Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea recently honored several Warwick high school students with the 2016 Rhode Island Civic Leadership Award. The award is given annually at a State House Ceremony to high school students who have made outstanding contributions to their schools and communities over the past year.

This year’s Warwick honorees are Christopher Black and Stephanie Langevin from Pilgrim High School; Emily Riordan of School One; MacKenzie Grenier of St. Mary Academy Bay View; Anthony Oliver of the Warwick Area Career and Technical Center; Arianna Pafume and Brian Li of Warwick Veterans Memorial High School; Ethan Golditch and Elizabeth Carcieri of Toll Gate High School; and Taylor Carlson of the Warwick Area Career and Technical Center.

“Each year, I have the privilege of presenting the Rhode Island Civic Leadership to rising stars from all over the state,” Secretary Gorbea said. “These students have demonstrated remarkable leadership skills and a desire to get involved and give back to their communities. It is this sort of selfless dedication towards others that is critical to our success as a state.”

High schools from around Rhode Island nominated one male and one female student, who best meet the ideals of the award, including public service, leadership ability and academic achievement. Over 100 students were honored for work ranging from volunteering to help end hunger and homelessness in Rhode Island; to working with students with disabilities; to organizing an event dedicated to raising awareness about nonviolence.