Governor leads the cheer at Pilgrim PSAT pep rally

By Tessa Roy
Posted 10/18/16

By TESSA ROY Pilgrim High School students got to take a quick break on Friday to welcome a special guest. Governor Gina Raimondo stopped by to get students excited about taking the PSATs. The school's auditorium was prepped for a pep rally -

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Governor leads the cheer at Pilgrim PSAT pep rally

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Pilgrim High School students got to take a quick break on Friday to welcome a special guest. Governor Gina Raimondo stopped by to get students excited about taking the PSATs.

The school’s auditorium was prepped for a pep rally – cheerleaders, band and all. The pep rally was held to celebrate part of the governor’s education initiative. This year, 10th and 11th graders in public high schools can take both the PSATs and SATs for free during the school day.

“It’s convenient for kids. A lot of kids today are working or don’t have transportation on weekends. To offer it in the schools free of charge is absolutely fantastic,” said School Committee Chair Beth Furtado.

Previously, students paid up to $54 to take the SAT and $15 to take the PSAT and often had to take the test on a Saturday, said the governor’s office in a release. In the 2015-2016 school year, about 60 percent of public high school students took the SAT and less than 50 percent of 10th graders took the PSAT.

The governor was joined by the likes of Mayor Scott Avedisian, Representative Joe McNamara and Senator Erin Lynch Prata, Furtado and School Committee Vice Chair Eugene Nadeau, RI Board of Ed Member Marta Martinez, Pilgrim Principal Gerry Habershaw and Superintendent Philip Thornton.

“Making college a viable option for people and having it readily accessible to every student who wants to attend is critically important and, likewise, being prepared is critically important. That’s what this pep rally is all about and why the governor is here today,” said Mayor Avedisian. “Making sure everyone here is prepared and able to attend a college of their choice is one of her goals for the state of Rhode Island.”

Raimondo lauded the mayor, saying he “cares so much” about students in Warwick. She made sure to credit Rep. McNamara for getting the bill passed in the House to secure the funding for the free tests. She then called Senator Lynch Prata “terrific” and said the “rising star” senator “cares a lot” about education. Raimondo also discussed her own familial history with education and said the issue was close to her heart.

“This matters a lot to me because I wouldn’t be where I am today without a good education,” she said. “We’re getting rid of the cost barriers. You shouldn’t need to reach into your pocket to take the test and have a good future.”

The governor ended her pep talk by telling students to go to bed early, eat healthy and not to “party too hard” over the weekend.

DO YOUR BEST ON THE TEST:

Governor Gina Raimondo talks to Pilgrim High School students before they take their tests on October 19. (Warwick Beacon photos) A BREAK FROM CLASS:

Pilgrim students listen as Governor Raimondo speaks at their PSAT pep rally.

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