2020.

Studley, a city native and product of the East Providence schools, was also among the 2024 inductees onto the EPLAC Wall of Fame, a group recognized for their long-standing support of Special Needs students/programs in the district.

The following is a list of 2024 award recipients and those who sponsored their nominations:

• Megan Black, Educator – Myron Francis Elementary; Kelsey Martin, Parent
• Chris Kennedy, Educator – Martin Middle School; Leslie Andrade, Aunt of Student
• Jessie Ziobrowski, Paraprofessional - Silver Spring Elementary; Abigail Jaffa, Educator - Silver Spring Elementary
• Judith “Judy” Antonio, Support Staff - Out-of-District Coordinator East Providence School Department, Special Services Award - Out of District; Debbie Davey, Parent
• Jill Podolski, Physical Education Educator - Groden Center Providence; Debbie Davey, Parent
• Inclusion Program Award, Connection Program Team Riverside Middle School; Kate Grifka, Social Worker Riverside Middle School
• Community Resource Award, East Providence Police Department Sergeant Jayson Rogers and K9 Marty of the EPPD Community Policing Unit; Abigail Jaffa, Educator - Silver Spring Elementary
• Rylynn Moniz, Waddington Elementary; Paula Dionisopoulos, Educator - Waddington Elementary
• Mason DeMelo, Waddington Elementary; Paula Dionisopoulos, Educator - Waddington Elementary
• Olivia Horta, Waddington Elementary; Jasim Cardoza and Kassidy Gustafon, Educators - Waddington Elementary
• Audrey Flamand, Waddington Elementary; Thomas Boucher, Educator - Waddington Elementary
• Damien Dellefave, Waddington Elementary; Lindsay Ferris and Taylor Batty, Educators - Waddington Elementary
• Jason Russo, EPHS; Abigail Arruda
• Jason Russo, EPHS; Kelly Wright, Parent
• Alaina Placido, Kent Heights Elementary; Lauren Gilbert, Educator - Kent Heights Elementary

2024 Wall of Fame inductees:

• Carl Sweeney, Hope & Faith Drive - Community Resource
• Beth Studley, Paraprofessional - EPHS
• Lacy Odinsson, Educator - Oldham Pre-Kindergarten Program
• Patricia Garganta, Educator - Martin Middle School
• Susan Rodriguez, Special Education Dept. Coordinator Martin Middle School
• Kristin Branco, Speech Language Pathologist - Myron Francis Elementary
• Dana Brodin, Occupatonal Therapist - EPHS