Two Warwick Students Win $2,000 Scholarships from Cox Communications

STATE HOUSE — Eight Rhode Island high school seniors, including two Warwick residents, were recognized Wednesday at the Rhode Island State House with a Cox Communications scholarship.

The students each received a $2,000 scholarship for academic excellence, community involvement and their desire to pursue a degree in communications, telecommunications, technology or engineering. Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea officiated as the honorary chair and presented each student with their scholarship.

Scholarship applications were reviewed by a committee comprised of community and business leaders.

“Recognizing students and the schools and teachers that help them achieve success is fundamentally important to our goals of supporting youth education in Rhode Island,” said Jay Allbaugh, senior vice president and region manager, Cox Communications. “Each year, we are proud to celebrate local students who are poised to build onto their high school experience with new goals and opportunities in the next step of their academic careers.”

“Presenting these scholarships to some of Rhode Island’s most talented students is an honor, and I look forward to learning about their continued achievements as they progress to the next chapter in their studies and professional lives,” said Secretary of State Gorbea, who served as the honorary chair at the State House presentation.

In addition to the eight in Rhode Island, eight scholarships will be presented in Connecticut and three in Ohio, representing $38,000 in academic scholarships.

The eight Rhode Island Cox Scholarship recipients are:

• Bridget McLean, a senior at Tolman High School, plans to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute to pursue a degree in computer programming.
• Madison Leon, a senior at Toll Gate High School, plans to pursue a degree in computer engineering.
• Zeke S. Cohen, a senior at Classical High School, plans to attend Cornell University to pursue a degree in computer science.
• Derek Byrne, a senior at Bishop Hendricken High School, plans to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute to pursue a degree in computer and electrical engineering.
• Jonathan Wahl, a senior at Ponaganset High School, plans to attend Assumption College to pursue a degree in economics.
• Daniel J. Kent, a senior at Portsmouth High School, plans to attend the New England Institute of Technology to pursue a degree in information technology.
• Naia Barruetabena, a senior at Middletown High School, plans to attend the University of New Hampshire to pursue a degree in bioengineering.
• Kieran Maynard,a senior at Narragansett High School, plans to attend Stonehill College to pursue a degree in engineering.