Farewell, Dear Sophia

Sophia Academy 2023 graduation was, as always, a joyous, monumental milestone for our eighth grade class. I was spellbound listening to the unique appreciations expressed by the faculty and staff to each member of the class—they revealed and reinforced the strong bonds among students and teachers, and the special character and personality of each graduate. These are resilient and determined young women, and they have taught us as much as we have taught them.

Each Sophia student’s or graduate’s journey is more than just her own story. It’s one chapter in a collective narrative that binds the Sophia Academy community together. As eighth grader Evelyn Tillman said in her introduction of YSANEL Torres, a 2011 graduate and one or our 2023 Women of Wisdom, “The Sophia sisterhood is a bond that cannot be broken.”

We are a small and mighty community of students, families, faculty and staff, graduates, board members, mentors, volunteers, and donors. We’ve done a tremendous amount of work over the past five years—navigating through the pandemic, building our financial sustainability, and strengthening our social justice foundation. Each and every person’s commitment to the Sophia mission reverberates through our story: Sophia Academy is a place where one can make a profound difference. And for that reason, I believe Sophia Academy will continue to thrive and to draw forth the wisdom of many generations of girls as they forge a pathway to their dreams.

As I conclude my final reflection as your Head of School, I want to express my deep gratitude and admiration. Serving with you for these five years has been the highlight of my career and a highlight of my life. Thank you, and farewell!

-Maura Farrell, Head of School 2018-2023

Linking Students with Music

Congratulations to Sophia Academy sixth grader Inallys Salcedo. Her original composition was chosen by Principal Horn of the Rhode Island Philharmonic, Kevin Owen, for his new arrangement of Vivaldi’s La Follia, commissioned by the Philharmonic as part of the Music School’s partnership with Link-Up, a nationwide program in which local orchestras develop a concert that students learn on recorder and voice throughout the school year. At the end of the year, students attend the concert and play along with the orchestra live from their seats. Inallys's composition was one of eight individual student pieces chosen for inclusion in the concert.

First Place at MindBlast XR Hackathon!

Screenshot from Sophia Academy's 2023 Hackathon entry

Sophia Academy’s team took first place at the MindBlast XR 2023 Hackathon sponsored by Winners Circle, a non-profit whose mission is to empower students in marginalized communities through access to cutting-edge technology and rigorous educational programs. Sophia fielded the only all-girl team in the competition and dedicated their April break to preparing for 2-3 hours a day. With the guidance of former trustee and Sophia dad Kobi Dennis, they researched a pressing social justice issue—poverty, food insecurity, and poor nutrition. They then collaborated with industry professional mentor Anthony Favorito to design a Virtual Reality project addressing this issue.

Juan Rodriguez, Winners Circle’s Executive Director, wrote: “We would like to extend our gratitude for giving us the opportunity to work with the exceptional students at Sophia Academy. Their passion, creativity, and commitment to making a difference in the world truly inspire us.”

Congratulations to the Class of 2023!

On June 8th, we joyfully celebrated the class of 2023. Throughout their time at Sophia, these resilient young women have met challenges with grace and wisdom, and embraced opportunities with vigor. We are so proud of our new graduates!

The class of 2023 is off to great college preparatory and career tech high schools including Classical High School, Charette, Cranston High School East, Cranston High School West, Cumberland High School, The Lincoln School, St. Andrews School, and The Met. The Class of 2023 was offered nearly $200,000 in high school scholarship support.

The last week of school was filled with fun, love, and leadership at our traditional events: the eighth grade family potluck where the graduating class paid tribute to one another with heartwarming speeches that revealed and reinforced their sisterhood. Graduation rehearsal was followed by a relaxing trip to Oakland Beach. At their closing ritual, they paid tribute to each member of the faculty and staff, and listened to fond messages of farewell from the 5th, 6th, and 7th graders.

As our graduates move to high school, and our 5th, 6th, and 7th graders move up to make room for the incoming 5th grade class in the fall, we express our gratitude to our essential donors, dedicated families, generous volunteers, and talented faculty and staff, and community partners who walk alongside our students and keep Sophia Academy’s mission strong.

¡Buena suerte a la Clase de 2023!

The Civil Rights Trip Returns to Sophia

At the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, eighth graders took part in a re-creation of a 1960s sit-in. They sat at lunch counters, hands flat on the countertop, eyes closed as the stools shook and headphones played recorded threats. Later, many eighth graders highlighted the sit-in as an eye-opening experience. For a few minutes, they were able to experience history as it happened.

The Civil Rights trip is the culminating event of four years at Sophia Academy. In this four-day trip, eighth graders tour the Deep South and meet with activists to learn about this defining moment in U.S. history. This year, the eighth grade was accompanied by Mrs. Moniz, Ms. DePalo, and Ms. Ana Ceballos. Throughout their four days in Georgia and Alabama, eighth graders toured such Civil Rights touchstones as Martin Luther King, Jr.'s childhood home and the Tuskegee Airmen Museum. They crossed the Edmund Pettus bridge together. They learned about the ongoing struggle for human rights at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

When they returned, the eighth grade class made presentations to share what they learned. For many, the Civil Rights Trip was a look through a window into a lived reality: “My favorite part was getting the opportunity to talk to Mr. Charles,” said Kiara Remigio-Kingsley, referring to the guide who joined the Class of 2023. “I learned a lot more about history…the Internet tells you a lot, but you need someone with experience to explain what really happened.”Mrs. Moniz echoed Kiara’s observation: “Especially with history…it’s hard for students to understand its impact, and so the trip allows for students to walk and live it to some extent, so that they’re able to connect with it and really visualize the history we’re talking about.”

The Civil Rights Movement was a seminal moment that reverberated through the country. As years go by, fewer of the courageous activists of the time will be here to share their stories. It’s more important than ever for young people to experience this trip and learn firsthand what the movement was about, the sacrifices that were made, and the impact of the movement on their own lives.

Arts Intensive Week at Sophia

During the week before our spring break, regular classes were suspended as we reintroduced Arts Intensive week. Five artists—Filipa Estrela, Brandon Contreras, Oliver Arias, Ysanel Torres (our Woman of Wisdom and Sophia alum!), and Damont Combs—spent the week with us. Each student participated in one workshop for a deep and intensive experience with a genre: Public Art, Spoken Word, Dance, Zines & Cartooning, and Film/Video. A culminating showcase was a jubilant celebration of our students’ passion and creative expression. Thanks go to our art teacher, Lynne DeBeer, for ensuring all of the artists were people of color from the surrounding community. They were fantastic and joyful teachers who truly inspired the girls.

WOW! What a Night!

We were proud to hold the Women of Wisdom Celebration 2023, honoring Barbara Papitto and YSANEL Torres as this year's Women of Wisdom. Hundreds of people turned out for this joyful, heartwarming celebration of the Sophia Academy Mission and our school's loving, generous community.

Thanks to Kim Kalunian and Ted Nesi of WPRI, our fabulous event hosts, and all of the sponsors, volunteers, and committee members who made this evening so special.

6th Grade Visits RISD Museum

The sixth grade has been creating masks in art class and recently took a field trip to the RISD Museum to explore exhibits highlighting different uses of masks throughout history and cultures. The students thoroughly enjoyed themselves as they got to learn about textiles and materials used around the world to create these beautiful pieces of art!

The galleries brought students through many historical moments, including an Ancient Egypt exhibit that held items from 2,300 years ago, Indigenous tribes in our modern history, and even artists from the local area within the past two years. During this trip, our tour guide, Marani, was intentional with her lessons for Sophia students. Students had fun drawing the animals they saw in the galleries and made clay masks together while analyzing an art piece by RISD student Rose B. Simpson.

2023 Career Symposium

Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos in attendance

At Sophia Academy’s second annual Career Symposium, our students spent half a day with a diverse group of women who visited our school. We were especially honored to welcome Lt. Governor Sabina Matos and Sophia alumna and public artist YSANEL. Medical professionals, attorneys, professors, judges, government leaders, police officers, fire fighters, event planners, journalists, and others—mostly women of color—demonstrated with their stories that our students have the inherent talent and wisdom to follow any pathway they choose.

The morning began with an introductory activity “ice breaker,” then panel discussions facilitated by Sophia eighth graders. Students and guests moved into small discussion groups, diving into deeper conversation. The morning's questions were pre-written by our 8th grade ambassadors and included: How did you learn about your current career? How do you deal with people who look at you and jump to conclusions about what you are capable of? Through your hardships, what keeps you going as a leader? What advice did your mentors give you to become who you are today? 

In their post-event reflections, students wrote:   

The most valuable part of this event was seeing how passionate these women were towards their job and their advice for us, because they made me realize the opportunities I have…  

One of the most valuable parts was learning about each of the careers. The second thing that was valuable information for me was being one on one with the people to talk to them. The last thing was hearing others’ wonders and things they found interesting…  

This experience was great for me because all the careers were great and got me thinking what I want to do when I’m older. I can be so many things when I’m older. This is the time for me to start thinking about what I am going to do when I’m older…  

2023 Panelists:

Temi-Tope Adeleye, WJAR News Journalist

Judge Melissa DuBose, Associate Judge at RI District Court

Jessica Maxted, Fire Fighter

Aubrie Viera, Dental Hygienist and Assistant Professor at CCRI

Ysanel Torres ’11, Public Artist

Nirva LaFortune, City Councilwoman and Assistant Director at Brown University

Carla C. Moreira, MD, RPVI, Surgeon and Professor at Brown University

Officer Debbie Rosso, Providence Police Officer

Judge Elizabeth Ortiz, Rhode Island Family Court

Margaret Brassard, Small Business Entrepreneur

Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos, Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island

Officer Dormica Waters, Providence Police Officer

Regina Carter Visits Sophia

Renowned jazz violinist Regina Carter spent a day working with our students and sharing her love of music, and emphasizing to our students that they can pursue any dream or passion they choose, and that when they are willing to immerse themselves in hard work, they will know they have found that passion.

With their voices, recorders, ukuleles, and drums, students and faculty followed Carter’s lead in a blues improvisation and then had the opportunity to ask questions about her music and her life.

Known for exploring the power of music through the voice of the violin, she performs in many styles, including jazz, R&B, Latin, classical, blues, country, pop, and African. A recipient of the MacArthur “genius” award and a Doris Duke Artist Award, Carter is currently attending a residency at the RI Philharmonic. She is also a Grammy Award nominee. Carter started her violin journey at the age of 4, and is deeply inspired by Ella Fitzgerald. Her wide range of experience includes teaching violin in public schools, touring widely, performing at numerous jazz festivals, and making history by being the first nonclassical violinist to play Niccolò Paganini’s Il Cannone (“The Cannon”), the legendary violin built by Giuseppe Guarneri in 1743. 

Sophia students were utterly inspired. What an honor to have such quality time with this incredible musician!